Merchant Band led worship for the Summer Teen Intensive tonight. There was about 300 teens crammed inside a room that seats about 250. The band was on the floor up front and I brought in my own drum kit. We had live wedge monitors instead of in-ears, and the teens were right up in front of us during the worship time. It was a blast.
We played some old songs of ours including “Salvation Belongs” and “All I want.”
There’s something different about leading worship when it’s just raw and pure like that. When it’s just us and a crowd of hungry teenagers. Also, there is something wonderful about being able to play my own drum kit. I haven’t played it in a live setting for about 2 years.
Watching the teens worship, sing, dance and pray for one another reminded me of a camp I went to when I was about 14 years old. Sean Dunn took a van-load from my youth group one summer, and I remember during and after that camp I had such an understanding about God’s power in my life to overcome sin. I was so excited about holiness and righteousness and about living my life for all that God has for me.
It’s now at least 10 years later and I feel like I’m just stepping into a mature approach to that same excitement I had back then. It makes me wish I had done things better over this last decade of my life but gives me a hope to really press in for deeper things durring the next decade.
petey duncan said:
Godly worship can change a mans heart with a song or even a drumbeat.Go Bro
Posted on July 19, 2006 at 12:02 pm
Shawn said:
I am all about changing people through awesome drum beats! Thanks. Maybe if I hit harder they will experience deeper change…probably not.
Posted on July 19, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Joanna Reyburn said:
I sang with Jordan Johnson and Isaac Meyer and had an absolute blast! For me, there was fresh experience of true corporate worship. I felt as if we’ve almost forgotten what that looks like! I remember the “old days” at IHOP worship conferences with leaders like Daniel Brymer and Chris Dupre
(namely Daniel with Delirious?’ God’s Romance… “Everyone, here is your kingdom come, here is your God who saves the day” and Chris’ Revival in Belfast “Garments of Praise” with the fiddle solo; and the lights were off)
…when everyone stood, everyone sang, everyone danced, and it wasn’t cheasy at the time, so why do we seem to think it is now? I’m ready to rid myself of the post-modern worship experience which presumes to be more authentic by its lack of participation; sitting & folded-hands contemplation.
Posted on July 20, 2006 at 3:04 pm
Shawn said:
I miss the old trailer days too. It was good times: The feeling of ownership of the prayer meeting, the lack of seperation between the room and the worship team. I don’t miss the broken green folding chairs though, they were so uncomfortable. Hey, maybe that’s why everyone was standing. I think we’re on to something here…
Posted on July 20, 2006 at 6:45 pm