NWLC 2011 – Day 3 – The Aussie Attack, Girl Power Hour, and The Gungor

I was trying to do an “afternoon edition” of my blog, however, time got away from me (NAP!) and I ended up making it my regular night-time edition.  While I love to share about my experiences from the conference, I want to make it clear that I encourage everyone whether they are at a conference or just during their regular work week…to JOURNAL.  You cannot imagine what can be revealed to you by you and Lord when you look at old journal entries, or just get all of your emotions and reasonings on paper.  Just journal.  🙂

We were truly blessed by Reuben Morgan and Ben Fielding of Hillsong, and Kari Jobe sharing and giving of their gifts in worship this morning.  I am a strong advocate of keeping things simple.  Just having two guitars, a box drum, and three voices was just right to start the morning.  It was such a treat to be able to have them come and lead.  I have never seen them lead worship, but have been hearing about them for years now.  I decided to attend the workshop with WorshipTogether which featured Reubs, Ben, and Kari.  Perhaps at first it was just me wanting to be in the same room with them (haha – transparency!), however, I learned a great deal about not only their songwriting process, but the review process of their music.  Ben, Reuben, and Kari made it very clear the importance of accountability, feedback, wise counsel, and room for criticism when writing music.  If we don’t have that system of checks and balances, we can fail to see how one line of a song or maybe even a chorus may be misunderstood or be inapplicable to those hearing it and singing it.  Lastly and I think something that is extremely important to worship leaders at churches everywhere, is that we need to be in touch and in tune with the needs, the story, and the environment of our church.  If you have a very large church, one could understand that you wouldn’t know everything about everyone, however, know about the things going on within your team, your small group, or your bible study.  Know how you can pray and help them; write songs that encourage and build up your church body.  Be His hands and feet.  It literally means the world to them.

After a wonderful lunch of Chick-Fil-A (YEAH BABY!) I made my way to the Exhibition Hall to check out ‘All Sons and Daughters‘.  Not the ‘Sons and Daughters’ that later became ‘Watermark’, but Leslie Jordan and David Leonard who were recently signed to Integrity Music.  Permit me to be odd for a moment – their sound is like harmonies that were born to dance and be one together; it’s a marriage harmony.  Such beauty between those two with their words and their honest precious presence.  I have their EP and will be craving a listen when I return home.  They have such a beautifully warm aura.  After that, I proceeded to rest, ,reflect and take inventory of the week thus far and went back to my hotel for a bit.  I know that I missed some really exceptional workshops, however, I was glad that I rested for a bit.  There’s nothing like a bit of rest to reset your spirit and your mind.

I ended up coming back in time to experience Kari Jobe, Rebecca St. James (I KNOW!!), and Gungor.  To see Rebecca St. James again and to hear a bit of her story was excellent and I fully intend on listening to her new worship album that was released a few months back.  With a brand new husband of only three months, a new album, and a new desire to love and worship the Lord, Rebecca was all smiles and humility tonight and it was amazing to hear her songs and worship tonight; it was a blessing.

GUNGOR.  GUNGOR. GUNGOR. GUNGOR.  Did I mention that Gungor led us in worship tonight?  I have been wanting to experience their show for over a year!?! What?!!? It was just a refreshing night to see a group of musicians express their love and praise and worship for the Lord in a non-traditional way.  It was a great last night for me and now…I get to share the pictures with you.

For those I met at the conference this year – it has been such a joy getting to meet you and learn about your ministries at your churches.  Continue to treasure the Lord and be obedient to His mighty calling for you and your life.  He doesn’t waste a single thing.  He wasn’t wasting time when He created and made you; He was investing in you, FULLY.

REUBEN MORGAN, KARI JOBE, BEN FIELDING

REUBEN MORGAN

BEN FIELDING

MILES MCPHERSON

WORSHIPTOGETHER WORKSHOP

DAVID LEONARD OF ‘ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS’

LESLIE JORDAN OF ‘ALL SONS AND DAUGHTERS’

KARI JOBE – EVENING SESSION

KARI JOBE – EVENING SESSION

KARI JOBE – ‘HOW HE LOVES’

REBECCA ST. JAMES

WHY YES, THAT IS GUNGOR SEEN FROM THE VERY BACK OF THE AUDITORIUM.

GUNGOR

GUNGOR

GUNGOR – BEAUTIFUL THINGS

MICHAEL, JENNY, LISA

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NWLC 2011 – Day 2 (The British Invasion)

I would have to say that today….I was overwhelmed at the selection of workshops and opportunities to engage with God, meet and fellowship with His people, and just enjoy another day of life.  The start of the day was amazing as Tim Hughes led us in worship along with a good word from Dr. Leonard Sweet about making sure that we are responding to our current culture with the current language.  We need to learn to remember and reinforce that we are a culture that experiences itself in narratives and metaphors (narraphors).  The question is “can we come alive to the language of our culture, for the sake of the gospel, for the benefit and glory of Christ in God?”  Not only that, but we need to understand that man took the scriptures and broke them down into verses, however, the scriptures were originally grouped as stories, poems, and songs; a continuous, beautiful and attractive narrative.

As for the workshops, I have to admit that I almost didn’t go to the second one because I had so much information to process after my first workshop, I wanted to take some time and break it down by myself.  I pressed on and here is everything I attended today:

“How To Stay Motivated for Ministry” with Buddy Owens of Saddleback Church
“New Song Cafe – Love Divine – The Songs of Charles Welsey” with Kingsway, Brenton Brown, Tim Hughes, John Hartley, and Chris McClarney
“10,000 Reasons: Thoughts on Inspiration and Perspiration in Worship Songwriting” with Matt Redman

Buddy Owens is an extremely affective and passionate real teacher.  I have to say that these trips are a source for me to relax and renew myself.  When Buddy asked the first question of “What Is Your Motivation for Ministry”, I have to say that I really didn’t have my immediate answer as obvious as it was.  Perhaps I was THAT burnt out and unable to think for myself that I couldn’t form an answer.  As I sat there listening and responding in my heart to what the Lord’s spirit had put in Buddy, I found myself realizing that, no, I had not been spending time with the Object of my affection.  That my passion for ministry has slowly but surely been replaced with the feeling of obligation, cynicism, and pessimism.  Taking all that into account, I couldn’t imagine going to the next session after lunch.

I took a break.  I chilled out during my lunch time.  I found a friend in the hallway and chatted about the previous session and decided to check out the Charles Wesley workshop.  That was intended for me.  It was time for me to worship the Lord, not escape by wallowing; I needed Him to come and let me know that “He is too holy for me NOT to worship Him”.  As I did this, I was so grateful for the fellowship and the body of Christ.

As I gathered with others for worship tonight, I feel a weight lift as I raised my hands in worship tonight.  My hands couldn’t be lifted high enough, I couldn’t sing loud enough, I couldn’t express enough words to praise My God and Saviour.  When these actions fail me, the Spirit He placed in me takes over and grants me some amazing joy and contentment.  Those last few sentences totally remind me of Phil Wickham’s ‘Cielo’….check it out.

I am thankful for the Lord – I give thanks to the Lord – I worship the Lord – I Really Love The Lord.

Here are some images I captured of today’s experiences – may you be blessed.

TIM HUGHES

TIM HUGHES

DR. LEONARD SWEET

BUDDY OWENS

TIM HUGHES, CHRIS McCLARNEY & BAND

TIM HUGHES

CHRIS MCCLARNEY

JOHN HARTLEY & KATIE (HIS SISTER-IN-LAW)

BRENTON BROWN (BB)

MATT REDMAN

BRIAN JOHNSON

BRIAN & JENN JOHNSON

BRENTON BROWN

BRENTON BROWN

MATT REDMAN – 10,000 REASONS

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NWLC 2011 – MediaCon – Day 1

It’s that time of year! Time for the National Worship Leader Conference (NWLC) in Leawood, Kansas.  While avoiding the heat, I was able to enjoy the fellowship of several worship leaders and senior pastors from around the country while we heard from a number of speakers in various media-related positions at MediaCon – the NWLC’s pre-conference.  I have to admit, I wasn’t really sure what to expect this year as they had expanded the MediaCon workshop options and it took a bit of a time trying to figure out what I was really wanting to experience, however, I was convinced that I should be listening to Dr. Leonard Sweet.  It was very interesting that I found myself listening to his talks today as the story of his walk seemed to parallel a friends that I have been praying for, for some time.  I will continue to enjoy the times that Dr. Sweet speaks; he has a way of making the gospel’s mission speak to us amidst technological advance….pretty awesome.

Overall, the first day yielded some pretty personally amazing results for me, lots of quotes, and definite hope for the rest of the week.

The Lord is definitely reminding me why He has me where He has me.  Being amongst God’s people has certainly helped in getting me alone in His presence to ask me “Who do YOU SAY that I am, Jenny?”  There have been so many moments like that already today; so many challenges, and He provides the support for them all.

A few of my favorite quotes that were shared today:

“Media can diminish personal interaction/communication, but that does not mean that media is bad, it just has its limitations.” (Chuck Smith, Jr.)

“We don’t have a technology problem, we have a Jesus problem” (Dr. Leonard Sweet)

“Are our churches poised to receive people who are ravenous for real unvarnished, highly tarnished relationships?” (Dr. Leonard Sweet)

“Illustrate a point, animate an experience.” (Dr. Leonard Sweet)

“I’m not going to isolate you, I’m going to insulate you.” (Mother of Dr. Leonard Sweet)

Also – please enjoy some pictures of the day and the evening message and worship with Chuck Fromm, Phil Silas, Nicole C. Mullen, Buddy Owen, and Tommy Walker…look forward to Day 2 and sharing it with you 🙂

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