Songwriting: Writing the Lyrics - Online course

Format:  Free online course (6 x 2hr sessions)

Target Audience:  Intermediate songwriters

Key Ideas: Tools and tips to work hard at writing better songs

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE: Personal Study, Do as a team with discussion and writing sessions as you go

Summary:

Pat Pattison is a professor at Berklee College of Music, and travels around the world coaching and training songwriters.  This course distills some of his best insights and practical tools.  If our songs are to be placed on the lips of our churches, it is essential that we work hard to make them as truth filled, evocative and memorable as possible.

Note:  This is a secular course.

Institute for Biblical Worship

FORMAT: Website (Seminary)

TARGET AUDIENCE: PASTORS, MUSIC DIRECTORS, COLLEGE STUDENTS

KEY IDEAS: Bible Centred Corporate Worship

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE:  Talks on aspects of worship and music ministry from some prominant voices - ranging from academic level theology to practical musical advice.

SUMMARY:

“THE INSTITUTE FOR BIBLICAL WORSHIP EXISTS TO SERVE CHURCHES, PASTORS, AND STUDENTS BY PROVIDING QUALITY RESOURCES THAT ENCOURAGE CHRIST-HONORING, GOSPEL-FOCUSED, CORPORATE WORSHIP.”

— http://biblicalworship.com/

This is the online arm of Southern Baptist Seminary's Department of Biblical Worship.

Finding Lost Words - Ed. Geoff Harper

Format:  Book

Target Audience: Pastors, Music Directors, College Students

Key Ideas: The place of lament Psalms in the life of the church

Suggestions for use: Personal study

Summary:

“This book is about finding words to use when life is hard. These words are not new. They are modes of expression that the church has drawn on in times of grief throughout most of its history. Yet, the church in the West has largely abandoned these words—the psalms of lament. ”

— https://www.amazon.com.au/Finding-Lost-Words-Australian-Monograph-ebook/dp/B06Y6MM15Z

This book seeks to reconnect us with these powerful expressions of worship in the Psalms.  It explores biblical lament from the perspectives of church history, theology, exegesis, and their pastoral application the life of the church.   

Doxology and Theology

FORMAT:  U.S. Conference / Website

TARGET AUDIENCE: PASTORS, MUSIC DIRECTORS, COLLEGE STUDENTS

KEY IDEAS: Bible Centred Corporate Worship

SUGGESTIONS FOR USE: Join us at the conference in Louisville! THe WEbsite and book Have great content for your team to discuss together.

SUMMARY:

This is a collective of like-minded Pastors, worship leaders and theologians (Including Matt Boswell, Zac Hicks, Bob Kauflin, Aaron Ivey, Keith Getty, Southern Baptist Seminary) keen to promote and resource Christ centred worship.  The conference is always a time of great refreshment, learning, encouragement and fellowship with others serving in music and magnification roles.  The website gives you access to all the talk and seminar / workshop content.

The book would be a great option to work through with your team - the chapters are short, accessible and to the point, and would be great conversation starters.

Ten Questions To Ask While Planning Worship - Mike Cosper

Format:  Audio Talk (67min)

Target Audience: Pastors, Music Directors, College Students

Key Ideas: Some guidelines and helpful examples of questions to ask when planning or reviewing services.

Suggestions for use: Listen with your service planning team.  Use as guidelines for reviewing and planning

Summary: 

1. Context - Who is here?
2. Context - Who needs to be here?
3. Context - Who has been here before us?
4. Clarity - Is it comprehensible?
5. Clarity - Is it worth the cost?
6. Theology - Is it true?
7. Theology - Who's the hero of the story?
8. Pastoral - Is it participatory?
9. Pastoral - Does it speak to rich and poor alike?
10. Pastoral - Does it prepare people for encounters with death?

Planning and Preparing Performances that Invite Participation - Bob Kauflin

Format:  Audio Talk (75min)

Target Audience: Music Directors, Musicians, College Students

Key Ideas: Preparing Corporate Worship, Gospel vs performance mindsets

Suggestions for use:  Listen with your music team, personal reflection

Summary: 

We want to help our churches see the glory of Christ more clearly, and not distract from it, and help our them to respond with their minds, hearts and wills.  How can we humbly and diligently prepare towards this end? 

A More Profound Allelujah: Worship and Theology in Harmony - John Witvliet

Format:  Audio Talk (50min)

Target Audience:  Pastors, Music Directors, College Students

Key Ideas: Corporate Worship as covenant renewal

Summary:

John Witvliet proposes a model of 'covenant renewal' to help us understand and promote the essence and purpose of corporate worship.  His discussion around worship "moments" and "habits" is also very insightful...would love to hear more on this topic!