Passionate | Reverence

LIVE FROM OAKVILLE

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:58:00 +0000

Photo by Charles Dyer

Friday night was packed full of men and women as we recorded another live project from Harvest Oakville. To continue with our year long theme, "Equipping The Saints", we thought what better way to grow our church in proper doctrine and theology then recording 12 of the most biblical sound hymns of the faith. Our production staff will begin to mix soon and the project should be ready right after Christmas! The highlight of the night was sitting at the side of the stage and listening to our church sing "When I survey" and "Holy, Holy, Holy".
I love my life and the chance to do stuff like this.
I love the team that serves along side me. They did the most amazing job!
I can't wait for you to hear it.

"to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,"
Ephesians 4:12

SONG OF THE ANGELS (LIVE)

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:08:00 +0000

Last year harvestsongs recorded and produced both a live worship album and DVD. Here is "song of the angels". I am so thankful for what God is doing with this song. I pray for more! Thanks to Andi and Joel from Harvest Chicago for getting this video to me.

LONDON CLAPS

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:02:00 +0000

PAUL BALOCHE CD GIVE AWAY

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:06:00 +0000

Paul Baloche has been writing worship anthems for the church for years and his new CD "Glorious" releases tomorrow, November 3. Our friends at Integrity Music have put together a pretty cool giveaway for FIVE people out in blogworld. This Release Day Giveaway is a little different - there are five blogs all running the same giveaway and each site will have a winner who will receive a copy of the new CD as well as the worship leader digital songbook.

I've had this CD for a couple of weeks and I'm really enjoying it. This is classic Paul Baloche - singable melodies, lyrics rich with theology and all of it presented in a way that is accessible and memorable. If you're a fan of Paul Baloche's song, you will love this CD.

Here's a video of Paul Baloche and his band playing the title track from this CD, "Glorious" -

How do you enter? Each blog owner can make up their own rules but here's what we'll do here -

1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me why you're excited about winning this CD. Lots of comments are great but it will still only get you one entry in the contest :)

2. Post about the CD and the giveaway either on your own blog or twitter - make sure you include a link back to this blog when you are posting! Post a link to your post as a second comment and you'll get entered TWICE in the contest.

3. Go ahead and enter on all five blogs if you like but you can only win once. I'll choose the winner here tomorrow evening.

Here are links to the other blogs that are part of this giveaway -

www.ChrisFromCanada.com

www.FredMcKinnon.com

www.RichKirkpatrick.com

www.JoshuaSeller.com

www.BrentInWorship.com

LISTEN...WATCH....WAIT

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:42:00 +0000

In each of us there is a desire to be used by the Lord.
I've been praying, waiting, seeking the Lord in regards to making a record. It's a really hard place to be when you know that God is calling you to do something, but how to get their seems to be more defeating then if you did it and it flopped. The process right now is simply writing songs that come during times of personal worship, or in slotted time when I buckle down and don't give up until I get something.
I learn from God's Word that His wisdom doesn't just come to anyone.
It comes to those who are listening, watching and waiting for it.
We do a really good job at saying we know Jesus, but how many of us find Him in a new way everyday? Maybe not some amazing "revelation moment" but are we at least trying?
And not trying because we think it will win us something or get us in better standings with the Almighty God but merely because we see it as our only chance for real life.

Check out How clear God's word is concerning finding real life!

32"And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the LORD,
36but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death."

Don't think for a second God isn't on your side! He wants His Will for your Life, He just wants you to be listening for Him and waiting for whatever it is, in His timing!
So...
What are you listening for? Watching for? Waiting for from God?

A SWEET PRAYER

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Make the most of cooperate prayer.
It is an essential part of the overall effectiveness of a worship leader.
When you sing, your leading.
When you speak, your leading.
When you pray, your leading.
The below prayer is a great example of someone praying an authentic prayer to God while teaching the hearer of the prayer the Biblical truths of adoption into God's kingdom.
The writer incorporates the ever so familiar debate between Jews and Gentiles how God now see's his children.

Most of us here, Lord, are Gentiles by birth, which means that at one time we would have been excluded from your salvation - on the outside looking in - hopelessly shut off from the promises of Christ, disqualified from the possibility of eternal life. Any thought of a personal relationship with you would have merely been a pipe dream.
But Jesus, you changed all that through the blood you spilled for us at Calvary. That selfless act of sacrifice made us your blood-bought children, and we now have been adopted into your family, with full rights and privileges. What haven't you done for us that needed doing, what was broken that wasn't fixed, so that we could be fully restored to God? The wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile has been torn down, and in its place a new species has been created out of the two, for we have been reconciled to God through the cross. The Spirit ushers us into your awesome presence, Father, where we boldly enter in, feeling fully welcomed.
Now as fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, we thank you for the firm foundation of the apostles and prophets that we stand on, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Your church can withstand anything that might come against it, and the entire structure is joined together as a holy temple for the Lord to dwell.
Here we stand here before you now, a spiritual house specially designed for you to inhabit by your Spirit.

On a side note. My wife is telling me how geared I am towards the worship leader when I blog. For those of you who aren't worship leaders, I pray you can somehow apply these posts to your own life.

JINGLE BELLS

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:46:00 +0000

What better way to usher in the spirit of Christmas than with everyone's favorite Christmas song "Jingles Bells", sung with a Mexican accent. London was not harmed physically in the filming of this video, who knows emotionally what it has done, we will see later.

HEADED TO CALGARY

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I fly out to Calgary, AB for the next few days to lead worship at Transform Canada, a youth conference dedicated to making disciples. This is really exciting both because I love leading new people in worship but also in new places..I've never been to Calgary. There are about 6 sessions I am scheduled to lead worship for and I have also been asked to speak Saturday night about my testimony. I don't get to bring the band this time but I don't doubt it to be a great time!
If you would like, please pray for strength over the next few days. For great fruit and passionate worship to come from our sessions and true humility as I serve the Lord out there.

At the same time this conference is running, the GMA's (Gospel Music Association) are hosting this years Covenant Awards. A song I wrote has been nominated. A friend of mine Arthur Wachnik has been nominated in the same category as well as his record is up for worship album of the year. Either way! Everyone wins. I am so honored that the song would even be considered.

TEETH

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:02:00 +0000

6 MONTHS IN 4 DAYS

LINKS YOU'LL LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

I'm no "preacher" but this is helpful

I wish I could rap.

Something that creeps me out about technology

I read this twice.

Music Mash up Left/Right Speaker Insanity (headphones needed)

Moving into your new pad can't get any easier with this

These pictures are amazing

THOUGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:05:00 +0000

Here are some of my thoughts from the weekend

Thinking through the song to follow your call to worship only serves the Scriptures greater by immediately singing what you just said. I read Psalm 100, giving 4 "requirements" we can see that God is asking us to bring when we come to worship Him. It forces people to choose if they will really worship or simply miss out on the blessing that is promised to the obedient heart.
An song order of the Harvest "1 - 5" proves again to be a practical way in leading people upward from gathering to exalting.
I'm not really big on trying to match the special with the sermon text because sometimes it is a far stretch and comes off cheesy. This weekend though we did "Teach us to Pray" which went over really well, and set up the sermon greatly.
Our rehearsal time Saturday night was noticeable powerful and free. A sense of what God was about to do was even sensed while we were finishing the arrangements and final touches to the service.
This weekend especially, there was a huge out pouring of the Holy Spirit. Our senior pastor was overcome with tears for the entire sermon on Saturday night. It was amazing to see the congregation respond at the end of the message when he gave an invitation for people to come forward for prayer and salvation.
We sang "as children" over the congregation (words on screen but everyone seated) and gave them time to reflect on what God was presenting to them through His Word.
The struggle to allow the Holy Spirit to lead all 3 services in the way He wants rather then what we know could possibly happen is so important. Knowing the close of your service could equal a huge crowd of people responding to God at the front of the worship centre shouldn't be the goal if it happened before. The goal should be to remain faithful to the a clear gospel presentation and then by faith believe the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

Call To Worship: Psalm 100

Bless His Name (Chorus 2 times)
Blessed Be Your Name
Worship Rises
None but Jesus
Holy Holy Holy

Special: Teach Us To Pray
Sermon: Prayer is Essential

Close:
As Children
Invitation
We Are Hungry

WORSHIP RISES (LIVE)

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

This past weekend I got the chance to introduce a new song that I wrote a couple months ago for a project involving other Canadian worship leaders. It was one of those songs that came while driving in the car. I actually sang the idea and most of the lyrics into my phone on the way to the writing camp. Songs like that don't come that often. I remember wanting so bad the day to not be just another song writing fiasco but actually something where God shows up and gives us something special for Him and His church. The way we introduce new songs at Harvest is we normally do it a couple weekends in a row and then decide after the 3rd or 4th time if it's the type of song our congregation is responding to God with, or if we should just shelf it. We haven't demoed it or recorded it yet but I am really looking forward to that day and pray God uses it to help our congregation understand what it is we're doing when we gather to sing to God.

WHEN YOUR PASTOR IS A PILGRIM

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Last Sunday Canada celebrated Thanksgiving. So did Harvest. We called it Harvest Family Dinner and it was stuffed with all the fancy goodness that goes along with thanksgiving. Some of our staff took it pretty literally and decided to dress the part. Check out this amazing night of fellowship with some of the Harvest family.

TURNING STAFF INTO MULTIPLIERS

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:11:00 +0000

I received this article from our executive Pastor. It's an amazing way to look at ministry and your role if you serve in vocationally or not. One of the things we say at Harvest Oakville is, "if you are away for a weekend or event and no one notices, then you're doing a good job."
Translation.
If I'm not here on a weekend or special event and things run smoothly, are Christ centered, and those filling in are properly equipped to lead God's people then that's a really good thing.
It's not a pat on my back or a, "Job well done Joshua", but rather the standard and norm we are trying to translate across the board in all ministries.
I know that's a big shift in thinking for many of you. The pressure to "perform", to live up to the worship leader status is obviously a much used ploy by the enemy that lies to us by saying we must sing more, do more, write more, record more or else our worship ministries will fall apart.
Turning our eyes outward instead of inward helps me look for people that I can affirm, elevate and give opportunity to in our church to use their gifts for Christ and the edification of the body.

"If we catch you doing ministry, you may lose your job." That's what one pastor tells the paid church staff. I was stunned until I heard the reasoning behind such a warning. It's all about multiplying ministry.
At a "Me to We" training at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, I met an incredible couple, Pastor Vernon Armitage and his wife, Charlene. Vernon and Charlene have been at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Missouri, for 38 years. The church has grown from around 100 to more than 4,000, and it's one of the best examples of an equipping church in the country.
One of the fundamentals at Pleasant Valley is that paid staff members aren't hired to "do" ministry; they're hired to train and equip others to do ministry. While most churches are constantly on the prowl for ministry talent, Vernon and Charlene have come to realize that they don't want adders; they want multipliers. That means they want to find people who understand a certain ministry but also have the skill set to develop teams and individuals, who are the frontline people. Prima donnas and superstars need not apply.
Imagine getting fired because you were doing ministry. But if your job is to be developing others, than yes, it makes sense. When it comes to embracing the equipping value in churches, the strongest resistors are often staff members because the transition to equipping ministry requires them to revise their self-image. That's because the traditional ministerial mindset is "I'm here to use my talent and to serve you." But that's adding ministry. No wonder so many churches feel stuck, so many staff members feel overworked, and it seems like you never have enough people to cover the bases.
Obviously, this transformation has taken a few years, but now Vernon and Charlene no longer look for staff members who are the best talent and "doers." They look for people who understand a skill or ministry and also have the ability to develop others. This is a different approach than most. The more difficult areas tend to be in worship, technology, and administrative assistance. Not everyone made the transition. For example, informing a typical administrative assistant that his or her new job is to develop a team of unpaid officer workers doesn't seem to make sense. But it works.
One of the biggest challenges is that staff is used to enjoying the benefits that come from being ministry doers. We get more strokes for "being there" and "sharing our gifts." It's far more humbling to watch others get affirmations and be perceived as God's servants. But that's what multiplication is all about. In Exodus 18 Moses began taking a backseat as he started developing those who'd oversee groups of 10, 50, 100, and 1,000. This sort of logarithmic progression helps us to avoid pastoral burnout and minister far more effectively. Plus, by developing others we raise their commitment, provide them with fulfilling roles, and create a culture people enjoy.
Start thinking about what you can do to move your ministry leaders into minister developers, not doers. Help them discover the joy of serving behind the scenes, knowing that they're ministering to far more people when they equip others for ministry. This is a natural ego-checking process, requiring that we step out of the limelight at times and share the ministry stage with many others."

FREE WORSHIP BACKGROUNDS

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Here are some generic worship/prayer service announcement slides we just created. You can add the date, time info to fit your needs. Hope they are cool enough for you. :)

HOW TO RATE YOUR WEEKEND SERVICE

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:15:00 +0000

The staff at HBC were given a ministry checklist to ensure, and keep us accountable to how we are doing in our area of ministry. As young leaders, you want feedback, debriefs and ways to make your role more impactful and meaningful.....but how do you get that without bugging people with the question, "What did you think of the weekend worship?"
The below headings, if answered honestly, will keep your weekend services and ministry about the main thing, Jesus Christ and His glory!
I pray this is a great resource for you and your ministry.

Music/Worship Ministry Checklist:
Biblical; Was it clear that every element in our service was rooted in Scripture. Were the songs biblical, was the scripture read, was the word preached was the giving and the invitations to involvement tied to biblical prescription?

Excellent: Was there an obvious quality about everything that happened during the service? Were the speakers, singers, ushers greeters and every participant obviously gifted, trained and personally prepared to make sure that their role was fulfilled with a level of quality that speaks to supremacy of the One we worship.

Variety: Does each service give evidence of being made “from scratch?” Is their variety of moods, i.e. reflection, remorse, rejoicing? Variety of themes, cross, holiness, person of Christ, season elements, a particular attribute, a comforting portion of Scripture? Variety of content, and service order, and creative elements? Etc. Was the prelude, postlude and "call to worship" thought-through and engaging?
Verticality: Did the service "get there"? Was there an intentional progression to a prolonged and reverent time of pure ascription, where "who God is" was celebrated and we were "resized" acknowledging the difference between Creator and creature?

Vocal Participation: Were the vocalists, excellent, humble in deportment and dress on and off the platform? Were they emotionally participative and authentically engaged in modelling worship to the congregation not only while they participated but as they listened to the word preached etc.?

Instrumental Participation: Did our musicians give evidence of significant giftedness and excellence in their participation. Were they humble in deportment and dress on and off the platform? Were their transitions easy and natural and free from distraction or disruption to the flow of worship?

Creative Elements: Were there additional elements chosen for the service, such as and invitation to prayer, a responsive reading, or media element, a story of God at work in our church or one of the ordinances, or variety of the order of the elements, at least one traditional element each week? etc. Were elements added to avoid predictability and negative reliance upon routine?

Exemplary: Were our pastors and worship team obviously aware of the need to model before others our passion for authentic participative worship. Was everyone “on the team,” from the drummer to the preacher, obviously engaged in the service on a personal level. Eyes, closed, hands raised, bibles open, notes taken, etc?

Volunteers: Is there an increasing number of gifted and well trained people participating in the worship ministry both visible and serving behind the scenes. Does the ministry itself give evidence of recruiting, training, deploying and reviewing effectiveness of their volunteers and also discipling them.
Testimonies: Have we included testimonies of God's transforming power over the past few weeks? Baptisms? Salvation testimonies? Healed lives and marriages? Have the stories been told in diverse and creative ways, live and through media, and in a way that gave the credit to God alone at work in our church?

THANKSGIVING WORSHIP IDEA'S

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:09:00 +0000

In Canada, we celebrate Thanksgiving long before the USA. Why?
Not sure, maybe someone got their dates wrong.
Either way, this weekend is thanksgiving and I am thinking through how we can make it extra special and point people to Christ through this time.

As a worship leader, how can you make a service extra special when holiday's come around without putting too much emphasis on the holiday and forgetting the real reason we are there.
Thanksgiving is a funny holiday at church.
We emphasize Christmas and Easter...and if you are American then the 4th of July. (You guys love your American flags all over the stage.)

write out a prayer of thanksgiving and read it instead of 'praying on the fly'
find a Psalm that symbolizes contentment in God
Read cooperately verses that talk about the sufficiency found in Christ.
Think through a particular song choice and set it up with an encouraging word of how we can be thankful in our worship because of the truth found in that song

Got Any? I'd love to hear them

CAN YOU SING?

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:35:00 +0000

Picking the right people for your worship ministry is key. Gifted individuals who love Jesus Christ and you can affirm are naturally able to lead His people on weekends is important to everyone. EVERYONE!

CAPTION PLEASE

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:06:00 +0000

NEW MUSIC PREVIEW

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Some of my favorite worship leaders and song writers have new albums coming out.

"Paul Baloche is one of today's most influential worship writers. He has written songs that are shaping worship services all over the world. From "Open The Eyes Of My Heart" and "Above All," to "Your Name" and "Hosanna," Paul has crafted some of the most influential songs in church culture. On Glorious, the highly anticipated follow-up to Our God Saves, Paul promises to deliver 12 new songs that will lead you into personal and corporate worship. It is time for a Glorious worship experience."
You can preview all the tracks HERE.

Jared Anderson, one of today's top CCLI songwriters, comes his first LIVE worship album, Live From My Church. Recorded at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. Jared leads an amazing night of worship introducing ten new songs as well as a LIVE version of his radio single "Glorified" and a new recording of John Mark McMillan's "O How He Loves." The song "Carrier" has become the theme song of a major mission organization and tour promotion will be built around the theme of Jared leading worship "live from your church."
You Can preview all the tracks HERE

LONDON SPEAKS!

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:29:00 +0000

"So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I'll send orders north and south: 'Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.'" Isaiah 43:5

PREACH THE GOSPEL TO YOURSELF

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:16:00 +0000

I sat down last night and read this book cover to cover. It was amazing, fresh and refreshing to hear, yet again, the powerful yet simple truth of how the Gospel of Christ can change my life if I continue to apply it to my life daily.

No matter what I am feeling or what is happening in my life we can know that God is using it for our good and to truly make us more like Him. I don't know about you but I want to be less like me every day and more like Christ. Knowing my life is in Christ gives me a new outlook and attitude towards each circumstance. It is simply better.

"every hardship in my life is allowed by God only because it serves His gospel purpose in me. When I view my circumstances in this light, I realize that the gospel is not just one piece of goods news that fits into my life somewhere among all the bad. I realize instead that the gospel makes genuinely good news out of every other aspect of my life." -Milton Vincent (A Gospel Primer)

A NEW BLOG

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:58:00 +0000

The pastoral staff at HBC have started a new blog.
This blog is going to be intentional, strategic and purposeful for building up and encouraging it's readers.
The people at Harvest Bible Chapel deserve everything we’ve got.This is one more way to give it.
Church ministry and leadership is always more influential when the learning is shared. Alot of times, a podcast, or weekend service is only one way to get that leadership out to the congregation.
Bookmark it, RSS it, add it to your google reader and pray God uses it for His Kingdom.

LOST

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:08:00 +0000

This is my 667 post. I felt the need to post because the 666 was staring at me every time I logged in to read the other blogs I follow.
This is a simple update. Nothing really specific.

Did I tell you I lost my keys?
Last Saturday Erin went to a friends wedding and so I woke up Saturday hungry and in the mood to play a video game. I got an xbox last Christmas and really have only ever played 1 game on it ever. So off I went to the intent to grab some grub and the latest video game to entertain my morning.
So I park in the blockbuster parking lot, get out of the car, remember locking the door with my little automatic door locking device thingy and walked into the store.
When it came time to pay for my video game, I realized I didn't have my keys on me. So i checked all my pockets, looked surprisingly at the gentlemen behind me as if he knew where I put them.
Do you ever do something and then feel the need to tell everyone around you? Not because they will help you, but mainly so they can some how feel your pain of panic.
I walk back out to the car, looked in the window and no keys.
To make a long story short, I lost the keys somewhere between walking into blockbuster and getting to the counter to pay.
No keys.
So I begin to walk home.
It took about 20 minutes, which was silly to begin with because I could have just called a cab, but I felt the fresh air and the brisk speed I was walking would somehow "jog" my memory and help me remember where my keys went.
I get home.
No keys......duh!
No car keys means no house keys, means no office keys, means no keys at all. They were all gone.
The door was locked and we aren't the type of people to leave a spare key somewhere.
A key under a mat or on a nail somewhere is dumb.
I mean, burglars know people do that so why wouldn't they just look for the spare key.
No burglar is going to get in my pad. no sir.
I call a locksmith.
He comes 10 minutes later and shows up in his white boxer shorts. and a coat.
The little french man either forgot to put pants on or didn't think I would mind having someone in their underwear unlock my house.
I then had to pay the guy but didn't have the 70 dollars so I had to ride with him to the local ATM and get money out. The van ride was scary to say the least.
I get in the house.
I had a couple hours before I had to head over to the church so I thought why don't I put some laundry in. We have one of those IKEA collapsible laundry bins and when it gets full, it weights like 300 pounds. I was carrying it down the stairs and thought I was at the bottom but really was only on the 3rd last stair and then it happened. The laundry bin went forward and I went backwards. I landed on my wrist and its been soar ever since. so much for trying to do some house work.
The Moral of the Story
Don't let your wife go out of town.

A FEW LINKS

noreply@blogger.com (Joshua Seller) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Something I want to be intentional about in my ministry Here

A way your wife/spouse will better understand your brain if you're in ministry Here

Something for the piano players Here oh and the guitar players Here

Your chance to re-mix an amazing band Here

Some amazing people in our church who found Jesus! Here