Read WELS Documented for Proof of Where WELS Is Headed
Friday, January 9, 2015
Who controls the NEW WELS Worship Service: Pastors or Worship Leaders?
Is music becoming the most important item in our worship as our services move beyond contemporary to rock, jazz, reggae, and even punk? Who has more control over the NEW WELS worship service the pastor or the worship leader?
The complete list of Synod endorsed musicians.
** This is NOT meant as a personal attack on any of these musicians, their heart is in the right place and they probably have the best of intentions. But, rather, this is meant to show the direction that our Synod, as a whole, is heading with their worship services. If any of these musicians would like to give us their views on this topic, we would love to include it.
Musician Mike Westendorf -
We have some exciting news to announce - Contemporary Christian recording artist and worship leader, Mike Westendorf, will be appearing at "With this ring..." 2015as the worship leader for the closing service!
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"Awake and Alive" that is the heartbeat and prayer of this Milwaukee based Christian recording artist and WELS worship leader.
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I lead worship frequently at my home church in Muskego called "The Bridge at St. Paul's". I lead within our modern worship setting and within our contemporary setting...
...As I went through song selection and the worship elements of our contemporary service I choose 4 primary songs "All the People Said Amen" by Matt Maher, "Jesus Paid it All' by Kristian Stanfil, "Awake My Soul" by Chris Tomlin et al, and "Our God", by Chris Tomlin as well.
Our service order looked like this:
Mike Westendorf
"All the People said Amen"
Prayer
Confession/Absolution
Baptism of a 4 year old (really cool!)
"Jesus Paid it All"
Lesson 1 - Numbers 11: 4-17
Lesson 2 - Matthew 9: 18-26
Offering
"Awake My Soul"
Message "Advancing" - Philippians 1:12-30
Prayers/Blessing
"Our God"
Usually you don't start a service with "Amen" as it's the finish and close to so many things. It means "let it be so" and I choose to start the service with an ending comment. (Read his complete blog postabout the service)
[Note: All four songs chosen for the worship service are written by artists with beliefs that aren't in fellowship with WELS.]
Matt Maher (All people said Amen) - As a devoted Catholic, Maher’s music continues to cross theological boundaries, and “Burning In My Soul” focuses on the power found in laying aside denominational differences for the greater kingdom work of the Gospel. (read full bio) When Pope Benedict XVI visited the United States in April 2008, Maher was asked to lead worship for crowds of thousands at the Rally for Youth and Seminarians in Yonkers, New York. (Wikipedia)
Kristian Stanfill (Jesus Paid it All) An American contemporary Christian music artist. He is a former staff member at Austin Stone Community Church. Around 2004 he became a worship leader at North Point Community Church. He is currently a worship leader at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Passion Church is anchored in three major spiritual values: The Glory of God, Radical Grace and a Lifestyle of Extravagant Worship. (Wikipedia)
Chris Tomlin (Awake my Soul & Our God) An American contemporary Christian music artist. After college, Tomlin and the band developed while working with the Harvest Ministry at The Woodlands United Methodist Church. He is currently in the worship band at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Passion Church is anchored in three major spiritual values: The Glory of God, Radical Grace and a Lifestyle of Extravagant Worship. In 2012 his songs were performed more than 3 million times in churches around the world. (Wikipedia)
Hearts and Hands of David
A workshop on modern artistry in Lutheran Worship
At Wisconsin Lutheran College
Heart and Hands of David
Workshop
Co-Hosted by Koiné
The Hearts and Hands of David Workshop was designed to connect, encourage, and grow artists and musicians who use modern technology, art, and instrumentation in Lutheran Worship. The two day clinic featured many sessions hosted by the members of Koiné and other special guests.
Some things we hoped to accomplish in this Workshop:
Advance diversity with excellence in worship.
Network church leaders who are utilizing non-traditional music and worship forms.
Provide a safe forum for discussing important issues in Lutheran worship.
Foster growth in the ministry of worship leaders and worship band leaders, especially those who may be new to the role.
Encourage the development of WELS musicians and artists.
Further the effective use of technology in worship.
Create a venue to celebrate the gifts of WELS musicians and artists.
Pastor Aaron Christie, Trinity, Waukesha, WI will seek to move WELS worship artists beyond traditional party labels (traditional, contemporary, etc.)
SON Message with S.O.N Band
The SON Experience is unique. The Experience is filled with music from the S.O.N band. Amazing visuals fill a giant screen with rich imagery in pictures and video, lyrics to songs, and the message of love, peace, and forgiveness found in the Bible! The environment is very casual and relaxed, as we all gather together to hear more about how real God is in our lives, and how he truly wants us to know him and his love. Come and experience it all. It is amazing!
Summer Worship: Our second service is outdoors, on 1st Ave, next to the church
"SON Message" in which Dr. Scott Gostchock (who is not a pastor) leads the service and does the sermon message at the outdoor service.
Personal Bio: Dr. Scott Gostchock, in addition to serving as the Executive Director for GIA, serves as a site director for Pilgrim Church and School in South Minneapolis, a nonprofit specializing in urban education and multicultural programming. He has served cross-cultural, inner city, urban education as a teacher and administrator for 15 years. He also is teaching online and on campus for a number of different colleges and universities in training teachers and leaders for urban education and leadership.
Band Bio: The Savior of the Nations band (SON band) plays a wide variety of styles from different musical genres including: Blues, Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Rock, Soul and Inspirational! They refer to the mix of styles as their "groove style." The music from the SON band shows the need for a Savior, and that Jesus Christ is truly the Savior of the Nations.