October 2011
44 posts
Church Diversity: Sunday, The Most Segregated Day...
Forty-five years ago Dr. Martin Luther King Jr made this shocking statement: “We must face the sad fact that at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, when we stand to sing…we stand in the most segregated hour in America.”
A number of books have been written by Christian authors to help address this problem. This recent one (April 2011) is by Scott Wiliams.
...
South African Choirs at World Methodist Conference...
“Jesus Christ - for the Healing of the Nations” was the theme of the recent World Methodist Conference, held in Durban South Africa in August 2011.
The Conference is held every 5 years, and this was the 20th meeting, marking 100 years of global gatherings of Methodists.
Enjoy this 8.5-minute sampling of virbrant South African church choirs. Thanks to Swee Hong Lim for the tip.
Worship Resources for All Saints Day/Martyr's Day...
Martyr’s Sunday/All Saints Day is a day on which the body of Christ celebrates and acknowledges that it has been edified by the lives and sacrifices of the saints of old. It also encourages us to think about the people who have made a difference to our faith journey (mothers, fathers, grandparents, Bible teachers, youth counselors, mentors or whoever introduced us to Jesus Christ, etc). Finally,...
Chord Progression for The Apostle's Creed (Steve...
This is from Steve Brown’s post on April 23, 2009. http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/muscial-apostle%e2%80%99s-creed/
The Apostle’s Creed is stated by the congregation while the band gradually walks up a musical scale chordwise.
I —- ii —– iii —– IV – V ——- vi — vii — – I
D – Em7 – F#m – G – A/C# – Bm – C#m – D
D
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth....
Thanksgiving Litany With Responses from the Psalms...
These resources are taken from Steve Brown’s blog “Worship Ideas You Can Use” (http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com) where you will find additional resources for the whole Christian year.
This was reprinted in Reformed Worship Journal, June 2010. http://reformedworship.org/article/june-2010/two-thanksgiving-litanies
The following is a responsive reading for a Thanksgiving service that starts out being...
Hope for a Tree Cut Down: New/Old Lutheran Liturgy...
“Inspired by the book “Life of the Beloved” by Henri Nouwen, the new album Hope for a Tree Cut Down is about something new beginning from very old roots, life from devastation, trust from cynicism, love out of fear and community from isolation.”
Curated by Tara Ward and Ryan Marsh, Church of the Beloved members create a contemplative worship service by blending traditional...
Free editions of liturgical music (through...
OCP is a major publisher of liturgical music. Though oriented towards Roman Catholic churches, many of the songs are perfectly usable by Protestant liturgical churches, such as the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Dallas, Texas where I am the worship leader. www.roomforyou.org
The Mass has recently been revised…. which means that musical settings of the Mass have also been revised....
Multicultural Music from the Singapore Chinese...
From Swee Hong Lim:
“Multicultural music making - Chinese instruments playing South Indian melody with underlying Malay rhythmic pattern and Western harmony - only in Singapore!”
Munnaeru Vaalibaa by the Singapore Chinese Orchestra
Download the audio of the entire event performance (105 MB) in mp3 here: http://www.mediafire.com/?x2p2us97mss9ga2
Leveraging Language Through Worship (Nikki Lerner)
My colleague Nikki Lerner is the Worship Pastor at Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, MD.
She wrote a new blog post about using various languages in a church service. Some main points are:
Leveraging [diverse] languages communicates the message to ALL people that ALL people are welcome.
Leveraging language communicates to ALL people to come as they are.
Read the article here:...
Laurel & Hardy dance to Santana
Here’s 90 seconds of cross-cultural fun. ;-) The video’s been around for over a year but is still entertaining.
How Great is Our God: New "World Edition"
A few days ago, Chris Tomlin released this “world edition” of his world-wide hit song.
The languages used include Hindi, Indonesian, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, Zulu, Africaans, and Mandarin.
The Zulu choir is used the most, and adds a definite “ethnic flavor” to the song.
The song will appear on his forthcoming Greatest Hits 2-CD collection. It’s available...
Project CXVI: Hymns as if done by Coldplay
“Project CXVI is a project started with the idea of making hymns accessible and known again. They are some of the richest, most meaningful, and moving pieces of music every written.” They are based in Boulder, Colorado.
Musical influences include: Sigur Rós, Death Cab for Cutie, Aqualung, Imogen Heap, Patty Griffin, Radiohead, Pedro the Lion, Coldplay, and The Postal Service....
Aspects of African-American Worship, by Joan...
This seminar was presented by Joan Nabors on August 11, 2010, at the New City Fellowship of Glenwood. It is posted at http://ncfmusic.com/articles/african-american-worship/
This seminar is an attempt to explain to a majority white audience, some of the differences between African-American culture and majority White culture in the context of worship.
I’d like to begin by telling a story of...
Brazilian Youth 'Gospel Music Phenomenon' - Jotta...
That was “Send Me, Use Me” sung in Portuguese by rising superstar Jotta A. Most information about him is in Portuguese; I think he’s around 10 years old. His website, all in Portuguese, is http://www.jotta-a.com.br
He’s being compared to child-singer-superstar Michael Jackson because of his phenomenal voice. Errr… let’s pray for him.
Here he covers...
"Te Ofrecemos Padre Nuestro" - Communion Song from...
Much of the information in this post is taken from the article ”HISTORY OF HYMNS: Central American song brings dance to Eucharist” by C. Michael Hawn, Oct 2, 2009 http://www.umportal.org/article.asp?id=5917
“Let Us Offer to the Father” (“Te Ofrecemos Padre Nuestro”) From the Misa Popular Nicaragüense, The Faith We Sing, No. 2262 With One Voice (1995 Lutheran...
A Song of Martyrdom from India... that you have...
“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus” is a Christian hymn originating from India.
The lyrics are based on the last words of an man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, “I have decided to...
ARADHNA - New Recording of Live Concert
Aradhna has kindly shared these high-quality recordings of 11 bhajan song from a recent concert in Salem, MA on October 14, 2011.
http://www.archive.org/details/Aradhna-Live-TheGathering-SalemMa10.14.2011
These are large .wav files you’ll need to download to your computer (you can burn them to a CD, of course). One song is at the website as an mp3 file so you can hear the superb...
"This is Eternal Life" - new Korean/English song
I’m part of a network of multi-ethnic worship leaders and pastors. http://www.facebook.com/groups/115159921876519/
In August 2011, we had our third get-together. A number of cross-cultural compositions were created, including this new song by Jaewoo Kim and Josh Davis. It’s in English and Korean, and this demo is sung by Josh and Joy Kim (Jaewoo’s wife).
I’m so happy...
"Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" for a New Freedom...
“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” is a folk song that became influential during the American civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Although the song was composed as a hymn well before World War I, the lyrics to this version were written by civil rights activist Alice Wine in 1956. It is based on the traditional song, “Gospel Plow”, also known as “Hold On”,...
why and how to do a contemporary "sung antiphon"...
http://sjbrown58.wordpress.com/2011/10/18/the-psalm-of-the-day/ By Steve Brown, Messiah Lutheran Church, Oct 18 2011
Our traditional liturgy has a chanted responsive singing of a Psalm each Sunday. To me, this is a powerful and enjoyable part of our traditional worship services that I did not want to dispense of in our blended worship services but the format just did not fit. We tried...
Why Architecture Matters: Our Quest to Unify Organ...
reposted from http://www.praisecharts.com/why-architecture-matters-our-quest-to-unify-organ-and-drums-for-the-sake-of-the-gospel/ essay by Zac Hicks, Oct 11 2011.
Philosopher and liturgical theologian, Nicholas Wolterstorff, recently reminded listeners at the “Liturgy, Music, and Space” Conference hosted by Bifrost Arts this past spring that the architecture around and in your worship space...
Jin - Chinese Christian Rapper
Jin Au-Yeung (traditional Chinese: 歐陽靖; simplified Chinese: 欧阳靖; pinyin: Ōuyáng Jìng; Cantonese Yale: Āuyèuhng Jihng; born June 4, 1982), who performs under the stage name MC Jin, is an American-born Chinese rapper, songwriter, and actor of Hong Kong descent.
Growing up in the Miami, Florida area, and later living in New York City, he decided to reside permanently in his motherland, Hong Kong....
Authentically Hip-Hop and Authentically Christian:...
Lecrae Moore (born October 9, 1979) is an American Christian Hip Hop artist signed to Reach Records, the record label that he co-founded. Thus far Lecrae has released five solo studio albums.
When he was 19, a Christian leader encouraged him to attend a conference where he heard James G. White speak. Because of this, he became extremely passionate for Christianity. His strong religious conviction...
A Long Road From ‘Come by here’ to ‘Kumbaya’
I remember singing this song at church youth camps, and feeling it was rather trite. Politicians now use the term to denigrate the other side. But it turns out that the song has a deeply meaningful history in its original context. And there’s an interesting history of how white America appropriated the song. Thanks to Peter Park for bringing this essay to my attention.
Katelin Hansen...
A New Bible that Balances Accuracy with Today's...
The Common English Bible is now in print. It’s advertised as being produced by “120 Bible translators from diverse ethnic groups, from 24 denominations.”
Go here to learn more: http://www.commonenglishbible.com/Bibles/FreeDownloads/tabid/203/Default.aspx
Get a free sample (PDF) of the Psalms here:...
Atlanta Conference on 'Gospel-Centered...
Promoting Gospel-saturated, Gospel-exalting worship music in the culturally- and ethnically-diverse Body of Christ
East Point Church is honored to host a series of three conferences that focus on the importance of Gospel-centered worship
http://soundworship-eorg.eventbrite.com/
Part 1: October 28-30, 2011: What is Gospel Worship?
Friday, Oct. 28: 7pm-10pm (Doors open at 6pm, Please arrive...
'Art in Mission Phone Forum' on The AgapeVine...
Time: October 27, 2011 from 5pm to 6pm Organized By: Kirsten Borror
Event Description: Visual art can be a powerful way to express the Good News of Jesus and his kingdom. We’ll be hosting our second forum on “Art in Mission.” Bert VanderMark (www.visualparablesart.com) and Marge Malwitz (www.margemalwitz.com) will be sharing about real examples of art in mission. Discussion will...
Henna-Inspired Bible Storytelling Art by Kristin...
My friend Scott Rayl has a great blog about indigenous forms of visual arts with Christian themes in various cultures.
Check out his new post which profiles the art of Kristin Glaze, currently working in southern Africa. http://networkedblogs.com/ok2NB
She does henna art that’s connected to Bible stories. They are used in “evangelistic henna parties” with women.
Henna design...
"Rejoice and Be Glad!" - urban gospel, Kenya, by...
This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!!! Kwata Kawaya!!! Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say rejoice! Philipians 4:4
This joyful song from Kenya certainly takes that verse to heart!
You can learn about Mbovi here:
https://www.facebook.com/mbuvism?ref=search&sk=info
That page has 16 streaming songs, but I couldn’t get them to work....
World-class Arts in Mission Training (Sept 2011,...
An historic training event, Arts in Mission 2011: Training for Cross-Cultural Ministry, was recently held at All Nations Christian College, north of London. Some 60 arts advocates and practitioners from more than 20 nations gathered to learn how to effectively study and engage music and other arts in cross-cultural contexts.
Many ministries pour great amounts of time, money and effort into...
Psalm 23 (UK Celtic)
Stuart Townend crafted this...
The Water I Shall Give (Communion and...
'Celtic Laud' Communion Song
by Pamela Martin & Craig Courtney published by Beckienhorst Press
Free downloadable mp3 (full song) and score at http://www.beckenhorstpress.com/lister.asp?qry=season&qryTitle=Communion&qryStr=7
The mp3 and score have the instrumental line for flute, performed on violin in this video. If you have a choice, the violin emphasizes the Celtic flavor more than the flute.
For fruit of...
"Eres Todopoderoso" by Danilo Montero (Costa Rica)
This is one of the most widely-known worship songs among Christian Spanish speakers in North and Central America - everyone in that category I’ve asked knows this song. If you were going to learn just one Latino CCM-style worship song… this is what I would suggest.
It was composed and recorded by Danilo Montero of Costa Rica. He has recorded nearly 20 albums and has written several...
“Kyrie” from Nicaragua via Mexico
...
Hymns in the Jazz Style of Art Tatum
I stumbled upon this medley of 3 hymns, played in the style of jazz master Art Tatum.
The medley is played by Roger K. He writes, “Rumors have it Art played at his parents church as a young man.”
The hymns are: 1 What a Friend we have in Jesus 2 Amazing Grace 3 Abide with Me
Thelonious Monk, my favorite pianist, also recorded “Abide with Me” - we’ll look at that...
Bloodlines: Race, Cross, and the Christian, by...
Dr. John Piper, famed pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, author, and speaker, wrote a book chapter in 1993 that connected worship and missions in a new and vital way. It helped lead to the tunderlying concepts and term of “ethnodoxology” and the 2003 founding of the International Council of Ethnodoxologists, by myself and (then student, now peer) Robin Harris.www.worldofworship.org ...
4 new Psalm settings by Greg Scheer
This 2008 article discusses various ways to sing Psalm in modern worship. It includes scores and commentary for four musically diverse Psalm settings by Greg Scheer, of Calvin Institute of Christian Worship:
Rest in the Lord, My Soul (Psalm 127), Hear My Words, O Lord (Psalm 5), Sing to God Our Strength (Psalm 81), and Deeper than the Sea (Psalm 36:5-9).
...
'The Blood Still Works' (gospel song)
This classic gospel song has been around so long that no one’s sure of the details of its origin.
Here’s the song celebrated at New City Fellowship in St. Luois, at the recent “New City Music Conference 2011.”
The Blood Still Works - New City Music Conference 2011 - August 9-11, St. Louis, MO.
The blood still works - 4x It will never – Tenors Never – Altos Never –...
10-part series on 'Worship Wars'
Here’s a 10-part series which might be helpful to some. It’s from the perspective of a Baptist church leader in North Carolina.
http://blog.ncbaptist.org/renewingworship/category/worship-styles/
New Christian Rap (& Book) from Philly Open Air...
Pastor Jomo of Philly Open Air Church has just released a book, entitled “Deadest Rapper Alive: The Rise of Lil’ Wayne and the Fall of Urban Youth.” The first chapter is available for free on his website, along with a “Virtual Mix Tape” - 15 new Christian Rap songs, completely free for download, at least for now. http://www.deadestrapperalive.com/category/songs [You...
Worship Training in the Ukraine, Oct 2011
This is a great blog about the travels of CICW music associate and friend Greg Scheer in the Ukraine to lead worship training. Please keep Greg and the Ukranian people in your prayers
http://mukachevominutes.blogspot.com/
“It Is Well,” new music by Stuart...
Why Multi-ethnic Worship Should Happen, by Josh...
This seminal Bible study by Josh Davis is from the blog by the Proskuneo team, posted at http://proskuneo.info/2011/09/why-multi-ethnic-worship-should-happen/ Consider printing this and sharing it with your church leaders, musicians and choir.
1. Revelation 5:9, 10 / Revelation 7: 9, 10 / Matthew 6:9,10 Multicultural worship should happen here on earth because it will happen in heaven. Remember...
