Stop Listening to Worship Music

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Darren Wiebe

Before you think this is going to be a diatribe against Contemporary Christian Music and radio, sorry to disappoint, you’re reading the wrong blog.

Attend a biblically-solid Christian conference and many things will encourage you. Powerful preaching, rich fellowship and robust congregational singing. At different events such as T4G, Shepherds’ Conference, Sing!, Ekklesia, or my own church’s Steadfast Conference, what often strikes people is not the caliber of musicianship, but the glorious sound of voices exuberantly working together to drown out the musicians. Some events have full orchestras and bands, while others simply have a piano.… Continue reading

Psalms and Hymns: Preach the Psalm Headings

Posted on January 19, 2017 by William Barrick

The psalm is a hymn that is sung to an instrument, either a lyre or a psaltery. According to the spiritual or analogical sense, the poem is a contemplation of truth that happens not only in the mind but also in the music as with measured harmony. The psalm denotes actions that are done according to right reason; so as one sings he follows the way of an effective life; he sings who follows a life of contemplation.[1]

Didymus the Blind (ca. 313–398 AD) was an Alexandrian exegete whom Jerome admired. Origen influenced Didymus in his exegesis and theology. Origen interpreted, taught, and preached from the Psalter’s headings.… Continue reading

Look to Youth Ministry

Posted on January 8, 2016 by Greg Peterson

Christian, you must know if you are in a good church!

Read that sentence again.

There are good, Christ-exalting, God-honoring churches and there are false, weak, shepherdless churches. A church that pleases God is one that will grow you in your spiritual walk with Christ. You will find deep fellowship, true spirituality, and joy in abundance. A church that does not please God will stifle your spiritual growth, will lead you to lethargic Christianity, will make excuses for their weak theology, and will be not much better than a nice social club.

So, ask yourself: are you in a good church?… Continue reading

What are you listening to?

Posted on April 9, 2015 by Darren Wiebe

We’ve just come out of Holy Week; the most important week in the year for believers. Some may say that Christmas is their favorite holiday, with all it’s festivities and joy; however, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday are the whole reason for the Christmas season. For without Holy Week, Christmas would be a meaningless, child’s holiday with no more significance than another birthday party.

My heart and mind is filled with music during this time of year. The music of Good Friday, often in its minor keys, helps me focus on the anguish of the cross which was borne on my behalf. … Continue reading

Immediately practical music tips for pastors

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Darren Wiebe

Last week, John MacArthur and The Master’s Seminary hosted a historic summit on Biblical Inerrancy. Over 4 days, 18 sessions were presented by some of evangelicalism’s most well-known pastors, theologians and historians, affirming that there is no other authority by which we stand, than the authority of Scripture. It was thrilling to stand alongside 5000+ ministers of the Gospel in such a declaration. However, it was also equally stirring to hear the voices of these men reverberate in glorious song, as Dr. Clayton Erb and the entire music department of Grace Community Church, along with Keith & Kristyn Getty, and Fernando Ortega, led us before the throne grace through music.… Continue reading