I am a product of a family steeped in Christian faith. My dad was a Tennessee Baptist pastor whose life and legacy speaks for itself. I have often testified to the richness of my heritage as a "P.K." (preacher's kid), who grew up in the church listening to Dad preach, and observing Mom play the organ for Sunday worship. The Clark household bore many evidences of the centrality of Christ. Many wall plaques included favorite scripture verses. Bookshelves were filled with Bible commentaries, Christian biographies, and devotional helps. The bulk of the music stacked on the piano was church music; hymn settings, Gospel solo accompaniments, and choir anthems. My sisters and brother and I caught the unmistakable influence of our parents. Coming to faith was something that had to take place within each of us individually, of course, but the pattern and spirit of honoring God in our home and church was a powerful means of receiving the commendation of God's works. The life lived as a "reasonable act of worship" (Rom 12:1) is something we have sought to pass on to our three children, and pray daily will be passed on to our grandchildren and beyond. An important part of that life has been participation together in worship.

It has often been said that "Sunday morning at 11:00am is the most segregated day of the week." The far too accurate statement is a reference, of course, to racial segregation evidenced in our churches. Of all times of the week, you would think Christians would find a way to come together in worship. Racial segregation is not the only way we are divided when it comes to worship. Many of our churches have participated in building an artificial wall that may best be described as ageism. Aspects of our acquiescence have come directly from cultural prejudice that values one age above another. Churches would do well to closely evaluate whether their programming, ministry, and "marketing" foster this prejudice and/or division. As evidenced by racial, theological, doctrinal, socio-economic, and educational level divisions, the church struggles with the hard task of wall demolition.

I am a strong proponent of intergenerational worship! I am convinced that our churches need to directly address the question, "How can we hold generations together in worship?" Some shutter at the thought of converging the music that speaks to teens with that which encourages senior saints. Very often I hear people speak of so-called "blended" worship as that which makes everyone angry, and satisfies no one. That sentiment conveys the real heart of the problem, which is that we still do not understand Who worship is either for or about. It is probably true that even the most noble among us cannot break down the walls of division, especially if we view worship's purpose to be reaching people, or satisfying our need for weekly inspiration and instruction. The controlling point of these motivations remain centered in us, sinful and fallen as we are. For the walls of ageism to be brought down we need nothing less than the power of the Holy Spirit. It is the work of Jesus Christ that tore the curtain and ended eternal separation between God and man. (2 Cor 3:14) Only He can smash the walls that divide us by preference or generational prejudice, and draw us into the one body intended for the community of faith. Jesus did not shrink from interacting with tax gatherers, prostitutes, lepers, and others marginalized by society. He welcomed women and children. He said, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them!" (Matt 19:14 NLT) The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young." (1 Tim 4:12 NLT) The writer of Proverbs offers the wisdom, "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life." (Prov 16:31 NIV) The Bible gives no evidence of age discrimination, but rather indicates its application of grace to all who believe. Paul wrote of wall demolition when he noted, "There is neither Jew nor gentile, slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28 NKJV) He cautions us how we should treat one another of different ages in 1 Timothy 5.

Respect for those different than ourselves does not just happen. This is true of those who are of a different generation than we are. There is an intentionality about the spirit and attitude needed to see others as "better than yourselves" (Phil 2:3) and to foster the kind of love that Jesus prayed for when He asked the Father "that all of them may be one, even as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us that the world may believe that you have sent me." (John 17:21 NIV) It is the kind of attitude we would expect to see in corporate worship that yields self-control over to Spirit-control. Consider the bold witness of old and young joined by the Holy Spirit in unity that lifts up Christ and proclaims His salvation from one generation to another.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FOSTERING INTERGENERATIONAL WORSHIP

• Include various age groups in worship leadership by reading scripture, presenting music as ministry, or praying for specific needs


• Provide opportunities for different age groups to serve alongside one another - children and/or teens assist in taking the offering or passing out worship bulletins alongside adult ushers, mixed age music ensembles, music students turning pages for church instrumentalists


• Involve family groupings in providing special moments in worship - lighting candles at Advent, sharing music or readings, carrying banners, leading congregation in sentence prayers


• Plan a series of services celebrating the seasons of life


• Sing songs selected to reflect each age group


• Conduct a survey among all age groups as to what songs best help us to accomplish certain acts of worship - praising, confessing, listening, giving, responding. After receiving responses utilize selections during those actions in worship and encourage all to use the songs of the various age group selections as a means of serving one another as you worship together.


• Reinforce efforts to educate children to the meaning and value of worshiping with parents and grandparents


• Provide opportunities for different generations to serve one another in worship

QUESTION: How are you encouraging intergenerational worship?

This weekend Seth Godin learned a "shocking" truth that many of us have known for a long time: that ministry can be tedious, boring, and uninspiring. It can become "just a job." As a matter of fact, it will.

Unless you are proactive against it.

There is a lot of pressure on ministers, particularly on those that are involved with music, to please people. Musicians are often hard-wired to seek confirmation and validation from others. I know I am. In ministry, this can even feel right. We love others, we serve them, we bless them, we may consider their tastes and preferences above our own. In return, we really hope they like us. If they do, we feel good and think that this ministry gig is not so bad after all. But this system is unsustainable. It's too people-focused and eventually someone is not going to like the way we do something. We burnout.

What to do? There's an interesting expression in the Bible that I try to remember: ministering to the Lord.* It's good to minister to others, being a worship leader requires it. But what's most important is that you are ministering to Him. And don't think you can do both at the same time. It's not that easy. These acts are sequential, not simultaneous.

I believe that the most important thing you can do as a worship leader is to first be a worshiper. Are you focusing on Him? Are you taking time for quiet reflection and prayer? Are you reading the Word? Are you worshiping Him on your own? Alone? Are you meditating on the Word? Are you letting the Word speak to you on it's own terms or are you just using it to plan your next church service or to write a song lyric?

It's tricky out there. Guard your heart.

I also struggle with this. What do you do to keep your music ministry from becoming "just a job"?

* See Ezekiel 44, Acts 13, and Revelation 1. Want more? See these blog posts by Jeff Goins and JD Walt.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert). No doubt that you, like me, have been saddened and disturbed by the Haitian earthquake and its victims. I've been thinking for a while about what (if anything) I should post about it here. There are, after all, better and more informed bloggers regarding the nation and the rescue efforts.

But this is the discussion I'll start here. How do we, as worship leaders, respond to such human tragedy? What songs do we sing now? How do we help our own congregations grieve, intercede, and inspire them to righteous action? May I suggest this blog post from Arizona worship leader Kyle Campos and the following songs available from our site (just click the titles):

• Lord, Have Mercy. Admittedly, the American church worship repertoire is deficient in biblical laments, but here's one. The chorus alone is strong enough.
• God of This City. This is a prophetic declaration and an act of intercession. "You're the Lord of this nation."
• Whole World in His Hands. Reminder of the sovereignty of God even "when all around is fading and nothing seems to last."

Want more? Here's a list of songs and hymns tagged with the terms "providence" and "hope." Remember, you can create your own lists by typing topical words such as "guidance" or "comfort" right in the text box from the Find & Buy page.

Question: What songs are you singing that speak to this tragedy?

A few months ago, my pastor preached from the Gospel text of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana in Galilee (I encourage you to read it again from John 2). He spoke about Jewish weddings and how they are often loud and raucous affairs. I have only been to one, but can attest that it was quite the party. He then led us through an interesting exercise where we imagined Jesus at the wedding.

He then spoke from his own imagination. He had no problem seeing the guests enjoying themselves with the festivities of food, wine, music, and dance. But his picture of Jesus was a bit different. In his mind, Jesus was at the party, but sitting at a table watching the others. Not judging mind you, but not really participating either.

And the question he asked himself is the question he asked us and is the question I'm asking you. Why do we hold Jesus back? This image is not a scriptural picture of Jesus. It is one that religion has taught us. Let it go. Embrace who he is. He's in the thick of it, dancing, laughing, eating, and drinking the wine.

Let this Jesus love you, accept you, and enjoy you. And, as you lead your worship services, make sure you are presenting Jesus as being full of joy, enjoying His creation, and His people, and not a religious wallflower.

Question: What other "religious" ideas do you think we sometimes give that can keep people from experiencing who Jesus really is?

Really? A Choir? CCLI says that only 20% of their churches have a choir, so why would I want to do that?

Whether you're an Acts 29 church plant or a decades-old suburban church, here are ten reasons, in no particular order.

1. You may have misconceptions about what a choir is. When you imagine a choir, do you imagine one that wears robes or one that wears robes? Maybe you had a bad choral experience growing up that shaded your whole perception of choir. If you release your inhibitions about having a choir at your church, you'll quickly come to the realization that a choir is just a group of people singing, and you probably already have that at your church. Turning a group of people into a choir means they just face a different direction on Sunday morning.

2. Starting a choir is as easy as asking. If you took inventory right now of the people in your congregation, I bet you already know the first five people you'd talk to about starting a choir. If half of them recruited one more person, you've got your choir. Really, you don't need to start with fifty... five to ten is fine.

3. Choirs are cool again. Just look at the buzz around NBC's The Sing-off to see that singing doesn't have to be "old school."

4. It gives people a reason to stick. Being part of a choir can convert a "fair weather" attender into a consistent one when they know they have a purpose for being at church each Sunday. And, involving one family member often means the entire family will come.

5. Choirs model worship, no matter the style. The choir serves as a mirror for the congregation, showing "people like me" participating in corporate worship. No matter your church's worship style or the direction that God is changing your church in worship, the choir can serve as the lead for the entire congregation.

6. Churches who thought they could do without one now have one (or more.) Churches like Saddleback and Willow Creek have both re-started choirs for their worship times. Churches like Summit Church use them in worship and beyond. The choir serves a purpose both in worship and in the spiritual formation of their members.

7. Choirs serve. With young adults looking for opportunities for service, social action and missions, a choir provides a public, up front, always available organization for week-to-week service, and on occasion, focused social action and missions.

8. Choir members do more than stand behind you. They stand behind you. If you're a worship leader, it's almost guaranteed that there's been a situation where you've felt alone... whether it was something as simple as a Sunday morning that just didn't go right, or something as complex as a church controversy. Your choir members are prayer warriors who can hold you accountable and give you support when you need it.

9. You can get started for free. Start with the music you already have for worship. Add in things that are familiar and easy to learn for everyone. Use the LifeWay Worship Project charts you've already purchased, or download the "Singer's Edition" versions for ten cents a person - they're great, easy choir fodder. When you're coming up on a special occasion in the life of your church, check out the anthems and musicals and collections that are available.

10. It's Biblical. Choirs were a central part of the early church's worship experience. They were up front, leading the way when God's people were doing His will.

So, are you going to start a choir in 2010? Restart a choir? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!

This year my wife and I will celebrate our 15th Christmas together. Early in our marriage we became interested in observing Advent in our home, especially once we had children (which we did 11 years ago). Neither of us came from families or churches that celebrated this season and we've had to find our own way of "doing" it, but it has been my favorite tradition that our family embraces.

I thank our current church (especially Ms. Sally) for introducing me to the warm, Christ-focused, wonderfully non-commercial aspects of the this tradition. I read that Advent is growing in popularity among evangelical (i.e. not liturgical) churches. I know that many of Nashville's Southern Baptist churches are observing it and I'm just learning about the Advent Conspiracy.

If you're curious about using aspects of Advent in your church or home, but need a primer, I recommend an excellent blog post from Presbyterian minister Mark D. Roberts or this article from LifeWay Research. For music suggestions, check out these songs from LifeWayWorship.com.

Do you celebrate Advent? What advice would you give to others who are not very familiar with the tradition? Why do you think it is growing in popularity?

Ed Stetzer brings up the issue of worship music again on his blog post, "How To Test Your Music." He offers seven tests for songs to pass before they should be used in a worship service.

One of the tests he mentions is the "association test." The idea is to ask whether the song is associated with anything contrary to scripture and/or the meaning of the lyric. This association could be due to the groove or the genre, or any host of things.

My experience has been that you can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out such things. I've known folks who associate ungodliness with all sorts of artistic expression (from dance to instrumentation to the color of one's shirt in the pulpit). How much is the worship leader responsible for others' associations? The church I'm currently a part of uses contemporary worship music, but comes out of an a capella tradition. I don't know how we could have ever plucked a note if we were bound to these seven tests.

Now, I wouldn't want to go head to head with Ed, but I take his words with a grain of salt. First, although he plays guitar, he is not tasked with the challenges of routinely choosing musical material for worshipers. Second, as my friend Dave Durham likes to point out, Jesus came to restore all things (Colossians 1:15-20). Surely this includes art, music, and even culture itself. Our artistic palette with which to worship Him is vast, my friends. He has come to restore all things.

My conclusion is that these tests may contain good principles when looking at your overall repertoire and ministry, but would be tiresome and unnecessarily academic to apply every test to every song. Certainly, let us be mindful of the culture where we are called to minister and the associations some may hold for certain expressions we may choose. But don't let those concerns alone dictate what you should or should not do. Instead, seek the Lord and let the testing be of your heart. Sometimes we are to respect the culture; sometimes we are to challenge it.

Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research had an interesting post on his blog last week about worship wars that are all too common in today's church. You can read it here.

(originally posted on A Worshiper's Heart). John Mark McMillan posted a recent entry to his blog concerning his song, "How He Loves." With the right audience, this is a really powerful song regarding the passionate love of God. But, some people get hung up on the second verse, specifically the phrase "sloppy wet kiss" in the line "So Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss." They find it to be too graphic and/or sensual. Others say the image gives them the "willies" or is just plain distracting to their worship.

The song will likely become even more popular now that the David Crowder Band recorded it for the new CD Church Music. Crowder changed the lyric to "unforeseen kiss," which is admittedly less jarring. I fault neither Crowder for changing the lyric nor McMillan for allowing him to do so. After all, the song is not really about sloppy, wet kisses and the metaphor is not essential to the message of the lyric. Crowder's lyric will, in the end, be the one the song will be known by.

But personally, I like the original lyric and I'm glad Kim Walker recorded it. It speaks of both the passion of God and the mess of humanity. It's both divine and gritty, much like the Incarnation itself. And if it makes people stop and think about what they're singing in church, so much the better.

iTunes has both Walker's recording and Crowder's. What about you and your church? Are you singing this song? What lyric do you use? Should this song be on our site?

Update: We did it. This song is now available.

THANK YOU for the overwhelming response to Worship: Reverence v. Relevance featuring Ed Stetzer and Mike Harland! Over 1300 of you pre-registered for the event, and we're aware that some of you had problems viewing the live stream.

Because we know some of you may have had trouble, we decided to archive the event and let you know that the entire broadcast is available for on-demand streaming here. Feel free to share it with your staff, friends and congregations!

Click these links for more information about Ed Stetzer, LifeWay Research, and LifeWay Worship. You can also follow us on Twitter: @edstetzer , @mikeharlandlw , and @lifewayworship. Finally, click here for more information about online and in-person LifeWay events.

Attention church leaders and church members. Do you ever find yourself struggling with how worship is "done" in your church? Organ or guitars? Praise team or choir? Traditional or contemporary? Bulletins or Projectors? If so, be sure and tune into our FREE online event happening TODAY at 2:00 pm (central time), Worship: Reverence vs. Relevance. Register before it starts to receive 5 FREE downloads from LifeWayWorship.com.

At my church, worship is led by volunteers who rotate from week to week. This past weekend, I had the privilege of co-leading with another volunteer. We had a funny mishap during communion, which I wrote about on my personal blog. The experience has led me to consider how oftentimes real lessons are learned from awkward, funny, or embarrassing moments in ministry. So, I thought that I would pose the question here: What ministry lessons have you learned through an embarrassing moment? Leave your comment below.