Gangai Victor's Blog, page 11

Learn to Play the Guitar Quickly and for Free Online!

I always enjoy discovering new ways to improve my musical skills. While there are many tools out there, here’s a recent discovery that’s full of potential. If you’re looking for a convenient service to learn guitar without paying for expensive lessons, you’ve got to check this out!
JamStar is its name and is available to use from a desktop browser or mobile device (Android and iOS apps available).
Just tune your guitar (JamStar has a built-in tuner too), open a free account and start learning.
How it WorksThe app uses the microphone of a PC or mobile device to listen to your playing and give you feedback, real time. You can use a regular acoustic or classical guitar. To use an electric guitar, connect it to your amp and make sure the amp faces the microphone, that’s about it.
LessonsJamStar comes with many levels of courses, from beginner to advanced. Some of the listed courses are: The Guitar Strings Acoustic Grunge 101! Hand Coordination Solo Introduction Basic Chords Scales Jam Session 101 Traditional Melodies Plucked Chords Rock Riffs Scary Solo SkillsMore paid lessons are also available.Each course has a set of lessons and each lesson has to be passed to proceed further. A pass requires a score of 80% or more. Once a course is completed, JamStar awards a diploma certificate!Check out a video demo of JamStar:
Here’s the link: http://jamstar.co/Your turn to share: What are your favorite tools to learn musical instruments?

18 Notable Quotes About Worship

".. Worship doesn't happen when a guy gets on a stage with a guitar. It happens when faith-filled eyes behold the glory of Christ" - Matt Pappa

"Whenever the method of Worship Becomes more Important than the Person of Worship, We have already prostituted Our Worship." - Judson Cornwall

“Don’t let your life give evidence against your tongue. Sing with your voices… sing also with your conduct.” - St Augustine

“You cannot divide human beings into those who worship and those who don't. Everybody worships; it's just a matter of what, or whom, we serve." - Paul David Tripp

“Ultimately, it is the very life of man, man himself as living righteously, that is the true worship of God, but life only becomes real life when it receives its form from looking toward God.” - Benedict XVI

"When you put biblical truth to the songs used in churches, you'll have the congregation leave singing the sermon. You'll have God's thoughts, things that are God-breathed, stuck in their heads. It's sad to think about a really catchy tune paired up with bad theology because that could, honestly, do a lot of damage in church "      -. Laura Story

"Worship leaders, let's choose to praise rather than perform when leading." - Tim Hughes

""As we see the beauty of God and feel His weightiness in our hearts, our hearts begin to desire Him more than we desire sin. Before the Bible says," Stop sinning, "it says," Behold your God." - JD Greear

"My vocation is love" - Mother Teresa

"Praise is the Rehearsal of Our eternal Song By Grace We learn to Sing, and in Glory We Continue to Sing." - Charles Spurgeon

"I desire only Him and to be wholly His." - Brother Lawrence

"Worship is love on its knees before the beloved; just as mission is love on its feet to serve the beloved" - NT Wright

"Let's determine to finish well by helping facilitate a lifelong conversation and sense of community between God and the people He has called us to serve." - Paul Baloche

"The desire is your prayers; and if your desire is without ceasing, your prayer will also be without ceasing. The continuance of your longing is the continuance of your prayer." - Augustine

"He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist."  - Louis Nizer

“We don’t just show up on stage; we bring along the oil of praise in jars of practice and rehearsal so that when the Lord shows up, our worship shines as the light with which His Church shall welcome Him!” - Gangai Victor (yes, shameless self reference!)

“As worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. Holy obedience
saves worship from becoming an opiate, an escape from the pressing needs of modern life.” - Richard Foster

"We must never rest until everything inside us worships God." - AW Tozer

See How Easily You Can Use Free Tools to Plan Worship Set-Lists Efficiently

Not every worship team has the financial and technical resources to sign up for worship planning tools. The reality is, outside of a few rich countries, they are pretty much beyond budget for most ministries. Probably why I’ve seen people use everything—from plain paper to word documents on a PC—to plan their set-lists! This post is for those of you who’re looking for free resources and tips to plan a worship set efficiently.

1. Download my Easy Worship Set-List Planning Worksheet

This is a free download that will aid you to organize the most important elements of a worship set-list: songs, keys, transitions and more. Don’t forget to put in links to videos or MP3 files online also in the worksheet, so everyone knows which version of the songs to practice. Examples are given in the spreadsheet to help you figure out how to use it.

 

2. Get SongSuggest

SongSuggest is more popular as an iPhone app, but the desktop program is available for free. The program has a database of 800+ of the most popular worship songs organized by theme, and musical elements like key and tempo.

 

3. Chord Charts

There are so many online resources out there to find and download chords for worship songs. Ultimate Guitar Tabs, Worship Together are good places to start. You can use my free Chord template to create customized charts for your team. For a more automated solution, store your lyrics and chords in OpenSong and use the export option to download printable chord charts. It also has a quick transpose menu to change the chords to any key. And, yes OpenSong is free!

 

4. Communicate

You can use Box, DropBox, Skydrive, Google Drive etc. to store your files in the cloud and send their links to your worship team. Another tool you could look at is Padlet, which will enable you to collaborate with your team and build your worship set-list together.

 

5. Visuals

I’ve already written about many free church projection software that are available. For a simple solution, there’s OpenSong. If you want all kinds of extra bells and whistles, go for VideoPsalm.

 

There you have it: 5 free tools to plan and finalize your worship set-list using only free resources.

 

Your turn to share: What are your favorite tools that you use when planning your worship sessions?

6 More Free Church Presentation Software

One of the most popular articles at Votive Praise happens to be 14 Free Church Presentation Software.

It’s been a pleasure to hear back from many readers who found this post useful. The responses have also helped me to discover some more free worship software worth writing about. So here’s the follow-up list.

 

6 Free Worship Presentation Software VerseVIEW

VerseVIEW is more than a presentation software. It's a collection of PC software and mobile applications for Church presentation, Bible apps for the desktop browser and mobile devices. The presentation piece of the bundle can handle songs and various Bible versions. Auto support for dual screens, notes, Bible search, multiple languages are some of the features of VerseVIEW. What's unique about VerseVIEW is the ability to remote control the presentation over Wi-Fi from a mobile device (Android and iOS). Windows, Mac and Linux. http://verseview.info/

 

Epic Worship

EpicWorship is a simple Church projection and presentation software with an intuitive interface. Supports video backgrounds (MP4 (H.264-encoded only) and scheduled count-down videos. Compatible with OpenSong Bibles. Includes smooth text rendering and slide transitions. Available for Windows and Mac. http://code.google.com/p/epicworship/

 

VideoPsalm

Already covered in more detail here. Imho, this is the best free church presentation software out there in terms of features. It also means there’s a slight learning curve, but it’s worth investing the time. Has almost any feature worship software should have. http://myvideopsalm.weebly.com/

 

Free Worship

This not so well known free software packs in a truckload of features. Can be used in English and Italian to display songs, Bible verses, images and video. Themes, slide transitions, quick search, import of OpenLyrics and OpenSong lyric formats, import of OpenSong & Zephaniah XML Bibles, CCLI compliance, and availability of a portable version are other notable features. This is a solid, free worship software that should cover most users needs. Windows only. http://www.freeworship.org.uk/

 

Praise Base Presenter

This is a German open source project to project lyrics, photos and scripture. Comes with an easy song editor, Zephaniah XML Bible support and a fast song search feature. Praise Base Presenter can also display lyrics in two languages on the same slide. Windows only. http://praisebase.org/

 

Church Presenter

This is not a separate church presentation software by itself; it’s more of an add-in for MS-PowerPoint (version 2007 and above). The Add-in enables using PowerPoint for presentation, while facilitating quick song search by number, theme, alphabetical index, and keyword. The layout of lyrics and Bible verses can be customized by using editable templates. Also supports export of songs to regular PowerPoint files with embedded fonts. Windows only. http://www.churchpresenter.net/Default.aspx 

Your turn to share: Have you tried any of these? What is your favorite worship presentation software?

Image: http://bradleyhodges.com/

7 Sure-Fire Ways to Encourage Congregational Singing in Worship

Let's face it, we've been there at some time or the other.

 

We pick the best of songs, practice and rehearse them like crazy, and then play them flawlessly on stage. Everything goes well, there are no musical shipwrecks, and we're feeling wonderful. Then, we take a look at the people and... there's... nothing!  No one seems to be singing... and you're left wondering why the congregation is unable to get into the brilliant set-list we are delivering.

 

As a worship leader, nothing used to deflate me faster than an unengaged congregation. Frustration, anger, misery, disappointment... I'd feel all of that and more... I'd also drive myself crazy later analyzing it all, trying to figure out what went wrong. While this doesn't happen to me so much these days, I can still remember my rookie years when I went through it... often. Experience and time are good teachers, I guess!

 

7 Keys to Inspire the Congregation to Sing 1. Keep up with what's important

There's a danger in trying to keep up with every new song churned out by the worship music industry every day. It's a losing proposition considering the sheer quantity of new material available now. We can easily get too busy looking for the next great usable song and lose the voice of the Holy Spirit. The natural next step is to lose the congregation.

We need to be striving to keep up with the Holy Spirit instead, trying to listen to His heart and finding out what He wants us to sing. If we tune into the Holy Spirit, our congregations will tune into the worship.

 

2. Focus on engaging

It's critical to work on connecting with our congregations over and above just musical excellence. Our musical artistry and leadership of people need to work together to create an environment that welcomes participation instead of causing disengagement. Do you have moments to pray, read scripture, be in silence during your worship session? Or it is just song after song after song?

Take a video of one of your sessions and watch it later; you will easily figure out most of your areas of improvement! It's easy to go through a set like a musician playing a paid gig. We need to be thinking more about drawing people into worship.

 

3. Consider the song mix

Do you also consider the needs of the people when you select songs? Or is it simply, "I like the song, so I will use it"? Traditional hymns, familiar classics, a new song, and so on... have a good mix of songs; don't be a one trick pony that can only pick and play one particular type of songs. A good set-list will have something for everyone.

 

4. How loud are you?

Check your volume level, is it too high or too low? Are the vocals heard well above the musical instruments? Is the drummer pounding away too much? Is the electric guitarist overplaying all over the song? If people are unable to hear themselves, they won't feel like singing, it's as simple as that. Work on setting a comfortable and balanced sound.

 

5. What are we singing?

Look at the lyrics... are they making sense? Are the songs fitting into the overall theme of the day? Are the lyrics worth singing together? Worth singing to the Almighty God? Appealing to the culture and tradition of your Church? Are the lyrics able to teach Godly truths and explore the Gospel? Think about how people of different age groups would feel about the lyrics that we are singing; would they make sense to everyone?

 

6. Infuse dynamics

Is everyone playing together at the same time from the start to the finish of every song? Is yes, then, there's a problem. Stop thinking like a musician and put on the attitude of an arranger. A good worship session needs to have some quiet intimate moments as much as those high anthemic moments. Too much of both is bad.

Figure out which instruments need to be playing in which sections. More importantly, figure out when they don't need to be playing! If there are no valleys, there would be no mountains, right?

 

7. How familiar are the songs?

This is probably the no. 1 hurdle that comes in the way of congregational singing: they don't know the song! Worship leaders and musicians learn songs faster than the average congregation. We also tire of songs quicker, and so we keep selecting more new songs, thereby successfully compounding the problem!

Take time to teach the new song, repeat each section many times when playing it for the first time. Be patient with people and don't have more than one new song in a set-list. Maybe two at the most if the songs are simple enough. As a rule of thumb, more familiar songs and the least  number  of  new songs is the way to go.

 

Remember, if the congregation is not involved, it's music, not worship.

Your turn to share: How do you encourage congregational singing?

Image: ihatepresentations.com

5 Ways to Lead Great Worship With the Little That We Have

Have you watched concerts by popular artists like Israel Houghton or Hillsong? 'BIG' is written all over their stage, sound, band, music, and just about everything else, right? If you've ever asked yourself, "Man, how can my ministry be like that?", this post is for you.

 

Let's face it, the musical artistry of others can be intimidating at times. It may seem like they are possessing dollars and pounds while we have only pennies and cents in our hands.

 

Why?

 

Because we are  focusing on the wrong stuff.

 

Other, more important things should be grabbing our attention. Things like loving the Lord, loving our neighbor, resisting sin, being grateful for knowing Christ...

 

Then, what about our artistry as worship leaders or musicians? Sure, while it has its place, it doesn't mean all of us need to be playing guitar like Lincoln Brewster.

 

Where God looks

The trick is in looking beyond ourselves, our need for attention and appreciation, and grasp what we're really called for. You see, worship ministry is not just about fulfilling the functional; it's more about cultivating the relational. Relationship with God, and with people.

 

Here's where detachment helps. Practicing detachment is a lifelong challenge and we should work at it. Detachment enables us to stay content and serve with what we have instead of resentfully yearning for what we don't.

 

And the good news is, God is not an audiophile demanding the best stage sound. The move of the Holy Spirit doesn't depend on multi-colored lighting, the most skillfully played music or the latest, expensive tech stuff. His eyes are always on our hearts. When He sees 'worship' written there, He is absolutely pleased!

 

5 Tips to Lead Worship With Pennies and Cents 1. Stop comparing

We are called to work on becoming the best that we can possibly be and offer our best to the Lord. Comparing ourselves with others can become unhealthy after a point; it invariably leads to envy, insecurity, and bitterness. So be your unique self, God is most happy when you are yourself, not when you mimic someone else!

 

2. Play within your skills

Play what you know to play, well. Set smaller musical goals every now and then. It could be something as simple as "I want train myself to talk/sing while playing my instrument." Stay true to who you are as an artist while working on improving musical/vocal skill gradually.

 

3. Collaborate

Work together with your team and think more like arrangers rather than individuals musicians. The little that each of us brings turns into something greater and more beautiful when put together in a spirit of servanthood and teamwork.

 

4. Keep it simple

In worship, most of the time, simple is most effective. It's really not a necessity to sound like the CD. Keep your arrangements unsophisticated and accessible to the congregation. Here, our limited musical skills can actually be an advantage, how about that!

 

5. Worship

Yes, this is so cliché, but it's most necessary to mention here! The core of everything that we do is to worship and to help others to worship the Lord. That's our real goal, everything else, including our artistry must take second place. A 'worshiping' worship team is the real deal, else we're just another music band.

 

"But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others." - Mark 12:42-43

  Your turn to share: How do you keep the focus on God when struggling with personal and ministerial limitations?

Bible Gateway Now Available on Mobile Devices

Not sure how I missed this before, but I am glad to find out at least now! The granddaddy of Bible websites, Bible Gateway, provides mobile apps too - free and official. Considering the increasing number of mobile users, this is an important step in fulfilling their to mission "to encourage Bible reading and deepen Scriptural understanding among Bible readers worldwide." A quick rundown of the features of the app:
Ability to bookmark, highlight favorite verses and adding notes. Quick and easy toggling between different parts of the Bible. Verse sharing with friends via Facebook, Twitter or email. Parallel translations. Bible commentaries and dictionaries. Devotionals. Audio Bibles. Multiple languages. Reading plans with email reminders More than 90 different Bible translations.
The app also facilitates account creation to store your notes, favorite verses and sync them across devices.
Apps are available for iPad, iPhone, Android phones, and Kindle Fire, here's the link to get them now: http://www.biblegateway.com/app/
Your turn to share: What is your favorite Bible app?

7 Reasons Why We Should Ban Worship Songs

Dear Worship Leader / Songwriter,

Not sure how you’ll take this, but seriously, you got to choose or write different/better songs. Right now, I am just not able to dig some of your songs/set-lists in the context of congregational worship.

I could simply stop singing them ( I already have), but I seem to have a small voice through this blog and there’s  a chance of you actually reading this. If you do, hope you think about this post next time you choose or write songs for worship.

Take it from someone who’s written some not-so-great songs myself!

7 Qualities of Awful ‘Worship’ Songs That Should be Banned From Congregational Worship:

1. The lyrics are so full of you, me, how we feel and what we want to do that people are unable to find anything about God in the song (repeated lines of I can/I will/I do/I run… almost to the point of narcissism).

2. The language is posing challenges in figuring out if the song is addressing God or some human lover (I love I love I love I love the way You hold me, So in love with You...).

3. The lyrics suggest inappropriate imagery (Let me know the kisses of Your mouth, Let me smell the fragrance of Your touch, Sloppy wet kiss… )

4. The lyrics use too many predictable rhymes that we’ve seen a zillion times before (love-above, fire-desire, loss-cross…)

5. People are going crazy trying to find a scripture connect to the song… there seems to be none.

6. We just can’t understand the message in the lyrics (Rise up church with broken wings, We just dance dance dance dance, The Holy Spirit's got me pumpin'…)

7. The lyrics are over focused on emotions and what we are supposedly feeling that we are having trouble understanding why it’s a ‘worship’ song.

I like to believe that we can do far better than this if we seriously consider who it is that we are worshipping: The Almighty Father… His glorious Son... The Holy Spirit... The only true, and Triune God!

Your turn to share: Do you dislike any of the worship songs out there? Why?

5 More Free Church Presentation Software

One of the most popular articles at Votive Praise happens to be 14 Free Church Presentation Software.

It’s been a pleasure to hear back from many readers who found this post useful. The responses have also helped me to discover some more free worship software worth writing about. So here’s the follow-up list.

 

5 Free Worship Presentation Software Epic Worship

EpicWorship is a simple Church projection and presentation software with an intuitive interface. Supports video backgrounds (MP4 (H.264-encoded only) and scheduled count-down videos. Compatible with OpenSong Bibles. Includes smooth text rendering and slide transitions. Available for Windows and Mac. http://code.google.com/p/epicworship/

 

VideoPsalm

Already covered in more detail here. Imho, this is the best free church presentation software out there in terms of features. It also means there’s a slight learning curve, but it’s worth investing the time. Has almost any feature worship software should have. http://myvideopsalm.weebly.com/

 

Free Worship

This not so well known free software packs in a truckload of features. Can be used in English and Italian to display songs, Bible verses, images and video. Themes, slide transitions, quick search, import of OpenLyrics and OpenSong lyric formats, import of OpenSong & Zephaniah XML Bibles, CCLI compliance, and availability of a portable version are other notable features. This is a solid, free worship software that should cover most users needs. Windows only. http://www.freeworship.org.uk/

 

Praise Base Presenter

This is a German open source project to project lyrics, photos and scripture. Comes with an easy song editor, Zephaniah XML Bible support and a fast song search feature. Praise Base Presenter can also display lyrics in two languages on the same slide. Windows only. http://praisebase.org/

 

Church Presenter

This is not a separate church presentation software by itself; it’s more of an add-in for MS-PowerPoint (version 2007 and above). The Add-in enables using PowerPoint for presentation, while facilitating quick song search by number, theme, alphabetical index, and keyword. The layout of lyrics and Bible verses can be customized by using editable templates. Also supports export of songs to regular PowerPoint files with embedded fonts. Windows only. http://www.churchpresenter.net/Default.aspx 

Your turn to share: Have you tried any of these? What is your favorite worship presentation software?

Image: http://bradleyhodges.com/

Guest Post: Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

Mixing Concepts You Can Use!

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a church service with a highly talented, highly creative team of artists who lead worship in a very dynamic and fun way. At this service, the music was rockin’Church Relations Director
CCI Solutions

About Duke DeJong: Duke has over 12 years of experience as a technical artist, trainer and collaborator for ministries. Duke travels around his country for CCI Solutions and is available to help your ministry. Join Duke on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ccisolutions.