WHAT WOULD JESUS SING?

When I was a teenager in the 70’s, I was a song leader. We had times of worship, but it was never while the music was being played or sung. Rather, it was a separate time during the service. After the Maranatha revolution, we started entertaining the concept of “worship” during our music…and then in the late 80's, we found ourselves immersed and enamored by the Integrity paradigm. Personally, this was exhilarating new worship that I began introducing to our congregation. Although I was apprehensive, the congregation embraced it and there was a subsequent explosion of new worship material!

And worship is still evolving. New worship CDs seem to come out every day and it’s impossible to keep up with them. There is undue pressure placed on worship leaders to sing the hottest, latest, greatest worship songs and to present them to the congregation as fast as the team can learn them.

I try to keep up with the new songs just like the next guy. I know how to do a “segue” and create a polished fl ow. I network with other worship leaders for the hottest new tunes, and I encourage and use young people for worship leading. Since I have been a Music Pastor, I have surrounded myself with those younger than me to be a part of the worship team. I recognize that the best way to avoid being stagnant in the church is to have fresh water coming in, and the youth are good at “bringing it on!”

The “image” of the Minister of Music I used to portray was one of “The Guy in Charge of Music for the Church.” As the worship paradigm shifted from hymns to choruses to praise and worship songs, so did my role…I then became the Worship Pastor, a title I now hold in esteem. So…how do we stay fresh in music ministry? Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9 both declare how we can receive the anointing of God on our music, our ministry and our lives. “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” When we pursue righteousness, God anoints us. And when He anoints us there is a spiritual change that takes place, even on our music and worship.

As a worship pastor, I try to “tailor” the worship experience to incorporate a mélange or “potpourri” of styles that all might be drawn into fantastic, contagious, and authentic worship, allowing people to encounter God. 1 Peter 4:11 says, “If anyone ministers, let him do it with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

What kind of music does Jesus want us to play, sing, or listen to?  Any music that causes a change in our behavior to make us more like Christ!

Despite our challenges with the ever changing “styles” of worship, the Lord said, “Whosever will may come!” May He help us be vessels of His Spirit to change the hearts of those who “won’t” to be those who “will!” We need that same power of God to take our dry songs, whether old or new, and breathe in new life. A.W. Tozer wrote, “Anything God has ever done, he can do now. Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. Anything God has ever done for anyone, he can do for you.” AMEN!

Croatia Week #4

This past week we ministered on five different occasions (3 different churches) in the city of Split.  We have been told numerous times that we were the first ones to ever come to Croatia to teach and preach about worship.  I have never experienced such hunger for the deep things of God, as well as the reception to our admonition to cultivate their personal relationship with Christ and to engage with God on a regular basis...no one has ever taught them about “lifestyle worship!”

Upon returning from the Island of Hvar, we ministered at a Baptist Church in Split where we were pleasantly surprised by a 4-member Worship Team that sang original Croatian worship songs indigenous to the Dalmatian Coast (the Southwestern Coast of Croatia).  In fact, Dalmatian dogs are born and raised in this area and then relocated to countries around the world!  We were told that they behave nothing like the dogs on Disney’s “101 Dalmatians,” and that they are very hyper and skittish!  I digress. The Baptist Worship Team was excited to see us and we were so impressed with their musicality and heart for worship…we loved the original songs!  Most of the other churches take American songs and translate them, so this was the first church to actually sing all Croatian songs for us.  We were so captivated that we asked them to sing several more so that we could get a video of them singing!

The next day, we went to the Pentecostal Church and met in a standing room only location.  The Worship Leader (a former rock and roll dance champion for Croatia) led us in songs he had written (as well as familiar tunes) and then we had a two-hour time of ministry in teaching them about what God expects from worshippers.  Although the church consisted mostly of those in our age group and much older, there were a number of young men who had recently come to Christ.  They were saved while in prison through the ministry of this church…in fact, they were baptized in the (freezing) Adriatic Sea Sunday morning and are intensely “on fire” for the Lord!  They even invited us to the celebration feast after their baptism, but we had to leave Split and head back to Zagreb to pack our bags and catch our plane for our journey back home tomorrow.

Thursday, April 4^th, was our first official day off, so we went to a secluded Seaport Village built around and over Diocletian’s palace along the Adriatic Sea where there were hundreds of souvenir shops and restaurants.  We then spent the entire day Friday with the Worship Leader (Denis Ribic) and his team from Ziva Nada Church…they served as our host church in Split and provided housing with a wonderful couple for the past 5 days.  This was our longest day of ministry in the entire 29 days we were here, and they wanted to know even more when we were done!  Then, on Saturday, all three churches (along with many other guests and visitors), attended our workshop from 9:00am until 1:00 pm, and it was one of the highlights of our time in Croatia…it was an extraordinary time of sharing, worship, and teaching them about their responsibilities as worship leaders/team/and band members, and a great climax to our time of ministry in Croatia!

Our last day was spent singing, playing piano, and preaching at the Ziva Nada, (the largest church in Split). So many grateful people came up to us and with broken English, thanked us for being the first to share what God has to say about worship…no one else had ever been to Split to speak to them on the topic, so we felt encouraged by the Lord that many seeds were planted!  Nearly every church implored us to come back again next year…they even said, “Come back next year and see what a difference we had made in their spiritual walk with God!”

For those of you who prayed for us or supported us financially, your gifts were used to build up the Kingdom by encouraging Croatians to “engage with God” on a daily basis!  We are so grateful to be the ones chosen by God to deliver a message to so many, and we pray that the “seeds” we have sown will not fall on rocky soil; rather, that they would grow and thrive by the power of the Holy Spirit!  AMEN!

Bog te blagoslovia! (God bless you all!)

You will be made rich in every way, so you can be generous on every occasion (II Corinthians 2:11).

Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart (II Corinthians 4:1).

Croatia Week #3

Grace and I (along with Brenda), were snow bound for two days, in Rijeka (the most Northwestern coastal city in Croatia).  We couldn't get through the mountains, so we enjoyed a nice day of rest, but spent most of the time at McDonalds, one of the few places where you can get Internet! The roads cleared the next day, (although it was still snowing), so we made our way slowly down the coast.  We finally arrived in the seacoast city of Zadar, a city of 75,000 people.  Zadar is over 2,700 years old and has amazing architectural structures dating back to the Roman Empire. 

Zadar was one of the rare opportunities to minister to both Baptist and Pentecostal churches in the same city. However, the two Senior Pastors are close friends and actually rotate preaching in each other’s churches!  We had a combined seminar that included both churches and they are all close friends…what remarkable fellowship! In fact, the day before we came the worship leader from the Baptist church and her team had just won First Place in the national songwriting contest for Christian/Catholic songs and both churches gathered together to celebrate with us at our seminar!  The worship teams were excited to see us and thrilled at the opportunity to learn more about worship…it was an exhilarating experience!

Sibenik (pronounced SHIB-eh-nick), is like a picture out of a magazine, with all of the old homes built on the mountain down into the Adriatic Sea. And although there is an outward beauty, there is an internal darkness as many people are lost inside...the spiritual need here is so great.  Everyone is Catholic in Croatia (except for .05% who are Evangelicals), but the Catholics are not even practicing their religion...only in name. They don't attend mass or even have a personal relationship with Jesus or read the Bible, nor do the priests even discuss it! To many people their religion is “being a good person. Croatia only escaped Communism less than 20 years ago, so the concept of "knowing Jesus" is foreign to most of them, but God is starting to move here in amazing ways. Three churches to which we have been are now so large that they have to construct new buildings! We ministered at two churches, both of which were Pentecostal, and they were elated that we would travel all the way from the U.S. to come to minister to them.  We taught one worship team how to sing harmony and a “new song” to the Lord; the Pastor’s wife was there and heard the difference and was so excited that she could hardly contain herself!  She begged us to spend more time with them, and we were honored to be the ones to help them move to new levels of worship!

We attended a worship service at a house church on the Island of Hvar (uh-VAR), where I spoke on worship after they all sang to the Lord and worshipped freely.  They laughed and applauded when I attempted some Croatian words and they were extremely gracious and friendly. The stone house was a century old building overlooking the sea, but it took us up nearly 250 steps on a “rocky” road that was pitched at nearly 65 degrees!  But, it was worth the effort as the group really reached out and ministered to us!

The next day, we ministered to a Catholic Priest (don Milli) and his youth group; they were captivated by the things we shared and we had the rare opportunity to see the inner workings of the Catholic Church.  It was definitely worth the two-hour ferry ride to get to the Island!

There is a huge void in the spiritual and natural worship of the Lord, yet the Spirit has moved so graciously and powerfully among the people that it has been amazing! They have been so receptive to receiving our ministry and the Lord’s anointing has been so powerful…we know we are at the center of God’s will! In fact, everywhere we go, the pastors and worship leaders have told us that we have come at just the right time!

Though there has been quite a variance in the size and location of churches that we have been to in Croatia, the love for God and passion for worship has remained the same!

The New Old Song or the Same Old Song?

The New Old Song or The Same Old Song?

By David Ritter

After years of hearing the same songs repeated over and over again, we often hear the terms “outdated,” “ineffective,” and “it doesn’t move me anymore.” Even a powerful song, after it has been presented multiple times, can seem to lose its luster.  However, I submit that it is the worship team, choir, and worshipers who “change”… not the song.  If the “old songs” fail to “move” us anymore, it is not the fault of the song, but rather, the heart of the singer or congregation member who fails to recognize the NEVER-changing power of the scriptures.

A positive emotional reaction to scripture set to music does not place any more value on it.  It is already anointed.  In contrast, a negative reaction does not invalidate the Word of the Lord set to music. All of us, at times, get accustomed to a song or a scripture, and it doesn’t seem to have the original power when we first heard it.  

So, if the words of an anointed song always have the initial power as when it was first created, what can we do to ensure that the same power never loses it’s grip?   

Psalm 45:7 and Hebrews 1:9 both declare how we can receive the anointing of God on our music, our ministry and our lives.  “You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”  When God anoints us there is a spiritual change that takes place, even if it is the same scripture or song that we have heard hundreds of times.

How do we keep the congregation from being bored by the repetition of scripture or a song?  If a song is truly an inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then it follows that it will always have the original anointing as when it was first penned.  So, when someone says, “That song doesn’t move me anymore,” what went wrong?  It certainly can’t be the Holy Spirit, so it must fall on us as congregational worshippers and those in Music Ministry to question why. I believe two things must happen: The congregation must be taught that we are not singing the songs for them…they are there to give to God, not to receive (although that is a serendipity of giving).  Secondly, the Worship Leader, choir and musicians must seek the face of God so that His Spirit would anoint our ministry.  We don’t seek the anointing, we seek the Anointer…when we do that, the songs, (whether old or new) will have the anointing and power to move individuals to worship God.  The responsibility is for us to keep our spiritual lives fresh!  In Ezekiel 37:4, God took dry bones and gave them flesh.  We need that same power of God to take our dry songs and breathe in new life.

We will be learning 15 new anointed and powerful songs this season.  Let’s make sure they have the same power and anointing two years from now as they do when we first hear them!!!  “Love righteousness and hate wickedness and be anointed with the OIL OF JOY!”  Amen!

Croatia Week #2

WEEK 2

Slavo Bogu! (Praise the Lord in Croatian)!

Greetings from Zadar!  Zadar is a seaport city along the West Coast of Croatia.  Today marks the completion of two weeks in Croatia and the third day of our journey down the coast, which is now called the Dalmatian Coast.  We had incredible opportunity to hold two worship seminars the last three days, and yesterday, Sunday, March 24^th, I was invited to preach for one of the largest churches in Croatia (Rijeka).  In fact, the church has grown to a point where they are building a new facility (the third church we’ve been to that has outgrown their space).  Many people responded with such encouraging words and told us they had never even heard of a “sacrifice of praise,” a topic I address in each church we visit.  We have never seen such hunger for the things of God, and especially people clamoring to know more knowledge of worship!

In Rijeka, we were housed at Christ Church where they have a large four-bedroom condominium which serves as a refuge for families that have children in the top cancer hospital in Croatia.  They didn’t charge us anything, but offerings were accepted, so we gave generously, especially since we discovered the purpose of the center where we stayed.  It’s an incredible ministry that is usually filled with moms staying with their children…thank the Lord that the place wasn’t being used as they don’t allow men to stay where the women are housed.  We especially thank the Lord that there were no children sick and hospitalized at this time (that needed long-term care)!

For the next three days we will be ministering to two churches in Zadar, a Baptist Church, and a Pentecostal Church.  In fact, both churches are coming together for a combined worship seminar on the third day (Wednesday, March 27)!  The cooperation between Evangelical Churches is much greater in the Northern area of Croatia than in the Southern Coastal cities, where we experienced conflicts between churches last summer when we were here.  The topics that I share are typically about “Lifestyle Worship,” “What God Expects From Worshippers,” and “Talent vs. Character,” as well as workshops with worship teams and afternoon consultations with the Worship Leaders.   

We are so grateful to the Lord for HIS powerful mercy, kindness, and anointing that he has showered upon us while we minister; it’s obvious that God wants to do a new work in this country…and we’re excited to
“be about our Father’s business” in Eastern Europe!  I pray that our Newsletters and pictures give you some idea of the kind of experiences we’ve been having, as well as the character and uniqueness of the Balkan culture.  There are 13 countries that make up the “Balkans,” and although each one has their own language, they are all very similar in what they believe and practice.  The Catholic Church is the dominant force in Croatia, but unfortunately most are nominal in their attendance, and very few actually have a living relationship with Christ.  Less than half of 1% are practicing Christians, so the need here is very great!  We are so blessed to live in America where there is an abundance of churches that practice “Lifestyle Worship!”

Thank you again for your prayers and financially support that keep us alive and “on the road!”  We are indebted to each of you that pray and/or give!

May the Lord bless you abundantly, and that you recognize the incredible opportunities you have in the USA!

In Christ Alone,

David and Grace

Croatia - Week 1

MARCH 19^TH, 2013

Blessings and greetings from the Capitol of Croatia!

We arrived on March 13 into Zagreb, Croatia, albeit late at night, where it snowed for 3 days!  Grace was sick for 5 days, our luggage was missing for 6 days, and in the meantime we ministered at 3 different churches around the city.  The response here has been overwhelming, as the people are so hungry for the Word of God set to music, and how to worship Him in ways that are acceptable!  They have been so kind to us and have taken great care of us, for which we are deeply grateful!  In spite of a rough start, God has proven even greater than our circumstances and the best Scripture for us now is “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart” (II Cor. 4:1).  AMEN!

We have ministered in the nearby towns of Cakovec (“CHALK” o- vetz), Mackovec (MACH-o-vetz), and Sisak, all with pastors named Kovacevec (Kov-VETZ-o-vich)!!  We were finally able to learn the pronunciation of these words after the seminars were done!  We had about an hour to kill before our next location, so we drove to Hungary, which was only ten miles away from where we were…when we crossed the border, the architecture changed immediately and it was obvious that we were in another culture and country…it was a fascinating detour and diversion from our intense schedule!  (See our Website pictures).  We will try to include Hungary as one of next destinations on another ministry trip when we come back to Eastern Europe.

The Spirit of the Lord has moved so graciously and powerfully among the people that it has been amazing! They have been so receptive to receiving our ministry and the Lord’s anointing has been so powerful…we know we are at the right place at the right time! 

Thank you to all who have been praying for us and for those who have supported us financially to make these mission ministry endeavors!  The Lord promises us that He will provide for those who minister, whether it be in America or remote parts of the world through II Corinthians 2:11 where it states, “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.”

Please keep us in your prayers and that our precious GPS will keep working!  Praise the Lord for technology (and that Grace knows how to work these things while I am driving in an Eastern European country and can’t even find the street signs, let alone follow their foreign language instructions)!

Definitions of Worship - Part 6

Devotion

            By living in complete devotion to the Lord, we offer our allegiance and affection to Him in worship.  It’s a daily routine, since our life for God is dependent on our life with God. One of Paul’s pleas to the Church in Corinth was imploring them to be totally devoted to the Lord, unencumbered by the cares of the world.  “I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.” (I Cor. 7:35). 

According to Webster, being devoted simply means “feeling or showing love.”[1]  Jesus said the greatest commandment was to love the Lord with all that we possess, and to love others as we love ourselves. (Luke 10:27).  When we show our love to God is worship, He responds with His presence, for “God is present in the company of the righteous.” (Psalm 14:5).  And when God is present, we are healed, renewed, and restored.   What a travesty it is that we often wait until Sundays for these miracles in our lives to be revealed.

True and devoted worshippers are consistent, irrespective of their circumstances.  “Though the fig tree may not blossom or fruit be on the vines, the fields yield no food, and the flocks be cut off from the fold, ye will I rejoice in the Lord!” (Hab. 3:17-18).  We must all be worshippers, and not just do worship.  Even though we may lead the worship, sing in the congregation, or preach the message, it does not necessarily equate that true worship transpires.  The secret to acceptable worship?  The attitude of the heart.  “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord “…” He who has clean hands and a pure heart…” (Psalms 24:3a, 4a). May we offer our allegiance and affection to the Lord by living as He would have us…in fully devoted lifestyle worship.

Conclusion

Worship is recognizing the height, depth, and magnitude of Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection.  It is a response to His presence, and a relationship with the Divine.

Should God manifest His presence to us this very moment, we would use everything that we possess to worship Him.  We would stand in awe and adoration, minister to Him, obey His words, Glorify Him, Sacrifice praises to Him, and offer our lives in devotion to His Kingdom.

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[1] Encyclopedia Britannica Company, 2010.

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Fowler, James A. Christ In You Ministries. Edited by James A, Fowler. 1999.

http://www.christinyou.net/pages/obedience.html (accessed Aug 28, 2010).

Hardon, Rev. John. The Real Presence Association. Inter Mirifica. 1999.

http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Commandments/Commandments_005.htm

(accessed Aug 28, 2010).

Nee, Watchman. Ministry to the Lord. c. 1930. http://articles.ochristian.com/article6923.shtml

(accessed Aug 28, 2010).

Peterson, David. Engaging With God. Downers Grove, Il: IVP Academic, 1992.

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28, 2010).

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