Hungry

A little catch up

2010-04-20T10:34:00.000Z

I’m so sorry I haven’t written for a while. Seems like life has been very, very full since we got home from America!

Just to let you in behind the scenes, we have been busy with church, gearing up for conferences, listening to mixes for the album, normal family life, and everything else that manages to squeeze itself into our days.

I’m so thrilled with the album! The mixes are sounding wonderful!!! In fact we decided to do a bonus track of the live version of Hungry I led on the Friday night in Bethel, so I was in the studio re-singing that yesterday.

I’m delighted that we get to do the live album like this - where we had the opportunity to lead worship on four separate occasions in Bethel (really let us choose the best take without having to focus too much on the actual recording at the time - felt much more like just leading worship), whilst at the same time having the time to re-sing everything afterwards. The thing I love the most about this is that you don’t lose any of the passion of the worship moment, and yet you get to smooth out some of the pitchy singing. I don’t know about you, but I get pretty excited when I’m leading worship, and I don’t intend to change that, but it can sound a little edgy at times - not always something you want to press repeat on afterwards :) In the words of Miley Cyrus - it’s the best of both worlds.... (you can tell how old our kids are eh?)

Church is wonderful too. It’s brimming over. Easter was stunning! More than 1000 people turned up at our two Coleraine services, and another almost 100 in Ballymena. The reason that excites us quite so much isn’t the numbers, but the fact that lives are changing in our town!!!! That is the reason we came to plant a church. We long to see the kingdom come, with people finding who they were made to be, falling in love with an incredible God, and ultimately changing the communities in which we live - regardless of which church they decide to go to. I LOVE it!!!!!

On the family front, the girls are doing so well! They loved their time in America - they even went to school for a couple of days while we were away. They have decided that American school is about a million times better than home because they didn’t have to do any work while they were there! I have tried hard to explain that it’s not quite the same when you are a visitor, that in real life American kids have to work really hard too (not sure they believe me yet). Despite this, they have settled really well back into school and life at home.

And, we started puppy school last week too! Our dog Charlie is coming up on 7 months and he is FULL of personality! He’s a sock stealing, laundry lifting bundle of fun, and we are loving having him in our family!!! I won’t mind when he has spent a little time learning the rules of engagement just a little more thoroughly though ;) Will keep you posted on how we get on with our lessons.

SO, that is a round up of what has been going on with us.

God bless you in your own circumstances, with the unique things that fill your days, that stretch your thinking and expand your heart....

RECORDING IN BETHEL

2010-02-17T08:25:00.002Z

What a month this is turning out to be!!! I am going to record the album live in Bethel Church Redding, CA. We are going to do two nights of worship. The first is the end of the Prophetic conference that is being held next week - and as far as I know it's already booked out.

The second night will be Bethel's Sunday night church service 6pm.

I can hardly believe the way the Lord has put all of the pieces together. It honestly feels like a dream come true, and I am very much expecting the Lord to do what He does so beautifully: heal people, set them free, turn lives inside out, and restore over and again what was lost. I am SO excited to be even a tiny part of that!!!

If you are able to come for the Sunday, I would be absolutely overjoyed to have you there!!!

If not though, it won't be too long until you'll be able to 'be there' through the album too - I'll keep you posted both on how it goes, and on when the album will be released.

God bless!!!

WORKING ON SONGS...

2010-01-17T13:18:00.000Z

I’m working away at the moment on finishing the songs for the new album. I’m so tantalizingly close now!!

It looks like we’ll be recording next month, and we are planning to do a live event this time around. It will unlike any live recording I’ve done before - with the exception of the Focusfest album. Every time I’ve done a live recording before the focus has been on capturing the songs, over the flow of worship. That’s what I love about the Focusfest album though - on that recording, I wasn’t thinking about the album at all, I was simply there to lead worship - and I love what happened!!

Somehow, on this recording I really feel like we need to capture the sense of the presence of God and what He does when He shows up in room, whilst at the same time be able to fix up mistakes and so on afterwards so that we have something excellent as well.

When I’m teaching about worship it’s those two things that I keep coming back to - intimacy with God and excellence in music. I’m longing for both. That’s the offering I want to bring: not one where the Lord shows up, but I’ve not done my part to make it sound amazing - OR one where I’ve done my bit but there’s no room for the King.

As we get the exact dates sorted out and the exact venue (should know in a couple of days) I will let you know. If you live nearby I would be honored if you would come and be a part of it!!!

Love,

happy new year

2009-12-30T18:38:00.001Z

I hope your Christmas was absolutely wonderful!!! Ours was fun and family filled - it was a real treat!!

We are starting to gear up again for the new year, and the schedule ‘kick in’ that comes next week. I’m a funny creature - as much as I LOVE holiday time, I truly love the rhythm of getting back into the swing of things. I love waking up in the morning and planning the time that I have to get things done while the kids are at school. I love sneaking for coffee with my husband all by ourselves. I love writing songs. I love thinking through worship sets and arrangements. I love imagining how people will respond to the Lord as we sing those songs together as a church. I love the ebb and flow of season - the work, and the rest. I’m so grateful for both!!

I hope and pray that 2010 is filled with the majesty of the Creator calling you into the dance again. I pray that it would be full of hope. I pray it would be marked by favor. I pray it would be a year to remember...

Love,

life since the tour

2009-12-03T12:30:00.001Z

I’m so sorry for the long silence since I got home from the US. I’ve actually been home for three weeks today, and have no idea where all that time went to!

I do need to tell you a wonderful story from one of the nights on tour. If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll know that I’m really trying to hear and sense what the Lord is doing in the room when I’m leading worship - and when I catch even the faintest glimpse of what I think it is, I either sing it out or say what I think God is doing. To be honest, I’ve been doing this in faith, not always sure if it’s hitting the mark or not. Since I’ve started doing this (it’s just over two years now consistently), sometimes people have come and told me what God has done, whether it’s been healing, or emotional release, and I’ve been deeply encouraged - and sometimes I haven’t known whether or not I heard right. As I’ve said before though, I would rather mess it up than miss it!!

Well, while we were on tour this last time I went for a few healing things. In one concert 6 or 7 people raised their hands to say that God had healed them right there in the middle of the set! I was thrilled!! In that same meeting I gave a word that God was healing people with foot conditions. Usually, I’ll just give the word and then move on to the next song.... I figure that if it’s the Lord, He’ll just do it, and if I got it wrong then there’s no need to linger on it :) Well, I got an email from a lady this past weekend to say that it’s been four weeks since we were in her city and I gave that word. She had arthritis in her foot, and a lump on one of the bones that was going to require surgery (she was due to have that this month). On that night the pain left her foot! Then, over the next few weeks she waited to see if it was properly healed. I love that by the way, it’s a great thing to make sure!! After a couple of weeks she realized that not only was the pain not coming back, but the lump had disappeared!! She was able to go to her doctor who gave her the all clear and told her she no longer needed surgery! HOW GREAT IS THE LORD?!!!!!

So, I’m feeling really encouraged by that! I’m also really enjoying being home again without any imminent travel for a couple of months. It’s been wonderful to get into the rhythm of the winter (even though it’s a little dreary at times), and just breathe in again!! We also got to pick up our new puppy this week - and actually, the season is just right to give the time and attention to him that he needs!! He’s a little black lab - as you can see from his picture here - he’s 8 weeks old, and we’ve called him Charlie! He already is VERY much a part of our family!!! I had no idea I would love a dog so much! I’m feeling grown up :)

I so hope you are doing well too, and that life in this new season is starting to feel like a good fit. I always find the transition into winter a slightly bumpy ride - just because I love the sunlight so much, and it gets dark here in Northern Ireland over these few months. It’s when I learn to listen to the rhythm of the new season - the ‘deep rest’ of winter - and allow my rhythm to join in time, that I start to settle again and love the ‘time that I’m in’.

God bless!!! I’ll write a little sooner the next time ;)

back in the USA

2009-11-02T18:56:00.001Z

I LOVE coming to America!!! It’s such a wonderful place. I love the hunger of people everywhere I go to meet with God and spend time in His presence - and I love the opportunity that we all have after that, to take His presence into the streets, into our work places, to our friends, to people just ‘out there’ who haven’t met Him yet. Being a disciple is the most exhilarating life I can imagine!!!

We (Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen, the band and I) are on the road again for our second ‘Deeper’ tour. I so loved the last tour in October - and am excited to see what will happen this time around too.

At the moment we are in Cleveland OH at Cuyahoga Valley Church. We’re doing a two day conference here with a worship concert tomorrow night - it’s already sold out, but you might be able to squeeze in if you come along :)

On Thursday we’re making our way to Pittsburgh for another worship concert. If you live near there and you’d like to come, we would so love to see you there. It’ll be at South Hills Bible Chapel in McMurray PA.

Friday night we’ll be in Eastern Hills Wesleyan church in Buffalo, NY. Saturday in Boston, MA at Grace Chapel. And then Monday and Tuesday next week we’ll be doing the conference again at Wave Church Virginia Beach, VA.

If you are hungry for God, ready to spend some time just soaking again in His presence, then these concerts are something you would really enjoy!! If you are part of a worship team and would love to get your guys along to something that will help encourage them along the way - both with practical teaching and really wonderful times of worship, then you would love the conferences.

There is still time :) You can check it out at integritylive.com

Would love to see you there!!

church has left the building!!

2009-10-24T11:20:00.000Z

We had an amazing night last night at church! We’re currently running a ‘Church has left the building’ conference in our place. It’s something we’ve done a couple of times now, letting people come and learn how to do the ‘healing on the streets’ model of praying for people in their town centers, or wherever the Lord has opened up for them to go. At the moment there are over 600 churches in 21 nations who have been trained by Mark Marx (on staff with us here), or at our conferences - and everywhere the Lord is doing the most incredible healings!!!! More than ever we are sure that there is no ‘harder place’ than anywhere else. God is at work in the world!!!

This conference is especially wonderful because Chad and Julia Dedmon are with us from CA. These guys just have a fire in their bellies. They are convinced that God is as powerful as He says He is, and that He is Lord of the whole world. They will pray for anyone with any condition in any situation, and because of that they have seen such incredible outpourings of the Holy Spirit - both in encounters with God, and in healing for people who are just out and about doing their ordinary thing with no real thought for God at that moment. I LOVE that!!! It absolutely stirs you up again to hang out with people like this - you come away encouraged and excited to be salt and light - naturally supernatural.

I so love that we don’t have to get weird, we just have to be available. It’s the willingness to ask the Lord to come and do what only He can do - and then get a front row seat as He does ‘heaven numbers’ on people :) I’m up for that!!! In fact, I’m desperately hungry for that.... Let your Kingdom come Lord!!!!!!

p.s. If you are interested in hearing more about ‘Healing on the Streets’, or if you’d like to read some of the stories of what God is doing in Northern Ireland and in other parts of the UK, you can check out out-there.org

Does God want to heal?

2009-10-18T11:31:00.002Z

Church was wonderful this morning. Alan was teaching about healing - emotional, physical, spiritual - everywhere that we need healed. He spoke about the questions around it - saying that he has a whole lot of 'I don't knows' when it comes to this subject, but that he wants to get to the end of his days on earth and be able to say he wasn't afraid to ask God to heal. I love that!

He made a great point - does God want to heal? In Luke 4 it says that Jesus was sent by the Father to 'bind up the broken hearted, bring sight to the blind, release those in prison from their chains'. And when you look at what Jesus' life - that's exactly what he set about doing. Because Jesus is the same today as He was then, we can trust that not only does God want to heal, He's ready to do it right now.... even though there are times that when we pray nothing happens.

Sometimes it's less risky, even for the health of our own faith, to step away from the call to at least ask. Sometimes it's easier not to engage with the God who heals because of the risk of disappointment when He doesn't. Sometimes it's easier to not ask for any answers rather than run the risk of having to deal with bigger questions. But what if there's more of the 'now' of the Kingdom for us than we thought before? What if in the midst of unanswered prayers for healing, some get the breakthrough their lives depended on? I don't want to miss it for those who will be healed, because I was too afraid to deal with the fact that some don't get healed... even though I don't understand the dynamics behind it all.

It's not a very comfortable road. It's a road I'm committed to walking though for the rest of my life. I have to be a 'Kingdom carrier' even if it doesn't always work out the way I longed for because the truth is, there are many times when the Kingdom does come in the most glorious & miraculous ways. When it comes to praying for people to healed I'd rather be willing to 'mess up' than 'miss out'... so I'm going to keep trying; I'm going to keep asking. "Let your Kingdom come Father - on earth as it is in Heaven!!"

going home

2009-10-14T15:50:00.001Z

Wow! I can hardly believe that I get to go home today!!

We have had a great time together on this tour! The presence of the Lord has been so thick as we’ve led worship together, and watched ‘heaven touch the room’ during beautifully intimate moments in songs like ‘Holy God’, ‘Glorious’, and ‘I Belong’. I feel so privileged to get to do this with my friends - and so see songs that we’ve written doing what they written for. Every time I write a song it’s done with the express purpose of helping someone else connect the dots between their heart and the Father’s. Nothing touches me deeper than seeing that happen right there in the room as we sing the song. Amazing!! I’m never going to get tired of that!

The tour was also a lot of fun in the sleeping dept :) The tour bus was an amazing bus - but it’s still a bus, and it moves! Sleeping in a bed that moves is definitely an art form, and one that I’m not well versed in yet. We did three nights in a row - and I think we were all pretty wiped by the time we stepped off that part of the tour. Hotels are definitely my preferred option ;)

We do however get to do this all again next month!! (including the bus.... gulp). I don’t know if you live anywhere near Cleveland OH, but if you do, maybe you would like to book in for the next Deeper conference. I just think you would love every minute of it, and there’s still time to register. You can check out the details at Integritylive.com

We’ll also be doing concerts in Boston, Buffalo and Pittsburg while we make our way down to Virginia Beach for another worship conference. I’d so encourage you to make it along if you can. There is something really unique about having three people leading worship together, who are seasoned writers and leaders, and also great friends. It really has been something else in those meetings - I’d hate for you to miss it :)

Love,

p.s. thank you SO much to all of you who have written to me, or spoken to me at conferences or concerts. Your encouragement, and the way you’ve told me the stories of how the Lord has met with you has refreshed me to the core! Thank you for sharing your journey with me. I’m so grateful!!!

Hungry: some photos from the tour

2009-10-08T21:34:00.000Z

Hungry: some photos from the tour

some photos from the tour

2009-10-08T21:32:00.002Z

I just put up some photos from the first part of the tour. I'll keep posting more as we travel. If you'd like to have a look, just click the link... K

on the road again

2009-10-07T17:44:00.003Z

we are already having a LOT of fun together!!! I can still hardly believe that I get to do what I do with such great friends. Don't you love that life is meant to lived in community? God knew what He was doing when He set up the local church... even with the difficulties that sometimes come with it, it's the most wonderful way to work out our stuff, and become more like Jesus.

This tour got started in Indian Rocks near Tampa on Monday night. I got in at 12.30am the night before after a 23 hour journey from home. Really did get a good sleep that night though, and when you're working through the day it helps sort out your rhythm jet lag wise - so I haven't suffered too badly.

Today, we've made our way to Ocala, and we have a tour bus!!! I have never done the tour bus thing before - I'll let you know how I sleep over the next few nights :) But, I'm feeling optimistic that it'll be alright.

We get to stay in a hotel tonight - I'm in the room right now, and it's really nice. I just wish Al could be here too!! We do a concert here tonight, then get a full day off tomorrow, and hit the road at 1am tomorrow night for the long drive to Augusta in Georgia. I'm so excited to see places I've never been before, and I love getting to meet new people too!!

I'll try and write some more in a few days time to let you know the state of play.... and I'll post more pics.

Love,

what's in a word

2009-09-18T12:26:00.006Z

I've been thinking about writing something on this for a little while now.

Our tongue is such a powerful thing. The words we choose, and the way we say them are so important!!

As worshippers - whether leaders, teachers, lovers of Jesus - we spend our lives giving our all to Him. We've become good at making sure our actions match our hearts, and yet sometimes we've forgotten that how we use our tongue is a massive part of the same offering.

I just wanted to use this moment to get us thinking again about how we speak. Do we use it to bless and spur on? Do we use it to lift up and encourage. Do the words we choose to use reflect the honor and respect with which we treasure Jesus, or have we slipped into a way of talking that reflects only the culture empty of Him?

As James so beautifully put it in chapter 3 of his letter 'With our tongues we bless God our Father; with the same tongues we curse the very men and women he made in his image. Curses and blessings out of the same mouth!
My friends, this can’t go on. A spring doesn’t gush fresh water one day and brackish the next, does it?'

Sometimes the 'trend' can be to talk like everyone else - to choose words that are crass or crude, to use the Lord's name as a throw away comment, when in actual fact He is everything to us. Sometimes we've just slipped into it because we really haven't thought about what we're doing. But it honors God when we allow the challenge to come, and we have a look again - almost like getting our car serviced - making sure that things are 'running' as they should.

I know you'll be the same as me in this - that I want what I offer in worship on a Sunday morning to be as fresh water, and I long for the way I talk and think and act to be exactly the same the rest of the time too...

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this too

Where is the time going?

2009-09-15T18:26:00.000Z

It is completely crazy to me that we are in the third week of September already!!

My kids have been back at school almost three weeks - and during that time we have had two sets of visitors stay with us, we’ve entertained other wonderful friends for the day here and there, we’ve started small group in our home again, we’ve met with architects for the new building at church, we’ve done our ordinary work into the bargain, and the days have seemed to go faster as each one passes!

I do love this time of year though. I love being able to ‘do’ some of the things I’ve only been able to think through in the summer months. And I love being able to take some of the fun of the summer and plan it into the autumn and the winter. I’m already thinking ahead to some holiday time for us as a family next year - and getting it into the diary now.

I’ve also been doing some work.

Today I finished writing some blogs for Tim Hughes and worshipcentral.org. They’ll be up there next month, and I’ll post a copy here too.

The rest of my week will be spent getting ready for a trip to Germany next week, and then the first proper ‘Deeper Tour’ in the USA the following week. And I’m doing my best to make sure I take a moment or two just to ‘breathe in’ again while I have these few days before it all kicks in.

I hope you are having a great start to the autumn too - and that the ‘busy’ hasn’t been allowed the opportunity to overtake just yet...

Love,
K

Saw this and it made me smile

2009-08-30T11:33:00.001Z

I was hanging out with Rita and Cherie Baloche a couple of months ago. And as we were walking around a little store in Bushmills, I saw this book. What a cool title!! And what a real truth!!!

When we are writing songs - wrestling with the lyrics, crafting the melody - we have no real say over what will happen with it after it’s ‘born’. That’s the Lord’s part.

The truth is that if the Lord is on it, that song will grow legs. It’ll go places we never even thought of, let alone would be able to go to. It’ll touch hearts in ways that we never even dreamt of, at times when those hearts needed to hear the whisper of God in just that way at just that moment.

The way God uses music blows me away time and time again.

So, if you’re writing, and maybe feeling like it’s never going to make an impact or a difference - I just want to remind you... ideas have legs... The Lord will take it and use it exactly the way He has in mind....

autumn

2009-08-25T12:43:00.002Z

My kids are heading back to school on Thursday. I cannot believe how quickly the summer has gone!! And what a summer! It's been so full!

It's funny how on the run up to the summer break you are just holding out for those slightly slower mornings, and the opportunity to hang out a little more as a family, and all the fun things you have been waiting for school to end so that you could do. And then the summer actually comes - and it's crazy!!

Those of you who have been following me on twitter will know that we packed our time with swimming lessons, holiday Bible clubs, gymnastic classes, New Wine conference, and then a trip just a couple of weeks ago to the US (for a little chill time and some ministry too).

And of course, we are in the process of buying land as a church, and working through all of the twists and turns that come with that. It's new territory. It's 'full' territory.

So, here I am on the verge of another new season and looking forward to the rhythm that comes with it. Aware and determined again to make sure that we stay 'fuelled and aflame' as a family, but personally too.

Rhythm often offers a real opportunity to make that happen. You just have to be intentional about it - write it into your diary - and stick to it :)

How does it work for you? What are some of the ways you stayed connected to the Lord, present for your family, and alive on the inside?

Love,
K

Portland - Aug '09

2009-08-15T18:29:00.005Z

Just got back home from Portland. It was absolutely wonderful!!!

It was the first of the 'Deeper' conferences that Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen and I are doing together through Integrity with Ross Parsley hosting. I honestly can't remember a conference that I've enjoyed doing more.

We had beautiful worship times - we led a session each. Then we tag team taught for the main teaching sessions - for the first session, Brian taught most of the time, and then Paul and I came up and added just a few thoughts on the same subject. The next time, Paul taught most of the session, and Brian and I came up to add some thoughts at the end.

There were seminars each afternoon - where we all taught on something different, and other speakers came in too, including the guys in Paul's band, meaning we were able to offer a wide range of subjects.

Then on the last night, the three of us did a concert together - and the sense of the presence of the Lord was just wonderful!! I LOVED every minute of it!!!!

I have to just add that the volunteer team at Sonrise church in Hillsboro were outstanding!! They know how to serve - and they just didn't stop!!!!! Thank you SO much to each one of you who were a part of the team there - you did the most incredible job!!

I don't know if you live near one of the cities we are coming to in Oct and Nov - but if you do, I can't recommend highly enough getting to the conferences with your worship teams!! I think you'll love it as much as I did - and I know you'll leave with something of heaven tucked in your heart.

If you would like more info check out seminars4worship.com/

NEW WINE ENGLAND

2009-07-23T18:54:00.002Z

Tomorrow we are all heading off to New Wine in Shepton Mallet for the week. Our girlies are coming with us - which always makes the whole trip so much more exciting!!!

I absolutely love leading worship at conferences where people are hungry for the presence of God. It is SUCH a treat!! I can hardly wait!!!! And, I always wonder what the Lord will do - what will happen when His presence fills the room; whose lives will be changed, whose hearts restored, whose bodies healed, who will be set free from oppression, whose story will take a different turn in that moment because of what the Father did. I long for more of the Kingdom to be released when I lead worship - and those are the reasons why!!

So, my prayer as I leave home to do this again is simply 'come Holy Spirit'!!!!!

K

update on things here

2009-07-01T11:25:00.000Z

I have the joy of setting off to the airport in just a little while to pick up the lovely Baloche family. I am SO excited about the concert this weekend. I promise to take pics and post them here next week too - just in case you live too far away to come :)

I’ve spent this morning working on a worship book contribution for Lex Buckley. I’m just writing a few paragraphs on things I’ve learnt over the years. I honestly love passing on what I’ve found out along the way. It’s amazing to think that other worship leaders will have a look at that, and then take it further than I ever could.... and of course, pass it on to the people in their sphere of influence too. It’s just the way Jesus taught us to do things too.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and comments over the last few weeks. I love hearing from you!!! It feels like we get to share life together, even though we are living in all sorts of different places - and yet journeying so many of the same things at the same time. Community!!!

Love,
K

northern irish concert!!

2009-06-14T21:47:00.002Z

I have the privilege of being a part of a concert that Paul Baloche is doing right here in Northern Ireland - Friday 3rd July at 7pm in the Causeway Coast Vineyard (the Old Dunnes - mall car park, Coleraine). I would LOVE to see you there if you are able to come. I think it’s going to be the most wonderful night!!! Tickets are £12 each (£10 concession for students and over 60s - and kids under 12 go free). You can get the tickets from our church (Causeway Coast Vineyard), and at the Faith Mission (Ballymena), or Wesley Owen (Coleraine). Can’t wait to hear if you’re able to make it :)

songwriting

2009-06-09T19:42:00.000Z

this last week and a half I’ve been working really hard on songs. I decided that it was time to really give myself to the process - sitting at the piano for a good few hours every day - just to see what would emerge.

It’s been so interesting - I have had so many fresh ideas - way more than I thought I had circling around inside me. Sometimes it’s just the sheer discipline that creates the space for the song to be born.

It still amazes me that regular routine is the perfect partner to creativity - but in busy lives, filled with all sorts of commitments and relationships - the promise of a regular slot of time is one of the best gifts we can give ourselves as writers.

I would love to hear how it works for you....

hungryworshipper.com

2009-05-17T07:56:00.000Z

I’ve figured out how to do the domain name thing :) And so, you can now find me at hungryworshipper.com - this is a very happy thing for me!!!!! Hope you enjoy :)

Have a great Sunday!! I’m just about to go and get my kids ready for church... and the sun is shining outside - just about the perfect day :)

Love,
K

I figured it out :)

2009-05-16T18:58:00.001Z

Hopefully you'll be seeing a new domain name working in the next 24 hours or so...

I'll keep you posted :)

I so enjoy trying to make things work....

K

my .mac website

2009-05-15T18:39:00.002Z

Thank you so much Joseph for writing to me and making some suggestions for the website.

I have had another fiddle :)

Let me know what you all think...

If anyone knows how to attach a different web address to it (I did look into this before, and I don't think you could do it with a .mac account) - BUT just incase any of you know of a loop hole, or a way to make it work, I'd love to hear from you :)

K

fiddled about with my .mac website

2009-05-09T18:37:00.004Z

I had a little time yesterday because my littlest daughter wasn't feeling too well, and was off school (she's recouping nicely now :)... so I thought I'd fiddle around with my 'website' (it's a self made one - thus the inverted commas :)

Well, I'm kind of chuffed with the way it looks - so I thought I'd let you know about it and you could tell me what you thought - including things you think would make it better.... I might not be able to do it, but it's always good to hear your thoughts :)

Love,
K

p.s. the address is web.mac.com/mrsk.scott/kathrynscottmusic/ .....catchy eh? :)

Q about sounds tracks

2009-04-29T08:23:00.003Z

Hi Guys,

Thanks for asking about sound tracks to songs. I've been getting a few emails recently about this, so I thought I'd answer here :)

As far as I know there aren't any sound tracks to any of the songs I've written - but if you want to ask Integrity Music, they will know for sure.

If I hear anything different, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Thanks to all of you for singing the songs, and bringing them to the Church!!... that's exactly what they're for, and I'm thrilled that it's how they're being used!!!

God bless you!
K

Hols

2009-04-08T20:27:00.002Z

We are finally getting a little break - and I am SO ready!!!

We're heading off to the US to visit some friends, and do loads and loads of kids' stuff! I think we are going to have the most amazing time!

I absolutely love the cut and thrust of ministry - and the rhythm of routine - but once in a while, the opportunity to switch off responsibility and rest is just like a taste of Heaven!

I hope you guys get the chance to properly switch off at some point of the year too - and I pray that it refreshes you to the core!

Love,
K

the preaching went well :)

2009-04-01T21:27:00.002Z

Well, I preached about 10 days ago, and it went well - I think ;)

If you'd like to hear how it went, you can check out causewaycoastvineyard.com - the sermon is called 'when you arms are full'.

Love,
K

Life this week...

2009-03-16T09:47:00.003Z

I had a great weekend this weekend - we had James Gregory over from Aberdeen, and we co-led worship yesterday. I think it went really well! I always love leading worship with a great friend!!!

Next Sunday I'm preaching too! This could be interesting :) I actually love to teach - but preaching always scares me a little... I'll let you know how it goes.

At the moment, I'm home with a patient - my eldest little girl has a sore ear.... am praying she starts to feel better quickly.

So, that is life in the Scott household this week.

Hope you are doing super well!!! Will write again soon!

Love,
K

Back on Irish soil :)

2009-03-13T11:24:00.002Z

I had an amazing time in Miami last weekend.

Paul Baloche, Brian Doerksen, Lincoln Brewster and I led worship and taught together - that was a LOT of fun!!! Ross Parsley was there too - he was fantastic!!!

It was broadcast to other satellite venues across the USA - so 5000 people attended in total. Modern technology is a wonderful thing!!

I got home on Monday morning - and have been working through the haze of jet lag this week - on top of the usual Mummy things that go on in a week :) It's been a lot of fun.

Tonight is our weekly 'go out for tea with the kids' night - I'm super looking forward to that - and of course, the kids adore the rhythm of a regular fun thing to do together...

Will write again soon - hope you are all well!
K

Miami, here I come!!!

2009-03-03T15:18:00.002Z

I am heading off on Thursday morning to Miami FL!!

There is a worship summit over the weekend, that Brian Doerksen, Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster and I are leading worship at and teaching.

I LOVE this part of my job!!! I love reconnecting with great friends, I love getting to see new places (especially sunny new places ;), and I love leading people into the presence of God - whether through music, or through teaching. I love it!

I'm not sure if there are any tickets left - but if you are in the Miami area, and would love to come to this event - check out Integrity's website for the details.

I'll write again after the event and let you know how it went - or I might even get to see some of you there :)

Love,
K

life :)

2009-02-02T13:53:00.002Z

WOW - I cannot believe we are in Feb already! It's bonkers how quickly the time flies!!!

I just wanted to say a little hello. I'm right in the middle of writing for the next album (starting to get some ideas I think - it's a wonderful feeling - still have a looonnnnng way to go though :) I'm also in the thick of leading worship at home twice a month, doing school runs (which I need to dash out for a just a second), being a mummy of increasingly busy girlies (which is code for spending more time in the car), and of course, helping Alan pastor our amazing church.

Busy, but fantastic!!!

Will write again soon.
K

Our trip to Slovakia

2009-01-06T09:44:00.001Z

We just got back (in the middle of the night ;) - from our trip to Slovakia.

It was the most amazing time!! We were with two fellowships from the Catholic Church - one from the monastery where we stayed, and one from Bratislava - right in the other end of the country.

We started off with a weekend retreat together in a hotel about an hour away. These guys know how to worship! It was wonderful to get to know them; to be with them as they worshipped; and to see the Lord show up the way only He can! The presence of the Lord was so strong. It was an incredible time!

Then on Sunday night we made our way back from the retreat back to the monastery in Podolinec.

Every month on the first Sunday of the month, the fellowship that meets in the monastery hosts a worship night for people all over Slovakia. Around a thousand people show up every time, and this Sunday was no exception!! - there was standing room only, all the way up to the altar at the front.

To lead worship with the team there, in a church that had been built in 1642, with people who had come from all over the country (many had driven 6 - 7 hours to be there), was absolutely humbling!

I'm so grateful to Bohus and Rasto fro inviting us to come - and for being wonderful friends!!

I'm also so entirely grateful to the Lord that He is behind every detail - from the time and places that we meet people, to the deep connection that happens between hearts when we are joined by one vision, and one passion for Him!

January 1st - Slovakia!!!

2009-01-01T16:11:00.002Z

I am sitting here in the Podolinec monastery, right in the north of Slovakia. It is a stunning, stunning place!

Alan and I are here until Monday to do a little teaching, lead some worship, and get the chance to spend some wonderful time in prayer with friends here (some of whom we met in 2007, and some of whom we have still to meet).

I love that the Lord crosses every boundary of race and culture, language and background. He truly is Lord of the whole earth - and He loves the whole church!

I love that He invites us into the most glorious partnership with Him too - that we get to minister to people, even from the place of deep awareness of our own weakness, and yet,in the power that the Holy Spirit brings!

I can hardly wait to see what He does over the next few days. I am so thrilled to be a part of it!

some photos from the tour

2008-12-17T13:15:00.011Z

Thought it was about time I put up some photos from the tour :)

Here goes...

back stage in Abbotsford

the concert in Steinbach

look at our gate number!! It says 'U2' (so rock'n roll!!!)

me and Philip Janz - great, great guy and wonderful musician!!!

Terry (sound guy) & Pete (bass) - lovely guys!!

and this is the famous Calum Rees! (incredible drummer!!!)

Brian outside the hotel in Ottawa

my lovely friend Cindy who came with me to CMS in Seattle

There's more to come.... I'll post them in the next few days :)

the tour - and CMS conference

2008-11-28T14:38:00.003Z

Firstly I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have been writing to me and encouraging me - I so deeply appreciate you all!

I cannot believe how quickly our tour went!! I was planning to write after each concert - but there wasn't much time to sleep - so I chose to sleep when I got the chance :)

We started off in Abbotsford - had a wonderful concert there!!! It's Brian's hometown - and so, all the family, and the families of all the band members were there too - it really was a brilliant night!

The next day we flew off to Calgary - again, it was a great evening. I love that the Lord shows up like He does, even in the middle of a concert!! But then again, that's the only reason that we do what we do!!!

Early (too, too early :) the next morning, we flew to Winnipeg. I got to spend the afternoon with my lovely friend Mary McClean (she's the lady who wrote 'Creator King') - we hadn't seen each other in person for 9 years - so that was a special day!!

That evening was special too - we drove to Steinbach - which is where Brian's Dad Harry grew up - and we did our concert there, with Harry as a special guest. It was a beautiful concert!

The next morning - all too early again - we flew out to Ottawa. Ottawa is somewhere I'd never been - and I don't think I quite expected it to be SO beautiful! It's a breathtaking city - if you haven't been, but you get the chance, you show definitely go. It reminded me of Edinburgh in Scotland - I really loved it there.

The concert that night was in a beautiful old church called 'Dominion Chalmers' - it's about 150 years old, and is a stunning building - complete with the smell of aged wood - it felt like the church I grew up in at home.

The guys in Ottawa know how to party!!! We had an amazing time together!!!!

After that I had a couple of days off - so I went to SoCal to catch some rays - these are the things you just have to do when you live in N. Ireland. I spent two and half days there, and felt like I experienced a whole Irish summer (if you live in the UK, you know what I mean ;)

I got to stay with my great friends Steve and Cindy Rethmeier - and Cindy then flew with me up to Seattle for the CMS conference.

This conference is one of my favourites - the guys there, Bruce Adolph and Matt Kees have a special place in my heart!! If you haven't been before, they do the most excellent conferences - and have started doing different locations throughout the year - please do check them out.

I've been home now for a couple of weeks. I love, love, love being with my husband and kids!!!! I just might have the best family in the world!

our first concert is tonight

2008-11-05T23:37:00.002Z

Our first concert is tonight at 7pm in Sevenoaks Alliance church in Abbotsford. I'm really looking forward to it!!!

I'm just off now to start and get ready - we have spent the last two days rehearsing, and so now, we get to try it all out - this is the nerve wracking, life giving, fun part of touring!

If you are coming to any of the concerts over the next couple of days - I look forward to seeing you there!!!

Love,

I've started my tour :)

2008-11-03T15:46:00.003Z

This is a little interruption to my series on 'The Balancing Act' - and I will come back to it :)

I just wanted to keep you up to date with what I'm doing this week and next.

I landed in Abbotsford, BC on Saturday night, and led worship at 'The Bridge' yesterday morning. It's a great church, and I thoroughly enjoyed being there!!!

Today I start rehearsals for the first of four concerts across Canada with Brian Doerksen, starting on Wednesday night in Seven Oaks Alliance church in Abbotsford.

I love being here with friends that I've known and loved for years. It's because of them that even though home is rather far away, I feel like I've just gone down the road.

Isn't it wonderful that the Lord sets us up to have a rich depth of relationship in our lives that can make anywhere on the planet feel like we belong?!

I'll let you know how we get on.

If you are interested in where we'll be - please check out my myspace - www.myspace.com/kathrynscottmusic

Series: 'The Juggling Act' Part 2: Great expectations (dealing with disappointing others)

2008-10-29T20:48:00.001Z

Learning to say no is an art! We are brought up to say no to bad things, (we get pretty good at it ☺) - but we aren’t always brought up to put in boundaries when what we are being asked to do is good!! It seems rude ☺

I think I found this the hardest thing of all when we started being asked to do all sorts of ministry all over the place – whilst at the same time trying to plant a church at home, and starting to raise our own little family.

I want to tell you something that I heard right at the beginning of this journey though, that I’ve come back to time and again as I’ve walked this through.

It was something that Brian Doerksen taught us way back in 1998. He told us how in a real vineyard, the gardiner knows that a vine can produce over 60 branches with hundreds of grapes per branch – and behind each grape that grows, there is an embryonic bud, just incase that crop fails. It’s an astounding amount of fruit for one plant! But here’s the deal – unless the gardener removes 55 of those branches, the vine will only produce fruit for one or two seasons before it dies.

I remember hearing that for the first time – and boy, did it grab my attention!

We are capable of producing an inordinate amount of fruit – but unless we yield to our maker and allow him to chop off perfectly good branches in our lives – over 90% of perfectly good branches to be precise – then we’ll never be able to sustain the course, and the fruit we bear won’t have the richness that He intended from the beginning.

I love that.

Learn what those five branches are in your life – and don’t allow the fear of others being disappointed in you, to sabotage what God wants to grow through you.

Series 'The Juggling Act' Part 1: Balance in Busyness

2008-10-21T18:54:00.003Z

this is a series I put up on my myspace a while back - but I wanted to share it here too.... hope it proves helpful :)

Just say ‘no’

I get asked all the time about this – how do you balance being a Mum, a pastor’s wife, a songwriter, and a worship leader both at home and away. I smile, and then think for a moment about all the parts of my life that are full and at times a little crazy. The truth is that thanks to a very sensible husband, I’ve learned to say no to a lot of what I’m asked to do. What we need in life is a ‘balance buddy’ – someone who loves us and understands what we are called to do, yet won’t shy away from telling us to stop and reassess where we are at periodically. I wouldn’t even know where to begin without the wisdom of my husband.

These are the questions we always ask when we’re approached to take something on – is this a good thing to do right now for our family first; next does it work for our church; and thirdly do we sense this is something that’s just part of what we’re called to do.

If it’s yes to all three, and it’s something we really want to do, then we take it on. If it’s not, we don’t. Pretty simple really – except that lots of times, we have to say no to things we would dearly love to do, just because there’s only so much time a year that it’s good to be away from either our kids, or if we bring our kids, to be away from our church – that’s what makes it hard!

In the kid’s movie ‘Robots’, Big Weld’s catchphrase is ‘see a need, fill a need’ – for us as leaders, or parents, or pastors, or whatever role we fill - we have to know that our biggest need is to nurture our children and take care of our families. All other ‘needs’ come a far off second, and the truth is that someone else really can fill those needs in our place.

meet some of the family...

2008-10-21T10:21:00.008Z

I had my 34th birthday a couple of weeks ago! I thought it could be fun to show you some photos from my family birthday lunch over at Mum and Dad's house... :)

this is me and Alan - my gorgeous husband

My wonderful Mum

me and my lovely sister Janet

My Dad - what a guy!

my amazing drumming brother, Mark

There's something wonderful about being with the people you love most in the world - and it doesn't matter whether they are family by birth, or family by choice (the friends that we treasure) - the fact is, we are not meant to do this thing called life on our own. I'd love to encourage you to persevere in those relationships - especially when it's not all that easy - they are worth fighting for...

the church has left the building

2008-10-17T14:22:00.003Z

We are just right in the middle of our church conference on 'Healing on the Streets'. It's called 'The Church has left the building' - and it is wonderful!!!!
Most of the 130 or so delegates are from Europe and different parts of the UK, with one guy who even travelled all the way from Guatemala!
I led worship last night, this morning - and am on again tomorrow night and Sunday morning. It is soul refreshing to lead people SO hungry to meet with God in worship! Of course, the Lord has been doing what He always does - He's showing up and turning us inside out.
Infact, if there's one thing I've learned more than anything else over the last few years, it's exactly that - that the Lord LOVES those on the 'outside' just as much as He loves us - that He really believes He's Lord of the world!!! - that in His mind there's no difference between the people on the inside OR the outside of the church! Amazing!!!!
If we ask the Lord to show us what is most on His heart, He will always lead us from the inside out - because there are millions of people who don't know yet what their original design in meant to be - and we're the ones who get to introduce them to that. What a job!!!! - impossible and incredible, and exactly what we're here for!!!

Tour dates for November

2008-10-12T19:36:00.002Z

As promised, I wanted to let you know the times and places I'm going to be at the start of next month as soon as I knew them :)

Brian Doerksen & Kathryn Scott Tour

November 5 @ 7pm
Seven Oaks Alliance Church 2575 Gladwin Road
Abbotsford, BC

November 6 @ 7pm
First Alliance Church 12345 40 Street SE
Calgary, AB

November 7 @ 7pm
Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church 360 McKenzie Road
Steinbach, MB

November 8 @ 7pm
Dominion-Chalmers United Church 355 Cooper Street
Ottawa, ON

For more info and online tickets: Unite Productions

The following week - 13th through 15th November, I'm going to be taking part in the Christian Musician Summit at Overlake church in Redmond, WA.

I LOVE getting to do these type of things - in fact, it still blows me away that I do! I'll write as we travel too, with little updates on how things go.

K

just uploaded some of the songs from the new live album on myspace

2008-10-01T17:35:00.002Z

I'm so excited to be able to upload some of the songs off the new live album from Focusfest. This is one of those albums with a true live feel :) - which means, there's some pretty edgy moments vocally, but there's also a real sense of what was happening in worship at the time - and because of that, I really love this album!

I decided to upload three songs that come straight after each other on the record, to give you a feel of the flow of worship that happened there.

I so hope you enjoy this, and that you feel closer to the Lord as you listen. If you close your eyes, you can imagine you were with us as we worshipped with 2000 others in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast in June :)

K

p.s. the link for my myspace is on the right hand side of this blog :) or you can go to www.myspace.com/kathrynscottmusic

I took a leap of faith...

2008-09-21T17:01:00.003Z

Just over a year ago I bought a beautiful Avalon guitar. I couldn't play guitar to save myself - but I figured that I would never learn if I didn't at least own a guitar - and since it's one of the things I want to do before I'm 40 - I took the plunge.

As I've struggled with a new instrument, there have been times that I've wondered what on earth I was thinking buying a guitar - but that's exactly what has kept me at it!! Sometimes you need a little commitment to take you from where you are to where you would like to be.... for me, the commitment was spending money on something, and knowing that my husband wouldn't quite find me as attractive as before if I didn't use it ;)

For the last couple of weeks I've known that I'm nearly there in terms of being able to lead with it - but that was scaring the life out of me - because everyone in our church knows me, and they all know that I've never led on guitar before!! It's funny how self conscious you feel when you are taking the leap into something new, especially in front of people you know. But, if you're ever going to become the person you would like to be, there comes a point where you have to walk away from what you've always known and into the new - regardless of how you look, or feel!

Today I did it :)

I led a song with guitar right at the start of the worship - and it worked :) Now, I just need to keep practicing, until I can lead a whole set with guitar too - I'll keep you posted with how I get on!!!!

I started writing songs again today

2008-09-18T12:34:00.002Z

I started writing again today for the new album! I LOVE writing songs :) I think the longer I've been doing this, the more I've started to feel comfortable in my own skin.

When I first started writing worship songs 10 years ago I was so completely new at writing for congregations. I was just starting to learn the craft - and, as with anything new, I felt pretty shaky at it!

As time goes on, there are certain things that come more naturally - maybe a little like learning to drive a car - at first all your energy is spent on actually making the car move forward (or stop!!! :) But, as you learn to drive, you can start to enjoy the journey and not think so much about the 'how to drive' part.

That's where I find myself at the minute - and the view is great!

Brian Doerksen used to teach us to write many songs, sing some of them in our churches, and record just a few. I love the freedom in that!

And so, I'm just writing - some of these songs will be for the Lord's ears only - and some of them will end up on next year's project.... that doesn't really matter right now - the point is simply to write and see what comes out.

November tour

2008-09-09T15:47:00.002Z

I'm still in that in between stage of the autumn - with one daughter back at school, and my littlest waiting patiently to begin next week.

SO, I feel like I'm juggling a little more than usual - trying to get as much done as I can in the quieter moments of the day - those of you know Emily Joy (my youngest) though, will be aware that there aren't too many of those moments when she is around :)

One of the things I'm just starting to think through is the November tour with Brian Doerksen. I'm really, really looking forward to doing this!!! It's going to be across Canada, and then finish up with the CMS event in Seattle, WA.

As soon as I know the 'where's and the when's' I'll let you know.

In the meantime, I hope you're all doing great - and that the rhythm of this time of year is starting to take hold...

new live album!!!

2008-09-03T10:28:00.003Z

I just got the art work this week for a new live album - and I'm starting to feel pretty excited about it :)

In June this year I had the privilege of leading worship at a ladies' event in Belfast called 'Focusfest'. There were about 2000 girls there - and we had the most wonderful times of worship and teaching together. Rebecca Manley Pippert was the main speaker - and she was outstanding!!!! She's the lady who wrote 'Out of the Salt Shaker' some years ago now - what a lady, and what a communicator! I thoroughly enjoyed meeting her and getting to listen to what she taught!

The other cool thing about the conference was that the worship was recorded :) I've done live recordings before where the whole point of the evening was to record an album... some of you might have been at some of them :) What I haven't done before is go to lead worship at a conference where a recording is happening, but it's not what the event is about - it's a different kettle of fish! For a start, you can't stop in the middle of a song when you get it wrong and go from the top to get it right... which you sometimes have to in a live recording! SO, this album has a wonderful feel about it - with just a couple of warts (provided by me mostly!!!! :)

Actually, I really think that if you love worship you'll enjoy this album - it has more of a worship experience feel about it than the studio stuff I've done (although I love that too :)

If you buy it when it comes out, I would love to hear your thoughts - even if you don't like it :)

p.s. you can listen to some bits of it on the integrity website to give you an idea...

I'm back :)

2008-08-29T09:25:00.002Z

I love this time of year!! I love settling back into the rhythm of the autumn - it feels like everything starts to find it's place again after the busyness of the summer!!!

Our summer was wonderful this year.... not so much the weather - but the things we did :) (living in Northern Ireland means you have to look for the good 'beyond' the weather!!)

I did my first proper tour with Integrity. Up until now I've always said no to touring because my kids really needed me at home - but things are starting to change... it's an exciting season.

SO our summer shaped up like this - at the start of July we went as a family to New Wine Ireland in Sligo, where I led worship for most of the week. Then, we flew over to St Andrews in Scotland, where I led worship for the first half of the week at CLAN gathering, and Alan spoke in the young adults' tent - both superb conferences! And then, I took my first intrepid leap into touring, while Alan stayed on in Scotland with the girls (they had a BLAST!!!)

America was brilliant! I got to lead worship at the worship leader conference in Austin, TX - had the honor of playing with Paul Baloche's band. Then I flew over to Seattle in WA and led worship at Creation West - the most beautiful outdoor venue I have ever led worship at!!! I also met some amazing people - Aaron and Rhonda Barker from New Song church in Tacoma, and had the privilege of having them pray for me (INCREDIBLE STUFF), I also got to lead worship at their church, and we had an amazing time together - and I did a concert at Matt Kees' church there too - I really enjoyed my time in WA. I then went down to Portland for the afternoon and met a lovely bunch of worship leaders from the area.

By this stage I'd been on the road for 16 days, so I made my way up to BC and stayed with Brian and Joyce Doerksen for a couple of days R&R - it was wonderful!

After that I flew over to Buffalo, NY - got to visit Niagra Falls (a bit of a life time ambition!!), lead worship with a wonderful band in Eastern Hills Wesleyan, and lead worship at Kingdom Bound conference - which I LOVED!!!!

It was a brilliant summer!!!! I got home a couple of weeks ago now - and so, the dust of catch up and post travel tiredness has started to settle! Alan is back at work; Sophie is back at school; and I am hanging out with Emily till she starts back too. I feel like order is returning :) And with it, the time to think again... I love it!

'I Belong' - Thoughts On The Album

2007-12-14T19:13:00.001Z

'I Belong' - Is Now Available!

2007-12-11T20:26:00.000Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog 11

2007-12-11T20:21:00.001Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog 10

2007-12-10T19:08:00.001Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog 9

2007-12-10T03:46:00.000Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog 8

2007-12-08T19:20:00.000Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog 7

2007-12-07T16:39:00.001Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog #6

2007-12-06T17:30:00.000Z

'I Belong' - Song Blog #5

2007-12-05T14:28:00.000Z

You can stream the entire album right now at

integritymusic.com/kathrynscott

(Registration Required)

'I Belong' -Song Blog #4

2007-12-04T20:26:00.003Z

'I Belong' -Song Blog #3

2007-12-04T20:26:00.001Z

'I Belong' -Song Blog #2

2007-12-04T20:25:00.001Z

'I Belong' -Song Blog #1

2007-12-04T20:22:00.000Z

'I BELONG' is nearly there!!!!!!!!

2007-11-02T09:06:00.001Z

I just wanted to let you know that we are nearly at the launch date :) I'm SO excited about it!!! Mid Dec, 2007 and it will finally be out!!!!!!

I've uploaded some of the songs (just three) to give you a taster of the album - they are on my myspace (for which there's a link on the left :) Please feel free to go and have a listen - I would LOVE to hear what you think.

Love,
Kathryn

MISSION'S OPPORTUNITY

2007-06-14T09:09:00.000Z

We are running a couple of internship programmes here this year - if you've been reading the other posts you might know about the worship one starting in September (there's still time to apply if you're interested - closing date the end of June :)

We are also looking for a mission's intern. Here's the info if that's something that might interest you...

"Missions Intern
This full time (40 hrs a week) Intern position is designed to assist the Missions Pastor in various ways as he enables the church fulfil its missional calling. Your work would entail working alongside the Mission Pastor in some areas as well as taking on various core responsibilities and driving them forward under his supervision as outlined below:

1. You would be responsible for helping the Missions Pastor oversee, develop and encourage the existing outreach ministries and strategy of the church within our local community as well as launching new strategies and ministries to reach our community.

2. You would be responsible for helping the Missions Pastor develop Mission Teams that reach beyond our local community to surrounding communities and Overseas to other nations.

3. You would also be responsible for helping the Missions Pastor enable the church to effectively engage locally and globally in Compassion Ministry.

4. You would also be responsible for helping the Missions Pastor oversee and facilitate the integration of New Believers and Newcomers into the church family.

We will be looking for those who are committed Christians with definite leadership potential. The placement on staff will last for one year and be entitled ‘Staff Assistant’. There is no renumeration with the post and you would be responsible for meeting your own practical needs.

We believe that this opportunity will provide a firm basis for development of your character and gifting within the dynamic environment of our staff team.

Application forms are available from Karen@causewaycoastvineyard.com or
ricky@causewaycoastvineyard.com Recruitment to this role will be by interview, when prospective Mission Interns will be given a copy of the Staff Assistant agreement to consider before a final decision is reached."

Please do get in touch if this stirs something (just use the email addresses above). Look forward to hearing from you :)

Kathryn

there's still time :)

2007-06-01T09:10:00.000Z

Just wanted to give you a quick update on the internship. We have had a load of interest - which has thrilled me to bits!!! There is still time though, just in case you might be interested and haven't taken the plunge yet.

Our plan - and it is cunning - is to invite interns to come and spend the year with us (from Sept to June). Over the course of that time, we will spend time learning together (and we've got some great teachers lined up too), we'll work on songs together, lead worship, play in bands, help develop worship in our third service (which hasn't started yet - so a wonderful opportunity to see something start from scratch) - and generally have a great deal of fun together!

It really is a lovely part of the world to spend some time - and I think our church is amazing (I am, of course, slightly biased in this though :) I honestly think you would truly benefit from, and thoroughly enjoy this internship if it was something you might like to consider!

We are specifically looking for people who are good musicians - up until now, we've only been looking for worship leaders - but we'd like to widen the net a little. We are particularly interested in hearing from you if you can play electric guitar, drums, bass or acoustic guitar. I'm afraid we can't take you if you are a singer who doesn't play an instrument.

There is no age limit on this internship - which is good news for people like me :) The programme will be full time, and so you are going to have to find the funds before you come (although, we are not charging for the year - it will be travel and living costs you'll have to cover).

If you are interested in getting some more info on what the internship will actually look like, and the costs involved, please email me on worshipinternship@btinternet.com and we'll email you some stuff.

In the meantime, hope you're all doing well - and thank you for reading my blog - it's a joy to hear your thoughts and comments!!!

God bless,
Kathryn

WORSHIP INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY AT CAUSEWAY COAST!!!

2007-04-17T14:57:00.000Z

We are currently putting together our worship internship programme here in the Causeway Coast Vineyard for ’07 – ’08.

Beginning in September this year, I would like to invite you to apply if you are a worship leader looking for the chance to hone your skills further, along with others, in a fun, vibrant environment.

You will be part of a small team of interns - learning together, growing together, writing songs, playing in the bands, and assisting in the development of worship throughout the church.

We are interested in hearing from you if you are currently serving in a worship team (or have done so recently), have some experience of leading worship in a church context, can play an instrument (guitar, piano, or drums, etc…) to a competent level – and first and foremost have a heart that hungers after God and reaches out to others.

As part of your application, I would like to listen to a demo of you playing (this can be an mp3, or CD – or, if you’re really brave, a DVD ☺). I’d also like to ask you for a reference from your senior pastor or minister.

These positions are full time and self funding – there’s no cost for the actual internship, but you’ll need to cover your travel and living costs (we can give you an idea of how much that is likely to be - and all the details of where to fly to, how to find accommodation etc… when you apply)

Look forward to hearing from you!

Kathryn

... to apply, or register your interest please email me on worshipinternship@btinternet.com

home :)

2007-03-19T21:58:00.000Z

Well, it was quite a journey in the end :)

I got stuck (along with hundreds of other people) in Newark because of snow. To cut a very long story short, it took an extra 12 hours - a little detour through Manchester in England - an extra ticket bought to get back to Belfast - and at last, I made it.

It is WONDERFUL to be home!!!!!!!

Thank you for praying for me and writing to me while I was away - I so appreciate it!!!

Now, I'm back in the Mummy seat with feet firmly on the ground (and running :) I LOVE being back with Alan and the girls - I missed them SOOOO much! It does mean though, that I probably won't be writing quite as much ;) ....those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will already know the pattern :)

I will however, keep you posted on any news with the album - or with any ministry things that come up over the next few weeks.

God bless you to bits!
K

IT'S FINISHED!!!!!

2007-03-17T03:41:00.000Z

Today we finished all the vocals!!!!!!!!!!!! My work here is done! :)

As soon as I can, I'll upload snippets for you to hear.

Until then, thank you for all your prayers - it means the world! And, I know for sure they made a massive difference in being able to get through what we've done over the last two weeks!

Next time I write, I'll be back with my beautiful family in the emerald isle :)

Love,
K

last day in Nashville

2007-03-16T22:20:00.000Z

Well, I'm still doing BVs (we finished the main vocals a couple of days ago.... and we got 'I Belong' done yesterday, woo hoo) - but we are SO close now that I can almost smell the sweetness of home!!!!!

I'm going to see if I can put some of the roughs up on my myspace - I might not be able to... but I'll try :)

I don't quite know how to thank the Lord for the time here. It has been a super productive two weeks!!!! I might need to do some serious sleeping when I get home (kids permitting :)

It's been great to just keep pushing until the job is done - actually, it's the best way for us as a family to do this - if I concentrate on a project like this for a couple of weeks, it means I can come home and get straight back into being a Mummy (with all that entails - those of you with kids know it's a full time job in itself! What a job it is too - one of the best there is :)

If I'd tried to record this at home, it would have taken so much longer just because of everything else that I do there - and everyone would have suffered. This is short and sharp - but it works a treat!

After all the blogging about it - I REALLY hope you like the songs ;)

Thanks again for reading, and for writing comments - it's wonderful to hear from you!!!
K

I made it through the photo shoot :)

2007-03-15T20:31:00.000Z

Thank you for praying!!! It all went great! Actually, I really enjoyed it - the photographer is a guy called Michael Gomez, and he is absolutely brilliant! He really put me at ease, and he takes a great photo :)

I also got to keep lots of clothes :) Some of them look better in a photograph though, than they do in real life ;) Still, I'm very grateful!

Recording is going so well - I'm just working on BVs. I still have to record 'I Belong' - one of the songs I co-wrote with Mum... we're going to another studio tonight to play a lovely C7 grand piano - THAT will be fun!

Right now, I'm back into the booth to do some more backing vocals.

Thank you for all your comments and messages - you are keeping me going!!! Only two more sleeps till I see my gorgeous family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K

p.s. I've put some of the photos (only about 4 from a possible 2000 or so :) up on my myspace - if you want to have a peek... just follow the link on the side of this page

photo shoot (gulp)

2007-03-14T00:51:00.000Z

Tomorrow I head into a different kind of studio all together - a photographer's studio! I'm going to be spending the whole day having my photo taken... those of you who know me will know that isn't exactly filling me with excitement!! :)

The great thing is that these people REALLY know what they are doing! It'll be great to have some photos that are good - as opposed to the crazy one's I have on my iPhoto. It'll also be cool to get some new clothes :) That part is a girl's dream come true. I have a stylist for this shoot, who has been out shopping for me over the last few days - everything that I wear for the shoot, I get to KEEP! Pray that I have to get changed a whole lot :)

I'll let you know how I get on - I have a feeling it could be interesting :)

K

vocals

2007-03-12T15:56:00.000Z

I'm in Brent's studio all this week doing vocals - it's going SO well. It's amazing to feel totally comfortable putting down vocals, and really loving how it's all sounding at the end of the day! I honestly feel like that's a favour thing! From the very beginning of the process with this album, I feel like God has been speaking so clearly about what I'm what I'm supposed to do at every turn - I am SO grateful! It's the most wonderful thing in the world to know His whisper echoing in your heart, and feel the warmth of His hand around yours as you step out into the unknown.

K

day off - sort of :)

2007-03-10T17:25:00.000Z

It's so funny how not being with the kids means I can write here more often!! My life is WAY more full at home, even though the schedule here has been so nuts :)

Today is pretty much a day off - although I'm going to head into the studio in a couple of hours to do some vocals. I'm so enjoying everything we've done so far! Can't wait to put down some proper vocals and hear it come together just that little bit more.

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me! I have really felt the presence of the Lord through this whole time - He's incredible isn't He?!

I'll write again soon,
K

in the studio day 3

2007-03-09T02:52:00.000Z

It's going great here!!! I'm so delighted with the way the songs are turning out. So far we've got 8 songs in the bag (minus proper vocals :)... but this stage is all about getting the band stuff down.

Brent Milligan is producing (and playing bass) - he's doing a top job. Adam Lester is on guitars - unbelievable!!! (he's amazing with hooks and riffs), and Dan Needham on drums - superb drummer! Russ Long is engineering - he did 'six pence non-the-richer' (the album with 'Kiss me'!!!!)

We've done a couple of songs today where we all went in a room together and just recorded what came out - we used double bass and some shuffly drums - can't wait to let you hear it!!!

This album is going a dream! Actually, this is exactly how I wanted to try and record when I was first dreaming it all out in the beginning. There's a such a feeling of God leading in the whole thing. I'm SO grateful!!!!! (and excited!)

in the studio day 1

2007-03-05T22:39:00.000Z

I'm sitting in a studio in Nashville at this very minute!!! We've started prepping for album number two. Tomorrow we'll head into another studio downtown with a whole band. I'm really loving the ideas that we're working on! I can't wait to hear how it all turns out!

I'll write again and let you know how it's all going. In the meantime, I'd love you pray that the songs come out just the right way - also for my health - I was sick as a dog yesterday and I'm not feeling quite right yet... on the mend though :)

God bless you!
Kathryn

thank you for your comments

2007-02-15T20:33:00.000Z

I just discovered a whole load of comments that I hadn't realised I had today! To all of you who've been writing to encourage me and let me know your own journeys in worship and song writing - I just want to say a huge thank you!!!!

Isn't it incredible to be part of such a great family? - where we get to spur each other on!

I'm deeply grateful to all of you for taking the time to send a note or a thought - it makes a wonderful difference! - there is SUCH power in encouragement!!!

God bless you!

I'll keep you posted on the recording side of things.

K

new album

2007-02-02T18:20:00.000Z

In about 4 weeks I'm going to make my intrepid way across the Atlantic to record my second album with Integrity. I'm so excited about putting these songs down and watching what God will do with them next. Some of them - like 'I Belong' (a co-write with my Mum), have been waiting quietly in the wings for more than two years! It will be wonderful to get them out there.

At the moment, I'm finishing lyrics and making sure I'm as far on as I can be. Lyrics are the hardest part I think! They are also the most important part... a beautiful melody with words that don't really mean anything won't last as long as one where the lyrics give real voice to what's going on under the surface of surrendered hearts. Of course, a good melody will help those lyrics to stick - it's a balancing act - one worth the hard work.

If you're writing at the moment, I'd love to encourage you to dig that little bit deeper for the right words - like an offering of worship in the work of crafting our words. I'd also love to cheer you on as you look for the right melodic hook - taking the ideas you started with, and honing them till they sing sweeter - till they become the songs that others can use as their very own expression of love for Jesus.

2006

2006-12-31T11:57:00.000Z

I can't believe this year is almost over!!!

It's almost a year since we headed off on sabbatical to America as a little family - that was honestly one of the best things we ever did. It was amazing to stop for a while and learn to listen again - to each other, to the kids, to the whisper of God... It was life changing.

It was this year that Alan and I went to Germany together for the second time, and felt the stirring of God again for Europe. I love knowing that it's Him who directs our steps - helps so much to take the heat when it comes; remembering that everything we do for God is important - that nothing done for Him is in vain.

I got to do more writing with people I love this year too - with my Mum, with Brian Doerksen and Paul Baloche. Isn't awesome how God connects us with people who help spur us on in what we were made for?! I'm so looking forward to doing more of this - and to recording again in the new year!

Alan and I had the privilege of leading the church here for another year - of seeing more and more people come to faith for the first time; of seeing more lives change as people gave themselves over to God again and again, even though at times it cost them dearly; of the joy of seeing people work through some of the hardest circumstances and find themselves more whole at the end of the process than the beginning - that is the grace of God!!!

Living for God, listening for His voice, leaning into His mercy - this is life fully alive!!! Can't wait for 2007!

God bless and keep you all in the coming year!!!

a little update...

2006-11-30T11:50:00.000Z

I can't believe how long it is since I last wrote something!!!

Well, what a month it's been. I was over in Texas and then Seattle about three weeks ago now. Paul Baloche and I spent a couple of days writing together - for those of you who prayed that the time would be fruitful, thank you! We had a great time and wrote two songs!!! Hopefully we'll record them fairly soon and then you can hear them too :)

Seattle was the Christian Musician Summit - and it was wonderful! I enjoyed every minute of it!!! Over the course of the two days I sang with Paul in his concert along with Brenton Brown (it was so fun to see Brenton and Jude again - we are buddies from way back), then I lead worship in one of the main sessions and taught four different seminars on everything from songwriting to leading worship on the piano. The people there were fantastic, and I came home thoroughly encouraged!!!!

Since I've been home, I've been working on demos, fine tuning some more of the details for the next album and of course, looking after and loving my family!!!

At the moment Alan is away in America for a couple of weeks, and I'm at home with the girls - one of whom is sick today :(

I'm also working on sermons for the next two weeks at church - could be a great time to ask for your prayers again.... not just for me, but for the people who are going to have to listen :)

concert

2006-10-16T20:18:00.000Z

It's a couple of weeks now since I wrote anything here - and boy, has it been full!! In the middle of the month, Brian Doerksen and his daughter Esther came over from Abbotsford in BC, Canada to be with us for the weekend. On Friday we did a coaching day - 62 people came from all over Ireland, one from Finland, another from Holland, three from Switzerland, a couple from Slovakia, 8 guys from Scotland. It was great to hear Brian's thoughts on the importance of character, song writing, on leading worship, on choosing songs and working with band members. It was such a helpful thing to ask Brian questions and be able to interact with someone with his track record!
On Saturday night we did a concert together, and 650 people came - which is quite a few for round these parts!! It was a wonderful time of worship - it so cool for me to have a friend like Brian come do this here! I get to travel a fair bit, but it's very rare that people from home get a taste for all the stuff that I get up to when I'm away, so it was such a treat to share it!
Since then, we've had a lovely couple stay with us for a week, and I've been working like mad on my new CD.
It's coming together really well - the songs are pretty much there... it's a lovely feeling!
Next week I'm off to the States for a week. I'm going to stop off in Texas for a few days with Paul and Rita Baloche to do some writing together - please pray that we have a productive time!! And then, I'm heading on to the CMS conference in Seattle.
I'll let you know how it all goes...

been busy

2006-10-05T15:31:00.000Z

I seem to have been busier than usual the last couple of weeks - I'm writing for my new album at the moment, and I'm writing seminars for CMS in November. It's wonderful to be giving time to this again though. I don't know about you, but I need deadlines - because life goes at a hundred miles an hour all the time - and sometimes I need to know what needs done NOW before it gets on the schedule.

On the songwriting front - I'm working towards doing some more co-writes (I'll keep you posted on how I get on). I love what happens when it's more than just me staring at the drawing board! It's a lot more exciting I think!! Interestingly, when I started writing properly, I wasn't that keen on co-writing. It sort of felt like a cop out - I wanted to know that I could do it myself. Somewhere along the line though, I got a little more secure that God really has called me to do this - He really is the God of abundance - if this is something he has in mind for you, you won't be a 'one song' wonder - whether those songs leave your living room or not :)

On the CMS front - I'm SO excited to be going to the States again and to be doing more teaching. This is a major learning curve for me, but one that I'm enjoying... whether or not the people who come to those seminars enjoy it or not remains to be seen :)

more on 'out there'

2006-09-24T06:30:00.000Z

I was asked a great Q today that I thought might be helpful for you to have a look at too. Here is the comment...

'Would love to know more about how you guys go about doing this. Are you training your people in how to talk/pray with people? Are you just walking up to people and asking them while they are shopping and etc? Or is there a part of town where there's a high contingency of people living on the "streets" that are more open to prayer. Just wondering how that might play out here in the States...I live in the middle of suburbia where you're lucky to get eye contact from people passing by!'

Our town doesn't have the 'obvious' poor - there's no one living on the streets for example - but there are definitely people really struggling!!

So, it's into this context that we started doing healing on the streets every week almost two years ago. There is an area of town that is just outside the town hall - it's called the 'Diamond', and it's just an open space surrounded by shops. The team simply goes there, sets up 6 chairs in a row, and puts up a banner with the word healing on it. There's a small PA system that we use to tell stories of how God has already healed people, and some of the conditions they've been healed from. Then the guys on the team invite anyone who is sick to come and take a seat where they'll be prayed for. Other members of the team stand around the edges handing out leaflets that explain what we're doing, and give details of the church. It's amazing to watch pretty reserved people come and take a seat. It's even more amazing to watch their faces as they get healed!!!

We do train the team members in praying for the sick, and following it through - we never like to claim someone's been healed until they have it verified for example - because we live in a small town (there are only 25k in Coleraine), people do tend to come back and let us know how they are a week or more after they've been prayed for... they also come back to get more prayer if they've not been healed too.

If you'd like to hear some of the stories, why not check out: out-there.org
...it's a website that we've just set up to share some of what's happening on the streets. It's incredible what God has been doing - and it's wonderful to see people get healed, and some of them come to know Jesus too! It's life changing!!!

out there

2006-09-23T07:42:00.000Z

Today a bunch of people from our church are heading down South to Sligo. They are going to pray for the sick on the streets of the town - the same as we do every Saturday right here in Coleraine.

I still can hardly believe how many people get healed on the streets - it has really strengthened the conviction in me, that this is part of what Jesus meant when he gave us the great commission, and yet somewhere along the line, we brought it back inside the church, waiting for the lost to come to us.

I was thinking about the scripture where Jesus said the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few - I remember praying for years that God would send revival (I still long for that), but I honestly thought that 'they' would come to us, when all along Jesus was saying for US to go to them.

As we continue to pray for people to encounter God right where they are - doing their shopping, or out for a coffee - we're finding that God is already very much at work out there. Reaping the harvest just requires going into the field and rolling up our slieves - how exciting is that?!!

LEADING WORSHIP: putting an arrangement together

2006-09-19T19:21:00.000Z

It's been a while since I wrote about leading worship - so I thought this might be helpful.

I think that arranging a song is one of the most exciting things about leading worship (apart from actually getting to see people express their hearts to God!) The reason is, that you can take a song that people have heard a hundred times before, and breath new life into it, just by the way you play it. It's also one of the most daunting things too - because where do you begin?

Here are some thoughts that might help you get started on the road of creativity again....

When I choose a song, I play it over a few times by myself. I'm trying to find hooky rifs that I can play on the piano that might freshen it up a little, and I'm looking for a 'feel' or 'vibe' that might suit it. Then I take it to the band and say very roughly what I'm looking for - sometimes, I just don't know until we start to play it together.

As a band, we play it through a couple of times, and each time through, I'll be telling the guys individually what I'm liking (maybe the bass player has hit on a great line, or I love what the drummer is doing in a certain place), and we build from there. Once we've got the general idea, we start thinking about 'shape' - in other words, the layout of the song as we are going to play it - where we are putting the verses, where we'll sing choruses, and how many etc... and we write down a rough guide, or 'road map' down the side of the chord sheet so that we don't forget. It also means that we can start thinking through 'light and shade', the dynamics of how we are going to play, and then write it in on our road map too... (it's amazing how many things you forget unless you write them down :)

Some things to watch out for are, be careful not to overplay - it can sound pretty messy if everyone plays everything from the beginning to the end of a song. Maybe you could come in at different parts of the song (the bass coming in on the pre chorus for example, with the hi-hat during the chorus, and then full drums in verse 2) - or, if it's a really big song, everyone coming in at the beginning, and then cutting right back for the first verse. There are so many ways to do things. My advice is to listen to songs you really love, and try and think about how they have been recorded - where do instruments play, how do they play, when do they drop out... The other thing - especially in leading worship - is to remember that the arrangement must serve the song - if it's too creative, the congregation might just miss the reason why you've put all the work in - they might get totally distracted by the band, and forget that it's all about reconnection with God.

SONGWRITING: don't quit just yet

2006-09-16T16:33:00.000Z

I just finished a teaching day on songwriting. I love teaching about writing - it's wonderful to see people really catch that they can do it too!!!

It reminded me again how important it is to keep going with a song (and with writing in general) even when things are not quite working out.

There's a song I've been working on - on and off - for the last five years. I started it when Sophie was just a baby, and only ever got the first verse. At various times I've picked it up again and tried a new idea to see if I can take it forward.

Just yesterday I thought I'd have another go. For the first time in all those years I had a completely different idea and wrote a pre chorus for it and a chorus. Whilst I haven't finished the lyrics yet, it is THE most wonderful feeling to have finally found what I was looking for in this song. I just wanted to encourage you too - don't worry how long it takes - the finished song is still waiting for you to find it... keep going just a little longer - you might be surprised how close it is!

a little plug for UNPLUGGED ;)

2006-09-11T17:57:00.000Z

It's coming up to our third day of training for small group worship leaders - Saturday 16th in Porstewart Presbyterian Church Halls. As it is drawing so near, I thought I'd do a shameless plug!!

If you live anywhere near enough to come, and you think you might be interested - why not call +44 (0) 28 70 833335 (the offices of the Causeway Coast Vineyard), and book in.

It only costs £10 for the day, and includes lunch and a full set of notes from the day.

This time around we are spending the day looking at song writing. There will be two teaching sessions in the morning, and then you'll have the opportunity to play a song and have it critiqued - a lot less painful than it sounds (hopefully :)

I'd love to see you there!!!

just a thought

2006-09-06T21:04:00.000Z

I had a thought this morning that I wanted to share. I was thinking about the lonely road of leadership - John Wimber used to say that volunteering to lead was like volunteering to be ugly! - thankfully it's only true sometimes :)

Sometimes the expectations of others can really throw us off track - whether we find ourselves in leadership or not!! The truth is that if we are going to follow the Lord with all our hearts, we have to learn to 'appropriately disappoint' people - and it's usually other Christians. It feels horrible. But the deal is this - God has captured our hearts to carry out the mission He has given us while we are on the earth. We have got to be single minded in this, and we've got to do it to the very best of the ability we've been given - not running rough shod over those around us, but not allowing ourselves to be knocked off course when we encounter criticism. Being understood doesn't always come with the territory.

I long, just like you, to hear the words 'well done' on my first day of eternity - so I'm going to try and run the race with my eye on the prize.

what about the poor?

2006-08-30T12:49:00.000Z

Whilst this is a little off the theme of band stuff, it is very much to do with worship!

Tre Sheppherd was over last night, and was talking to us about the AIDS stuff he and Tori are involved in over in South Africa. I really thought it would be great to highlight it to you guys too.

He has set up a website with a great deal of info on it, and simple ways to get involved and make a difference. It's www.engagehivaids.com - please check it out, it's a wonderful thing these guys are doing!!!

BAND STUFF: working with PA guys

2006-08-28T15:16:00.000Z

I was asked a brilliant Q yesterday by a friend of mine who is a sound engineer. He wrote - "I'd be very interested in your thoughts about the role of sound and the sound system operator as part of the group and what you, as a leader, are looking for. What makes life easier - and what makes things more difficult?"

From a worship leader's perspective, the sound guy (or girl :) is just as important as any member of the band - no matter how hard we have worked as a band to get the songs right, if the mix is bad, or the overall volume is too loud, or whatever it might be, the congregation can't engage. If our job is to help people connect with God, then we've got to make sure that nothing is a distraction - and sound is a huge part of that!!!

Attitude is really important too. I'll never forget singing in Nashville once, and the sound guy was possibly the meanest person I think I've ever met - he didn't care at all what the foldback was like, and was yelling at the musicians on the stage!! It made it almost impossible to do our job of leading worship. I know that none of you will be like that in the slightest, but it makes the point. If, as a sound engineer, you realise that what you bring to the table really, really matters, and that the way you are with the musicians can help put them at ease so that they can lead well, then you are going to do a brilliant job. Being aware (especially with musos who can sometimes be a little on the sensitive side :) is a wonderful helpful.

BAND STUFF: finding your fit

2006-08-28T08:35:00.000Z

I got a brilliant comment on the postings about band stuff that I wanted to highlight. Neil is my bass player in the band that I play with on Sunday mornings - here's what he said that I think you might find really helpful...

"I think a big part about playing in a worship band is your mental attitude. Of course your character and ability are pre-runners but you need to have a mental and spiritual realisation of what you are there to do. You need to see where you fit on the team and then carry out that task to the best of your ability and give it back to God.

A good illustration of this is the bass, its what I know best so I will stick to it!! The bass player's role is to provide the platform along with the drums that all the other instruments can work off. They tie the whole thing together. Now it can be a very effective instrument for playing a nice riff or coming up front now and again but unless it continues to form the platform then it loses its purpose.

When you are first starting to play your instrument in worship bands it is so important to learn your role. Initially as a younger player we all want to be noticed (maybe that was just me) and therefore we wanted to be louder or play the coolest part but we know that isnt the heart God wants nor does it make for good band dynamics.

Once you have defined your role on your instrument it is such a fulfilling feeling to know you are playing your part on the team."

This is a great insight from someone who is playing regularly, and has really caught the heart of what being on a band is all about. Hope it helps :)

LEADING WORSHIP: passion & restraint

2006-08-27T07:23:00.000Z

When I was learning with Brian Doerksen, one of the things he encouraged us to do was to look at how much we did spontaneous times in worship. Whilst musicians really love having times of 'free worship' because they are comfortable with improvising - non musicians find it really hard, and so they tend to disengage - in other words, it can really hinder their response in worship.

To be honest, I wasn't sure at the time if this was the right way forward - but I tried it out just in case Brian was right :) Almost immediately in our church at home, the worship times went from about 60% of people really connecting with God, to maybe 90%!! It was such a marked difference! I remember looking at people completely lost in worship who previously had just stood and looked at me - I had thought they weren't interested in worship!, but it turned out they just couldn't access all the spontaneous stuff.

What I've found out as I've gone along since then is that this is about context. On a Sunday morning, there's such a mixture of people that you have to walk the line between 'passion & restraint' - not avoiding times of free expression, but keeping it fairly short so that it doesn't get in the way of people trying to worship. On the other hand, if you are leading at a night of worship - the majority of people there are going to be really into music, and so you can get away with a lot more.

It all boils down to that first question you ask when you lead - 'who am I leading, and how can I help them connect'.

I'd love to hear if you've been walking this tension too, and how you've found it.

LEADING WORSHIP: picking a set

2006-08-26T07:50:00.000Z

I get asked this all the time - how do you pick a set?

There are a couple of things I keep in mind when I'm doing this. The first is 'who am I leading in worship'. Basically, because our job is to serve the people we are leading, the first question I'm asking is 'how am I going to help THESE people worship'. Sometimes I get it right, and others I really don't - but that's where having someone to give you feedback is SO helpful!!

Secondly, I'm thinking through how this fits in the overall picture of everthing that's happening in that meeting. If we can choose songs based on the other things that are going to be happening - the speaking, or a drama, or a particular theme - it makes it easier for people to connect with God through those songs. We are literally 'giving voice' to people's expression of worship.

After that, I'm thinking about how long I have - usually you're aiming for 1 song per 5 mins (sometimes shorter if they are fast songs). I think it's a wonderful thing to stay within the time frame you've been given.

Don't use too many new songs - people can't access the worship time if they don't the songs... I've learnt this the hard way :) Because our church is growing quite fast, there are always people with us that are not going to know the latest new song that we've just taught, and so I'm really trying to include a hymn every set, and work with some older choruses too that I'm pretty sure people will know - we just give them a freshen up through the arrangements - actually, it's wonderful fun, and really creative!!

BAND STUFF: being part of the band

2006-08-25T07:49:00.000Z

Yesterday I jotted down a couple of thoughts about being a worship leader, and so I was thinking it might be good to write a little about being part of the band - when you're not the leader... what is your role?
Again, I honestly think that the way you choose to live your life is way more important than the gifts you bring to the table. Brian Doerksen always used to tell us that 'gifting gets you places, but character keeps you there' - that's a sound piece of advise.

We are servants - everything we do, from the way we turn up to rehearsals, to the musical excellence we strive for, to the actual leading of congregations in worship - everything is service. With that in mind, it's good to remember that we have to make the way we play all about people being able to connect with God. Sometimes we have creative ideas to make a song super fresh, but it doesn't really help people to connect - maybe because it's just too different, or maybe because it's just too flashy :) I think if an idea helps to make a song 'sing' again, but doesn't draw so much attention to the music that we miss Jesus, then it's probably a goer!

When we are playing together in bands, even though the worship leader is the boss, we are all in the same team, and so there is lots of room for us to bring our ideas and suggestions. Band members are key in making the whole thing work!!!

I've enjoyed playing in lots of bands over the last 15 or 16 years - it's something I got involved in long before I learned how to lead - and yet, even though I didn't think it at the time - I was 'worship leading' when I was playing piano or singing backing vocals. Whatever your part is in the band, the same is true for you!

BAND STUFF: how do you lead?

2006-08-24T07:11:00.000Z

I've been asked this question a lot over the last few years. When you are the worship leader in charge of a band, how do you actually lead - what is your role? So, here are a few thoughts that might be helpful...
Your first role is to lead worship through the way you live your life. There really is nothing more important than this!
Secondly, if you are leading worship in church, your role is to remember that you are part of something bigger. Nothing in church happens by accident, there is a whole vision being worked out - and as worship leaders, we play an integral part in that. Make sure you hook up with your pastor (or the person who is your point of contact) to talk about whether what you are doing is connecting with the vision and with the congregation. Ask questions about your song choice, the way you lead, the time frame you are using, and all of that sort of stuff, just to make sure that you are on track. We are servants first - sometimes with the whole music thing, we can be tempted to think it's about music and not ministry :)
Thirdly, we are there to lead our band. In the band, everyone has a level playing field - everyone can make suggestions on arrangements, everyone gets to bring their creativity - but, as the leader, your job is to take the lead - or in other words, to have the final say. It's a little like a captain in a football team - they are the boss on the pitch, whilst under the authority of the coach, the boss overseeing the game (or the pastor in our case).
That's it in a nutshell, but if you have some more questions on this, or you are facing a particular situation that you're not sure about please feel free to ask, and I'll write some more about it...

BAND STUFF: when you have to let people go

2006-08-21T21:02:00.000Z

This is one of the hardest things I know when it comes to leading a team. There are times when circumstances change, and you need to ask people to step down - or when people are struggling with sin stuff that means they really need to take time out. It doesn't matter what the reason, it still feels awful to sit down and talk to the people involved...But, it's part of what we are called to do when God asks us to take leading a team on.
Remembering that we are there to serve, and then reminding the guys we are talking to that they are there to serve is very helpful. It's not a personal thing - and it's really important to communicate that!
On the whole when I've done this in the past, the people involved have really caught that I'm not angry with them, or trying to side step them - but that's because they really got what their role was about. Having said that, we are all human, and there's an emotional reaction that happens either inwardly or outwardly depending on our personalities.
If you are a leader who has just had to step someone down, remember that a reaction isn't always the final outcome - don't be afraid to have the grace to wait and see where they land with the whole thing.
If you are someone who has been asked to sit it out for a while - don't forget that God is watching your heart more than your hands (your character more than your gifting) - that you get to worship him with the way you work this through... and that He has an amazing habit of opening doors when we yield ourselves to him!!
God bless you in this, I know it's hard...

Berlin

2006-08-21T07:53:00.000Z

We just got back from four days in Berlin - what a wonderful place!! We were there with 38 other Vineyard pastors from all over Europe. During the time together we spent a lot of time worshipping and praying for each other - it's amazing how connected you feel when you get to spend time with others who are doing the same thing as you! One of the things I love about serving Jesus is that no matter where you meet people, no matter what your cultural differences, or upbringings are like, there is incredible common ground in Him - we truly are the body of Christ together - we really do find family - true family - with others who belong to Him. Here's to the journey together!!!

BAND STUFF: getting the best from your guys

2006-08-14T16:49:00.000Z

As a worship leader it's really important to remember that your job isn't only musical - it's also to build a team that is comfortable enough together to be creative, and secure enough to share ideas. To be honest, a lot of this is intuitive, but it can help to have a couple of pointers along the way.

Watch out for the outsiders - everybody in a band brings insecurity to the table (as leaders, how much do we know that!!) - and so I think it's vital to keep your eye out for the one or two that might be struggling a little to overcome that, and deliberately bring them into play.

Be intentionally constructive. After we've played something through, I love to tell each of the guys specifically what I loved about how they played - I'm honest too... if I didn't like something, I'll say that I"m not sure about that bar, or that motive, and I'd like them to try something else, but I loved the way they came up with that harmony there, or the rhythm idea they had there. It is so easy to build someone up, and it's such a wonderful way to see them flourish!

Don't be afraid to ask difficult questions. If someone's attitude just isn't right in rehearsal I wait until after practice (I don't think it's fair to do this in front of others), and just ask them what is going on for them right now? Are they still happy being a part of the band? Did they realise that they really weren't in a great mood that night? And then I encourage them not to be like that again, just because it affects everyone else so much. I've only had to do this a couple of times, and every time the people involved have responded beautifully - it's made subsequent rehearsals great too!

BAND STUFF: what to do with BVs

2006-08-12T20:37:00.000Z

BVs (or BGVs in the States) are a wonderful tool in enhancing a song sonically, and in helping to lead worship. You have one or two singers right there with you (or more depending on the style of things in your church), not only singing, but modelling worship to the congregation (in a sense, giving the congregation 'permission' to respond).

Just like every instrument though, background singers shouldn't be singing all the time through every song. What I usually ask my singers to do is to come in with harmonies in the choruses. Sometimes I'll ask them to highlight the odd line through a verse, or to bring in one harmony on the pre-chorus, and then add another in the chorus and so on.

It can be awesome to sometimes strip the song back, and only have harmonies - cutting out all the other instruments to hear the voices.

During the song, if the singers aren't singing their part yet, I encourage my guys to sing anyway, but to do it 'off mic' - that way they still get to worship without putting too much into the arrangement.

Backing singers can tend to feel the most left out of the musicians in the band - as leaders, we need to try and remember this so we can stay inclusive - and as backing singers, we need to remember that we're using our voices like instruments, so we don't need to feel hurt if we're asked not to sing at a certain part of the song.

BAND STUFF: practice makes perfect

2006-08-12T18:09:00.000Z

Once you've got the band together, and you've started working on arrangements, the next thing to take it all forward is practice!! This is true whether you're in a worship team, or putting a band together to do gigs - you've got to get used to playing with each other to make it sound great!

When I put a new band together I usually spend at least one full day practicing four or five songs to get us started. The arrangement part normally takes quite a while, and then you need to play it through another couple of times to make sure it's in the bag. Once you've settled on the arrangement, take a moment and have everyone in the band write down notes on their music so that they remember what they have to do, and when they have to do it! - that way, when you come to play that song again, you already have the main things in place.

After that initial time of intense practicing (we would usually go to two practices a week for about a month after the day's lock in - before going to once a week on the weeks we are playing in church) - keep your practices short. Two hours is plently of time to work up four songs (unless they are all new!). If your practices go on longer than this, people start to lose interest (and spouses waiting at home with kids get a little lonely :) Plus, it forces you as the leader to keep things focussed. Believe me, you can still have a lot of fun, but it's way more productive.

BAND STUFF: less is hard

2006-08-12T16:36:00.000Z

The aim of a band is to play as 'one'. If it sounds like there's a lot of different instruments (including voices) doing their own thing, it's not great to listen to! The old adage 'less is more' is really helpful, but it's pretty hard. So, here are some ideas - if there are 5 people in the band, make it a rough rule that everyone plays a fifth. Listen to each other. Play complimentary parts - if the electric is playing a riff, maybe the piano can mirror it, or play a harmony with it for example. Don't be tempted to clutter things up. If in doubt, have someone listen and give you some feedback - or you could do a rough recording of yourselves, and then listen back to get some ideas. It's a learning curve, but it's something that you do get better at. Let me know how you get on...