What does the rotation of worship songs look like for your church? Regardless of whether you’re a worship leader, musician, or congregant, would you say there’s a healthy rotation of songs? This is a subjective matter, based on how often you prefer to sing particular songs. To one person, it may seem like a certain song isn’t sung enough on Sundays because they love it. To another, that song is sung all the time, but their view is affected by a dislike of that song. Other factors that influence someone’s opinion are their attendance and whether or not this song is heard in venues outside of church. For church musicians, if you rehearse the song many times and play it in numerous services on a single Sunday, it can seem played out much more quickly than to the congregation, who only hear it during the service they attend. During the first few years of @V21Church I felt songs should be repeated only after six to eight weeks, resulting in a large rotation of songs with little repetition. Over the years we’ve sought to find the balance that keeps people from getting burnt out on songs while making sure the congregation isn’t straining to remember every song because it’s been months since they last sang it.

For this reason, each August the band leaders at the Raleigh West campus gather and analyze each song. We print out a spreadsheet for each band that lists how many times a song was sung. This process adds objective data to our gut feelings, and other band leaders are able to speak freely into the frequency a song is played, the strength and weaknesses of the song and the execution by the band. In the end, it’s about more than whether or not people sing a song loudly. If that’s our only criteria for success, let’s just choose the most popular songs regardless of content or worth.

By the end of the night we place each song in one of the following categories:

• Going strong. Keep this as a regular song in your rotation. Examples for @V21Church’s West Campus are “Into The Arms” (@ThadCockrell), “Hosanna” (Brooke Frasier), “In Feast Or Fallow” (Sandra McCracken), and “Holy Is The Name” (Mike Simons)
• Needs work. Something’s not quite right with the way the band is playing this one, but with the right changes can be a regular song in your rotation. Otherwise, pull it from the rotation. Examples for us are “To Know Your Name” (Matt Crocker), “Love Me To The End” (Red Mountain Music)
• Solid song, BUT the congregation doesn’t seem to be responding with the same passion and energy they used to. Pull this one out every 3-4 months. Examples for us: “All Creatures Of Our God And King”, “Jesus Paid It All” and “Before The Throne of God Above” (Charitie Bancroft, Sojourn Church)
• Retire it. Either the band is not pulling it off, the congregation is not responding after many attempts, it’s not the best song we can sing theologically, or it’s been played into the ground. I’m a firm believer that the best songs will not land in this category, but stand the test of time. Many songs we’ve sung and written in the past have ended up in retirement. We’ve gotten better as songwriters and musicians and some songs just don’t stand the test of time. This can be a challenging place for songwriters, as a song that stood strong for a season no longer holds the same weight. We praise God that He gives us songs, whether it’s for a season or a lifetime, and humbly ask him for more songs to bring Him glory.

Over the years this process has helped identify more than songs. We’ve been able to see complacency in band leaders or bands, a lack of preparation on our part as leaders, and overall strengths and weaknesses that may not have been on the surface. For example, last year I introduced two songs that didn’t make it past one Sunday. This tells me the songs weren’t ready, and now I’m sending out new songs to the band and fellow band leaders weeks in advance. Having a system of accountability and review in place allows us to pull back from the next week’s service and see the larger picture. It should be noted that our goal is not to be the brilliant masterminds behind the worship of God; in the end the objective data or subjective opinions should not take the place of prayer, as we ask the Holy Spirit to guide and lead our worship. I’m thankful for the humility of our band leaders and their desire to worship God and serve others.

Do you have systems of review in place for songs and bands? @V21Church folks, does this review process seem to be working? Would you say we sing songs not enough, too much, or is it the right balance of the two?

Holy Week begins this Sunday, and I’ve never been more excited to reflect, respond and celebrate with our @V21Church family. The depth of the week leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion is astounding, and every year I learn more and more about His character and how deep his love is. This is why the Maundy Thursday service is my favorite – the grandeur of His love and our sin is revealed on the night Jesus was betrayed.

This year the theme of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter is that of Jesus as king. Although the crowd and the circumstances surrounding Jesus change drastically during this week period, he’s no less king on Palm Sunday than on Easter Sunday. What changes is our view of him, mainly because we’re marred by sin and pride

On Palm Sunday he’s the “distorted king”, meaning he is king, but the people are seeing him as they want to see him – the revolutionary rock star who will overthrow the Romans and give them what they want. Although Christ is riding in on a donkey, they fill in the blanks and treat him as if he’s David charging into the city on a war horse. The disciples particularly are riding high during this week as he’s displaying power and authority, and the crowds are buzzing with the possibility that He actually is the Messiah.

On Maundy Thursday he’s the rejected king. Again, he’s still king, and while his actions seem contrary – betrayed, beaten, abandoned, arrested, and crucified – in reality he’s ascending to the throne. The disciples reject this humble, broken man; if that’s Jesus as king he’s not worth following after all. Finally, on Easter Jesus is the Risen king. He’s overcome death and will be seated at the right hand of God. He’s defeated sin and death, and reigns over all things. The disciples bow down, realizing Jesus was king all along.

Our actions are no less self-centered than those of the disciples 2,000 years ago. We distort the reign of Jesus, only bowing down to him as king when we experience personal gain. We reject the humble, broken servant king who calls us to carry our cross, love our neighbors as ourselves and care for those in need. I pray we would see and worship the true Jesus of scripture, and not our own distorted, watered-down view.

Join us this year for the following services. Each one will be beautiful in presenting the great love of Jesus and our need for a savior.

Palm Sunday
Raleigh: 9:30 and 11:30 am, 5:00 and 7:00 pm
Durham: 11:00 am

Maundy Thursday
Raleigh: 6:00 and 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday
Raleigh: 9:30 and 11:30 am, 5:00 and 7:00 pm
Durham: 11:00 am

The temptation is for us to look back and think of the disciples as uneducated, foolish country folk who didn’t understand Jesus. While ignorance plays a part, a larger problem is pride. Each disciple had an idea of what it meant for Jesus to become king. He was powerful enough to raise people from the dead, backed every claim he made, and no one could stump him with a question. The disciples hoped for a revolutionary warrior king who would raise up an army and conquer every other people group. Even though he told them repeatedly he was going to be killed and rise from the dead, they believed what they wanted. I imagine their view of Jesus and actions towards him was often driven by their own selfish desires. Thank goodness we don’t do that!

Right?

In reality, we are worse than the disciples. We have God’s word, which tells us the full story of Jesus, the early church and His foretold return. We have 2,000 years of church history to inspire us; brilliant sermons, books and songs to learn from. Still we have our own idea of who Jesus is, adding to or detracting from the Jesus from scripture. We ignore parts of his character and downplay certain actions or words while raising others to a level of importance not backed by the Bible. All of this, in order to retain control of our lives or further our own cause. Several weeks ago @PastorTyler preached about the “Oprah Jesus”, the “Mr. Rogers Jesus”, “Jesus The Good Buddy” and other common portrayals of Jesus. We believe what we want, and in doing so deny the true God.

This Sunday we’re singing “In The Shadow Of The Glorious Cross” by Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Bales, which speaks of throwing down our earthly crowns at the feet of Jesus, the worthy lamb. This is in contrast to how many of us view and treat Jesus, as someone we approach him at a bargaining table with terms we hope to hold onto in this agreement. The true Jesus is an offense to our pride, our self-control and our own desires. How will you sing this song on Sunday? I encourage everyone to make this a confession of pride. Begin confessing now – read the words below, listen to the song, and confess to God what you are holding into in place of trusting him.

You can purchase the song here on iTunes or simply listen here on Last.fm (click the play icon in the top right of the page).

In the Shadow of the Glorious Cross
Brooks Ritter and Rebecca Bales

In the shadow of the glorious cross
Compelled by grace to cast my lot
I’ll discard the loss and bare your name
Forsaking all for your own fame

Your hymn of grace sung over me
Abounding forth in glorious streams
My thirst is quenched by you my Lord
Sustained am I redeemed restored
Sustained am I redeemed restored

Hallelujah,  Hallelujah

When death’s dark shadow’s at my feet
When I am plagued by unbelief
You place my hands into your side
By precious blood identified
By precious blood identified

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

These crowns I’ve clenched with fisted hands
I cast them down before the throne
Of Christ my God the worthy lamb
Christ crucified, the Great I AM. (3x)

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

It is my conviction that when we believe this verse, our lives will become clear, and the peace of God will be ours. While I claim to believe, the evidence of my life often proves otherwise. If I believe the God of the universe lives inside of me, why do I try to achieve everything in my own strength? Why do I place such value in temporal things? To use @PastorTyler’s example from a few weeks back, why do I treat Jesus like an old man in a rocking chair whom I visit occasionally to make him smile, but who otherwise bears no power or weight in my day-to-day life?

I’m a new creation, having been saved by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. When God sees me, He sees His Son. Yet I hold on to the temporal, the earthly, the self. I would rather live a lonely life, perceiving control over a small pile of bricks in the mud and living exposed to harsh elements than dwell in the house of the good Father, living out who I was created to be. How frustrating this must be to God!

This is why we are not only saved by God but sanctified by His Spirit, which is a process of becoming who God created and saved us to be. In essence, it’s darkness becoming light. The lies we hold on to are eclipsed by truth as we are changed.

Today I want to remind myself and you of this truth, and say this: Give in. Give up. You’re not called to make yourself clean and work your way to God, but simply to believe. Stop fighting, stop working, and go to Jesus who said “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

The new song below is simple in it’s truth, and at first glance you might think “Why don’t we sing something deeper?” Until we believe, we will sing this simple truth. (To be honest, after we believe we’ll continue to sing it, from grateful hearts who know peace). Don’t move quickly past this, but pray that it would become your reality.

To Know Your Name
Words and Lyrics by Matt Crocker

The precious blood of Jesus Christ redeems
Forgiven I’m alive restored set free
Your majesty resides inside of me
Forever I believe
Forever I believe

Arrested by your truth and righteousness
Your grace has overwhelmed my brokenness
Convicted by Your spirit, led by Your word
Your love will never fail
Your love will never fail

‘Cause I know you gave the world Your only Son for us
To know your name, to live within the Savior’s love
And He took my place, knowing he’d be crucified
And you loved, you loved a people undeserving

I first heard this song at the Verge 2010 Conference in Austin, Texas. Worship leader Aaron Ivey and his band did a fanastic job leading, below is a video of the song from their Sunday service at Austin Stone Community Church.

Over the last two weeks in January the daily posts on worship.vintage21.com were geared towards preparing for corporate worship on Sundays. These posts included the scripture we would study together, thoughts on preparing our hearts, and songs we were going to sing. The intent behind these posts is to ask Him to soften our hearts for his words during that powerful time together. Because our call is to worship to God in each moment with every action and thought, not simply an hour on Sundays through singing songs, I hope these posts become more than preparation.

When we recorded the album “All Things Praise” our goal was to take a cultural understanding of worship – music and singing on Sundays – and broaden it to a more biblical view – living every second of every day as an appropriate response to Jesus Christ. One of the main reasons behind recording an album was in hopes that the congregation of @V21Church would take their praise through these songs out of the Sunday service and into the world. The idea is that as you sing songs and psalms, read and memorize scripture, God’s truths will be woven into your heart and mind. His desires become your desires, his ways your ways. This process of making us more like His Son is called sanctification, and is led by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, the Western church often ignores this, defining “Christ follower” as someone who attends an event each week, while living unchanged the rest of the time. Through these posts we will attempt to weave the language of response, truth of God, and posture of humility into our daily lives. We will come prepared on Sundays, but more importantly our lives will begin to change; we will grow to worship God in every moment.

Today, spend time in prayer, remembering what God taught you specifically yesterday, asking Him to make it a reality in your life. Repent of your selfishness, pride, and any other sin that you are aware of. Thank God for his faithfulness in sanctifying you.

Tomorrow: A new song for @V21Church.