Workshops Sessions G and H

Leading a church through changes in worship is notoriously difficult; whether leading a church away from liturgical worship to charismatic worship, or, as increasingly is the case, from contemporary worship to engaging more with liturgical patterns. In this session Ian Stackhouse will explore some of the theological and pastoral issues surrounding this.

Are we breeding a generation of spoon-fed worshippers? How will we ever know where people are at if we simply tell them what to sing? How do we release creativity in corporate settings? How do you craft worship experiences that resonate with the 24/7 of modern life?

Are people getting bored with worship? What kind of music repertoire and approach to worship would encourage people to make genuine and authentic connections with ordinary life and the life of the world beyond?  Is there a sea-change happening just now, and where is it leading?

Meaningful, relevant, led worship is as important for children as it is for adults. Considering the world that today's children are growing up in, what they are like and what they need, how can we effectively facilitate them in worship, without compromising theology?

Mike Pilavachi says that “for many musicians, church has become the most uncomfortable place to be”. They feel that their creativity is stifled in church because of a fear on the part of some leaders that worship will be compromised when musicians “perform”. Richard considers the tensions facing the musician who, on the one hand, wants to worship authentically, whilst at the same time being true to the sense of professionalism that their training instils in them. Can performance truly be worship?

How do we make ‘theological’ sense of the way that the current worship scene has embraced a consumer culture?  This session explores the role of the media and how it works to help (and hinder) encounter with God.  The session is based around a discussion of the Christian popular culture of songs, record companies and performers. 

Stressed or serene? Organised or all over the place? God-centred or distracted?  This seminar is an opportunity to consider helpful principles and practical guidelines for music/worship leaders in personal preparation for corporate worship. It will cover both spiritual preparation and practical issues.

Following on from the previous session ‘Jazz in worship’ (though you do not need to have attended it) , this workshop  goes deeper into the practical aspects of using jazz, gospel and world music: how to maintain freedom, incorporate improvisation, and keep arrangements flexible and responsive. With jazz trio.

Experience and experiment with Psalm Surfing; riding the waves of God’s word on improvised melodies of the moment, releasing the heart to worship and pray with imagination and creativity. This is for everyone who loves to worship because using the psalms in this way can refresh personal devotions as well as small group and public settings. Not only that, singers, songwriters, instrumentalists, poets, painters and dancers can find themselves riding new waves of inspiration. No sunscreen required. Bring your Bibles!

Creating immersive, multi-sensory worship environments that resonate deeply with people today. Encouraging participation and journey. (You do not need to have attended The Art of Worship 1.)