Steve's worship and music seminars include materials from the following:
OVERVIEW OF TOPICS:
WORSHIP FOUNDATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD
I. What is Praise? What is worship? How do they differ?
II. Manifesting God’s Presence
III. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship
A. History of God’s Presence throughout Scripture from Moses to Saul B. The three essential parts of man: spirit, soul and bodyIV. King David's Prophetic Vision for Worship, His Tabernacle and God's Presence
V. The organizational structure of Musicians in David's Tabernacle
VI. Principles of New Testament Music Ministry taught from David's Tabernacle
The spiritual standards for a Musician's Life: Spiritual, Ministry, Church, Relational, and Musical
VII. The restoration of David’s Tabernacle--Keys to spiritual revival
A. Revival in Israel (from Solomon to Nehemiah)
B. The birth of the New Testament Church
C. Revival throughout Church history
D. Revival Today! God is restoring true Praise and Worship to His Church!
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH
VIII. Leading your Church into true praise and worship
IX. The Order, Role, and Responsibilities of New Testament Musicians
X. Building a Strong Musical Worship Team
=======================================================================================
DETAILS
PART ONE: WORSHIP FOUNDATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD
I. Praise and Worship Explored
What is Praise? What is Worship?
Praise and Worship: Participating versus spectating
What is God’s purpose for praise and worship?
The role of music in praise and worship
Progressing into God’s presence through praise and worship
The priority of praise and worship
Prerequisites for praise and worship
Corporate versus private praise and worship
Hebrew and Greek words for praise and worship
Elements of True Worship
Worshiping in Spirit and Truth
The Father is seeking worshipers (not worship)
The commitment of true worship
How do praise and worship differ?
II. Manifesting God’s Presence
God’s omnipresence vs. God’s manifest presence
Manifesting God’s presence through praise and worship
Man’s spirit—the receiver of God’s presence
Tuning in to God’s presence
III. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship
A. History of God’s Presence throughout Scripture from Moses to Saul
The Spiritual Truths revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses
The Ark of the Covenant and it's role in history
Outer court, Inner court, Holy of Holies
Functioning 'in the spirit' realm
B. The three essential parts of man: spirit, soul and body
Man's Body is world-conscious (five natural senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)
Man's Soul is self-conscious (mind, will, emotions)
Man's spirit is God-conscious (communion, intuition, conscience)
The Divine Order: How God designed the three parts of man to function
God's Spirit to rule over man's spirit
Man's Spirit to rule over his soul
Man's Soul to rule over his body
We are a spirit, we have a soul, we live in a body
God’s desire to manifest His perfect will on earth--Jesus our perfect example
The six pieces of furniture in Moses Tabernacle
IV. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship--Principles from David's Tabernacle
A. Prelude: The role of the Ark of the Covenant throughout Israel’s history
From Moses to Saul—the journey of the ark throughout Israel’s history
The Ark was captured, God's glory departs Israel: Ichabod!
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”--The amazing story of God’s Ark among the Philistines
The ark was returned to Israel. Saul's indifference
B. King David brings back God's Ark to Israel. Principles of David's Tabernacle.
King David brings back the ark and God’s presence to Israel!
The seven vital things King David did concerning the Ark that were totally different from Moses
King David's revelation concerning worship, praise, music, and man's approach to God were a New Testament Revelation!
Comparison of Moses’ Tabernacle, David’s Tabernacle, and the New Testament Church
Mountain, sacrifices, adornments, approach to God, role of music
David’s Missionary Outlook
The significance of worship, praise and music principles instituted in David’s Tabernacle
David’s understanding of worship was a New Testament Revelation!
The Restoration of the Tabernacle of David prophesied (Amos 9:11,12 and Acts 15:16)
David’s Tabernacle: a New Testament model for worship and music ministry
V. The organizational structure of Musicians in David's Tabernacle
The order of musicians in David’s Tabernacle (1 Chron. 15)
Musicians were chosen, set apart, instructed, submitted, skillful, dedicated, responsible, placed, prepared and on duty!
VI. Principles of New Testament Music Ministry found in David's Tabernacle
David set the spiritual standards for the dedication and heart that musicians must have for God
The Responsibilities and Requirements of the New Testament Musician/Levite:
a. Spiritual Life: (nine essential requirements)
b. Ministry Life (ten essential requirements)
c. Church and Relational life (seven essential requirements)
d. Musical Life (six essential requirements)
VII. The restoration of David’s Tabernacle--Keys to spiritual revival
A. The spiritual cycle of revival and decline throughout Israel’s history (from Solomon to Nehemiah)
The re-implementation of David’s principles of worship and music
1. The Temple of Solomon (1012 B.C.) 2 Chron 5:12-13
2. King Jehoshaphat (896 BC) 2 Chron 20:21-22,28
3. King Hezekiah (726 BC) 2 Chron 29:20,25-30
4. King Josiah (623 BC) 2 Chron 35:1-19
5. Judah’s return from Babylonian exile (536 BC) Ezra 2:1,64; 3:10-11; Neh12:24,45-46
B. David’s Tabernacle and the birth of the New Testament Church (Amos 9:11,12 and Acts 15:16)
The “gathering-in” of the Gentiles and the connection of praise and worship with world evangelism
God’s timeless will for His eternal Church!
C. Revival throughout Church history
The sad decline of the Church after its birth, and the restoration of Key Truths throughout church history:
The Altar: Justification by faith (Martin Luther)
The Laver: The importance of God’s Word (Methodism)
The Candlestick: The vital role of God’s Holy Spirit (Pentecostalism)
The Table of Shewbread: The Charismatic movement
The Altar of Incense--world-wide revival of true worship preparing the Bride of Christ
The Ark of the Covenant--The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
D. In these last days God is restoring the Tabernacle of David in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ!
We are in the last days. The Lord God is reviving His Church in true worship!
He is preparing his Church for true spiritual intimacy with our bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ!
PRACTICAL PRAISE AND WORSHIP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH
VIII. Worship Leading: Bringing your Church members into true praise and worship experiences
Cheer leader? Song leader? Praise leader? No, worship leader!
The Role of a Worship leader
You’re a spiritual tour-guide leading God’s people into the Holy of Holies
Four steps to lead worship effectively:
1. Have God in one hand
2.The people in the other hand (knowing their needs and understanding where they are at)
(The importance of credibility and trust)
3.Bring the people together to God
4.Let go and get out of the way so God can have His way
The ART of preparation
Preparing for worship VS being prepared for worship
BEING PREPARED for worship
PREPARING FOR worship
Planning a worship service
Knowing your GOAL
Planning the order and list of songs used in a worship service
Using strong songs that express strong correct theology
The timelessness of hymns
Incorporating hymns into the worship service
“Broad to focused” approach
Finalizing your list of songs
“Living” the worship service before it happens
Essential factors to consider when preparing the order of songs
Flowing and progressing in praise and worship
Praise and worship analogies: rivers, eagles and airplanes
Ascending into God’s presence
The importance of maintaining forward momentum in praise
The role of rhythmical continuity—how to keep the beat flowing
Understanding and maximizing the effects of different beats and styles
Understanding keys and chord progressions
What keys to do the songs in? Important considerations:
general congregation range, using lower keys in the morning or during altar worship
key modulations which build worship intensity
Flowing in themes
Maintaining direction and focus
Remembering the goal: the Holy of Holies!
Subjective considerations: He vs. You
More Worship Leading tips:
Avoiding distracting habits
Getting rid of the kinks that break the flow of worship (garden hose analogy)
Always remembering the heart of worship:
I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You Jesus!
IX. The order, role, and responsibilities of worship team musicians as New Testament Levitical musicians
and priests of the most high God
SPIRITUAL LIFE: true worshiper, lifestyle worshiper, 24/7 praiser, practicer of God’s presence, feeder upon God’s Word, seeker after God’s heart, dweller living close to His throne, pray-er, abider, practicer of holiness, fruit bearer, desirer of God’s glory
MINISTRY LIFE: a minister unto the Lord who desires to bring people into God’s presence, delighter, carrier of God’s presence, meditator, student of God’s word who understands his role, chosen and set aside, called and responsible, prepared and touched, a sacrificer of praise.
CHURCH AND RELATIONAL LIFE: Under spiritual authority, committed and open with pastor and music leader, teachable and open, builder-up, edifier, preferer of others, cultivator of unity, prayer not complainer
MUSICAL LIFE: developer of your craft, practicer and studier, prepared for every service in every way, knows the music and songs, committed, dedicateda and rehearsed, responsible soldier and servant, advancer of God’s purposes
X. BUILDING A STRONG MUSICAL WORSHIP TEAM
The importance of leadership
Assessing the situation and starting with what you have
Prayer, prayer and more prayer
Presenting a desirable vision
The ideal vs. reality
Setting the bar—where to begin
Recruitment—finding them and bringing them in
Commitment to the local body and senior pastor’s vision
Fostering ownership within the team members
Fostering team mentality and heart
Gradually raising the bar and cultivating dedication
Training, training, training
Include the others: sound, computer, dance and support ministries
Team dynamics
Spiritual preparation of the team (individual and corporate)
Humility, submission, and preferring one another.
Who sets “the rules?”
Nailing your music upon the cross—dying to the music, being alive to Christ
Practicing worship individually and as a team
Worshipping apart from your instrument
Should there be a trial period before platform ministry?
Cultivating a devoted team heart
Musical ‘retreats’ and get-aways
The importance of the senior pastor’s support, encouragement, and sponsorship
Preparing for worship (as a team)
Printed music, chords, words
Studying the bible concerning the role of music
Rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing
Sound system essentials
Why displaying the words is important
Weaning the congregation off dependency on the projector
Playing ‘by ear’--the absolute essential need
The divine order: God’s spirità our spiritàour mindàout through our lips, hands, and feet
Developing the ability to play ‘by ear’
How important is it to read notes? Helpful but not essential
How important is it to read chords? Very!
How important is it to ‘hear the chords’ by ear? Essential!
The building blocks of music: notes, chords and harmony
Manifesting the chords through the fingers
Harmonic theory—is it important? Absolutely!
Practicing the songs in different keys
Freeing yourself from the chord-charts
Using hand signals in worship
Instrumental Basics:
Drums—the essential ‘groove’
Bass—the harmonic foundation
Guitars--
Keyboards--
Vocal essentials
Pitch-matching, harmonizing, and sight-singing
Why memorize the words?
Look to the Lord (not the music stand, tv screen or the back of your eyelids)
Where the singers look, is where the congregation’s focus will be directed
Songs, hymns and spiritual songs—what is the difference?
Spontaneous songs
Understanding, cultivating and practicing the ‘song of the Lord’
Spontaneous song, song of the Lord, prophetic song…is there a difference?
Using hand signals during spontaneous songs
Other important considerations
“Special numbers” and musical presentations
Background music enhances (think of what a Hollywood music would be without music)
Enhancing worship and devotion through music
“Altar-music”, and playing while prayer and ministry is taking place
Watch the volume levels (so there’s no need for one to shout or yell to be heard in prayer)
Sound and projection considerations
Equipment
Training
The importance of a good monitor system
On-stage volume considerations (don’t be too loud, otherwise the soundman cannot control you)
How to do a proper sound-check
Communication between singers, band members, and sound personnel
How to do a good mix
Recording considerations (eg, congregation mics, drum mics, stereo vs. mono)
Computer projection
Dance teams, tambourine troups, banners, pageantry and processionals
WORSHIP FOUNDATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD
I. What is Praise? What is worship? How do they differ?
II. Manifesting God’s Presence
III. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship
A. History of God’s Presence throughout Scripture from Moses to Saul B. The three essential parts of man: spirit, soul and bodyIV. King David's Prophetic Vision for Worship, His Tabernacle and God's Presence
V. The organizational structure of Musicians in David's Tabernacle
VI. Principles of New Testament Music Ministry taught from David's Tabernacle
The spiritual standards for a Musician's Life: Spiritual, Ministry, Church, Relational, and Musical
VII. The restoration of David’s Tabernacle--Keys to spiritual revival
A. Revival in Israel (from Solomon to Nehemiah)
B. The birth of the New Testament Church
C. Revival throughout Church history
D. Revival Today! God is restoring true Praise and Worship to His Church!
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH
VIII. Leading your Church into true praise and worship
IX. The Order, Role, and Responsibilities of New Testament Musicians
X. Building a Strong Musical Worship Team
=======================================================================================
DETAILS
PART ONE: WORSHIP FOUNDATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD
I. Praise and Worship Explored
What is Praise? What is Worship?
Praise and Worship: Participating versus spectating
What is God’s purpose for praise and worship?
The role of music in praise and worship
Progressing into God’s presence through praise and worship
The priority of praise and worship
Prerequisites for praise and worship
Corporate versus private praise and worship
Hebrew and Greek words for praise and worship
Elements of True Worship
Worshiping in Spirit and Truth
The Father is seeking worshipers (not worship)
The commitment of true worship
How do praise and worship differ?
II. Manifesting God’s Presence
God’s omnipresence vs. God’s manifest presence
Manifesting God’s presence through praise and worship
Man’s spirit—the receiver of God’s presence
Tuning in to God’s presence
III. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship
A. History of God’s Presence throughout Scripture from Moses to Saul
The Spiritual Truths revealed in the Tabernacle of Moses
The Ark of the Covenant and it's role in history
Outer court, Inner court, Holy of Holies
Functioning 'in the spirit' realm
B. The three essential parts of man: spirit, soul and body
Man's Body is world-conscious (five natural senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch)
Man's Soul is self-conscious (mind, will, emotions)
Man's spirit is God-conscious (communion, intuition, conscience)
The Divine Order: How God designed the three parts of man to function
God's Spirit to rule over man's spirit
Man's Spirit to rule over his soul
Man's Soul to rule over his body
We are a spirit, we have a soul, we live in a body
God’s desire to manifest His perfect will on earth--Jesus our perfect example
The six pieces of furniture in Moses Tabernacle
IV. The Importance of God's Presence in Worship--Principles from David's Tabernacle
A. Prelude: The role of the Ark of the Covenant throughout Israel’s history
From Moses to Saul—the journey of the ark throughout Israel’s history
The Ark was captured, God's glory departs Israel: Ichabod!
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”--The amazing story of God’s Ark among the Philistines
The ark was returned to Israel. Saul's indifference
B. King David brings back God's Ark to Israel. Principles of David's Tabernacle.
King David brings back the ark and God’s presence to Israel!
The seven vital things King David did concerning the Ark that were totally different from Moses
King David's revelation concerning worship, praise, music, and man's approach to God were a New Testament Revelation!
Comparison of Moses’ Tabernacle, David’s Tabernacle, and the New Testament Church
Mountain, sacrifices, adornments, approach to God, role of music
David’s Missionary Outlook
The significance of worship, praise and music principles instituted in David’s Tabernacle
David’s understanding of worship was a New Testament Revelation!
The Restoration of the Tabernacle of David prophesied (Amos 9:11,12 and Acts 15:16)
David’s Tabernacle: a New Testament model for worship and music ministry
V. The organizational structure of Musicians in David's Tabernacle
The order of musicians in David’s Tabernacle (1 Chron. 15)
Musicians were chosen, set apart, instructed, submitted, skillful, dedicated, responsible, placed, prepared and on duty!
VI. Principles of New Testament Music Ministry found in David's Tabernacle
David set the spiritual standards for the dedication and heart that musicians must have for God
The Responsibilities and Requirements of the New Testament Musician/Levite:
a. Spiritual Life: (nine essential requirements)
b. Ministry Life (ten essential requirements)
c. Church and Relational life (seven essential requirements)
d. Musical Life (six essential requirements)
VII. The restoration of David’s Tabernacle--Keys to spiritual revival
A. The spiritual cycle of revival and decline throughout Israel’s history (from Solomon to Nehemiah)
The re-implementation of David’s principles of worship and music
1. The Temple of Solomon (1012 B.C.) 2 Chron 5:12-13
2. King Jehoshaphat (896 BC) 2 Chron 20:21-22,28
3. King Hezekiah (726 BC) 2 Chron 29:20,25-30
4. King Josiah (623 BC) 2 Chron 35:1-19
5. Judah’s return from Babylonian exile (536 BC) Ezra 2:1,64; 3:10-11; Neh12:24,45-46
B. David’s Tabernacle and the birth of the New Testament Church (Amos 9:11,12 and Acts 15:16)
The “gathering-in” of the Gentiles and the connection of praise and worship with world evangelism
God’s timeless will for His eternal Church!
C. Revival throughout Church history
The sad decline of the Church after its birth, and the restoration of Key Truths throughout church history:
The Altar: Justification by faith (Martin Luther)
The Laver: The importance of God’s Word (Methodism)
The Candlestick: The vital role of God’s Holy Spirit (Pentecostalism)
The Table of Shewbread: The Charismatic movement
The Altar of Incense--world-wide revival of true worship preparing the Bride of Christ
The Ark of the Covenant--The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
D. In these last days God is restoring the Tabernacle of David in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ!
We are in the last days. The Lord God is reviving His Church in true worship!
He is preparing his Church for true spiritual intimacy with our bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ!
PRACTICAL PRAISE AND WORSHIP CONSIDERATIONS FOR TODAY’S CHURCH
VIII. Worship Leading: Bringing your Church members into true praise and worship experiences
Cheer leader? Song leader? Praise leader? No, worship leader!
The Role of a Worship leader
You’re a spiritual tour-guide leading God’s people into the Holy of Holies
Four steps to lead worship effectively:
1. Have God in one hand
2.The people in the other hand (knowing their needs and understanding where they are at)
(The importance of credibility and trust)
3.Bring the people together to God
4.Let go and get out of the way so God can have His way
The ART of preparation
Preparing for worship VS being prepared for worship
BEING PREPARED for worship
PREPARING FOR worship
Planning a worship service
Knowing your GOAL
Planning the order and list of songs used in a worship service
Using strong songs that express strong correct theology
The timelessness of hymns
Incorporating hymns into the worship service
“Broad to focused” approach
Finalizing your list of songs
“Living” the worship service before it happens
Essential factors to consider when preparing the order of songs
Flowing and progressing in praise and worship
Praise and worship analogies: rivers, eagles and airplanes
Ascending into God’s presence
The importance of maintaining forward momentum in praise
The role of rhythmical continuity—how to keep the beat flowing
Understanding and maximizing the effects of different beats and styles
Understanding keys and chord progressions
What keys to do the songs in? Important considerations:
general congregation range, using lower keys in the morning or during altar worship
key modulations which build worship intensity
Flowing in themes
Maintaining direction and focus
Remembering the goal: the Holy of Holies!
Subjective considerations: He vs. You
More Worship Leading tips:
Avoiding distracting habits
Getting rid of the kinks that break the flow of worship (garden hose analogy)
Always remembering the heart of worship:
I’m coming back to the heart of worship, and it’s all about You, it’s all about You Jesus!
IX. The order, role, and responsibilities of worship team musicians as New Testament Levitical musicians
and priests of the most high God
SPIRITUAL LIFE: true worshiper, lifestyle worshiper, 24/7 praiser, practicer of God’s presence, feeder upon God’s Word, seeker after God’s heart, dweller living close to His throne, pray-er, abider, practicer of holiness, fruit bearer, desirer of God’s glory
MINISTRY LIFE: a minister unto the Lord who desires to bring people into God’s presence, delighter, carrier of God’s presence, meditator, student of God’s word who understands his role, chosen and set aside, called and responsible, prepared and touched, a sacrificer of praise.
CHURCH AND RELATIONAL LIFE: Under spiritual authority, committed and open with pastor and music leader, teachable and open, builder-up, edifier, preferer of others, cultivator of unity, prayer not complainer
MUSICAL LIFE: developer of your craft, practicer and studier, prepared for every service in every way, knows the music and songs, committed, dedicateda and rehearsed, responsible soldier and servant, advancer of God’s purposes
X. BUILDING A STRONG MUSICAL WORSHIP TEAM
The importance of leadership
Assessing the situation and starting with what you have
Prayer, prayer and more prayer
Presenting a desirable vision
The ideal vs. reality
Setting the bar—where to begin
Recruitment—finding them and bringing them in
Commitment to the local body and senior pastor’s vision
Fostering ownership within the team members
Fostering team mentality and heart
Gradually raising the bar and cultivating dedication
Training, training, training
Include the others: sound, computer, dance and support ministries
Team dynamics
Spiritual preparation of the team (individual and corporate)
Humility, submission, and preferring one another.
Who sets “the rules?”
Nailing your music upon the cross—dying to the music, being alive to Christ
Practicing worship individually and as a team
Worshipping apart from your instrument
Should there be a trial period before platform ministry?
Cultivating a devoted team heart
Musical ‘retreats’ and get-aways
The importance of the senior pastor’s support, encouragement, and sponsorship
Preparing for worship (as a team)
Printed music, chords, words
Studying the bible concerning the role of music
Rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing
Sound system essentials
Why displaying the words is important
Weaning the congregation off dependency on the projector
Playing ‘by ear’--the absolute essential need
The divine order: God’s spirità our spiritàour mindàout through our lips, hands, and feet
Developing the ability to play ‘by ear’
How important is it to read notes? Helpful but not essential
How important is it to read chords? Very!
How important is it to ‘hear the chords’ by ear? Essential!
The building blocks of music: notes, chords and harmony
Manifesting the chords through the fingers
Harmonic theory—is it important? Absolutely!
Practicing the songs in different keys
Freeing yourself from the chord-charts
Using hand signals in worship
Instrumental Basics:
Drums—the essential ‘groove’
Bass—the harmonic foundation
Guitars--
Keyboards--
Vocal essentials
Pitch-matching, harmonizing, and sight-singing
Why memorize the words?
Look to the Lord (not the music stand, tv screen or the back of your eyelids)
Where the singers look, is where the congregation’s focus will be directed
Songs, hymns and spiritual songs—what is the difference?
Spontaneous songs
Understanding, cultivating and practicing the ‘song of the Lord’
Spontaneous song, song of the Lord, prophetic song…is there a difference?
Using hand signals during spontaneous songs
Other important considerations
“Special numbers” and musical presentations
Background music enhances (think of what a Hollywood music would be without music)
Enhancing worship and devotion through music
“Altar-music”, and playing while prayer and ministry is taking place
Watch the volume levels (so there’s no need for one to shout or yell to be heard in prayer)
Sound and projection considerations
Equipment
Training
The importance of a good monitor system
On-stage volume considerations (don’t be too loud, otherwise the soundman cannot control you)
How to do a proper sound-check
Communication between singers, band members, and sound personnel
How to do a good mix
Recording considerations (eg, congregation mics, drum mics, stereo vs. mono)
Computer projection
Dance teams, tambourine troups, banners, pageantry and processionals