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The Importance of Song Texts

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BibleAs a worship pastor, I make it a matter of priority to read through the texts of songs planned for upcoming worship services. Even if I know a song well, I usually read through the text to make sure there isn’t something I haven’t caught before. Believe it or not, it’s easy to gloss over things in songs we’ve sung many, many times. There are several reasons I do this, but the main reason is that I want to make sure the text is theologically solid and declares the truth of the gospel. The music we sing in corporate worship gatherings is far more than a “warm-up” for the sermon. It–and everything else we include in the worship gathering–must proclaim truth just as fervently as the sermon does. If any component of worship does not “preach,” it does not belong in worship.

At The Blazing Center, Stephen Altrogge has a post entitled “Why Words Matter in a Worship Song.”

Truth matters. Sound doctrine matters. Our songs should be saturated with truth. It doesn’t please God when we sing false things about Him. It pleases Him when our songs are packed with Biblical truth.

Thanks, Stephen, for reminding us of the importance of this concept.

Impacting the Kingdom Through Worship,
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Sovereign Grace's Awesome God

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Awesome GodAnytime my family travels anywhere that’s more than a few minutes away from home, it’s rare that we don’t have some sort of CD playing. Sometimes these can be CDs from the PBS television show “Between the Lions.” Sometimes they’re books on CD from the local [Read more...]

The 2008 Baptist Hymnal

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Ever since God called me into ministry, I’ve served Southern Baptist churches. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t serve churches of another denomination (or ones with no denominational affiliation) if He called me to do so. But as it stands, I’ve only served Southern Baptist churches. Even so, you couldn’t call me a “fanboy” of the SBC. [Read more...]

Sojourn Music

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When I started writing at IsaiahSix.org a couple of years ago, there didn’t seem to be many blogs on worship. At least I didn’t find very many good ones. Since then, I’ve come across some helpful new resources and I want to point you to one today.

Sojourn Community Church is a growing eight year old church in Louisville, Kentucky. Their worship ministry is active in writing “new songs for worship, rich in Christian theology.” I came across their website a few weeks ago [Read more...]

WorshipGod 08

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Every two years, Sovereign Grace Ministries hosts a conference for pastors, worship leaders, instrumentalists, vocalists, songwriters, and tech team members. But, as their website indicates, “anyone who wants to grow in their understanding and practice of biblical worship will benefit.” Having attended WorshipGod 06, I knew early on that this year’s event would be on my schedule. Here are some things I took away from the conference. [Read more...]

Sovereign Grace's Psalms

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PsalmsSovereign Grace Ministries held their biennial worship conference, WorshipGod 08, last week at Covenant Life Church in Maryland. Themed “Rediscovering the Psalms,” the conference was a mental and spiritual feast on many levels. [Read more...]

The Power of Parental Influence

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My children enjoy singing. I don’t think they received that gift from their parents through genetics as much as they have been conditioned to be around music and accept it as an integral part of their lives. Hearing them sing to a worship CD in the car is nothing new for my wife and me. But last night we were treated to something special. It was a, “Wow, God, thank you for letting me be the dad to these kids,” moment. [Read more...]

Faulty Theology and Song Selection

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This morning, as I was sitting in my office planning worship services and choral rehearsals for the next few weeks, I came across an arrangement of a song written by a famous Christian musician (I won’t mention his name here because that isn’t the point). I’ve always respected this musician for his skill and his theology. But there was one line in this anthem that caused me to throw the entire piece out. [Read more...]

WorshipGod08

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Bob Kauflin reports that there are 1450 registrants for next month’s WorshipGod08 conference. I will be there and I can’t wait. The 06 conference was incredible. If you have the opportunity to attend, you should consider registering very soon. Some of the break out sessions (which you have to sign up for at the time of registration) are already full. Make haste.

Impacting the Kingdom Through Worship,
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Review of Come Weary Saints

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Come Weary SaintsOne of the traits for which I have long admired the writers at Sovereign Grace Music is their attention to theologically rich lyrics. I mentioned my appreciation for that in reviews of Valley of Vision and Savior. Sovereign Grace Music recently released their latest CD entitled Come Weary Saints [Read more...]
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