I trust that when you catch my heart, you will see the value of the bi-weekly classes to you personally, to us as a team and the church body at large.

Here are some brief premises
1.  Worship starts with seeing Him. Our hearts respond to His revelation of Himself - in Christ, in His Word, in creation, in His body the church, etc. "No one can sing of things they have not seen, God open our eyes towards a greater glimpse..."

2. Our knowledge (deep intimacy) with the Lord is of eternal importance - it's worth more than anything you can think of doing, and He means anything.

So where does the course fit in?
Life-giving music & worship ministry flows through us not from us.

Remember that in our presence based approach to ministry - we don't simply play instruments and sing - but we become the instruments that He ministers in and to, and through.

We spend much time learning, practicing and tuning our instruments. The Lord would ask the same of us - "Come sit, rest and learn of Me. Let me tune your heart, thoughts and affections to Me. Gaze at Me, practice My presence - it's never a waste of time - come and awaken a deeper desire for Me - and I will show you great and wonderful things."

There is nothing as pleasurable as God revealing God to the human heart. nothing. The world has yet to see what God will do with a person fully devoted to Him. I aim to live to be that person - will you join me in that daily pursuit? Can you see the value of time spent together awaken desire for him, learning about what He has called us to do as lead worshipers in His great church. When the music fades....

On Sundays we simply let what He has been pouring into us all week overflow and splash out on the people... and because of the gush of passionate zeal one would expect from you, we need Wednesday practices that organize our collective zeal into something that edifies the church. We stand with deepening & humbling understanding of who He is, and what He has called us to do.

That's the essence of class: Who is He and what is this 'worship thing' that He's called us to do.

The things we discover in the courses should awaken a zeal to get alone with Him. We simply want to wet our appetites... awaken hunger, cultivate a thirst for Him like no other. By fixing our attention on Him - and away from chords, lyrics and melodies, we begin to become what He wants. Sure you can do it on your own... but do we? I know I have such capacity to love God - yet not much hunger to pursue Him. I like you I don't do what I want to do...

What if there was a tribe of people who devote themselves to living a day to day pursuit of Him - together and personally. Such a tribe will (and did) change the world.

As a leader, I want to present to the Lord a company of worshipers with a mature faith in Jesus. As we become that - the worship services will be 'out of this world'.

I can only offer the class, off the water - I can't make you drink. I pray that you all will. I pray that your times with the Lord will grow as we grow in our knowledge of Him and what He desires of us.

I love what God is doing in us all - and I also trust His methods... lets run hard after Him - together.

Winter/Spring 2009

Our first course is a foundational course of worship: Exploring Worship - Bob Sorge.


There is a textbook to read and a workbook to complete.
Read a Chapter and complete that section in the workbook.
Bring your answers and be ready to discuss them with your team.
This time will be facilitated and attendance will be taken.
 
Then you will watch a 30 minute video that discusses that chapter.

You need to bring your completed workbook to the class. While we may not check every week - there will be accountability, and a series of non-completions will be taken as and indication that you don't wish to be a part of Embassy Worship. (even if you know all your music perfectly, and show up every week)

The first team will start this on Wed Feb 18

You have 2 weeks to read the next chapter and complete the workbook questions for that particular chapter.

For those wanting to grow in worship ministry - you will love the foundation this course lays... I really look forward to this!

We should be done this particular course in June.

Textbook & Workbook
Exploring Worship: A Practical Guide to Praise & Worship

You can:
1. Request these in PDF format using the contact form. So you can print these off yourself - expect to use about 350 pages altogether. (you may have the paper - but ink can set you back a bit.)
2. Print at Staples/Biz Depot, etc... they can do it back to back for you - all in all with binding about $20.
3. Order from Amazon.com - $18+ altogether for both books (best option - gives back to the author!) (order fast so you get it on time!)
4. You could also read on your computer & print each chapter from the workbook to bring as we go along... (cheapskate)