Leading Worship from Guitar

I know in a lot of churches that music is led by a piano or keyboard but christian music seems to be more guitar driven now. What is everyones thoughts about leading worship from guitar (electric or acoustic)?

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Last edited by jcbranam on Mon Oct 13, 2008 5:06 pm; edited 1 time in total

DO IT!!!!

I think we should lead with whatever we have and follow what God is telling us to do. I don't want to think that we have to follow what others are doing around us. We here to play for an audience of One. Very Happy

I think there are songs that sound good guitar driven and others with more emphasis on the keyboard. However, it is what comes from your heart that pleases the Father. Just make the song come from deep within you no matter what means it is delivered. fingerpickin'

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God bless,
~David Schell

www.anointedstrings.com

I came from a church that it was always led form a guitar. It was mostly a country setting. till I started play lol. but it was all good. I think as the church grows we need to keep up with the times. Not changing the message but the way we deliver it in service. alot of the people that come to church as visitors are looking to hear and see the worship. They are used to hearing radio or going to a concert. I think as apostolics we have been taught that we shouldn't put ourselves out there cause it takes away form God but as people look at us as we play or sing. We are projecting God to them. I don't think they just wasnt us to stand there like a not on a log... whats you thoughts?

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Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

That is a good question and one that I have heard several different answers to. Why are we so afraid that if we don't keep up with the times and the music styles that people will stop coming to our churches? Is music the reason that people come? Maybe on the surface that is a true statement but deep down those people have a need and there isn't any music that is going to met that need. Only God can meet that need. Are we blocking God when we play? Hmmm... I think that depends upon the attitudes of the music ministry both as a group and individually. I love music but I know that God doesn't need it to move. If I put myself in a position where I come between God and God's people/sinners, then I am in a dangerous place. The music teams need to be in one accord and agreement on what their ministry is. We in that position have an important role if we fill it properly but it, like any ministry, can be easy to destroy just as much as build up. In all that we do, we should seek God through diligent prayer, fasting and reading of His word. Not only individually but as a group. We should ask ourselves if what we are playing (technique, song, etc) is glorifying God and edifying the church or are we doing it to show off our skills? These opinions are solely mine and do not reflect the opinion of Apostolic Guitarists. I, too, am always learning and welcome all comments. I would encourage you all to read some of the books that are available on this subject just to see some other points of perspective.

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God bless,
~David Schell

www.anointedstrings.com

I just know that we have went from having a couple visitors to having 40 to 50 each sunday. I would never want to stand in the way of God but we do stand in the gap weather it be with music ministry or the preaching of Gods word. I have always said that the music should never replace Gods word but complement it. God never really needs us at all. He could always use the rocks...lol. there should never be a battle between the music and the Word. I have seen the music ministry do things that the word wouldn't of and I have seen things that the word has dont that the music wouldn't of. It is just that God chose to use one more than the other for that service and of course this is my opinion. I just don't want to put emphis on the "battle" between the two which never should be. A house divided aginst itself can not stand. but a three fold cord is not easily broken.

_________________
Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

I am sure that you all have been in serivces where the muic was out in left field and it is like where in the world did that song come form and the outcome was a killing of the Sprit. so some one wasn't in tune with the spirit..God does move in different ways in different churches. I have a freind pastor that has little music small church and it seems that God can reach a different part of town than we can so it all works. they will reach people that would never grace the doors of our church just cause it is a larger more "up with the times" church all curches are anoited in their way God moves. thanks for the views on this. it is an interesting topic. I just don't want to cause a division of it. oh I left it out of the last post. I would never want to show off my talent that God gave me but bless some one else in that service that God would receive the glory....

_________________
Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

Good points you have brought up. I just finished a book last week that talked about the newer churches (all different kinds) having multiple services just because of the genre of music being used. The author pointed out the fact that while some might see this as reaching different people, it also separates them from being in one accord. I don't know that I totally agree with that. Our services use many different styles of music on a weekly basis and our congregation is very will mixed ethnically and in age. I have seen some churches put too much emphasis on their music to the point that I felt like I was at a concert instead of there to worship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. I have also been to event in churches (not just youth) that the music was so loud that you couldn't understand the words and it had your ears ringing after the service. Very Happy

_________________
God bless,
~David Schell

www.anointedstrings.com

I would have to agree with you there. I feel that there is a fine line of putting ourselves out there and keeping the anoiting of God. I feel that is where it lies on us as the music ministry to make sure that the anoiting is upon us. and yes if the music is too loud that you cant hear the words whats the point? there is no message.

I think we have totaly changed the thread. I guess I will take the blame for that sorry .

_________________
Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

I think the conversation has been good and not too far off topic. We just need others to join in all this fun. Laughing

_________________
God bless,
~David Schell

www.anointedstrings.com

yeah I haven't been on in a few months Im trying to get back here more often. its a good site it just needs more action. i've tried to spread the word...

_________________
Enjoying the life that God has givin me!!!

My Gear: Variax guitar, xtlive hooked direct.

Well one thing I have noticed in pentecostal ranks especially, is that it seems to be OK in some churches for an organ player or piano player to take a solo but not a guitar player or what have you. I totally disagree with this!

For a long period of time especially in the "Lanny Wolfe" and Geron Davis" days, the keyboard was the main instrument that led service and all others followed it behind,. It is still that way in some churches. But some pentecostal churches have taken to have the guitar lead the service...and I am NOT talking a country type church service either! I am talking about a contemporary music or even black gospel music led service. Times have changed, I have always stated that our METHODS may change, but out MESSAGE never will!

I think it really should not matter which instrument does what as long as you do it unto God, are in line with your pastors teachings and the feel of the service.....and are not showing off just to show off. As long as you are in the Spirit, I think it should be OK.

We have far too many that think if you can't play a banjo to it, it must not be gospel. Well I can play a banjo to "Dixie", but that does not make it gospel!

Again, it all depends on the service and what is going on around you. I have taken guitar solos before in church and a lot of people said they were blessed by it and that is fine, as long as God gets the glory.

It all depends on your attitude twords God and your submission to your authority.

Lol. I believe that no one instrument should lead a service. Isn't the point of a band playing together in church, to play together? I mean when certain songs call for more guitar or piano, they should do that, but as far as putting one instrument over another I'm not so sure that is right.