"WHAT MUST I KNOW?”
(Identifying the REAL Worship Team Essentials!)
by Sandy Hoffman
In this day of easy access to new worship songs, charts, teachings, workshops, instructional materials, software, recording gear, magazines, CDs, DVDs, web sites and fine musical instruments, we can easily find ourselves suffering from information/resource overload! Maybe you’re like so many others who are wondering, “Just what are the REAL essentials for worship team leaders and members?” . . . . more!
"FIVE FRESH FLAVORS FOR THE FIRST”
by Sandy Hoffman
Here in New Mexico, we love our chile. Hatch green chiles, from the little village of Hatch, New Mexico, are world famous for their flavor, aroma and serious “punch potential.” In my opinion, Chimayo red chile peppers, from just up the road, run a very close second. When the two are combined (green and red), we like to call it “Christmas,” though some uninitiated taste buds might argue that it’s more like the Fourth of July! Suffice it to say, in Santa Fe we like it hot! Funny thing though, it only takes a few chiles to dramatically transform a bland, lifeless meal into a full-on culinary fiesta. Worship can be that way too. A pinch of green here, a splash of red there, and suddenly we’ve moved our praises from bland to blessed. It’s the start of a new year! What better time to consider five fresh “flavors” to spice up our worship expression? This year, why not gear ourselves to celebrate every worship time like it’s the Fourth of July? . . . . more!
"WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WORNG?”
by Sandy Hoffman
Yesterday, it happened. Just about anything that could go wrong during worship did go wrong. The day started out predictably enough. That incredibly blue Santa Fe sky greeted me as I walked out the front door to head for the church. The engine of my fine old Ford fired right up, and soon the radio was blaring Dick Clark; espousing the glory of the Oldies Top 40. (I switched to the Black Gospel station as soon as possible.)
THEN WHAT WENT WRONG? As always, we conducted our weekly worship team tech rehearsal on Thursday afternoon. That’s the point in the week where my assistant and I go through the worship checklist. From batteries to lyric projection, lighting and stage set up, we try to make sure . . . . more!
