5. Please describe your theology/philosophy of worship.
My theology of worship has grown and developed over the years to the point that I believe that all my life is an expression of worship. I believe that we were created to worship, and everyone worships someone or something. Our culture worships the gods of self and stuff rather than the One that created self and stuff. If you ask anyone who knows me well, they would say that “worship as a lifestyle” is one of my life messages. (Beginning next week I’m actually teaching a four-week, 16-hour course, Lifestyle of Worship, that I have written, developed, and taught on a regular basis). As we live our lives throughout the week as true worshipers, our coming together in corporate worship will be a powerful expression and continuation of what God is doing through us daily.
6. What do you need from the pastor in order to create an effective corporate worship experience?
My thoughts on this overlap with a previous question about the relationship between a senior pastor and the worship leader. More than anything, I think I would like to know that the pastor trusts me and the congregation can feel that trust. I have seen the power of that in my current church. It brings such a settling affect.
The other thing that is important to me is that the senior pastor is actually the lead worshiper. I frequently refer to my pastor in this light. He is the main worship leader at our church. Where he goes, we all go. My job is to facilitate worship with him being the ultimate leader. Although the senior pastor never has to get on the stage, grab the microphone, or sing in public, everyone in the congregation can look to him by his demonstration of worship and know that he is leading the way.
