hymns

November 13, 2022

The Spirit Moves in Mysterious Ways…and then other times the Spirit is VERY Clear

This title really says it all. Yesterday, I had a moment of angst. I was hard at work on my book proposal when my laptop began to act up again. I’ve been ignoring its quirks for months now and, finally, had to admit it was time for an update. My workflow was disrupted for the… Continue reading

Grace & Gumption, Musings, pastor and pianist

author, Book, bookish, books, church, church life, hymns, ministry, ministry life, service, sunday, worship, worship director, worship leader, writer, writer problems, writing
January 4, 2022

The Fruit of the Spirit in Worship

I have written extensively on singing as a scriptural mandate, as essential evidence and enforcement of the Holy Spirit’s ministry. For reference, please see my previous posts, “Four Reasons Your Church Should have a Choir” and “Preaching as the Choir”. Worshipful music (note that not all “worship music” is necessarily worshipful) must be practiced and… Continue reading

Fruitful Worship

church band, church choir, contemporary worship, discerning worship, hymns, organ, organist, praise band, praise team, singing, song, Spirit, spiritual life, traditional, traditional worship, worship, worship culture, worship leader, worship music, worship team
August 25, 2021

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

literary living

church music, church musician, contemporary worship, hymns, mega church, Music, music and worship, music in the church, music ministry, musician, organist, traditional worship, worship, worship leader, worship ministry, worship pastor
September 11, 2020

Midweek Rhythm: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

Throughout college, I rehearsed at my church on Wednesdays. After a full morning of classes, I would hide away in the sanctuary to practice. Often, these practice sessions became restful, transformative, and worshipful experiences. As I settle into a completely new season of my life, it is comforting to return to this midweek rhythm. It… Continue reading

Music

christian, cross, dan forrest, devotion, encouragement, hope, hymns, lrics, Music, nearer my God to thee, pianist, piano, recording, sacred music, text, theology
August 15, 2020

Extravagant: A Reflection on the Music of Dan Forrest

I adore playing the music of choral composer, Dan Forrest. An accomplished pianist himself, he knows how to fully engage accompanists, making them feel as if they are featured soloists and equal members of an ensemble rather than merely supporters. Even his simplest pieces cover the whole range of the keyboard and develop across glorious… Continue reading

Faith, Music

accompanist, choral, choral music, choral singing, church, faith, hymns, Music, pianist, practicing, sacred music, theology and the arts
January 23, 2016

Organ Removal: A Statement and a Story

I often find that the most effective way of communicating a potentially controversial opinion is through storytelling. That said, I will let the following short story speak for me rather than explaining at length my views. Please let me know what you take away from this as I would like to know if my statement-through-story… Continue reading

Scribblings

christian music, classical music, contemporary worship, hymns, modern music, Music, old church, old music, organ, piano, pipe organ, traditional church