Local Worship Leaders: Connections can save your life

April 23, 2013 Rich Kirkpatrick

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. - Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

Last night a bunch of our local area worship leaders met at a restaurant for encouragement and connection. The ten of us represent thousands of worshippers collectively, but only a small portion of those that lead worship in our area. (Over 40 worship leaders connect on our Facebook group page.) Some lead worship as a full-time employee, others are either part-time workers or volunteer entirely at their churches. Some lead at large churches. Some at smaller churches. Worship leaders already are a tribe of cats, so when you also consider the different expressions it may seem hard to find connection. You could not be more wrong to think that. In fact, not only do these connections provide immediate encouragement, they might save your life. After all, there are some hidden things about the role of leading worship that those not in your shoes miss. Let's not get tired in our work simply because we are not there for each other.

GIVEAWAY: Free REGISTRATION to NWLC in PA - May 13-15

April 10, 2013 Rich Kirkpatrick

Worship Leader Magazine is putting on three amazing events for worship leaders around the country, the first held in Lancaster, PA on May 13-15. They are letting me give away one pass to the PA event, with dinner ticket*–a $400 value! I'm excited to go myself and hear speakers like author/pastor Ian Morgan Cron and musical guests like Bellarive and The Neverclaim.

I will be at all three events myself teaching two workshops–one about the many hats we wear as worship leaders and learning to manage and organize as a creative in that world. The second is about how to develop volunteers, the basic role any church leader has before him or her. I'm excited to meet many of you in person. Of course, there are many amazing speakers and musical guests I have not even mentioned here, so check out the site for the National Worship Leader Conference.

Now you are asking, "How do I win a FREE pass worth $400?" All you have to do is comment on this blog post leaving the name of your church and town and what part you play in the worship team. If you choose to link my giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or Google+ you get additional chances to win. If you have a blog and write an article linking to here, you get TWO chances more to win. That's it! I will draw the name Sunday night and on Monday April 15 announce the WINNER!

**DANIEL YOU WON THE DRAWING... IF, you claim the prize by emailing me w/in 24 hours. (Contact Page form).

*You are on your own for transportation and lodging

Modern Worship Keyboards: My setup for loops, clicks & keys with MainStage

April 8, 2013 Rich Kirkpatrick

After affectionally being called “vintage” I have decided to stick with that title as a worship leader and worship keyboardist. But, volunteering on our church worship team requires thinking beyond my vintage roots to support a modern worship band at the keys. Aaron, my worship pastor, is a keyboardist as well. So, when he asked me to consider playing more often I knew he might hear every wrong note and vintage mistake. Of course I felt up to the challenge as he is a nice-but-demanding fellow and I love skillfully leading worship–whether its singing, playing an instrument, or any other means.

A VIRTUAL MONASTERY: The Poison of the “Us and Them” Christian subculture

April 2, 2013 Rich Kirkpatrick

The ascetics of the early church lived in caves, whipped themselves, and made vows of celibacy or silence. Monasteries were founded. Many of these did some amazing work, from copying by hand the scripture to creating beer for the masses to make something useful and drinkable during the unsanitary Middle Ages. The dark side of monastic life is the whole idea of living in a conclave, removed from the world. To be “holy” literally means to be “set apart” for God. So, why not focus on the “ apart” part of it while living for God? Some brilliant things happen when sequestered to study and learn. University time does this. But, when and how do we forge a path in the secular as we grow in the sacred? And, our times these days are filled with technology that allows us a separate life. Do you live in a virtual monastery?

Betrayal, Denial and Church People: You need a reality check.

March 29, 2013 Rich Kirkpatrick

Betrayal. There is nothing that can seize sleep from the night like re-living each strand in the web of betrayal. To some degree, all of us lose oxygen from the sucker punch of opposition dealt from unexpected sources: friends, spouses, co-workers, and even fellow church people. What if even your own leadership at church betrays you? It can and will happen. Are you ready for it?