"I see that you really enjoy music, don't you? Oh, yah, don't you play guitar too? Why don't you start leading praise on Sundays?" This is how I started leading praise at my church. Since then, I have been leading praise and have been in a worship band for more than 10 years. Of course the decision of me leading praise did not come lightly from church. My point is that I am just an accidental praise leader who is not qualified to lead any music. What I have found, as a non-professional musician and not so musically gifted, praising weekly is just an impossible task. But by God's grace I was able to continue lead people singing.
When I started leading praise, there were only just a guitar and a piano. Oh boy, have we changed a lot for last 10 years! With the start of Vineyard's new sound in 80's, it has been getting more and more challenging to keep up with the latest sound and trends especially for a person like me, another not so gifted "Worship Leader".
Though the spirituality of the church has nothing to do with what kind of praise band it has, I have to admit that the power of music at church definitely brings people to another dimension in their spiritual journey.
Now I am playing electric guitar for our band and am in a back seat supporting them. Those younger guys are more in tune with the modern worship and more skillful with their instruments. In Praise Weekly, I would like to share my personal thoughts about praise and worship in a small local church setting. In a more practical note, I will share with you my weekly struggles and maybe breakthroughs.
You may call Praise Weekly as "Praise and Worship for Dummies" site. No need to understand music theory nor to know how to read music nor you need to have Chris Tomlin's voice. Don't get me wrong, though. Those are excellent skills and gifts that you should build your skills upon. If you have them, praise God and you are well qualified than others. If you are just asked to lead praise and don't know where to start, Praise Weekly might be the place for you.
Register and submit articles and links. I will be posting some tips and whatever might be helpful to N.S.G's. and accidental worship leaders. Soon I will be also posting chord sheets that our band uses weekly for the registered members. I am praying that you will benefit from whatever you read from Praise Weekly.
I struggle to live the way God teaches me daily. I won't be preaching about how to live a Christian life here. It will be immensely impossibles for me to talk about spiritual life since I am probably struggling with the same issues that you are struggling with daily.
Let me introduce our band. - Lead Vocal: Matthew K. and Ray C. Serena S.
- Acoustic Guitar : Matthew K. and Ray C.
- Electric: Eric K.
- Bass: John S.
- Drum: Brian D.
- Sound: John P.
Have fun praising. Eric Kim
Another "accidental" worship leader and not so gifted musician
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My only hope is that I don't hinder anyone from worshiping God while I play.