Summer Sabbatical

The elders of my church graciously offer all full time pastoral staff a six week sabbatical every seventh year. It is hard to believe that as a musician I’ve been able to hold down a job for more than two years, much less seven… But here I am…

 

I plan to spend a week at the beginning and end in solitude, beginning with the Abbey of Gethsemane where Thomas Merton lived, and ending at a retreat center in Cincinnati. In between will be a weekend in Chicago with my wife, and trips to Florida and Colorado with my family.

 

A few friends have asked what books I’m taking on Sabbatical. While I only hope to read 2-4 of them in their entirety, I’ve got 11 books on the docket:

 

The Abbey of Gethsemane:

The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence

Answering God by Eugene Peterson

New Seeds of Contemplation by Thomas Merton

 

Chicago:

Prayers for Married Couples by Bartkowski

 

Florida:

The Dangerous Act of Worship by Labberton

The Effective Father by MacDonald

 

Colorado (Denver, Boulder):

Wide Awake by McManus

A Generous Orthodoxy by McLaren

 

Cincinnati (in solitude):

The Pursuit of Man by Tozer

Dangerous Wonder by Yaconelli

Schools of Conversion: 12 Marks of New Monasticism

 

 

Books

Southern Sun

Today, Monday, I got some work done this morning, went with Ramin to his office, and worked some more this afternoon. Later afternoon Ramin and I hooked up with Brad Riley, and discussed iEmpathize, ThereIsEnough, and nonprofit logistics. It was a very helpful conversation, and was encouraging to have Brad’s support and validation. He is an excellent resource, and is gracious in sharing his experience.

After chatting with Brad for 3 hours, Ramin and I were off to hook up with Brady Smith. Brady gave us a sample of his latest, then we were off to the Southern Sun. A good time was had by all. The hops will promptly put me to sleep…

And I must add… Isaiah Razavi hasn’t touched me at all this week, but today gave me a full on hug. I promptly handed the camera to Natalie to take a picture of us. Definitely one of the highlights of my day. Nay, week.

Ramin and his Subaru WRX STI

Ramin

me

Brad Riley and Ramin Razavi

me and Isaiah Razavi

Brady

Brady at Southern Sun

Ramin

i'm very happy right now

Love Wins

Ramin’s church, Roots, has merged with two other churches here in Boulder and are temporarily being called The Collective. Brad Riley, one of his co-pastors now, initiated and started iEmpathize. They are combating child sex trafficking, and have partnered with Love146 to that end. Sunday night iEmpathize hosted a benefit concert for Love146 entitled Love Wins. Ten Shekel Shirt played and did most of the songs off their new album, Jubilee. I highly recommend the album, and I think it is the most important album you will buy this year.

The lead singer, Lamont, founded Love146 about four years ago, and much of the album reflects his experiences with the organization. My favorite song is Daylight. I resonate with the progression of engaging in worshipful song, but sensing that there is more to life, and a deep desire to engage in the most important things. Here are the lyrics:

I feel your presence Lord
Like the daylight upon me
I give you my best praise
In the safety of this place
But there’s so much more

My hands are lifted high
I sing of love so deep and wide
I search for timeless truth
With words say I love You
But there’s so much more

Who will answer to the cries
Of the oppressed and the terrified
Who will stand up for the weak
The helpless and the suffering

I won’t turn a blind eye, walk the other side
While slaves make our shoes
And our wedding rings too
While children are bough, their innocence sold
How long will we wait for You to take us away

Until we see You, You wait for us too
In the broken and poor, in the sick and abused
We long for your move. Well, You long for ours too
There’s no other plan that You’ve introduced
We’ve got to come through
We’ve got to come through
There is so much more we all have to do

Ten years ago the cries of worship leaders around the country to worship songwriters was that we need more songs about mission, about being sent into the world to live a life of love. I believe that the next ten years will reveal the need for songs about justice. In that sense, Ten Shekel Shirt is pioneering the way with their latest album.

I got to sit down with Lamont later that night and chat. He recommended a book I just bought, The Dangerous Act of Worship. He had some advice about choosing board members. We talked about Call and Response, Justin Dillon’s movie. We talked about Amos 5 and Rom 12 in the Message. I felt very encouraged and inspired, which is probably the second half of the purpose of this trip.

Ten Shekel Shirt

Lamont Hiebert

Jonny Rodgers

Lamont

Lohse’s Wedding

I got to go to Marc Lohse’s wedding on Saturday. It was a great wedding. Ramin did an excellent job with the service, and as an un-named uncle proclaimed, looked “gorgeous.” Marc and Maura look great together, and are very happy.

Natalie and Ramin

Marc and me

Michael and Lisa

Boulder

It is so good to be in Boulder.  It is like my second home…  The scenery is great, that mountains are huge, and the weather this week is great.  Here are some pics:

There Is Enough

Last December I initiated a giving alternative at our church entitled Redistribute.  We provided a brochure that listed local and international partners and had different donation values that corresponded with tangible items that impacted people’s lives.  The idea was to redistribute some of what we would typically spend on ourselves to those who are in need in our world.  Our church raised a significant amount of money to redistribute to these partner organizations that are serving those in need.

The idea of redistribution can easily become a movement in our churches today if we would allow ourselves to be formed by God’s heart for the poor.  I want to help provide the church with a tool to take steps in this direction.  As Bill Briley and I met in August to plan Redistribute for this year, I was compelled to take the movement beyond just our church.  Thus, ThereIsEnough was born.

• ThereIsEnough connects partners of redistribution to provide food, fresh water, education, medicine and justice for those in need.
• There is enough.  Enough clean water, food, clothes, medicine, grace and peace and hope.  There always has been.  The issue is distribution.  The redistribution movement is an opportunity to reassign our resources to those in the world who most desperately need it.  God is freeing the world from consumerism and poverty at the same time, and inviting us to join Him.

I was startled when I found out a few years ago that if you make over $50K/yr, you are in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world (globalrichlist.com).  I am in the top 1% wealthiest people in the world.  Me.  The richest 1%.  Crazy.  I don’t feel like it, and would not have predicted that.  But it certainly puts into perspective how wealthy Americans are compared to the rest of the world.  If only we could redistribute some of that wealth, I am convinced that fewer people would die of hunger, lack of water, and lack of basic medications.

So starting early next year I plan to launch a website that will partner with organizations that are addressing the most basic needs in the world today. Donations to the site will be funneled directly to the organizations that are doing the work.

I believe that as education and awareness are increasing, a paralysis is following.  The amount of need in the world combined with the thousands of organizations addressing the need is overwhelming.  Where do we start?  How do we choose whom to partner with?  Can I really make a difference in such large, global problems?  My hope is that this website will be able to provide a starting place for those being compelled to engage.

The site will be launched early in 2009.  More to come…

ThereIsEnough

Boulderyish

On Aug. 5 an idea was birthed. Since that day I have been doing research and processing with many advisors to make that idea a reality. I am currently flying on a plane to Denver to seek further counsel. It has been an exciting process, and I am looking forward to finalizing much this week.

The reason I am on a plane today is because about a month ago I had a phone conversation with my old friend, Ramin, who planted a church in Boulder, CO. As we spoke about church and God’s Kingdom coming in this world, we discovered that while we have lived apart from one another for about 4 years, we are on a similar spiritual formation path. Ramin and a fellow pastor and some others are implementing an idea similar to my own. So by the end of the conversation, Ramin insisted that I come to Boulder for their launching weekend. That night as Christin and I processed the possibility, she simply stated, “You have to go.” The very next morning I received permission and blessing from my boss to make the trip, and amazingly booked a $95 round trip ticket. It has been a providential experience, and I’m not even in Boulder yet. To remind me of God’s provision and hand in all of this, I stepped into line at the airport this morning to be greeted from an attendee from my church, and a gentlemen from India. He and I had a delightful conversation about India, from the culture to languages to my friend who lives there to my son who is from there. He was very polite, and has been in the States for 13 years, but misses home. I told him how I had just had some of my milk tea from India a few days ago and he knowingly smiled.

As I fly out of Indiana to Colorado, I am listening to a “Boulder” playlist of earthy, Boulderyish artists, like Donnie Mortimer, Griffin House, Andrew Osenga, Glen Phillips, The Alternate Routes, Glen Hansard, Elliot Smith, and Nick Drake. The song that Murph and Matt and I wrote about rode trips just came on (10 and 2). It seems very appropriate. (“Colorado’s rushing by, like a West bound wind…”)

A wonderful benefit to the timing of this trip is that I will be able to attend my friend Marc Lohse’s wedding today. I am so excited to see him and to be present as he begins his life with Maura. Marc is one of those guys who exudes the joy of the Lord, even though he has had his share of hardship in life. God’s light shines brightly in darkness, and overcomes the darkness. You can easily see the light in Marc’s life and eyes.

So here I go, embarking on what I am sure will be a life changing week. I hope to finalize some big decisions this week, meet one of my favorite artists, process with old and new friends, and hone the vision God has granted.

Ethics of Worship

General Session:
Ethics of Worship with Scotty Smith

Heb. 13
We are called to interact in the past, present and future at the same time.
Painting: 4 trees telling the entire story of God and man
Life –> loss –> love –> life

The past is meant to be respected and not rejected.
We need to know and connect to the past.
The present must be contextualized, not idolized.
We are called to be faithful in our moment.
The future must be realized, not romanticized.
Heb. 1-12 is the story of the past.

Heb. 13 forms of acceptable worship:

1. Integrity in relationships. Heb. 13:1-4.
   1. Restore relationships.
   2. Justice.
   3. Reconciliation.
   4. Is being before God propelling us into ministry to the broken?
2. Liberty in our stewardship. Heb. 13:5-6.
   1. The love of money vies for our heart.
   2. There are traps to confuse security for money.
3. Reality in our discipleship. Heb. 13:7-14.
   1. Be followers of Jesus, not just singers of worship songs.

Eze. 33:31-33

31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen
to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths
they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed,
to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful
voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put
them into practice.

33 “When all this comes true—and it surely will—then
they will know that a prophet has been among them.”

Are we taking the songs we sing seriously?

Scotty Smith

the last band

Justice and Worship Collide

Breakout Session:
Justice and Worship Collide in the Psalms and The Implications for Modern Worship
with Elizabeth Jones (Food for the Hungry)

It is in your household that you tend to really grasp things as a child.
The Psalms were not just read, but sung.
Most of the Psalms were written by people that were suffering.
Ps. 101:1
Book – The Message and the Music
The message of all 77 of the top worship songs from 1989 – 2005 lack anything about justice.
WE NEED SONGS ABOUT JUSTICE.
Ps. 5 and 7 – protection, refuge, deliverance from enemies
Ps. 6 and 13 – cry for help
Ps. 10 and 12 – don’t forget us
Ps. 94:1-11
A lot of the songs/Psalms are prophetic.
Worship leaders are to be prophets.
Amos 2 and 5.

“Justice” is not a noun, it is a verb.
Ps. 23
How can we sing about justice if we do not live it?
Micah 6:8
Justice is about righting relationships.
Mercy is not getting what we deserve.
(good justice songs – Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble, and God of Justice by Tim Hughes)

Elizabeth Jones

The Effective Praise and Worship Leader

Dr. Ron Kenoly is a confident, fun man. In less than 5 minutes he had the entire room uncomfortable. He directly asked people questions, and when they answered incorrectly, he would simply say, “No. Who has the right answer?” When frustrated by the third incorrect definition of the word “praise,” he said, “Come on people, you are supposed to be worship leaders. You should know this stuff.” He was very firm, and very intimidating. I enjoyed watching him make people squirm. And while his talk was right out of his book (that I have not read), I found it very insightful, and from my limited experience, spot on.

Breakout Session:
The Effective Praise and Worship Leader with Dr. Ron Kenoly

I have authority and I use it. I’m not being mean.

Praise – declaring the acts/works/deeds/promises/attributes of God

Worship – ascribing the value of God

Ps. 150 – let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

God is at one with His word. He is whomever He says He is.

Ps. 22:3

When you declare Him as healer, He must heal you.

Rom. 10:9-10 confess and believe. Declare Jesus as Savior.

Worship is intimacy with God.

John 4. Worship in spirit and truth. God is looking for worshippers.

The purpose for praise and worship is to create an environment for God
to manifest His presence.

“usher in the presence” – not the presence, but the manifestation.

“Let me introduce Chip and he is going to tell us who he is.” Then
Dr. Kenoly hands the mic to Chip. Chip has been here all along, but now
we hear from him.

God does not impose Himself. He has to be invited.

God expects to be honored. To be given gifts.

We facilitate the activities of the Lord, not ushering His presence.

What are pastors looking for? (sometimes can’t get all in one
person)

CHIEF MUSICIAN

• communicate the language of music with group/team
• able to assign vocal/musical parts to team
• establish a level of quality in the music

ADMINISTRATOR

• plan and coordinate schedules
• execute the vision of the pastoral leadership
• attend to the details that accompany leadership roles
  • keeping records
  • acquiring necessary tools and materials
  • assign and delegate responsibilities
  • execute disciplinary actions (all of Christianity is about authority
    and submission)
  • manage finances
  • represent department in staff meetings

PASTORAL

• minor counseling
• leading prayer
• visitations
• correspondance
• Bible teaching
• Demonstrate spiritual leadership

VOCAL LEADER

• able to sing on pitch
• establish the melodies of songs
• charismatic – encourage people to sing
• make a first impression (often first on Sunday)

Keys to being an effective praise and worship leader:

1. LEADERSHIP
   1. be a good Christian in good standing
   2. be able to teach and train others
   3. have common sense and wisdom
   4. have fundamental knowledge of music
   5. demonstrate leadership skills
   6. have good manners and social graces
   7. be committed to your pastor’s vision
2. KNOWLEDGE
   1. Have a good knowledge of the Bible
   2. Know what your denomination/movement believes
   3. Know that the pastor is ultimately the worship leader. (what pastors
      do in moderation, the congregation will do excessively)
3. TESTIMONY
   1. Have a living testimony
   2. Minister with conviction and boldness
   3. Sing with passion and spirit
4. PRAYER
   1. Have a disciplined prayer life
   2. Pray about song selection
   3. Position yourself to receive anointing
   4. Be willing to lead others in prayer
   5. Encourage others in the Lord and Word of God
5. BOLDNESS
   1. Be bold in worship leading
   2. Be punctual
   3. Establish and maintain order
   4. Know your limitations
   5. Use your authority wisely
   6. Demonstrate love and respect
   7. Make eye contact with people
   8. Be sensitive to your congregation
   9. Avoid tongue lashing (“come on, if you really love God, you can
      do better than that…”)
   10. Lead those who will follow
   11. Teach people whenever possible
6. SKILL
   1. Learn the language of music
   2. Take private lessons if necessary
   3. Memorize the music
7. SENSITIVITY
   1. Be sensitive to God and the people
   2. Sing songs that are written in everyone’s range
   3. Provide arrangements that everyone can follow
   4. Choose the right genre for congregation
   5. Match the volume with mood of song
   6. Know when to release the congregation to pray/sing in the Spirit
8. ORGANIZATION
   1. Give guidelines, rules or policies
   2. Honor the God of order
   3. Prepare an operations manual
9. OBEDIENCE

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Dr. Ron Kenoly

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