song
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I Was There – Lyrics for Passion Week

A few years ago, I wrote about one of my favorite Holy Week hymns: “Were You There.” Many of us sing this song annually but don’t stop to realize that it is a question we must answer. If we are in Christ, we were there. Rather than restating myself, I encourage you to visit my Continue reading
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Marvelous (A Song Based on Psalm 139)

On Saturday, I helped a friend lead musical worship for a women’s event. The morning was centered around testimonies, with at least one woman quoting Psalm 139. As I picked out the songs for the morning, I remembered that somewhere in the depths of my old laptop was a song I wrote based on this Continue reading
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Every Careless Note

Whenever I receive new music, I review the lyrics of the selected songs. Recently, I had to turn down a gig because it would have required me to perform pieces from The Book of Mormon. I am not Mormon and have strong disagreements with much of the Latter Day Saints doctrine; however, many of my Continue reading
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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
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Were You There?

One of my favorite Passion Week hymns is “Were You There?” I have formative memories of it being sung by a lone baritone in a darkened church, the haunting postlude to a Tenebrae service. Today, as I listened to the provocative question sung once more on a “Holy Week” Spotify playlist, I felt an answer Continue reading
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Theology of Worship Panel – Part 2

I had the absolute joy of speaking on music-making, spiritual formation, and worship last night at Redemption Church Arcadia. It was such a fruitful time of sharing my thesis on musical practice as spiritual formation and then discussing how this factors into congregational worship. You can watch and listen here (slides included below): “There is Continue reading
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Four Reasons Your Church Should Have a Choir

If you’ve read this blog at all, I’m sure you’ve noticed that I care deeply about choral singing, not merely because I enjoy making music, but because I wholeheartedly believe that singing together is foundational to human community and central to Christian communion. Singing together is foundational to human community and central to Christian communion. Continue reading
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