Do You Wrestle with This Temptation?

Thomas Overmiller God is always good to his people, all the time. That’s what David affirms in Psalm 73:1. But in doing so, he makes an honest admission. Can you relate? He had been jealous of ungodly people (Psalm 73:2-3). His jealousy centered on their material prosperity and sinful indulgence, free from obvious consequences (Psalm…

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Is It Worship or Theatrics?

Gordon Sears [FrontLine MayJun 1994] Today the world is demanding changes, expressing an attitude that exclaims “Anything Goes!” Well, “Anything Goes!” might be acceptable in the secular world, but it is certainly not true in the Christian realm. God has given us definite guidelines in His Word so that we can know what is acceptable…

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Singing (Part 2)

George Stiekes [See here for Part 1] I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High. Psalm 9:1-2 In Part 1, it was noted that singing is…

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Singing (Part 1)

George Stiekes I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in Thee: I will sing praise to Thy name, O Thou most High. Psalm 9:1-2 Singing is a very vital part of worship.  It is obviously part of the…

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The Fundamentals of Worship

John C. Vaughn Not too long ago, a lady who had agreed to visit our church at the invitation of a friend explained to me why she was returning to her Charismatic megachurch to enjoy its more aerobic service. “I need worship. You people don’t worship here.” That charge certainly got my attention, but the…

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Keys to a Musical Reawakening

A Revival of Biblical Worship Gene Trantham “Hallelujah! Thine the glory; Revive us again.” Oh, how we desire genuine God-sent revival. How does one achieve a musical reawakening that rekindles our souls? Over the years, I have heard several music directors mention things that they do to generate energy in their musical situations: (1) upbeat…

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Sermon and Song: A Vital Duet

Kurt Woetzel Does your church have a “good spirit” about it? That question has a measure of Scriptural basis. Christ said, “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). One of the practical functions and purposes of music in the church…

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Worship According to Jesus

Kevin Schaal American worship is as fad-oriented as present American society. The slickly marketed, highenergy, fast-moving approach to worship, so popular in the 1980s and `90s, is giving way to the calmer, highly sensory, Montessori-style worship of the Emergent Church movement. The problem with all these worship styles—even traditional forms—is that worship and church leaders…

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What a Pastor Wants from the Music Ministry

Danny Sweatt Music in the church is often seen as either an end in itself or as merely a means to an end. Some people, particularly musicians, consider music the most important component of a church service. The modern, contemporary movement certainly seems to encourage that viewpoint, in practice if not in creed. It is…

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