Posts tagged ‘training’
Worship Leaders and Theology and Doctrine
Lack of bible knowledge?
Let me start off today’s blog by asking you a question:
Do you know more about music/music gear than you know the bible?
It’s a tough question that you might not want to answer. During the early part of the summer I realized I knew HOW to do multicultural and I had a strong conviction about it, BUT…I couldn’t tell you where to look in the bible for God’s heart for it. Except, of course, in the book of Acts and Revelation.
Now, let me ask you another question:
If we lack sufficient knowledge of God through the scriptures, then how can we lead others to worship Him?
I think you can start to see how this gap is not a good thing. I’m not trying to condemn you or make you feel bad. I want to encourage you, as multicultural worship leaders, to get a solid foundation in who God is.
Theology and Doctrine
Theology literally means “the study of God.” It includes our concept of God as a result of that study (or lack thereof). So, every Christian, musical or otherwise, is already a theologian. The question is, am I a good theologian or a bad one?
We’re good theologians if what we say and think about God lines up with what Scripture says and affirms. We’re bad theologians if our view of God is vague, unbiblical, distorted, or based on own opinions.
Doctrine is a word meaning “what is taught.” Doctrine is everything the Bible teaches on a particular topic, such as worship or holiness or the church or spiritual gifts, Paul told Titus that a leader in the church “must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9)
- Excerpt from Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin
“Do I have to go to seminary?”
No, not unless God is calling you to it. But some things you can do as a multicultural worship leader is to get a good bible commentary, sit down with your pastor and go over your church’s core values, take a bible class at a local seminary or church.
There are a lot of options to choose from. At the very least email someone you respect as a solid man or woman of God and ask for their recommendations.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Church interpreters and training
It wasn’t until my visit to the Russian Evangelical Baptist Church that I realized that language interpreters needed additional training along with other volunteers, especially when we’re striving to bridge the gap between cultures and generations.
And I don’t mean that in a bad way. Worship leaders and worship team members need just as much training in a multicultural church.
Sermon notes for language interpreters
I remember one of my friends at a bilingual church saying how important it is to have the sermon notes before you. Now I realize many pastors are working on their sermons late into Saturday night and, in some cases, early Sunday morning.
But just like I like having what scriptures the pastors will be speaking on to prepare the music portion of the service, your volunteer language interpreters need those too.
At the very least it will give them an idea of which passages to look up ahead of time, so they’re not stumbling over their words.
This is what I experienced a little of when I went the Russian church. He couldn’t keep up with the pastor so, it seemed like he skipped over a bunch of stuff.
I was able to get the main points of sermon, but I had to really concentrate on what the Russian interpreter was saying.
What else do your volunteer language interpreters need?
1. As I mentioned above, the sermon notes would be great to have ahead of time.
2. Any scriptures the pastor will be highlighting would also be great to have.
3. Constant practice and training.
4. Have a bible study for your volunteer language interpreters in both languages.
What is your church doing to train your language interpreters? What else have you found helpful to do for your volunteers and your congregation?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Other blogs related to language interpreters:
Using interpreters?
Interpreters aren’t enough
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
Make eye contact
When the worship leader and the worship team make eye contact with the people in the congregation it’s a great way to acknowledge the different cultures and people that are there.
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.