Worship Leaders University

Why I Didn’t Eat For 40 Days

Posted on March 14, 2017 by Mark Cole

In 1998, my wife, Anna and I were asked to accompany a group of students on a missions trip to the Philippines. We spent a few months helping prepare the group for the two-week trip. Anna was on staff at Pacific Academy and it was part of her job to organize multiple teams of kids to travel for missions experience on their spring break.

At the same time, the Lord was also preparing me for what He wanted me to do in the future. I was seeking the Lord and God challenged me to go without food. Normally when I fast, I spend three days seeking the Lord but this time I felt like I should fast longer. I decided that I would try to fast the longest that I ever done. I would try fasting for two weeks.

Weird thing though.. when I finished fasting 2 weeks, I felt like I shouldn’t stop. So I decided to go for three weeks. At the same time, I was doing my work as the Worship Pastor for Glad Tidings Church in Vancouver, Canada and also working with the team of school kids to get ready for the trip to the Philippines.

Around the end of the three weeks I began to realize that God was calling me to do a 40 day fast. Fortunately He didn’t tell me that at the beginning because I would have thought that would have been impossible. I love eating too much!

Finally the time came for us to go the Philippines. I told the other team leaders I was fasting but I really wasn’t telling anyone else besides my family. The trip to the Philippines was a good trip. We journeyed to some remote islands and ministered to tribes of people in the jungles. I remember hiking through the jungle to the top of a small mountain in 30C heat to talk with a tribe. The strange thing is that even though I had not eaten in weeks, I felt strong. Hiking in the heat was no problem. I remember some of the Filipino guys travelling with us climbing a coconut tree and getting coconut water for us to drink. So… good!

In the 40 days of fasting I lost 18 lbs (which all came back quite quickly when I started eating again). I remember how my body adapted by conserving my body oils. I normally have good supply of body oil to my hair and skin but my body stopped producing the oil. Our bodies are ‘fearfully and wonderfully’ made. It was amazing to me how well my body adapted to the lack of food…. God has given us amazing bodies!

So what did I learn from this experience?

I learned that God prepares you before He brings you to the next level. In the next short time I would be involved with the start-up of an internet business (Praisecharts.com) that would bless thousands of churches (see: Can God Really Supply My Needs?) and I was also involved in seeing a national revival where thousands of people per day were coming to the Lord! (see: Can God Touch A Nation?)

God doesn’t usually tell you why He is preparing you. He just asks you to be obedient and trust Him! He challenges you to just have faith in Him!

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6 NKJV)

I love this quote on how God works in our lives and challenges us to go to the next level with Him.

If you want to see supernatural innovation in your life and ministry—something that can only be explained by the hand of God and changes people’s lives for eternity, you must be a consecrated servant leader. I’m not talking about being perfect, for we know only One has lived a perfect life. I’m talking about striving for a life of personal purity and holiness and dedicating our whole being to the will of God…..God may be wanting to do a “new thing” in your midst…. but He is urging you (like He did Joshua) to “consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow.” ~ (‘Consecration’ by Greg Atkinson)

Question: God might not call you to an extended fast, but what is He personally speaking to you about? What area is He challenging you on to go to the next level? Are you praying and obeying?

Check out my new book: “Leading Worship ~ Notes from a Grand Adventure ’. It is now available in Kindle or Soft Cover Editions. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life.

Posted in Church, Exercise, God, God Adventures, Wisdom | Tagged challenge, coconut, faith, fast, fasting, food, hike, Impossible, jungle, next level, Philippines, preparation, reward, supernatural, tribe | Leave a comment

Wisdom

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Mark Cole

Many years ago, I took some advice from Billy Graham’s biography and started reading one chapter from the Book of Proverbs every day. There is so much wisdom in that book, that 30+ years later, I am still learning from it daily. Here is some great wisdom and advice from that amazing book.

– The purpose (of the Proverbs) is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.

– Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous. For only the godly will live in the land, and those with integrity will remain in it.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

– Don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights.

– Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

– If you can help your neighbour now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

– Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife. Why spill the water of your springs in the streets, having sex with just anyone? You should reserve it for yourselves. Never share it with strangers.

– Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. She is a loving deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love.

– Wisdom speaks: I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me. I have riches and honor, as well as enduring wealth and justice.

– Only simpletons believe everything they’re told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

– Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.

– Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

– The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

– Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

– Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
– The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
– A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
– Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
– Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.
– Those who fear the Lord are secure; He will be a refuge for their children.
– If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
– Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.
– We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
– Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

– Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

– A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.

– The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to Him and are safe.

– Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

– People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.

– Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

– Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

– The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

– Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than working for ordinary people.

– Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord. You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.

– If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.

– The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.

– Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

– It’s not good to eat too much honey, and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.

– A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

– Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised.

– Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.

– Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to Him for protection.

Posted in Family, God, Leadership, Wisdom | Tagged advice, anger, competent, criticism, discipline, fear of the Lord, fire, foolishness, forgive, generous, give, good, heart, Holy One, honey, honor, humility, joyful, judgement, kind words, leadership, long life, Lord, love, mouth, patience, plans, praise, precautions, pressure, riches, strength, test, wealth, wife | 1 Comment

Stewardship Principle: Your Money Is A Test

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Mark Cole

From James MacDonald devotionals ~

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21, ESV).

It’s mine, versus it’s God’s. Deep down, how do you view your things, including money? You can’t divide the pot—this part is God’s; that chunk is mine. God doesn’t have a part—it’s all His. We are stewards (managers, custodians) of what belongs to God. He is the Owner; we own nothing. As stewards, we will one day answer to the Owner for what He’s entrusted to us—a job, house, car, inheritance, spouse, children, family. “Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Everything you have, everything you are, everything you hope for is all the Lord’s. For example, if you decide to go on a vacation, you should go because you believe God will be honored in that rest and the outcome it will bring in your life. Every financial decision you make is actually a spiritual decision.

In fact, “your” money is a test. It isn’t innately good or bad; it’s neutral, and it reveals where your heart is.

Look at the examples of Judas and Joseph. The renowned traitor Judas failed the test. The thirty pieces of silver weren’t the problem. Judas failed because of what he did to get that silver. In his betrayal of Jesus, Judas viewed money as something to use to his advantage. When it turned sour, he despised what he’d gained. How many people spend their lives acquiring things they’ll come to despise once they realize what they lost in the process?

In contrast, Joseph of Arimathea passed the test. Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. Though very wealthy, his wealth did not insulate his heart from doing the right thing. Grieved over Jesus’ death, Joseph asked Pilate for His body. Joseph “wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb” (Matthew 27:59–60). Tombs were very costly and hard to procure, yet Joseph generously gave that new tomb to his Lord. The test revealed Joseph’s generous heart.

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Money is a test of your:

Work ethic: While not universal, generally speaking, if your wallet is empty, you ought to look closely at your work ethic. How hard do you work? How diligently did you work, save, and invest in your twenties and thirties? The test of money hints at the longitudinal arc of your work ethic.

Self-control: You’ll never experience financial victory until you spend less than you make. Some people spend more than they make for years or decades. They’re failing the test, which often leads to financial bondage, tension, and misery in their homes.

Integrity: How did you get what you have? Did you cut corners or twist the truth to win a deal? Withhold taxes? Neglect tithing? Jesus taught, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). The money test demonstrates your integrity—or lack thereof.

Love for people: When you’re able to meet someone else’s financial need, do you? Can you recall people you’ve helped? Perhaps no one knows. Perhaps you didn’t get a tax deduction. You simply helped and loved others. If so, you’re passing the test.

Love for God: Jesus said more about money than He said about heaven and hell combined. Not because it’s the most important subject, but because until God gets hold of people’s finances, He doesn’t truly have their hearts.

Whatever you have, God has given it to test your loyalty, allegiance, and heart. Judas’ soul was cramped and traitorous; money revealed that. Joseph’s soul was generous and loyal; money revealed that too. And “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

What does the test of money reveal about your heart?

What evidence do you see in your work ethic? Self control? Integrity? Love for people? Love for God?

Prayer

God, I call you Lord, and rightly so, for You are the King. You are my Master. You are the Owner. All that I have and am is Yours. Teach me to be a faithful steward. Thank You for entrusting me with the portion I have. Help me pass the test of money. Forgive me for my “Judas moments” when my loyalty is to my own gain instead of You. Help me follow Joseph’s model and use what You’ve entrusted to me for Your kingdom. I want my treasure and heart to be safe with You. For the fame of Your Son, Jesus, I pray, amen.

Posted in Church, God, Jesus, Leadership, Wisdom | Tagged heart, integrity, love, people, prayer, self-control, treasure, work ethic | Leave a comment

Music Advice from Thelonious Monk

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Mark Cole

The following insightful musical advice comes courtesy of legendary jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, a musical genius who died 35 years ago. Monk is the second most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington. The list was transcribed by saxophonist Steve Lacy in 1960.

As is the case with most thoughtful advice, many of Monk’s points apply to things other than music. My favorite quotes are below the picture.

Favorite Quotes:

Just because you’re a not a drummer, doesn’t mean you don’t have to keep time.
Stop playing all those weird notes, play the melody!
Make the drummer sound good.
You’ve got to dig it to dig it, you dig?
Let’s lift the band stand!
I want to avoid the hecklers!
Don’t listen to the piano part, I’m playing that. Don’t listen to me. I’m supposed to accompanying you!
The inside of the tune (the bridge) is the part that makes the outside sound good.
Don’t play everything (or every time); let some things go by. Some music just imagined. What you don’t play can be more important than what you do.
Always leave them wanting more.
A note can be small as a pin or as big as the world, it depends on your imagination.
Stay in shape! Sometimes a musician waits for a gig and when it comes, he’s out of shape and can’t make it.
What should you wear tonight? Sharp as possible!
These pieces were written so as to have something to play, and to get cats interested enough to come to rehearsal.
Whenever you think it can’t be done, somebody will come along and do it. A genius is the one most like himself.

Posted in Music, Wisdom | Leave a comment

Celebrating 34 Years Of Marriage

Posted on February 13, 2017 by Mark Cole

On February 12th, my wife Anna and I celebrated 34 years of marriage. Our marriage has stayed strong through all the peaks and valleys of life. God has blessed me with an exceptional wife to share my life with.

This year we went out for a dinner at the ‘Japanese Village’. I love how they cook the food right in front of you and deliver it fresh to your plate.

Then we booked one night at a great boutique hotel ‘Le Germain’ in downtown Calgary across from the Calgary Tower. We got a discount through Expedia.ca and the hotel also upgraded us to a suite. Nice! We’ve always made a point at doing something special for our anniversaries. Life moves along quickly and it is good to spend time celebrating the special moments.

We’ve done nice dinners, 5 star hotels, sail-boat trips, Broadway musicals, bed & breakfasts, missions trips, cruises, dogsled trips, elephant rides and overseas trips. The money we have invested in our anniversary celebrations has been well worth it.

My goal and prayer is to get to at least our 65th anniversary (God willing). I want to have a special story to go with each of those anniversaries. Here is a list of the our first 34 anniversaries so far. When we go out for dinner, we go through this list and remember all the fun times along the way. Remembering and celebrating the special moments has been a great way to enhance and strengthen our marriage.

Wedding Anniversaries: Mark & Anna Cole
Honolulu, Oahu: Hawaiian Honeymoon ~ Two weeks in Waikiki (a wedding gift from Anna’s father) and a day trip to the Island of Hawaii (Top 10 Vacation)

1. Seattle, WA: Dinner and a room at the Marriott Hotel.. Josh was just 6 weeks old and we brought him with us.
2. Banff, AB: Banff Park Lodge and the Beaujolais Restaurant The best restaurant service we’ve ever had.
3. Edmonton, AB: West Edmonton Mall ~ Italian dinner and we stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel: The Truck Room. We slept in the back of a pick-up truck!
4. Phoenix, Arizona: We attended Tommy Barnett‘s Pastor’s school and also visited some friends.
5. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: We went to PV for the first time of many times and took in a Bull fight (not my favorite experience). We also did a horse ride to a waterfall. (fun story.. Anna freaks out on horses)
6. Vancouver, BC: Four Seasons Hotel and dinner at Kobe’s Japanese Restaurant.
7. Victoria, BC: Ferry ride, Dinner and a Hotel… Note: I love Victoria in the summer but February was a little boring.
8. Carmel, CA: Tickle Pink Inn. I lead worship at a church in San Francisco and we spent an extra few days in California to celebrate our anniversary.
9. Richmond, B.C. – Bed & Breakfast and we attended a play at Gateway Theatre
10. Mexican Riviera Cruise: Los Angeles, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan (and I got to go deep-sea fishing)
11. Vancouver: Pan Pacific Hotel… great view of Stanley Park and an Italian dinner at the hotel.
12.Vancouver: Sutton Place Hotel, Vancouver and dinner at the Teahouse Restaurant
13. Vancouver: Hotel Vancouver and Forever Plaid (off-Broadway musical review)
14. Vancouver: Les Miserables (Broadway Musical) and we stayed at the Sandman Inn across the street
15. Vancouver: Miss Saigon (Musical) and Executive Hotel Vancouver
16. Vancouver: Showboat– (Musical) and Empire Landmark Hotel (Robson St. Vancouver)
17. Vancouver: Phantom of the Opera and dinner at Bridges Restaurant (one of our favorites)
18. Tortola, BVI: British Virgin Island bareboat sailing: 40′ Sailboat with 3 other couples (one of my best vacations ever)

19. Copenhagen, Denmark: Grand Palace Hotel, Tivoli Gardens and our most expensive dinner. I took Anna to Denmark to some meetings I was leading at and we celebrated our anniversary after.
20. Whistler, B.C.: Condo & snowmobiling trip
21. San Jose del Cabo, Mexico: Family vacation at my brother’s condo.
22. Vancouver: Marriott Pinnacle Hotel and dinner at Kobe’s Restaurant (a favorite)
23. North Vancouver: ThistleDown House Bed and Breakfast (great place) and dinner by the waterfront.
24. Canmore, AB: Dinner at Murrieta’s Restaurant, Bed & Breakfast & Dog Sledding Tour of Spray Lakes (great experience)

25. Puerto Rico: 10 Day Celebrity Cruise: Southern Caribbean cruise to Aruba: 5 star
26. Banff, AB: Castle Mountain Hostel in Banff National Park: cross country skiing with friends and then one night at the Rimrock Hotel, Banff, AB.
27. Phuket, Thailand: Outrigger Serenity Resort (5*) – elephant ride (Top 10 Vacation) I did a month of church music consulting in Singapore and then we went to Thailand for a few days.

28. Banff, AB: Keg Restaurant & Rimrock Hotel
29. Calgary, AB: Wellingtons Restaurant (great steak) & a trip to Centralia, WA for our grandson Ezra’s birth & out daughter-in-law Sonia’s wedding shower.
30. Haiti: One week mission with Haiti Arise, and a 7 day Carnival cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Key West, the Caymen Islands and Jamaica.
31. Miami, Florida: Two-7 day Carnival Cruises (Western & Eastern Caribbean): Miami, Cozumel, Belize, Honduras, Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, Grand Turk, San Juan (another ‘Top 10’ vacation) ~ Anna won free flights to anywhere Westjet flies.

32. Bragg Creek, AB: Chops Steakhouse, Calgary and Redwood Meadows B&B

33. Calgary, AB: Kensington Riverside Inn (5*) – Cactus Club– great food

34. Calgary, AB: Hotel Le Germain (5*) – Japanese Village

Question: What has been your best anniversary? What unique ways have you found to celebrate your marriage?

Posted in Entertainment, Family, Travel | Tagged anniversaries, broadway musical, cruise, dinner, dogsled trip, elephant rides, hotel, marriage, missions trips, sailboat, travel, vacation | Leave a comment

10 Truths To Help Improve Your Marriage

Posted on January 27, 2017 by Mark Cole

Adapted from Paul Chappell:

A marriage that endures is the result of God’s love and grace flowing through two people who are committed to one another. As time passes, it is always important to be reminded of the important basics of marriage. If we forget those biblical truths, we can easily make assumptions that, over time, undermine the marriage relationship.

Here are 10 basics—in no particular order—that every married Christian should remember:

1. We are passionate about the things we work on and think about the most

Good marriages take effort. It requires real work to understand your spouse and honor and love him or her. A spouse who is passionate about a strong marriage thinks about his or her spouse often and constantly invests in the relationship.

Peter ~ Husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered. — 1 Peter 3:7

2. Focusing on your needs only will ruin a marriage

Every husband has unique needs, as does every wife. Paul speaks to the individual nature of each spouse’s needs as it commands wives to honor their husbands and husbands to love their wives. But don’t miss the obvious—the command to each spouse is to meet the other’s needs, not to focus on his or her own needs.

Paul ~Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up His life for her. — Ephesians 5:21, 22, 25

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. — 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

3. Most marriages will hit a “wall”

Sometimes a couple is surprised by a season of difficulty in their marriage. Because they never expected it to happen, they assume their marriage is already as good as gone.

If you encounter such a season, recognize that every difficulty can be worked through by applying God’s wisdom and biblical truths (and perhaps including wise counsel). If you are both determined to strengthen your relationship, you’ll get through it and often be stronger for it.

God is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. —Ephesians 3:20

4. Refusing godly counsel is to reject God’s plan for safety

Early in our marriage, we made a commitment that if either of us ever felt we needed marriage counsel, we would both get it. During times of extreme pressure in ministry, we have occasionally gone to someone in ministry longer than us, with a strong marriage, to ask for counsel on keeping our marriage strong.

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.. — Proverbs 11:14

5. Satan is a liar

And he will do everything he can to convince you that his lies are the truth. Distrust all “certainties” that don’t emphasize the power of God and permanence of marriage.

Jesus ~ The Devil has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. — John 8:44

6. Good people go through difficulties

Are there marriages that you look at and just know are perfect? They aren’t. Every Christian marriage is composed of two sinners. Even godly Christian couples have difficulties. What sets their marriages apart is that they are committed to work through the difficulties.

Jesus (on marriage) ~ Two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” —Mark 10:8-9

7. God is against divorce

Actually, He hates it. Remember that before you throw the word divorce around in an argument. Make a commitment, even before you are married, that divorce is not option or even a part of your vocabulary. (If you have already been through a divorce, you know how devastating it is. But remember, God desires to give you help and healing. And for your current marriage, remember this truth.)

Didn’t the Lord make you one with your wife? … So guard your heart; remain loyal to the wife of your youth. “For I hate divorce!” says the Lord. “To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty, so guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife.” —Malachi 2:15–16

8. Children do suffer greatly when divorce occurs

Every couple I know who has decided to get a divorce, tried to downplay the effect it would have on their children. And they were always wrong. Children almost always perceive the divorce as somehow their fault, no matter how often their parents tell them otherwise. And they always suffer.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. — Ephesians 6:4

9. Church attendance is no replacement for Bible application

Weekly church attendance is very important. But, merely attending church does not make a strong marriage. It takes applying biblical truth to do that.

Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.. — James 1:22

10. Biblical love bears, believes and hopes at all times

Many of the tensions or disagreements that arise in any relationship can be overcome with biblical love. The world’s definition of love is based on feeling—how your spouse makes you feel. But biblical love is a choice—to bear all things, believe all things and hope for all things. This is a love that only God can give and that God does bless.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way… Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.. —1 Corinthians 13:4, 7

The original post is here.

Posted in Family, God, Healing, Leadership, Wisdom | 1 Comment

9 Lessons Young Worship Leaders Need To Learn

Posted on January 24, 2017 by Mark Cole

By David Santistevan

I remember the day like it was yesterday.

I remember my heart racing, tears flowing, and my life changing. It was the day I experienced the presence of God for the first time. Sure, I had been in church many times before. But this time was different. This time I felt the love of God sweep over me like never before. I could sense His presence. I caught a glimpse of His glory

And I’m not one to get emotionally overwhelmed by things. I’m much more analytical. But this was different. This was the call of God. This was an awakening from death to life. When I think on that moment, it reminds me that those moments are happening all the time. Every song we choose, every word we speak, every service we lead, destinies can be altered.

These are the kinds of things I wish I was told when I started leading worship. Which is why I compiled this list. If you’d like, share this with the young worship leaders you’re working with.

9 Lessons for Young Worship Leaders

1. You Don’t Need to Make Something Happen – Powerful worship doesn’t depend on your ability to work up a room and be a charismatic leader. The Holy Spirit is moving. Jesus is glorious. All you need to do is highlight that. And get out-of-the-way.

2. Worship Leading is About Worship and Leadership – You need to be a worshiper. But that’s not enough. The stage isn’t the place for your own personal worship. You need to lead people and facilitate other’s encounter with God.

3. Serve Your Church, Not Your Ego – You are a part of a local church. It’s not a place to trumpet your own awesomeness or to do what you want. You’re there to serve a lead pastor’s vision and to passionately be a part of it.

4. Choose Songs That Are Good For Your People – Don’t just choose songs you like or even just songs that are popular. Choose songs based on what they say and the faith they build in people. Think pastorally. What do your people need to say and sing?

5. Songs Are Tools, Not Ends in Themselves – The goal of your “worship time” isn’t to sing through songs. Rather, carry something in your heart for what you’re about to do. Use songs as vehicles to help you lead people into declaring the promises of God.

6. Learn How to Communicate – Singing isn’t enough. Great worship leaders build trust with the people they lead. And that is done by knowing how to speak and communicate in a way that helps people relax and endears them to you.

7. Don’t Think Of It As a Career Move – Thinking of worship leading as a career leads to all sorts of problems. Think of it more in terms of your calling and your passion to serve the local church. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get paid for what you do. Just don’t approach your local church’s stage as a way to climb the corporate ministry ladder. Lead because you love God and have a heart for his people.

8. Be A Pastor – No, you don’t need to have credentials. But you need to approach your role pastorally. Love people. Care for them. Lead with compassion. Then all the other things – songwriting, albums, events – actually make sense.

9. Don’t Neglect God’s Word – It’s easy to neglect the Bible for new worship music, leadership books, and “creative inspiration.” Resist the urge. The Word is never a book you graduate from. You never learn enough. You never arrive. Let it get inside your spirit and influence everything you do & say.

God is too glorious and there’s too much to be done for us to waste time on our egos. Let’s love and lead with all our hearts.

How about you? How are you training your young worship leaders? Let us know in the comments.

The original post is here.

Posted in Church, God, Jesus, Leadership, Music, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged career move, church, communicate, ego, God's Word, learning, pastor, songs | 5 Comments

My Top 10 Worship Posts Of 2016

Posted on December 31, 2016 by Mark Cole

2016 has been an amazing year for me, it has included strong worship ministry, a return to choir leading, great overseas ministry and awesome family times. This blog has been a successful part of that journey with almost 690,000 visits from 280,000 visitors in over 180 countries. Here are my top worship posts of 2016.

10. Worship Leaders: 10 Things For Us To Work On

No matter how long I have been leading worship, there are always areas that I need to improve on. When you are doing well, it is too easy to get comfortable. But the truth is, none of us ever arrives. My prayer is that this list challenges you, like it challenges me, to move ahead with what God has called us to do!

9. The 10 Commandments of Great Worship Team Members

Sometimes I lead worship and sometimes I play in the band. Both are important roles and have specific responsibilities to do them well. As both a leader and a player/singer, here are my ten most important rules as a team member:

8. Worship Leading: 7 Keys To Becoming Invisible

Have you ever been in a great worship service and the worship leader and team seemed to disappear and your complete focus turned to worshiping Jesus?

Strong worship leaders know that worship is never about them, it’s about putting our gaze and attention on Jesus. Here are some keys to leading people toward Jesus in worship.

7. Worship Rehearsal Checklist

This year I’ve had some huge rehearsals. Many rehearsals have included a 12 member worship band, 90 voice choir and 40 piece orchestra. Solid prep work is essential for excellent rehearsals. Here is an extensive check-list to help you with many of the details.

6. 10 Tips On Improving Your Worship Band Rehearsal

I have spent many days and evenings at rehearsals. It is the price you pay if you want to do music at a good musical level. It is the price you pay if you want to get past the music and be able to worship God freely.

I have had rehearsals with orchestra’s, choirs, marching bands, studio sessions, vocal sections, brass & string sections and worship bands in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, the Caribbean and North America. Along the way I have picked up a few ideas on how to have a good rehearsal. Here is what I have learned so far:

5. My Top 25 Worship Songs For 2016

Picking great songs for your congregation and worship band is one of the most important tasks of a worship leader. Great songs have a sense of God’s Spirit on them. Great worship songs make you want to sing them again and again. Great songs cause your spirit to rise in worship to the Lord.

4. 12 Keys To Picking Great Songs For Worship

Picking great songs for worship is one of the most important skills a worship leader needs to learn. There are many different kinds and levels of worship songs. Some songs are written about God, some songs are written to express our feelings, some songs are sung prayers, some songs are upbeat praise songs and some songs are pure worship to God. And many Christian songs are performance songs and really don’t fall into the worship category.

There are fast songs, medium songs and slow songs. There are difficult songs and easy songs. But what are the best songs for us to sing with our congregations? What songs help our congregations to sing with all their hearts and connect with God?

Here is my philosophy of picking worship songs distilled from 10 years of travelling, writing charts for Praisecharts.com and over 25 years of leading congregations in worship

3. Guidelines For A Strong Worship Team

In any quality organization there are codes of conduct and concrete expectations. A number of years ago I attended a worship conference at Gateway Church in Dallas and was totally impressed by their worship team. Based on Gateway’s code of conduct and my own experience, here are my standards and guidelines for my worship team.

2. 10 Tests Of A Good Worship Leader

How are you doing as a worship leader? How do you know if you are a good worship leader? Let me suggest a few guidelines that will help to quantify your leadership.

1. Strong Worship Leaders: The 18 Things They Avoid

Strong worship leaders develop good attitudes and habits. They keep their heart, mind and spirit right before God and man. Check out these things that strong leaders don’t do, so you can grow and improve.

Check out my new book: ‘Leading Worship: Notes from a Grand Adventure‘. This is a great gift for the musician or worshipper in your life! Pick up the Kindle version for only $3.99 and the paper back for only $13.30.

Posted in Church, God, Leadership, Music, Wisdom, Worship | Tagged 12 keys, attitudes, experience, guidelines, habits, improving, invisible, strong worship leaders, team members, tests, Worship leaders, worship leading, worship rehearsal, worship songs | Leave a comment

The Story Behind ‘Joy To The World’

Posted on December 22, 2016 by Mark Cole

By Monica Hunter (the original post is here)

No Christmas carol list would be complete without the exuberant celebration song, “Joy to the World.” This lively tune is easily memorized and simple to play on an instrument. But do you know the interesting story behind this well-loved hymn?

Isaac Watts (1674-1748), author of around 750 songs, is commonly called “The Father of Hymns” due to his popularity as the first English hymn writer. A few of his most well-known songs still sung today include: Come Ye That Love The Lord; When I Survey The Wondrous Cross; At The Cross; and the topic of today’s post, Joy to the World.

Isaac Watts was a young man when hymns other than the Psalms were allowed to be sung in the Church of England. This gave way to Watts developing many beloved songs. Watts still based many of his songs on the Psalms, but he was especially interested in writing hymns based on the “Christian experience.”

Joy to the World was written in 1719 and based on Psalm 98:

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together. Before the LORD; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity.

If you notice the lyrics of the song, Joy to the World, you will see nothing about shepherds, a manger, wise men, angels, or any other character or element that we normally associate with the Christmas story. The reason being that Isaac Watts did not write Joy to the World to be a Christmas song. The original theme of this song was the second coming of the Lord. Christmas won’t always be a joyful time, but when Jesus comes back, even the rocks will sing!

Over 100 years later, in 1839, Lowell Mason adapted and arranged this song into a melody many believe to have been written by Handel. In my research, however, I have not been able to establish when or why this hymn became associated with Christmas. Certainly we can look at the message in the song and see that it can be applied to Christ’s appearance as a babe in Bethlehem. We must prepare room for Him in our hearts and lives. This is a joyous occasion!

As you hear and sing this beloved carol this season, think about the words. Yes, they apply to the Christmas story in that the Lord is come! We should rejoice! But, let the lyrics all point you to the reason Jesus came: to save the world. Be ready because He is coming again! What a glorious day THAT will be when the whole earth celebrates His appearing!

Joy to the World

Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the world! The Saviour reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Posted in Church, Music, Worship | Tagged Christmas, Handel, Isaac Watts, joy, Psalm 98, rocks sing, second coming | Leave a comment

10 Great Leadership Questions

Posted on December 21, 2016 by Mark Cole

Are you a leader or aspiring leader? Asking the right questions really sets the right tone for your leadership. Asking the right questions will give you insight into any blind spots you might have. And asking the right questions will help your organization and the people serving in it go to the next level. Here are 10 great questions to help you in your leadership.

1. How can I help you?

2. What is the biggest challenge you have to being successful here?

3. Do you understand what I’ve asked you to do?

4. What am I missing or what would you do differently if you were me?

5. What do you see that I can’t see?

6. How can I improve as your leader?

7. If we had authority to do anything – and money was no barrier – what would you like to see us do as a team/organization?

8. Where do you see yourself someday and how can I assist you in getting there?

9. What are you currently learning which can help all of us?

10. How are you doing in your personal life and is there any way I can help you?

Posted in Leadership, Wisdom | Tagged authority, challenge, improve, learning, organization, personal life, team | Leave a comment