One of the great slogans in the Seth Godin/Linchpin world (which I actually enjoy poking around in) is, “Cover bands don’t change the world.” It’s a call to be unique to seek to strike out to do something bold and new in the world, to be disruptive, to reach for something that’s never been done. … Continue reading
For awhile I’ve been telling the folks on the worship team at my church to remember that they are always leading worship. In fact, I prefer the negative form: You are never not leading worship. You see, once you embrace your role as a leader, you no longer always get to choose when and how … Continue reading
For those of you who may be leading musical worship in some context… A while back, I wrote about “Knowing Your Core”: knowing how you would essentially describe the Gospel. (If you haven’t taken the time to write down your core, I’d encourage you to take a few minutes and do this). It’s not enough … Continue reading
I was listening to the Fresh Air interview with Ben Affleck (it’s really good, IMO), and he was talking about some advice he received as a first-time/inexperienced movie director. Early in his career, he was told, “Know what your second shot will be.” Affleck explains that a first-time director always knows what his first shot … Continue reading
Since I began my sabbatical a few weeks ago, my family and I have been attending a neighborhood church. The experience has been refreshing, most of all because I am getting to experience worship again as, well, a worshiper. As we prepared to worship, I was trying to grasp onto the culture there: How many … Continue reading
Without a watch I can tell you—within about 3 minutes or so—when 1 hour has elapsed. No really, I can. I can do this little parlor trick because over the past 15 years of my life I have had to learn how to use 60 minutes of time in the most effective way possible. I … Continue reading
Well, it’s here, isn’t it. Maybe 2012 was the best year of your life; maybe it was a disaster. Either way, it’s gone. This morning I enjoyed my ritual of opening my 2013 Moleskine (that’s mole-eh-SKEE-neh to you) and getting ready for the new year. I love this part of the year, because no matter … Continue reading
Last week I was in Dallas to lead worship with some friends of mine. My in-laws also live in the area, so I spent the night with them, and ended up driving around Arlington, marveling at how the area had grown (and shaking my fist at Texas Stadium, but that’s another story). Driving through the … Continue reading
“The real power of jazz is that a group of people can come together and create improvised art and negotiate their agendas … and that negotiation is the art.” (Wynton Marsalis) I’ve written before on how leadership (at least collaborative leadership) is like being in a band; today I’d like to zero in on that … Continue reading
This Sunday, we announced to my church that I’m going to be taking some time away. No, I’m not in trouble. For probably 4 years now, I’ve been trying to discern what God may be calling to for the next season of my ministry and life. I’ve been in ministry for 15 years, and almost … Continue reading
