church musician
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Why I Moved to Iowa
I was asked today how I knew moving to Iowa was the right choice. This picture is the closest I can come to an answer. In June 2021, two weeks before our wedding, Billy and I visited Iowa for him to interview at Prairie Bible Church and it was one of the worst weekends of… Continue reading
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Not the First and the Last
There is a hole in my ceiling. In the basement room where I practice organ, what began as mild water damage is now a hole. My first instinct was anxiety, but as I investigated our home’s new “feature” last night, the following phrase came to mind: “You are not the first to have water damage,… Continue reading
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You Might be an Accompanist If…
1. You can recognize a Mark Hayes arrangement from the opening measure. 2. You carry throat coat tea and lozenges around for other people. 3. You are NEVER without a pencil. 4. The sight of already hole-punched music fills you with joy. 5. You accidentally watch people’s hands instead of making eye contact during conversation… Continue reading
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Wednesday
Wednesday is a day of reorientation. Monday and Tuesday, I reflect on Sunday’s services. What went well? How did the music interact with the message? Was my preparation enough? On Wednesday, I turn my gaze toward the coming Sunday. I finalize my service binder, confirm my prelude and postlude, and rehearse with the choir. I… Continue reading
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Life’s Liturgy: “Wir danken dir, Gott”
Isn’t it interesting how certain pieces of music grip us and follow us throughout our lives? As a lover of liturgy, I welcome these key songs, letting them bookend chapters of my life. They are a testimony to the great Composer who is orchestrating all things for my good and his glory. The main piece… Continue reading
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Spirit Songs…or Lack Thereof
I have written extensively on the role of the Holy Spirit in musical worship, specifically in the following posts: Pedals and Pandemic Be Thou My Breath Four Reasons Your Church Should have a Choir The Fruit of the Spirit in Worship While the singing of Christians is innately spiritual, there seems to be a significant… Continue reading
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Inverted Worship
During my time in the United Kingdom, I discovered that a large number of church musicians are not professing Christians. It was, perhaps, naive of me to assume otherwise, but I was shocked to find that many students at my university participated in church choirs while openly denying orthodox doctrine. I simply cannot imagine coming… Continue reading
Recent Posts
- Should we be Concerned that Using Music by Bethel and Hillsong is Contributing to our Culture of Immediate Gratification? On Patience and Using CCM Music in Worship
- “Lord, Lord” – A Poetic Reflection on Matthew 7:21-23
- Is Singing Music by Bethel and Hillsong Promoting Peace in the Body of Christ? The Answer is More Nuanced Than You Think.
- Rejoicing with the Truth: Does Using Music by Bethel and Hillsong Generate Genuine Joy in our Churches?
- Is it Loving to Sing Music by Bethel and Hillsong in Our Worship? Reexamining the Debate According to the Fruit of the Spirit Part 1