Job description
Lately, to some, worship has seemed kind of "dead". If you aren't into worship, you may not "get" much of this. Charismatic Christian lingo... But just like when I talk to Tina about work... I only know how to speak in the context of the subject I'm speaking about! And if you are reading this page... you probably are "into" worship.

Anyway, to some, worship has seemed kind of dead. Being on a worship team, and being a worship director, I think about this. (Even if I have stepped down now. I still care and I still think about it.) So... the general consensus becomes "You need to make worship better" and "How do we make worship better".

Well I've been thinking about it, and I've come to a conclusion... But first, some background.

Worship was awesome in Costa Rica. We were doing it multiple times a day, everyone was doing devos and quite time, and we were doing God's work. In other words, God was on our mind all the time and we were in a pretty steady state of worship. (Not just singing worship but worship as an everyday lifestyle and choice, as Michael would say.) So... not only was the band in that place, but so was the entire congreation. And then when we got back worship was really good. But lately it has seemed kind of "dead". Pretty much ever since school started back up.

Last weekend I though the team did really well. Michael was really flowing with the crowd, which is so hard for so many worship leaders. After the service I told him I thought he did really well, and he said thanks and then made a face like "Yeah, it was awful". Then later a few people mentioned how "the crowd just wasn't in to it."

So... how come I thought it was so good (as well as a few other people) and yet some members of the team, that were flowing and seemed to go there thought it wasn't?

I believe it is because they are focusing on the wrong thing, and asking the wrong question!

The worship team is starting to focus on the congregation and less on God - or even if they are focusing on God, they are worrying about the congregation. And they are worrying about "how to get the congreation to worship." And therein is the problem, imo. The issue is we have a large new influx of students. People that have moved to town, students who have been invited now that school has started back up, etc. And many of them don't know how to worship or have never been in a church where the youth worship. And so there is starting to be pressure on the worship team to "get these youth to worship" and "make worship like it was." But, it is my contention that the question for the worship team shouldn't be, "How do we get these people who don't know how to worship, to worship?", the question should be, "Given we have a large group of people who don't understand worship, how do we maintain an attitude and atmosphere of worship?"

It is unrealistic to think that the worship team can somehow make worship with the current set of youth in the ministry, the same as it was this past summer. There are many of the same people, but the group as a whole is a different group with a different dynamic.

And the important thing to remember is, "You can't make someone worship". What you do is:

• You teach them about worship,
  
• You encourage them to worship,
  
• You model worship for them, and most importantly
  
• You have an attitude of worship and YOU worship God.

As a worship team, that is all you can do. And if you keep your focus, many people will eventually go there. Worship is an awesome thing, that once experienced, people will long for. But you can't explain that. People have to experience it. And the best way for them to experience it is for you to just do it, encourage them, and let them get involved over time.

So... my suggestion to the team would be to "Keep your eyes on God and just keep doing what you've been doing." The team is an awesome worship team. They flow with the Spirit and hear from God. And if they just keep doing that. Just keep having that personal relationship with God (which is what this is all about), and keep the focus. Then they will present an atmosphere of worship and others will follow. Getting caught up in "the job" of being a worship team and trying to "get the people to worship" will result in the focus being lost and will hinder, not help, the congregation.

So... judge every night (if you have to judge) on how YOU worshipped... not on how others did. That is something I've always tried to do. The best and worst times of worship that I have experienced have been based on how I felt I flowed, heard from the Spirit, etc. and how the team did and not based on what the congregation did or how they thought. I've had times I thought were awesome when "the crowd didn't get into it" and other times that I knew were terrible, that "everyone thought was great." Again... its all about you and God... and you are the best judge of that!

At some point the congreation will get it, they'll understand, and it will be like it was this last summer... and then a whole new school year will start and you may have to go through it all over again. That is just part of being in student ministry. So be encouraged by how you do, not how the congregation does!

Keep your eyes on God. Keep your focus on God and worshipping him, and eventually everything else will come.

posted by James at 3:27 PM

Well...
What now, as far as this blog is concerned? I started this to journal my thoughts about them team. Some of that I've done, some I haven't. How personal do you get on a "public" forum. Also, some times you just don't feel like writting things down.

Anyway, I'm at a new era with respect to the team. I've pretty much "closed this part out." But I'm going to leave this blog open (since people may want to read it from time to time... or I may want to just come back and read it). Plus I *think* I'll still post entries here occasionally. Like I said, I'm still be around. I'll still go and worship with these guys from time to time. Also, I'm thinking about writting something on student lead ministry. We'll see.

In any case, I'm leaving this open and may still post here. If I do, I'll announce it on WorshipJunky. That way people that follow that blog will know, instead of having to check here every now and then.

Its been great... Love you guys. See ya round. (and Bobby... see ya in a about 45 minutes when we do adult worship practice).
posted by James at 6:18 AM

Dono
The entire team is pretty much in the same roles they have been in for some time. And as I've said many times, they are all so awesome at what they do. They each are "a part of the body" that makes up the entire team. Some more out front than others, but all an important part.

I just bring up Dono because he is "the main drummer" lately. Nick has stepped down for the fall season to play football, and Dono moved from the sax to the drums.

I love expressive worshippers. Not that they have to get all freaked out and jump around (in a fake way or anything), but people you can tell are just enjoying what they are doing. For instance, in some songs that are really building, you can almost see Nichole jumping out of her skin. It is building and building and it looks like she is going to explode. That is an awesome thing. It takes the congregation with her. She is modeling passion and worship to them.

Well Dono is that kind of worshipper. He can't contain himself. He just goes for it before the Lord.

The cool thing is... he is that kind of worshipper on the drums as well. Sometimes it looks like is he going to fall right off the drums or something. :-) I love that. I told him I love to see drummers who "dance on the drums." He isn't the best drummer in the world (and he knows that), but he has an awesome heart for worship, he is an excellent worshipper on the drums, and he is getting better every time he plays. He is an awesome guy, with such a heart for worship. It was so cool to watch him as he worshipped last night.
posted by James at 6:13 AM

Last night
Last night I thought the worship was really good. Michael is such a natural leader. He flows with it so well. The ups, the downs, talking to the congregation, leading them. Was it an awesome "experience", was everyone "into it". No, not really. But as a worship leader, you can't control that. You can't MAKE people worship. All you can do is model worship to them, and by that lead them.

Once of the hard things about a student ministry is that it is in constant fluctuation. The "congreation" is new every year. Your seniors leave and new people come in. So basically you have a whole set of new people, who may have never worshipped before. Who don't understand it, and don't get it. All you can do is model it to them. Eventually they'll get it. But at first it can make worship not seem "as good as it should be." But there is nothing a worship leader, or team, can do about that. You just continue to worship God as you know YOU should, and the rest will fall in line eventually. You continue to model, lead and encourage.

And our team is awesome at that. One of the best.

Jaime played her SP500 for the first time at youth last night. Very cool. Michael said he wants to get one, once he is making good money and can afford it. It has some really cool sounds. I think Jaime is going to have a lot of fun with it. It is great to invest in your kids in something they love, that they can use to minister to others, and that brings them joy.

I was watching the entire team last night, as "the last night as the worship director." Man they are awesome. How God must look down upon them and find such job. They are so beautiful in worship. They are a prime example of why God created humans.

Yes, we are imperfect. We have our issues, our problems. We fall down and make mistakes. But we also know how to love. To watch our kids pour out their hearts. To reach out to Him and "go there". To find joy and passion in worship. To love Him through it. Wow. I know what it does to me as a human and a dad to watch that. I can't imagine how He feels about it, other than to know what joy and love it brings to Him... and how much stronger. He sent his Son to die for these kids. And it was well worth it.
posted by James at 6:08 AM

and the Continuation
Fuel is all about student led ministry. And the worship team is no different. As I just said, I started with the worship team two years ago with bunch of teens who had a heart for worship, but needed some guidence. In that two years they have grown to an AWESOME worship team. Not just "for teens" or "as a teen worship team", but as "A worship team." Some of the best worship I have been involved in. Michael and Nichole are awesome worship leaders. Called and annointed of God. Bobby is an awesome leader. They run the ministry. I've just been showing up lately.

And so now I've stepped down. Now what happens? What adult is going to step in and take over as the worship director? None. Bobby is going to take over as the leader. Moving from "student corrdinator" or "assistant coordinator" to the person in charge. There has to be an adult there for liability reasons, but there is always a sound person there who unlocks and gets things going.

This is what stundent led ministry is all about, and as it should be. Bobby is stepping in the position I'm leaving, and he will do an awesome job at it. He already does. He'll lead the team as he always has, and he'll report to Pastor Rick once a week (something I just didn't have the time for). In addition he'll be at the monthly leadership meetings.

This is so awesome, and made me "leaving" so much easier. It is a natural continuation of things. And I think it is totally of God. I did what I needed to do, and now by leaving, Bobby is able to move into more responsibility and the ministry is even more student lead. How cool.

Way to go Bobby... you'll do awesome!
posted by James at 6:00 AM

End
Now its been almost 2 years. For most of that time I've been working 7 days a week. I have my "real" job at MCI Monday - Friday, and I usually put in some time on Saturday morning as well. I love that job - but it does take a lot of time. It is just the nature of the job, and my passion about it. I then work with the youth on Saturdays from 3:00 till about 8:30. And then I have adult worship practice on Sunday morning starting at 8:00, church, and then I do some account for the church either on Sunday afternoon or night (depending on what else is going on, like youth leadership meetings once a month, adult leadership meetings once a month, etc.). I'm not complaining, I LOVE all this stuff... but lately I realized that something had to give. 2 years of working 7 days a week is catching up to me. And with all the stuff that is going on at church and the stress that Tina is under, I need to spend some more time at home. I need one day a week off. So... I stepped down from youth.

On the one hand it was very hard to do. I love these kids and I worry about them. And I'll miss being with them every week. On the other hand, it was the right thing to do at this time and I'm totally "at peace" with it.

I told Bobby on Wed, Michael on Thur, and the rest of the team last night. The "kids" were great about it.

"Good for you. You deserve some time off. Have a great time."

That was the overall sentimate expressed to me. Happiness for me. And thanks for what I had done. Made me feel really good. It was hard to say "Good bye"... but it isn't really good bye. Jaime is on the team. I'll be there every week dropping her and her keys off. And as any parent whose child is in youth, and as an "ex-leader"... I'll be stopping by from time to time. Just to see how they are doing. Worshipping with them. I just won't be as involved.
posted by James at 5:54 AM

Beginning
"Fusion Worship" started almost 2 years ago. Pastor Rick came to me and asked me if I'd be interested in working with the youth worship team. I told him I'd love to. Here was a group of about 15 teens (13 - 15 years old) who had a little talent and a ton of heart. Some of them were pretty good, and some of them were just starting. As a whole, it sounded like 15 different people worshipping God all at the same time. But they knew how to worship and they were hungry to worship God. They quickly improved.
posted by James at 5:46 AM

And a few more thoughts
And other stuff I forgot to mention...

Steve lent us a keyboard he had laying around. We really don't know how to get any good sounds out of it yet, but Erika said she'd probably download the manual from the web. But it was still very cool to have both her and Jaime playing. I forgot to pick up a keyboard stand so we set it across a couple of chairs. It worked. Anyway, cool to have them both playing.

And Nick and Nathan were both out of town, so Dominic sat in on drums and Madisson on bass. They both did really well. I couldn't believe Madisson. He was quite the head-banging bass player! He was really getting into it. I don't know if he was just really into worship that night, or if he's getting more comfortable now that he is on the JV team and practicing twice a week. Whatever it was, it was cool.

And Scott and Dono were back, who have been gone for a couple of weeks.

Meg wasn't there, because she was working. But Jaime and I went to her folks restaurant after Fuel and surprised her. Actually shocked her would probably be better. We were walking down the hallway and she came out of the kitchen and almost ran into us and yelled. :-) It was fun. And the sushi was very good. Who would have known, Jaime really likes octopus and thought that the squid was ok.
posted by James at 6:28 AM

It just keeps getting better
Saturday night we did 3 songs, then Michael thought on worship. It was a great teaching. He said he got a lot of it from "The Unquenchable Worshipper" by Matt Redman. I'll have to pick it up. Sounds like a great book. Anyway, he did a great teaching and then we entered back into worship. They had a list of 5 songs there were going to do. After a few, Michael said, "I think God would have us do this song we've never done before." It was a song that he had heard, but no one else on the worship team had heard it.

It really shows how far the team has come when Michael can start playing a song, and within a few minutes the entire team is playing with him. Not only are they playing it, but since they've never heard it, they did their own version of it. Michael started it out slow and worshipful, but then brought it up and it was totally different than how it is usually done... but was perfect for what was going on. And then he brought it back down. It not only shows how they have progressed as musicians, but as worshippers as well, that they can flow like that. Everyone on the team did an awesome job.

Pastor Rick said it was one of the best worship services he has been in. Everything was flowing together, the worship, the sound, where God was taking it.
posted by James at 4:52 AM

JV
As noted a few entries back, I was kicking off the Fuel-JV team, but would be handing it over to another leader. Kevin Brewton has taken over that position. Functioning in a similar role with Michael as I function with Bobby. Pastor Rick asked me to step out of it toally, freeing up some of my time and having a JV leader totally in charge. Makes sense. I'll probably stop by once in a while, just to worship with them. I've heard they are doing really well. This Friday is their kick-off event, and I'll be there for that. Should be pretty cool.

Its a cool thing to have that ministry startup up as a separate entity. When we were out in Tulsa, one of the things the youth ministry did there was split their two groups so that they were totally separate. When they did that they saw a lot of growth. Its a good thing to have a separate JV ministry where they can take ownership and be student lead by their peers. It should be an exiciting time!
posted by James at 4:40 AM

Schedules
The Dates in the header are old, I haven't updated them yet.

Until Aug 22nd, Fuel-JV worship practice will be every Friday from 5:00 - 7:30 and on Saturday from 3:00 - 5:00
Fusion (Fuel, Fuel-SV?) Worship won't really have practice. We'll run through the set from 5:00 - 5:30.

The only exception is Aug 8th (a Friday) when the Costa Rica BBQ and Picture swap is at 6:00. We'll have to leave church around 5:30. We haven't decided if we'll have an early practice (which requires one or two adults getting off of work early), a very short practice (5:00 - 5:30 - hardly seems worth it), or if we'll skip that practice.

I'll update as we figure it out.
posted by James at 1:48 PM

It starts: Fuel JV Worship
Fusion and Fuel are both youth ministries of ICC. Fusion is the high school and Fuel the middle school. Pastor Rick has decided to have them both use the name Fuel, rather than the Fusion/Fuel split. So now they are Fuel and Fuel-JV. (Or maybe it is Fuel-SV and Fuel-JV... not totally clear on that). Anyway, in addition to the change in names, we are also splitting the services. Fuel will continue to meet on Saturdays and Fuel-JV on Friday.

As part of the split, we are putting together a Fuel-JV worship team. I'm the director over it and Michael Child will be the student coordinator and worship leader, i.e, its his thing. I'm just there as the adult. Long term I'll probably be handing it over to another youth leader so that I don't have both a Friday and Saturday night committment, but for now I'll be kicking it off and there on Fridays.

Its a very cool thing to start another worship team, have another youth who is in charge of it, giving it his vision, etc. and another team in which even younger teens can serve and try-out their calling.

They've got until the 22nd to pull it together and have do worship for the first time. They'll be practicing on Friday's and taking the Fusion worship team practice on Saturday until the 22nd. They've got some talented teens on the team, and they've been practicing on their own for a bit. It should come off good. And they are all middle shcool or freshman. Cool stuff.
posted by James at 1:42 PM

Itinerary
The itinerary for the trip has been posed on the Fusion Worship - Costa Rica 2003 Home Page
posted by James at 7:18 AM

Update / Current Status
The following will probably turn out to be long. Just FYI, I posted a comment on dates after this one (well before in time, but it shows up after this one). Figured I'd mention that in case someone didn't feel like reading all of this. Yes, there are TWO new entires today! :)

It has been a while since I've posted anything, and some of the last posts were more logistical in nature. Discussing how we are expanding, etc., but not what is going on in service. Erika is usually pretty good about posting on those things though, as well as Jaime! This lack of posting isn't because nothing has been going on... far from it. Things have been awesome. Its just that I've been very busy and haven't sat down to reflect. My other blog takes very little time to update, and is more just "hey that was interesting." - so I keep it up to date. Anyway... here goes!

Worship has been getting more and more intense. As a whole, I believe the team is morphing into what God wants it to be. More and more people are taking their positions. This is not a reflection on anyone being better that anyone else, it is just a matter of people moving into what they are called to do. Everyone on a team is important and makes up what that team is all about. When someone leaves, or should someone leave, the team would be a different team. Not always worse or better, but different. So, the reason we do what we do, is because of ALL the people that make up the team. I can say that with confidence, having been on a number of worship teams, and always having been in a "supporting" or "background" role. I'm certainly glad other people are called to lead worship as the Worship Leader, because I am certainly not!

I believe one of the big changes is that Michael is now leading. He has become established as "the Worship Leader". We used to run a "format" where a number of people lead, all depending on who sung which song. Musically we were getting very good, but I started to worry about the worship. I felt we weren't flowing real well. (I may have commented on that here). We decided we would instead have one or two people lead, and that way they could actually lead not just a song, but the entire service. To a great extent, the flow of worship during a service is an expression of how the worship leader is flowing with the Holy Spirit, how he/she is feeling - being led - etc, and how the band flows with that leader as well as the Holy Spirit. Having the same person lead gives them a chance to walk in that, versus it being "changed up" every song.

Michale is now leading, and it is evident that he is called, that he hears from God during the service, and that he can flow. It has been awesome.

In addition to that change, some personal stuff (which I won't go into here) has been happening in the church and in Michael's life, and it has really caused him to reach out to God. I believe that is also effecting our worship, in an awesome way. When someone talks to God, a lot, and worships in their daily lives, it shows in their "performance". When they come together to worship. Because this is evident, Pastor Rick has given Michael the OK to take the service wherever he feels it should go. The last two weeks have been almost completely worship nights! Not going long for the sake of going long, but because we all felt (and Michael heard) that was the direction God wanted it to go, and so he took us there. Incredible.

In addition to Michael leading, Nichole is also leading on a few worship songs. She'll either have one song a night, or perhaps just function as the femal lead vocal on a song or two. Nichole and Michael flow awesomely together. Michael tends to set up the song, take it where God wants it to go, and then he'll quite down and just "wait on the Lord" and Nichole will pick it up and move in it. (Yeah... this is kind of weird terminology to those who have never experienced a worship service... but it is the best way I can express it.) One of the awesome things about Nichole's worship leading is her ability to hear from God and speak words of encouragement, prophetic words, or just sing in tounges. As I said, Michael and her flow well with each other. It is an awesome thing to see/experience.

Scott also will usually lead one or two fast songs and generally gets the crowd going. He is great at "being up" in a particular song, and functions in that, within the context of Michael's leadership.

As I said, it takes everyone to form a team. The team as a whole is flowing very well and flows where Michael leads. I could probably go on way too long about each person. Bobby's direction and leadership of the team. Jaime's and Erika's flowing on the keys. Meg's viola - which is SO AWESOME and just adds so much to the worship songs (and I hope the praise songs as she starts to play more and more) - and of course Dono's sax which trades off with the viola. And then everyone else that makes up the team.

The awesome change that I see/feel lately is we have made another move. We have grown more. We have gone from a team that can worship in a song, to a team that can flow an entire service, going in the direction that the Lord wants it to go. It is an awesome thing. And one that we will hopefully be able to reproduce in Costa Rica. Not for "reproductions" sake... not that it will be the same as it is here. But that with the language difference, we'll still be able to flow and go where God wants it to go. For those people, for that night, for the situation at hand. It is a wonderous thing when you don't have to depend upon yourself, but you can depend on God and let him lead. And you are just the conduit.

I can't wait to see what the next month brings, as we beging to focus more and more on Costa Rica and the team continues to grow. They are getting tighter and tighter. And then the changes that will come in fall... and to think what next year will bring as God continues to grow the team.

It is an awesome thing and something I'm so priviledged to be associated with!


posted by James at 6:07 AM

Dates
Well as both Michael and Jaime have commented, You should update the Fusion-Worship blog, you haven't said anything for a long time! So... here I am. First I'll post a comment on dates, then my next entry will be more content (and longer).

A number of "Fusion Worship" expansions are currently on hold. This is a for a couple of reasons:

• The Children's Church ministries are going through some changs as bible students who were leaders leave, and new ones come in. Michele (the director) didn't want to make any other changes in May. So, having Children's Church worship go to twice a month, and starting the pre-school worship is currently on hold for May.
  
• Since we have a lot of Costa-Rica activies going on in June, and then most of the people involved in worship teams will be gone for late June/July, I thought it would be bad to start something in June, and then miss the next date!

So... we'll probably just want to "expand" these ministries until late July or August, when we all are back and can regroup!

As for the Fusion Worship Team, there are only 3 more practices before we leave! Based on that:

• Dominick, who is going to Costa Rica, will be practicing and playing as the drummer, to get integrated with the team. Nick, who is not going, will be helping the sound team and resume as the main drummer when we get back.
  
• Michael, who is leading in Costa Rica, is getting the songs translated into Spanish
  
• Bobby has given me the song list for CR and I've sent it to Jonathan
  
• As much as possible, we are going to try and do the CR songs for the rest of the services before we leave
  
• I'm pretty sure we are taking the keys, as they have become an integral part

I think that is all I have to say about dates...
posted by James at 5:40 AM

Pre-school
And Christine has accepted the position of worship leader for Pre-school! Miss Michele came to me about a month ago and said that having the teens minister in worship for children's church was awesome, but could be put something together for pre-school as well. Perhaps a CD-team type format. That way the teens could use the existing kid songs, which have movements, etc., and they'd be able to lead them into worship, minister to them, etc.
More than just leading though, she also wanted them to be workers, so that they'd build relationship with the kids. Which is a great thing. It really helps you minister on a regular basis, when you have relationship with those you are ministering too!
Christine wanted to do it right away, but wanted to pray about it to see if it was something she was supposed to do. She is so busy already! Last night she said yes she really wanted to... she just hopes she isn't taking on too much!

I think it will be great. Once it is up and running she'll have an assistant who can fill in some of the time, so mostly it will be a leadership committement, more than a time committement. While is still a lot, but I know she can handle it. I'm excited about it!
posted by James at 5:56 AM

Children's Church
Becky couldn't lead in Children's Church this week-end, because she was already on the schedule to work in nursery. (One of the logistical things of working in multiple-ministries and leading. You have to let everyone know what your committments are, so they can plan accordingly!). So... Kirby will be leading in Children's Church today! Very cool. He has never lead before, but I'm sure he will do great, and Jaime and Erika will be there to help him out, if he does run into any problems.
Just more examples of youth stepping into ministry!
posted by James at 5:51 AM

Updates
Well I haven't posted here for a while. Not because nothing is going on... there is just a lot of routine stuff going on, plus with the hugh amount of drama practice, we haven't been doing any worship practice. Which is a really good indication of where the team is at! Drama practice all day, then run through the set for about 30 minutes to sound-check, etc., and they are ready to go!
The stage got re-arranged for the Easter drama, and we are going to leave it that way. It puts the drums way over in the corner, but it does allow the rest of the band to really spread out, which I think is very cool.
Well... that is about it, in general, I'll add a few other posts on specific things. Just makes updating, etc. easier. (having multiple posts).
posted by James at 5:48 AM

First drama practice
Yesterday was the first drama practice. It went great. I posted that in the Costa Rica blog. (Can't get to my blogs right now, so it makes it hard to add the link!)

After all day of drama practice, we grabbed some dinner, then went to practice. We started worship around 6:15, and it pretty much lasted the rest of the night! Everyone was exhausted, and it was just a great time of worship. Michael did an excellent job leading. Brought everything down at the end and just "waited on the Holy Spirit." He then went into I lay me down, by Darrell Evans. After the some people gave testimonies and then Pastor Rick did an alter call.

"I had two messages prepared for tonight, so it isn't like I didn't have anything to say... But I think this is really what God wanted us to do tonight!"

It is great when everyone is flowing with the Holy Spirit and it all works together! At about 7:20 Pastor Rick dismissed Fuel and came forward to give a short message. "I'm just going to wait and see what God wants me to talk about." He waited for a few minutes and then said that he didn't think God wanted him to say anything. That we were done. Zach then shouted "Let's worship", Pastor Rick said, "If the band wants to", and Michael said, "Lets go - James come and drum".

So we took off with some fast stuff. I never know the beginnings of songs I haven't played, so that was kind of messed up, but it was great fun. Although I did break a couple of sticks and get a blister on my hand. :-) Worshipping hard... the only way to go!

All it all, it was a great night of worship, and a great "Costa Rica" type experience. Kind of like camp to some extent! Work hard all day, and worship all night. I think sometimes we flow better with the Holy Spirit when we are exhausted... 'cause you are just too tired to do anything else!
posted by James at 6:10 AM

29th
Last night was awesome. I have to head for church, but just wanted to quickly say how awesome it was. I went places in worship last night I haven't been for a while. Very cool. Michael and Nichole did a great job leading us into worship. I'll try to post more later 'cuz everyone did really good.
posted by James at 6:44 AM

Growth
Oh... and speaking of people moving into new roles. A few weeks ago we did a "total worship night". It was very awesome, and because of the length and the number of songs we had to do, it gave some people oppurtunities that they hadn't had before. In addition, because some members of the team wanted to worship in the congregation, we didn't play with the full set of people every song. Instead, people would come up for a while (maybe just when they were leading), and then go back "into the crowd" for a while. And it all flowed extremely well. In many regards it showed the maturity of the team overall, and how comfortable they are getting with eachother. Everyone did very well and a few people lead who usually don't.

• Nathan lead a song (first time he has sung) w/o playing an instrument. A very different role for him, and he did really well.
  
• Jaime lead, I Could Sing of Your Love, which she has done a few times now
  
• Ricky lead a song, which he has lead a few times
  
• Donovan lead a song (which he has never done) - that he WROTE. It was awesome

It was very cool watching these guys (and girls) step out in new things, and just do what God is leading them to do. Not eveything was perfect... but that isn't the point. The point is they felt lead, they did it,and it went off very well. And as they overcome their fear, anxieties, etc. and get more and more comfortable with what God is asking them to do, they'll continue to grow and get better and more mature. Like I keep saying, it is an awesome thing to see.

These guys are not waiting to become "adults" to effect the kingdom of God. They are seeking out their calling, experiencing it, and moving in the ministry that God has called them to... and they are affecting His children now. Its a great thing.
posted by James at 9:48 AM

Last night
I can't wait to hear from Jaime about last night. We are in Tulsa for a pastor's conference, so I wasn't able to go to Fusion last night. Last night was Jaime's first time playing keys for Fusion... wish I could have been there. I'm excited to hear how it went... I know she will have done great.

Staci dropped off the team due to family committments. This is fine and one of the situations you have to deal with in any worship team, not just youth teams. People's direction changes, they get called into other things, their family situations change, etc. One thing about our ministry is that we want youth to be able to experience something and see if they are called. If not, that is cool. So..., it was great having Staci on the team, but she feels it is time for a change, and that is cool too. We were very blessed by the time she served with us.

And now that we no longer have a keyboard player, God is opening an oppurtunity for others. Both Jaime and Erika have played piano for a number of years and have great hearts of worship. And both of them have expressed an interest in playing keys on the worship team. I'm really looking forward to see what God does with both of them as they move into this new role. Our plan is to rotate them, and hopefully allow them to play and sing. (I think both of them have discussed just playing at first, until they get comfortable enough to do both). In any case, this is a cool new chapter!

Like I said, can't wait to call Jaime and see how it went!
posted by James at 9:40 AM

Teams
As discussed in the previous note, we now have multiple teams. I don't know all the team members at this point, as the teams are still in the process of being formed. But here are the teams, along with the leaders for each of those teams. As this gets ironed out, I'll update the static page with the members, etc.

• Fusion - Bobby Chavez
  
• SHOC - Bobby Chavez
  
• The Ark - Michael Child
  
• Children's Church - Becky Jorgensen
  
• Fuel - Michael Child : This team is in very preliminary stages

posted by James at 9:32 AM

Update
Been thinking about the Fusion Worship Ministry, quite a bit. Not just a worship team, or the "youth band", but really the concept of "Fusion Worship Ministry"... Its more than just the music, it is youth, being involved in various worship teams and ministring via worship.

The team has come a long way, in a short period of time. It is a testament to what youth can do, when they are given the chance. The "music department" (or whatever you want to call it) pretty much started out as two things. A youth band and youth cd teams. The idea was to have an adult in charge (me) for accountability, logistics, mentoring, etc., but let the youth do as much as possible. Let them do the ministry... not just get ministered too. There are soo many reasons this is a good thing. (I won't go into all of them now). Having the youth ministry be youth lead is what Fuel/Fusion is all about. A little over a year after I started in this position, it is time to take stock of where we are at.

As I said, we started with a band and CD teams. The CD teams were pretty experienced and had been around for some time. Last Oct we formed new teams (giving some new people chances to lead). The band started a little over a year ago, and were playing every few months, then once a month, and lately at least twice a month. Pastor Rick and I have been thinking and discussing whether the band should play every service. There are advantages and disadvantages to this... but one of the main ones is it means that we'd no longer have the CD teams. But this is something I've been praying and thinking about for some time.

Are the CD teams really fullfilling their intended role? Mainly, giving more youth the oppurtunity to serve in a worship team position, learn to lead worship, flow with the Holy Ghost, etc. I have come to believe that they are not. The main reason being, with the emergence of the band and all the other things going on (prayer retreats, special events, etc.), in a 5 month period each team has played once. That is not enough time for them to really feel like they are serving, etc. So, it is not meeting the need.

At the same time, a central theme of the ministry has been "youth lead". Also, we (fusion worship) has been branching out in other areas... mainly Children's Church and The Ark. However, unlike the Fusion band, the worship teams for Children's Church and The Ark are adult lead.

Given the need for oppurtunities for more youth to be involved in worship, and the fact that we have two worship teams that are not youth lead, the solution was obvious! Make all the Fusion Worship Teams youth lead! Not only will this get more youth involved (the primary need), but it will also give a few youth the oppurtunity to serve in not only a worship leader position... but actually a worship minister. What I mean by that, is not only would they serve in some "lead" position during worship... but the team would actually be theirs. They would staff it, interact with the primary leader of whatever ministry they are serving under, handle schedules, practices, etc. The whole ball of wax. This gives them an oppurtunity to experience the responsibilities and also grow the ministry as they see fit. With some guidence. This is an awesome oppurtunity!

So... as we start the 2nd year of the Fusion Worship Ministries, here is where we are at. We now have a worship band that ministers at the weekly service, but a subset of that team that does a 2 hour worship/prayer night (SHOC) once a month. We also have a two other worship teams that are youth run, one ministering at Children's Church once a month, and aother that ministers at The Ark at least once a month and sometimes twice. In addition to that, we are thinking about starting a Fuel Worship Team, that would be staffed with younger teens, and lead by one of the members of the Fusion Band.

While in some respects this has seemed to grow rather slowly, this is quite a bit of increase for one year. And it is just awesome to watch! A lot of the youth have really stepped forward over the last year. People have shown their integrity and committment, and have grown and moved into areas that initially wouldn't have seemed possible. Given the oppurtunity, they have really shown what they are made of, and I'm proud of every one of them!

Its going to be exciting to see what God does with the ministry as we continue to grow, and what God is going to do with each of them personally, as they physically mature and as they mature in him. Working with the youth is such an awesome thing!
posted by James at 9:16 AM

Erika
I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. Erika has some really great insight/comments on her blog. If you are a follower of this blog, you should also check hers out. They are always a great look at the worship team (and/or worship in general) from an actual teen on the team... rather than from my point-of-view. She doesn't post all that often, but every time she it is good.
posted by James at 8:23 AM

How to get ahead
It is kind of an unstated, but frequent question in ministry. How do I get ahead? I want more responsibility. I want to be in charge. I want to start this new thing. How do I do that? What do I have to do to move ahead? Maybe not in those exact words, and not everyone feels that way. But you can tell that it is there in some peoples minds. And the answer is so easy, and is stated so often, that I think sometimes people over look it. Nah, that can't be it. That can't be all it takes. That isn't what I want to do.

Serve. That's it in a nutshell. You just serve. You show up, you have a high level of committment/integrity, you do whatever is needed, and whatever it takes. Sometimes people think its about talent, or desire, or showing someone how good you are. But it isn't. Given someone with tons of talent and no heart, or someone with tons of heart and a little talent... I'll take the heart every time. Yes, you have to be called, and yes you need talent/skill in whatever it is you want to do. I mean you can have the most heart and desire in the world to lead worship... but if you can't sing at all, it isn't going to happen. But heart makes up for a lot. And this is true in every ministry. It may not always be true in the coporate/job setting... but with a church staff and volunteers it is almost always true.

I've seen people who had great skill and were very talented in a certain area. They've made it known they wanted to lead in that area, that they were willing to take it on, take charge of it, etc. And from the outside they'd seem perfect... but they were never put in charge. Instead, someone that wasn't as obvious, that maybe had things to learn in that area was put in charge... But that person had a servant's heart. They had proved (perhaps unknowingly to themselves) that they were loyal, were committed, and would do whatever it takes. And that is almost always recognized by those in charge... and is somewhat rare, and very valued.

Why do I bring this up in Fusion Worship? I'm not sure... maybe I should have just put it on my normal blog. But it just seemed right here. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, as I see things happening at church. And as I watch the teens. Not just the band... but all the teams: band, CD, sound, etc. Looking at who shows up, who is always there, who has committment. Those that serve... just because it is in them. Those you can count on. I think they'll go far. And not all of them are the most talented. Not all of them are the first ones you'd think of for a particular position. But over time, they are proving themselves, and they are raising to the top.

Serving, and where your heart is, is so important in the ministry. And what you sow, you'll reap. It is a kingdom principle... and not one that everyone gets.
posted by James at 7:34 AM

Practice makes perfect
The team is getting so good. After service on the 11th, the team did two or three more songs, and then the lights came up. (If they keep playing, the teens will stay forever, and that isn't always a good thing... Since parents are there to pick them up, etc. - So, they are now bringing the lights up a little after 8:00 to kind of let everyone know Its time to go!). Anyway... some of the musicans that didn't have to go, just kept jamming. Bobby, Michael, Nathan and Kevin. And it was very cool what they were doing. These guys are really getting good. It shows what happens when you have some talent, and you play quite a bit and practice a lot. I know these guys put a lot of time into it, and it really shows.
posted by James at 7:22 AM

Stage presence
When I was at camp last summer, after practice on the last day, when the band was gathered for prayer before worship started, John Larson (the worship leader) talked to us about stage presence. To paraphrase...

We all know how important stage presence is. We don't want to fake it... but it is really important to look like you are having a good time. To move around, to get into worship. If we get into it, the kids will get into it. So, have fun and get into it!

He wasn't saying that to us because we hadn't been getting into it... he was just saying it so that we'd think about it and really go for it. And he was totally right. It is something that any muscian knows. If you are excited, others get excited. Why do professional bands (Christian and secular) put on shows? To get people into it.

With worship, it isn't hype... it isn't fake, it isn't "lets get them jumping just to get them jumping." It is a fact that as people enter into praise, and start moving around, dancing jumping, it helps them to stop thinking about themselves, being self conscience, and just let go. And then as they enter into worship, they can really think about God, talk to God, and spend time with Him... rather than just standing there, mouthing the words, thinking about their problems, the people around them, etc. They come away from the experience having experienced a time with God, and not just having sung some songs.

Why do I bring this up now? Because it was so apparent the last time the Fusion worship team played. Saturday night (the 11th) was just a little different from normal. You could just feel it. I don't know if it was Christmas break and people weren't back into the swing of things, or what. But no one really seemed into it. I mean the band was fine, the music was good, and some members of the team were getting into it... But for the most part the congregation wasn't. All the teens were just kind of standing there, maybe a few with their hands raised, "watching" what was going on and mouthing the words. They were watching... not really participating. This went on for two songs... (I Lift My Eyes Up and My Glorius) and then we started My Best Friend and Scott took off. He just started jumping around. He started the song jumping, and any time he wasn't signing, he was jumping. And the second he started, the whole atmosphere changed. As soon as he started, the congregation started, and from then on everybody was into it. It was kind of an amazing thing to watch.

Now was that hype, was that fake? No. But what it did was took everyone's mind off of whatever they were on, and put them on God. They started having fun, and they got into it.

That was a great example of leading worship. Not just being the band. Not just singing some songs that others sing along to. But helping lead the congregation into worship. Taking them where God wants them to go, and where they need to go.

It was awesome.
posted by James at 7:16 AM

delirious?
Pastor Rick called to let me know that delirious? is coming out with a Spanish version of Cutting Edge! It should be in out April 8th, and has 12 songs from Cutting Edge. This is very cool. Since we already do some of these in English, all we have to do is learn the words in Spanish. This is very cool for Costa Rica!

I checked their official web site, but no news yet. I'll try and check back there once in a while. Would be cool to know what songs, etc.
posted by James at 1:47 PM

SHOC
Pastor Rick talked to Bobby and I about the Fusion Band doing worship for SHOC. We *probably* won't do it tomorrow night... as it is kind of short notice, and we're looking at a couple hours of worship. Could be a bunch of free praise, which would be really cool... but I still think we need some prep. Anyway, I'll talk to Bobby about it tonight and see what he thinks. If not tomorrow, then probably next month.
posted by James at 11:23 AM

Ark the 22nd
Update: Michael, who cut his thumb on a bottle, will go into surgery sometime next week... I think. Because of that, his thumb will still be in a splint on the 22nd and he won't be able to do worship. As of right now, we have no one scheduled. I'll talk to the Fusion band on Saturday and see if anyone is interested/able to do it.
posted by James at 11:22 AM

Practice on the 18th is canceled
Pastor Rick's D*group has some kind of outting going on... and since almost all the musicians (not all, but most) are in his D*group, none of them can make it. Therefore, no practice!
posted by James at 10:32 AM

28-Dec-2002
It was great! Turned out that Bobby didn't have to leave town, so he made it. Also Stacie made most of practice and was there to do keys. Jaime was worried about being the only other singer besides Michael (kind of puts her in the spotlight), but Meg said she'd sign, and Bobby ended up signing too! Very cool stuff. Bobby was great. He has great passion when he sings. There was a cool feel about the night... I think because the team was smaller, people were stepping out of their comfort zones to do what was needed (and God honors that), and everyone just had fun and went for it. Tif came and was very moved by the worship, so that was very cool.
posted by James at 10:30 AM

Michael @ the Ark in Jan
Michael will be leading worship at the Ark on both the 12th and the 22nd. Thanks Michael, that is awesome! I think that Jaime and Erica are going up too, so they'll be doing background vocals.
posted by James at 10:27 AM