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September 30 What Does a Worship Leader Do?'Worship Leader' is a well known title for the average Christian teen in our area. But what is a worship leader really? We usually have five to seven people on stage leading the music any given month. Are they worship leaders? Is just the lead singer the worship leader? How does one 'lead worship'? With the help of Bob Kauflin (worshipmatter.com) we're working through the answers to those questions. Here's his definition: An effective corporate worship leader, aided and led by the Holy Spirit, skillfully combines biblical truth with music to magnify the worth of God and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, thereby motivating the gathered church to join him in proclaiming and cherishing the truth about God and seeking to live all of life for the glory of God. That's a pretty intense definition! But we're striving to become leaders like this. For God's glory, our joy and the salvation of many. June 17 Discipleship...Evangelism...Both?Exciting things happening on the GIFT front these days. We had a great Advisory Board meeting end of May, talking about the usual from how this past year has been, what speakers we should ask for the coming year, whether we should have one music team or many and so on.
Then we got to talking about the purpose of GIFT. Up until now our slogan has been "challenging and encouraging Christians through music, teaching, prayer, sharing and fellowship." We decided that it's time for GIFT to go beyond discipleship. Beyond just reaching Christians. We talked about how to do that. For one thing we're going public. July and August we will have GIFT in the Emo Lion's park (unless it rains).
But in the big picture GIFT as it exists in Emo will not change much. Rather, we're working towards starting a sister project in Fort Frances with an evangelistic focus. It probably won't be called GIFT and it won't happen in a church but together with the evangelical churches in Fort Frances we want to reach the teens of Fort Frances with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Far from throwing out discipleship, this is actually a further opportunity for some of the teens who are involved with GIFT to develop as followers of Jesus Christ, expressing their faith in a different context.
If you're interested in getting involved through prayer or planning drop us a line and we'll be sure to make sure you get more detailed updates. I'll update the website as things get more clear. March 05 EasterThe events of Easter affect all of life as a Christ follower and so we speak of the cross all year round. Jesus' death on the cross affects (or should) how we speak about others, the decisions we make for our future, how we work on the job and what we do on Sunday morning. Every day we should be reminded that if it were not for the cross we would be on God's 'bad side', unable to speak with Him or be in a relationship with Him. Each morning we should sing for joy, thanking Jesus for replacing us on the cross so that we can know God, rather than death.
And yet, the calendar tells us that it is time to celebrate the Easter events in a special way. We get some time off from work to commemorate and celebrate Christ's sacrifice. It is a special time. A time to remember and reflect in deeper ways. We'll be doing some of that this month at GIFT through the singing, speaking and even, Lord willing, choreographed music.
He lived. He died. He said in three days He would rise. He did. He's alive! December 05 Rejoice!As you deck your halls with holly, sip your apple cider or egg nog and plug in your Christmas lights, we hope you're also planning on taking some time out to celebrate the reason we celebrate: God becoming man. Come take a breather with us as we sing some traditional carols as well as more contemperary songs that capture the mystery of Christmas. "Good Christian men rejoice with heart and soul and voice...Christ is born today!" August 20 Sing and DeclareSing to the LORD, bless his name;
tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods. Psalm 96:2-4
We are commanded to sing and to talk about what God has done. Sometimes it can feel a bit like a duty. And yet, what a privilege! I think it is so awesome that God has given us music as a gift and tool to praise Him. He could have made it a lot less enjoyable. But music brings enjoyment to the ear and lifts our hearts.
We also get to share about what God has done. The more I talk about His works the more wonderful they seems to me and the more wonderful they seem to me the more I want to talk about it! Specifically that He has forgiven all my sins because of Jesus and that one day I will stand before Him and see His face.
My prayer is that GIFT would continue to do that: Sing and Declare. Over the past three years that has been our focus: worshipping God through song and sharing His Word through talk. May GIFT continue to make much of God.
Our speaker for September has been doing that, making much of God through his words. Originally from Ghana, Africa, Joseph Seidu is now a pastor in Winnipeg. He was in the Rainy River District last year for a weekend of meetings for local churches. I was personally blessed and convicted by what he shared then and am looking forward to his being with us this September. June 15 It Looks Like...Someone asked me a bit before GIFT in June, "What's it going to look like?" I had to chuckle at that. I never know what GIFT is going to 'look like' until it happens. That's one of the benefits of having different speakers every month as well as different faces in the pews. You never quite know what to expect except, I think it's fair to say, to expect that the Word and work of God will be preached and praised in word and song.
This past month we heard from the younger generation: four local students returning from their first year away. All four have been regular attenders of GIFT in the past so it was good to hear what they have been learning about life, God and life with God over the past year. One young man spoke about what he had learned about prayer. Another shared about going to a place where he knew no one and what it was like to depend on God to make friends. He also shared about how studying the Bible for himself and thinking through it made it much deeper and real. A third shared about thinking of Jesus as our King and how that's hard to imagine in a society where we don't serve a human king who has complete authority over us. On a missions trip he also learned that "God doesn't love me because I'm a Christian; He loves me because I am His creation." The fourth student to share spoke about her experience in a close knit school, learning about confession and being vulnerable. "Who am I and who is God?" She briefly shared a story about the intense spiritual warfare in India, where she ended her school year, and how that completely changed her perspective on prayer.
This was a month of letting go and letting God. In the end, three of the regular music team members were unable to come (thank you to John and Erin for stepping in) and three students who had originally planned to share weren't able to make it either. But the time was still sweet. It was good to see some newer faces as well.
To God be the glory.
May 26 Marketing GodThank you to Gene Gee for coming out to share with us this past month. Amid plenty of laughter, Gene pointed out how we tend to think God should be 'marketed': Christian magazines and TV shows, to the powerful and in 'nice' and catchy ways. But God is really more interested in being declared where none know Him or where His name is not recognized as worthy of praise. Gene closed his talk by reminding us that we as Christians are ambassadors, which mean, whether we are aware of it or not, at all times we are giving a message about who God is. What message are we giving?
Partway through a song, the sound system cut out. Ironically, it was right as we were singing "Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art." The singing continued without missing a beat. Most didn't even notice. What a picture of how disposable we are as a music team. When God's Spirit moves, He does not need us. Praise God that He chooses to use us. But how great He is that He doesn't need us.
We look forward to seeing you June 8 as we hear how God has been teaching several college students. April 25 Record BreakerThis past month was the first time in GIFT history that the number of participants over the age of 30 outnumbered those under the age of 20. It made for a unique evening with a different atmosphere than we've ever had. More cozy and intimate because of the small number of people. Part of that was the speaker. Doug Reader talked about four small things that are exceeding wise, with visuals for each: the ant, the coney, the grasshopper and the spider. The ant reminds us to get ready because 'winter' is coming, Jesus is coming back. The coney reminds us to run into the crevices in the Rock: Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee. The grasshopper reminds us that we cannot go through life alone but with others we become a mighty army. And the spider reminds us to take hold with our hands and climb right into the palace of the King: to grab hold of the Word of God to be in the presence of the king. This next month we look forward to hearing from Gene Gee. It's a busy time of year with many concerts, sports events, school assignments and yard work but it would be great to take a break with you to meet with God and each other. March 26 CelebrationWe're looking forward to celebrating the death and resurrection of Christ this month, GIFT being just a week after Easter weekend. Of course the cross of Christ is central to Christianity so it is something we remember all year round but it is always special to take a special look at the cross at Easter time. The songs we will be singing will reflect that focus. Songs including "For the Cross" by Matt Redman, which has stunning lyrics that parallel Isaiah 53:3-5,
It's been good preparing and it will be good to gather on the 13th to celebrate and remember. February 19 Welcome Andrew!We'd like to welcome Andrew to the team! Andrew is a busy man but he has decided to bring his masculine vocals to the table. We look forward to practicing and worshipping with Andrew.
In other news, Clem will be unable to serve on the music team in the capacity he was before (playing drums). While the seat behind the drum kit is vacant, we're looking for drummers who are interested in joining us for a month. This coming month John, our sound man, will be drumming.
Big thanks to Chris Enns, Amy Janzen, Rose Lundy, Leroy Suderman and crew for travelling out from Manitoba to be with us February 2. It was nice to be off stage and be able to participate without leading. May you continue to grow musically and spiritually. January 19 Servant's BlessingBeing part of the background, the planning and leading worship of GIFT my job is to serve others and bring glory to God but I find that I leave GIFT the most blessed. Blessed to see people in the pews, some who have never been to church and maybe have never thought to question what they believed, some who want more in their spiritual life but don't know how, some who are excited about God and see Him working in their lives and some who, although older, are still praising God with energy and excitement.
Blessed because I see growth in the God given skills of the band, including myself. As we have grown musically, using music as a form of worship has become more enjoyable and personal. Blessed because the words of the songs direct us to God.
And blessed to be challenged and reminded through Dale Loewen that being a Christian is about being married to Jesus. That Jesus is looking for love-sick worshippers. It is often that I do not feel God or even feelings of desire for God but through Dale's words I was challenged to not be satisfied with that but to seek God passionately. To pray for desire for Him. To pray to know Him. It's amazing how easily I am pacified by simple momentary pleasures. As CS Lewis says so well, it's not that our desires are too strong, but rather too weak. May we say, as one of the songs we sang says, "For what do I have if I don't have You Jesus, what in this world could mean any more? ... oh Lord, I need to know You!" January 12 Flatland's Tide ~ February 2 Flatland's Tide is a small band hailing from Manitoba. The four member band is comprised of Chris Enns, Amy Janzen, Rose Lundy and Leroy Suderman. Chris describes the group this way:
We are a small group, trio for 90% of our stuff. We play high energy Christian Rock, with GOD being the focal point in it all. Alot of our songs are from mainstream Christian groups like Tree63, Hillsong United, Matt Redman, Jonah 33, Third Day, Delirious, plus we do 4 originals that we've written on our own. There is no fluff in our package. We've all played in our church's P&W band together for many years. But have wanted to do this project on our own for quite a while. God has touched each or our lives, and has given us a real desire and a heart to worship him through song. And it's our hope and goal that lives will be touched through this ministry. We're only just getting started, but the potential seems limitless. Flatland's Tide will be our guests on February 2 for GIFT. It would be a great opportunity to bring some friends who wonder what Christianity is about but have never gone to church. See you there. November 07 BeginningsWhile GIFT was birthed in the fall of 2004, it's conception began in the spring of 2002. The local Christian school was having our annual 30 Hour Famine event and four friends (Caitlyn Dyck, Derek Enns, Nate Visconti and Debbie Friesen) banded together to provide the music for the praise and worship sessions. We enjoyed it so much that we decided to continue playing together and did so on a regular basis for the year that followed, mostly in our home churches. In the winter of 2003 Nate sold his drum set and stepped out, being replaced by Clemens Lehman. After this our focus shifted a little and we started planning our own monthly events, called "Saturday Night Alive". We shared a desire to make a difference in our area with these events but also were aware that what we were doing was short term, as we went our seperate ways the fall of 2003.
 The idea of a monthly praise and worship event laid dormant for a year but was revived again in the fall of 2004 when another group of friends banded together, forming the band Unquenchable. (Clemens Lehman, Jon Mast, Aaron Heerema, Kathryn Goodman, Julie McQuaker and Debbie Friesen) When discussing a name for the event Aaron suggested GIFT ~ Growing in Faith Together, and it stuck. At first we planned to schedule the events month by month if we had time but in December the decision was made to have GIFT on a monthly basis, the second Saturday of the month. Since January 2005 we have not missed a month, praise God!
Because four of the band members were heading off to school in the fall, a new music team was formed and began playing together in September 2005. We also decided to change the day from Saturday to Friday. This group was formed of seven people representing three schools (plus one homeschooled and one working), six churches and ranging in age from 15 to 20. As the new 'year' began, I (Debbie) stepped into the role of coordinator for GIFT at large and the music team specifically.
As it was observed that GIFT had become not only a monthly event for Christians in general but a form of discipleship in music and leadership for the music team year round, the music team yet again was changed this fall of 2006, with plans of having a new team each year, to provide opportunity of training for more students. In each stage leaders have been produced, both musically and spiritually.
And so, GIFT continues as a ministry to encourage and challenge believers through music, teaching, sharing, prayer and fellowship. From it's very conception, this has been the goal of the monthly events and by God's grace He is moving to make it successful. |
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