CWOC the Blog

I like numbers, not math, just numbers. I think they tell a lot about a given situation. I watch statistics and trends, especially ones that I have a vested interest in. And one statistic that I keep up with is which CWOC the Blog post gets the most attention. And two of them are at the top: Best Road Trip Songs & Intercessory Worship.

As for Best Road Trip Songs, it was just done on a whim. I never thought it would get so much traffic. Intercessory Worship on the other hand, is one that I hoped and prayed would reach people. I remember a few years ago googling Intercessory Worship and only finding one decent site, Three Macs. The rest were obscure sites trying to sell you something, but nothing of real value. Now, if you google Intercessory Worship, there are hundreds if not thousands of sites dedicated to 24/7 prayer and worship. And I have to admit,  a post that I wrote a few months ago, is second on the list, if you do indeed google intercessory worship. Read the rest of this entry »

I saw an incredible video this morning. This video moved me beyond words, and that’s hard to do. To keep an audience of that size in awe for that long shows the anointing this man has, the magnitude of the song, and the power of God’s Amazing Grace. Watch it and you’ll never sing this song the same way again.

Thanks to a fellow worshiper for recommending this video.

royb

This is a great Powerpoint Slide on Worship from a ministry called Youthpoint, in Canada. Click here for the website that is listed.

This slide presentation is great. It is to the point and has lots of references in the Bible to boot.

Look through it. Use it. Study the verses in it.

P.S. the Lego people are what makes this thing work.

by Roy Bauer

This article was posted by Roy Bauer, a member of the praise team here at CWOC. He shares from his heart about worship and that it isn’t about a particular style but whether or not it is real and from the heart.

You can read more of his posts at roybauer.com

Read on and be blessed…

Lately God has been dealing with me about Worship (and in this blog I mean specifically corporate music and prayer styles in a service).

Southern Gospel. Traditional. Gospel. Cutting Edge. Contemporary. High Church.

In his blog, Ryan Bolger said, “I remarked recently that I had attended a near lifeless traditional church. More recently, I attended a traditional service that was filled with life. What was the difference? It really came down to who got to play and who didn’t.” Read it here

He goes on to say it’s not about the music style it’s about whether the congregation is able to participate in worship or are they simply being sung to. That is an important distinction. Maybe the reason some “worship” services seem dead is because the “worship” leaders were never able to engage the congregation. The connection was lost between what was being sung and who it was being sung to. If, as “worship” leaders, we aren’t able to help people make that connection then there will be 10 on stage singing their hearts out to a group who are simply watching.

I’ve caught myself thinking that if we could only do more “modern” songs then people would respond better, or if we had edgier guitar riffs then all of a sudden we could reach those in their 20-30’s. And luckily before I could get too high and mighty I felt a check in my spirit that said there is more to it. Style of music I believe is important, but not most important. You can have the edgiest band around up there leading but if we, as a congregation, can’t engage and participate somehow it will all be for nothing. It will be a modern, contemporary, cutting-edge, concert.

I guess to me, corporate “worship” should be a reflection of Rev 5:8. In the passage it talks about the elders having a harp in one hand and a bowl of incense in the other, representing the prayers of the saints. How awesome would it be if our “worship” times were a 100, or 1,000 people, in unison, (one body) lifting up our praises to God. That instead of hearing hundreds of individual voices, He heard one unified, worshiping, praising, praying voice.

by roy bauer