When I wrote Worship Matters in 2008, I wanted to pass on to younger leaders some of what I had learned from my mentors, study, and experiences of leading for three decades. My goal was to connect Scriptural commands and principles with what we actually do in our Sunday meetings.
Through the years, musicians, pastors, teachers, and others have found my book helpful. But I’ve wondered if I could do anything to make the material more accessible. 32 chapters can take a while to plow through. I mean, we’re talking about musicians.
That’s why I’m excited about the Worship Matters Video Intensive, made possible in large part with the help of Crossway Books. We recorded the videos last summer but finished editing them and adding subtitles a few months ago.
What Is it?
The Intensive is 12 videos, averaging about 25 minutes each. There’s also a 5 minute introductory video, which I posted below. You can benefit from the videos apart from the book, but the book includes a lot of material that didn’t make it into the videos. And the practical illustrations and musical examples I include are meant to reinforce and flesh out what’s in Worship Matters.
Each video corresponds to one or more chapters of the book. That makes it easy to assign a portion of the book, come together to watch the video, and then discuss what you’ve heard and read. It’s meant to serve anyone involved in planning or leading congregational worship.
How Much Time Will It Take?
If you’re highly motivated, you can binge watch the series in 4 1/2 hours. But I wouldn’t suggest that. If you watch a video a week, you’ll get through the videos and book in three months. Bi-weekly will take 6 months, and one video a month will get you through in a year. And of course, you can watch a video that covers a topic relevant to you and/or your team anytime.
My hope is that the videos will strengthen the connection between your theology and methodology. I’m aiming to help you do what you do more biblically, thoughtfully, passionately, and fruitfully. And that takes time. So while the videos can help you read the book in a more structured and efficient way, they’ll also help you think more deeply about what you do and why you do it. In other words, the more time you invest, the more you’ll benefit.
Where Do I Get Them?
You can access all the videos on the Sovereign Grace Music website, where you’ll also find downloadable outlines, discussion questions, and transcripts. And if you follow any video link it will take you to Vimeo where you can download any or all of the sessions. That’s especially helpful if your Internet connection is spotty or non-existent.
We’re currently working on a version with Spanish subtitles to accompany the Spanish translation of Worship Matters, Nuestra Adoración Importa. When that’s ready, I’ll get the word out on Twitter and Facebook. Lord willing, we hope to translate it into other languages in the future.
I’m grateful we can add the Worship Matters Video Intensive to the increasing number of resources that equip and encourage those who lead music for the church. And we’re especially happy we can do it for free. Life is too short, sin too deceptive, Christ’s bride too precious, and the glory of the Savior too great for us not to use whatever means we can to serve those who plan and lead the gatherings of the church. If you’re included in that group, I pray this resource not only serves you, but the people you lead each and every Sunday.
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