A Guest Post by Les Lamkin I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. 12 If I were hungry I would not tell you… Psalm 50: 9-12 I love this passage, but hate the way it is typically quoted. The psalmist is not... Read more

Let me be the second to say it: I was wrong! The first was the writer of a comment on the blog post I published yesterday, politely suggesting a hymn that he thought deserved to be on this list. And he was right, he was absolutely right. But that sort of list is supposed to be subjective, right? Especially when it’s scrawled on the nothingness of the internet, appearing with a mouse click, disappearing moments later with another. Yes, that’s... Read more

I’ve managed to keep the popular tunes of the season mostly out of my ears and mind this December, although I confess I whistled Mele Kalikimaka for about four hours at my desk yesterday. Could be worse. But instead of talking about the horrible ethical and moral implications of the obligatory holiday muzak, I put together a list of five carols that pull us out of the sentimental fog we find ourselves in this time of year and show us... Read more

A Guest Post by Dan Cogan I first became familiar with Dan’s writing through his viral post, My Journey Away from Contemporary Worship. Though we don’t agree on every point, his balanced and thoughtful voice is desperately needed in the landscape of church music. Be challenged by this post, and read more of his writing on theology and worship at his blog. As one of the chief musicians at New City Church, I’ve been given the privilege and responsibility of selecting... Read more

Fourth Sunday of Advent O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Text: Latin prose, pre-9th c.; trans. composite Tune: VENI EMMANUEL This hymn is drawn from a group of seven medieval Latin texts known as the “Great or “O” Antiphons, from the fact that each opens with the word “O.” The original prose versions of the antiphons date from the ninth century or earlier. One antiphon was to be sung before and after the Magnificat at Vespers on each of the seven... Read more

In a recent Church Leaders article, Jamie Brown fretted about the state of evangelical worship. He fears the “performancism” found in the modern worship culture will ultimately lead to a crash. I actually agree with him on a number of his points, but the sad reality is that his greatest fears have come true. It’s too late. I’m calling it. Evangelical worship has crashed, and entertainment culture has killed it. Don’t believe me? Check out a few clips from some... Read more

So, should we have services on Christmas Day, or should we cancel? Is it happening again already? It seems like we just had this conversation… The first time I heard about a church canceling a Sunday, ANY Sunday, for a reason other than dire emergencies, was early December 2005. This girl I was dating at the time told me that her family’s church, a was canceling their services on Christmas Day. Naturally, we broke up on Christmas Eve. Thanks be... Read more

Third Sunday of Advent Luke 1:46b-55 1:46b “My soul magnifies the Lord, 1:47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 1:48 for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; 1:49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 1:50 His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. 1:51 He has shown strength with his... Read more

Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year once again! The days have grown short, the temperature cold, and the sounds of the Advent Christmas season are all around us. In our churches, on the radio, TV commercials, piped in on department store muzak. You couldn’t get away from it if you tried. (Seriously, if anyone knows a place where singing “Breath of Heaven” and “Mary, Did You Know?” is a punishable offense, please let me know.) Perhaps the... Read more