Sometimes, the way we ‘do’ worship becomes an end in and of itself. We make our plans, we rehearse them, then perform them and we are done. Proverbs 16:9 says ‘We make our own plans, but the LORD decides where we will go.’ CEV Our plans are the ‘cart’ and the Holy Spirit is the ‘horse’ in our worship. We have a ‘formula’ that works Sunday after Sunday and we can end up trusting our plan (cart) for the success of the service rather than the Holy Spirit (horse). Sometimes it’s just easier to put our faith in our technology than God for our worship services; to put our confidence in the visible rather than the invisible. We trust the ‘cart’ but look questioningly at the ‘horse’.

I remember being in New Zealand in the middle of a worship service in Christchurch. During a great song of praise, the power went out – all the lights and sound went down. My team was trained to keep going no matter what – so we kept going a capella, and the people kept worshiping in the dark for a few minutes – it was powerful. And right when we got to the chorus of ‘Shine Jesus Shine’, the lights and power came back on. One glorious moment brought to you by God! You couldn’t have planned that better! Here are some ways to consider as we strive to remain dependent on Him in our worship:

1. Trust God to show up – For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. Mat 18:20 And if He is among you, trust Him with the worship: Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Pro 3:5 He does show up – so trust Him.
2. Keep it Simple – But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ (your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ) 2 Corinthians 11:3 Put your creative energy into how to simplify and keep sincere every act of devotion in your worship.
3. Train your team and congregation to remain sensitive and flexible – In rehearsals, practice this – develop sensitivity and flexibility in your teams so when the service experiences changes and ‘God shows up’ they can lead the way towards a proper response. This breeds confidence in the congregation when you expect the unexpected.
4. Respond quickly – Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. 2Timothy 4:2 Learn to respond quickly to the leadings of the Holy Spirit in your worship times. Be ready to react promptly to unique moments, promptings and nudging of the Spirit. Be bold!
5. Enjoy the moment – Remember this is not a moment to dread, sweat through or endure! He is here! Enjoy Him! Thus the Psalmist wrote: You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

He will show up. He will lead you if you let Him.
Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

In 2009, we were honored to minister in Southern India at the city of Coimbatore with Pastor David Prakasam of Bethel City Cathedral. In February 2010, we returned to India but to the north in New Delhi and Lucknow to be with Pastor Augustus Anthony (Tony) of Assembly of Believers’ Church (over 400 churches and 40,000 believers all over India). They also have an International School of Worship in Lucknow started 6 years ago with the help of Mark Smucker in Harrisburg, Oregon.

New Delhi Worship Seminar:We arrived in New Delhi first after a grueling 30+ hours in the air. Pastor Rahul Patrick Singh (an amazing electric guitarist) picked us up. After acclimating to our new surroundings at the YMCA in Delhi (food was surprisingly good) we eagerly started our first Worship Seminar at a Baptist Chapel with about 120 attendees. The immediate entrance into worship was exciting for us. They all jumped in quickly and we had a rousing round of praise before entering into a time of teaching. Tim taught on the Vision of Worship and Releasing the New Song. By the end, everyone was singing their own song wholeheartedly and praying over one another as God released His power and love on this great group of musicians, singers, leaders and pastors from all over the area.

• New Delhi Combined Service: That night we celebrated again at a combined churches meeting at the YMCA. Pastor Patrick led the worship band from his guitar. Their excellence of musicianship and great vocals made it easy to join right in (even though a lot was in Hindi so we sang a lot of ‘watermelon’) We got to lead a long session of worship in English (usually we learn many songs in the native tongue before we come but sadly we were unable to this time). The flow of worship was easy to attain as the people joined in even in English. Todd was on keyboard and played trumpet occasionally; Maryl played flute and sang; I led from the Ibanez guitar donated to the School of Worship by Dave Gauthier and friends from around the world (Thank you!!) and got to play a cello rented from a local Jewish Synagogue (how cool is that?) The turning moment of the evening was when I asked Patrick to play a guitar solo during a sweet song – accompanied by cello, flute and keys! It was powerful and sensitive all at once. You could feel hearts melting and relaxing in the presence of the One we love. From that point on, ministry was easy.  While playing the cello, I felt led to invite people to come forward for healing while we played over them. About 40-50 people came and received healing that night! A wonderful night and a great start to our time in India!

• New Delhi Sunday Services: Sunday morning, they split us all up and sent us to three different churches around Delhi. I got to minister at Pastor Patrick’s church – I took my cello and guitar there but only played cello. Starting off the platform with the cello, they brought two mics down for me so I ended up ministering in song and exhortation off to the side.  Finally, Patrick invited me onto the platform and asked me to play the cello for a while over the congregation. What an honor and what a moment as I played prophetically over them and then sang and played over them. I had never done this before and God gave me lots of grace to accomplish this. After transitioning into preaching (while holding my cello) I was thrilled to see four people receive Jesus at the end of the service.

• Lucknow – International School of Worship: Sunday night we flew from Delhi to Lucknow (about 45 minute flight) and drove straight to the International School of Worship 30 minutes outside of Lucknow. This School meets for 10 weeks Jan-Mar and is led by local pastors with international speakers (like us) brought in throughout the sessions. This particular time was being led by Rocky Anthony, an amazing worship pastor and musician and son of Pastor Tony. Monday morning we dove into 4 days of teaching and impartation to 15 eager and receptive students from all over India. Fortunately, they all spoke English so there was no need for translation there. I opened the sessions with the Vision of Worship followed by a series over three days on Songwriting for the church.

• Monday afternoon we took a tour of the Conference Center grounds that Pastor Tony has developed over the years literally by divine inspiration (he has no experience in construction or design and yet God downloaded an amazing plan to build this beautiful facility with no blueprints! You have to see it to believe it – great vision, great foresight! Ultimately this will seat 12,000 people for nationwide conferences totally self-supported. They already host Billy Graham conferences and others here. In the middle of it all is a school and hostel for 250 orphan boys!)

• In the evenings we had two hours of worship and ministry with Todd, Maryl and I leading, singing and exhorting the students in many areas. They were so receptive that this time just flew by. This was our session to sing, dance, laugh, cry and seek God like never before.

• The other classes we taught throughout the week were:

It was great having an experienced team that could teach and impart a lot in such a short amount of time. We ended the week with an amazing night of worship, native dances and prophetic songs and prayers over one another. Such a great sense of destiny on this class as they release worship around India!

• Lucknow Worship Seminar: on Friday, we went to the city of Lucknow (over 4 million people) to do a combined 4-hour church worship seminar with about 300 people there. The worship was all in Hindi and very spirited. I shared on the Vision of Worship and Todd ministered on the 7 words of praise (actually 4 because of time) and released a great spirit of faith in worship. We stayed the rest of our time at Pastor Tony’s house with his wife, Neelam, and son and daughter-in-law Rocky and Chiffy and their 3 year old son Aaron – a budding drummer and guitarist. This humble house is also home to Tony’s disciples and about 100 Bible Students! Tony loves to cook and they serve meals to a minimum of 30 people every day. Big, amazing hearts to love and nurture so many people – at all hours of the day.

• Lucknow Combined Service: On Saturday night, all the ABC churches of Lucknow and the ISOW students gathered for a Combined Worship Service in a big hall (about 1200 people). Their worship again was in Hindi and very strong, led by Rocky Anthony. Then they had 5 different ‘events’ or performances by various groups in the area. I especially enjoyed the authentic Hindi songs since the vocal style is so unique and different to our ‘western ears’. Very refreshing. Then we were honored to lead about an hour of prophetic worship with songs they knew and new songs via the Holy Spirit. There was a lot of ministry going on in the congregation as we encouraged people to respond to what God was calling them to do in their lives. Then Todd ministered a powerful word that stirred the hearts of all there. It was also interesting to see many former Sikhs there with their traditional turbans on, yet worshiping Jesus wholeheartedly! In fact, one of our main translators was a former Sikh!

• Lucknow Church Service: Sunday morning, Todd preached at another church and then joined us at the ‘mother church’ for a great meeting. Pastor Tony asked all of us to share/preach so I started out with Songs of Faith, Maryl preached on David and Goliath, and Todd ended with ‘Open eyes and ears’. Great time, good response.

• Final Service: Sunday night at Tony’s house, he invited us to speak to a ’small’ gathering of about 100 people upstairs in their ‘hotel’ chapel. It was packed and we delighted in being able to give some final impartations, exhortations and prophetic stirrings for our new friends in India.

• After a short night we packed and got on a plane back to Delhi, then to Taipei, on to San Francisco and then home sweet home in Oregon! Praise God!

• We believe God is doing an amazing work in northern India and feel honored to have participated and sown much seed into a good field. The worshipers, leaders and songwriters of India are awakening and plowing new ground of His presence, His grace, His sound on the earth! Our prayers continue for these and other great works of God in India as they flourish and prosper in all that they do! God loves you India! and so do we.

in Him, Your worship missionaries – Tim and Maryl Smith; and Todd Beal

Sometimes, in our zeal and haste for a great worship service, we can neglect or miss the very people who could most benefit from an authentic encounter with Jesus. I call it the ‘back row syndrome’ or as we used to call it: ‘sinners’ row’. Though there are many reasons people sit in the back (children, late, handicaps, sound, etc.) but often they prefer it because it buffers them from total involvement and commitment. I encourage my worship teams to engage this group of people as much as possible. Here are some ways to consider:

1.       Keep eyes open whenever possible I know this is controversial on both sides of this thought, but there is much to be said for a whole team that is aware of their surroundings, sees and communicates with one another for transitions and changes in the set, knows what is happening in the congregation, and is anticipating the response of the congregation.

2.      Make eye contact ‘The light of the body is the eye’ – there is something about looking into someone’s eyes with faith and assurance that encourages and stirs people. I encourage my worship teams to have a pleasant expression at all times and use their countenance to persuade the hardest of hearts to look to Jesus. Much of our worship expression can become either distant and impersonal, or professional and unauthentic. Stay in touch with the people as we worship together!

3.       Reference the whole church Keep positive in everything, but make sure everyone is being addressed, not just the front row or ‘preaching to the choir’. I actually speak to the back row and have had some amazing moments of interaction.

4.       Move forward Again, this might seem elementary, but I find a lot of worship teams stand way back on the platform unnecessarily. I especially like the singers forward in the configuration on the stage so they can see the ‘whites of their eyes’.

5.      Consider your lighting Personally, I prefer a well-lit sanctuary during worship so everyone can see each other and be encouraged as believers gathering to worship Jesus. But whatever you do with your lighting, please consider what it does to the encouragement of the expression of worship in your church.

Engage the back row. Let no one be left behind in our worship.

- Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

1. Eastside City Church, Calgary, AB;
2. Life Bible Church, Harrisburg, OR;
3. Rock Point Church, Newberg, OR;

Three distinctly different yet vibrant churches in their communities. All growing, with strong and caring leadership and full of wonderful spirit-led worship in every service.

Calgary: I started the month at Eastside City Church in Calgary with Pastors Ron and Karen Leech and Pastors Todd and Jan Swisher. Their main Worship Pastor, Mark Cole was ministering in Singapore, so they called me in to help out. What a great team they have there. Mark has done miraculous things with the organization and training of the groups and so it was so easy to flow with them and release what God had put on my heart. What a powerful time of worship and a great response from the people as they ‘whispered His name’ and received the revitalization of the Holy Spirit. At the end, Pastor Ron took a special offering for WWOB to help the production of my new Piano in Worship DVD (coming soon to a church near you!) – and they raised over $5000 CAN! Praise God! Thank you Eastside, Pastors and staff, for believing in us and investing in the worship for the nations!

Harrisburg: Next, we (Todd and Sonjah Beal joined Maryl and I) travelled to Life Bible Church in Harrisburg, Oregon – Pastors Brad and Jen Neuschwander (Pastor Brad was in Cambodia at the time!). From Friday night through Sunday morning, the atmosphere was electric. The church was on a Daniel fast and was ready to worship and receive all that God had for them. I taught on Vision and the Worship Team and the New Song – the response was powerful and I delighted to watch so many singing their new songs back to Jesus. Todd and I got to lead the worship for the weekend and were thrilled to work with their new choir and various instruments: trumpet, alto sax, tenor sax, viola! We added cello, flute and trumpet to the mix and we had a ‘band’! We arranged some of the music to secure the sound and the flow and it really took off all 3 services! I preached on raising our expectations for what God will do in Harrisburg – and they did! I was especially moved by the dozens of people who came forward when I asked how many people had been changed and transformed by this church starting 9 years – stirring to think what happens when we obey God, do what He tells us to do, and He brings the increase!

Anyway, the level of musicianship at this church (along with their pretty incredible sound people led by Pastor Steve Diamond) coupled with their passion and zeal for God and His presence, was amazing to be a part of. Thank you, Life Bible Church for your faithfulness, passion and vision to accomplish great things for God (even if you are in a cow pasture!)

Newberg: Lastly, we went to Rock Point Church in Newberg, Oregon with Pastors Jeff and Karyn Wells. A small but growing church that has destiny written all over it. Jeff and Karyn came to Newberg 2 1/2 years ago to help a struggling congregation that was down to 30 people. Sunday we set a record with 142 people there! Great excitement was brewing as the team, lead by Marcus Jansen, led the worship with skill and passion. As I shared about worship and our part of the vision for what God has for the church, I could sense hope stirring and passion rising as people responded at the end of the service. We met with the whole worship team in the afternoon to ‘debrief’ and plan the evening. Then after a quick rehearsal, we launched a two hour delightful time of worship with the congregation, complete with loud praise, prayers, silence, repentance, forgiveness and renewed vision. What a great responsive group of people who will definitely impact their region for Jesus. The band was top-notch too, mostly due to Marcus’ skill and leadership. It was a joy to flow with them and sense His presence throughout the day. Thank you Rock Point for being faithful and faith-filled worshipers of Jesus!

February 2, 2010, we head to India for the second time in 6 months! This time to the north: New Delhi for a Worship Conference and ministry and then on to Lucknow to work with a great School of Worship and another citywide Worship Conference and ministry before coming home on February 16. We would appreciate your prayers for safety, health, strong voices, anointing and impartation to thousands of worshipers in India.

And please consider investing in this and other ministry opportunities we continue to have to transform nations in worship – this is a tax-deductible donation!

God bless you all richly in His matchless presence,

in Him, Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith – Worship Missionaries

In a few short weeks we will be making this DVD available online. I am reformatting the book and making that available along with the DVD for $49.95. What a deal for a year’s worth of lessons and a lifetime of worship on your piano or keyboard! We hope to get this DVD and book into every church around the world that desires to be released in the creative flow of worship. Watch this site to order your copy.

Here are a few key quotes from students who have used Piano in Worship to develop their ‘flow’ in worship:

I was so fortunate to have studied and trained under Dr. Tim Smith as my piano teacher, choir director and music pastor. Because of this, I received the blessing of knowing the beautiful free-flow in worship as my weekly worship experience and teaching. Not until I began to travel and minister myself in churches across the country, did I realize how rare and revolutionary these concepts are in releasing real freedom in worship. Now everywhere I travel I refer musicians to Tim’s book. Piano in Worship is rich with powerful tools for taking your church music ministry experience to new levels, and yet it is simple enough for the average church pianist to grasp. If you have felt limited as a church pianist [keyboardist] or you are a pastor or music minister sensing the stirring of the Lord for more creativity and depth in your praise and worship services, this is the material for you! You will not find another resource like it–it is truly Holy Spirit-inspired!” – Sara Paulson Brummett, Recording Artist & Music Minister, Palomar Heights Church, San Marcos, California

Learning the vamps in Piano in Worship revolutionized my keyboarding skills and worship leading. The concept of “flowing” in worship is something that I’ve also been able to pass on. Tim’s instruction released me into prophetic piano playing and really unleashed potential that I couldn’t obtain from my limited piano skill. People say, ‘Wow, you sure know how to play’, and I tell them that what I’m doing is so simple! It seems much more elaborate than most people think. Hilde Austad Stevenson, Vancouver, B.C.

I was just looking for my copy of Piano in Worship a few days ago so I could teach my son some options for the bVI bVII I chord progression as he accompanied us, and realized someone has stolen my copy! I could vote this the most likely to never be returned book I’ve ever had- way too helpful! From now on no more lending it out! Lynne Falk Woo, Utica, NY

Piano in Worship transformed me from an accompaniment pianist to a prophetic pianist. Trying all the different styles of vamps really expanded my boring rhythmic repertoire too. So many classical pianists have no idea where to begin when it comes to piano in worship, and this book lays it out clearly and understandably. Lynne Falk Woo, Utica, NY

Piano In Worship improved my ability to worship at the piano. I haven’t found another resource that compares with the instruction, insight and creativity Tim Smith offers in this book. It’s easy for students to understand and is an invaluable tool for teachers and worship leaders. Whether you want to worship at home or lead a congregation of thousands, THIS is the book for you! Tammi MacDermid Gerchow, Everett, WA

I really do enjoy your Piano in Worship book. I love all the different worship vamps and finding different songs to use them with. It really helps to vary worship with different chords and different vamps which can change the feel. Thank you so much for putting such valuable information together in one place to help us all in our worship. Karen Bickel, Camas, WA

Sounds of Heaven are being released in the earth today! Tim Smith’s Piano In Worship paves the way for the Holy Spirit to create these new sounds on the piano. Originality explodes as pianists practice each riff. I believe that Tim and the Holy Spirit are excellent piano instructors, taking musicians deeper into the presence of God, the river of God. Every pianist will greatly benefit from this timeless classic, receiving inspiration for fulfilling their calling as one who leads others to the throne of God. Cheryl S. Bradley – Recording Artist, Lacey, WA

Tim’s teaching on worship, not only helped me as a musician but also as a worshiper. There was so much in Piano in Worship that helped me in my walk with God. It was truly a treasure, and I value everything it imparted into who I am today. I still to this day remember some of the progressions and bridges you wrote about in your book. Ashish Joy, Vancouver, B.C.

I was a trained classical organist and so learning to play for worship was a totally new approach for me. Tim’s patient and clear explanations made my goal attainable. Piano in Worship offers samples of many structures, each appropriate for a different type of worship song, from exuberant praise to quiet meditation. But the most important learning is to approach worship leading prayerfully. Skill is not enough, one must develop a worshiping heart. I am deeply grateful to Tim for leading my heart deep into worship.” Margaret Harris, Piano Teacher, Aloha, OR

Can’t wait for you all to hear Tim’s intro and Philosophy on the new Piano in Worship DVD. Soooo good… every church musician NEEDS to hear this stuff. Michael Vossler, Owner, Impact Video and Audio Productions, Kenmore, WA

Few understand the true heart of worship as Tim Smith. As a pioneer, Tim was inspiring students long before worship music entered the mainstream. While his songs have been sung all over the world and inspired countless worshipers, the heart and wisdom of the man left an indelible impression that I’ve carried with me to this day. My years in the music ministry were made so much more meaningful thanks to the teaching of Tim Smith. If you are eager to truly understand God’s beating heart for humanity, you’ll want to learn from one of the masters. I’m honored to call him a mentor, friend and brother.
Wesley Goo – Founder and Host, The Reinvention Community

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges we face as worship leaders is trying to keep the worship of Jesus fresh week after week. And this challenge produces everything from the sublime to the ridiculous as we try ‘new things’ every week. The Hebrew word for ‘new’ is the wonderful word: chadash, which means ‘new or a fresh, new thing’. But it comes from a root word which means ‘to be new or to rebuild, renew, or repair’.

Sometimes it is tempting to throw out the old for the new, but I believe God is calling us to not only keep it fresh in our corporate times of worship but also to rebuild, renew and even repair our songs and our  expressions of worship.

I love trying new things while still honoring the old, tried and proven. Over the years, I have compiled a list of new and fresh ideas that I have either tried or I have seen others do successfully to ‘keep it fresh’ in our worship.

I should mention that I don’t believe in doing new stuff just because I’m bored or the people are bored. I do believe in provoking all of us to hear great songs with new ears. Sometimes due to repetition, our ears become dull to the words of the powerful songs we are singing. So I like to put a fresh coat of paint on each song so we can ’see’ it with new eyes.  To awaken the worshiper in each one of us, is one of the highest goals of a worship leader.

So consider these ideas (because of space I will just give you a few):

• Change the words or word of a song
• Fast songs slow/slow songs fast
• Hum while someone speaks the words- whispering
• Men only/women only/children only/over 40 only/blondes only etc.
• Children’s choirs/senior choir/bell choir/brass choir/string choir/bluegrass/Dixieland band
• Have a child start the song
• Antiphonal choirs (put one in the balcony)
• A capella (no instruments or just one solo instument)
• Different language
• Soloist in congregation
• Singers surround congregation
• Solo instruments (look for unique instruments in the congregation ie bagpipes)
• Drum cadence
• Have a couple lead worship

Okay, that’s just a few. Later I will give you some more radical ideas. But in the meantime, keep it fresh and sing a ‘new’ ‘chadash‘ song to the Lord. He loves it.

Be creative, and have a Great New Year!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2010 SongSmith Ministries

Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth. Psalm 96:1  NKJV

The Hebrew word for ‘new’ is the wonderful word: chadash, which means ‘new or a fresh, new thing’. And it comes from a root word which means ‘to be new or to rebuild, renew, or repair’. May the year of 2010 not only be a great new year – but may it be a year of rebuilding, renewing and repairing in every area of your life. And may the New Song flourish in your worship, as He rebuilds, renews and repairs your heart and soul.

At the beginning of 2010, we would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for being a part of an incredible year at Worship Without Borders. From Mexico to India, Florida to Washington, we have seen God move powerfully in worship, literally around the world. In three years, Worship Without Borders has touched nearly 200 churches, six nations, three continents and held 26 local church worship seminars. We have seen God touch countless lives as His worship is released in city after city and nation after nation. New songs are being birthed and prophetic worship is being released as His Spirit moves among His people. Even more exciting are the steadily growing numbers of people coming to Jesus for the first time at all of our meetings. And now we look forward the challenges and opportunities God is preparing for us in 2010.

Worship Without Borders 2010 plans

One very exciting development of 2009 was the recording of my first-ever instructional DVD: Piano in Worship. This DVD corresponds to my book of the same name that hundreds of students and teachers around the world have been trained and released into creative worship. Now many more will be able to see and hear the unique yet simple patterns that I have used in worship for years (called ‘worship bridges’). Using these basic yet creative techniques, the worship pianist can play virtually any song in any key. It will be made available by mid-January! We hope to get a DVD into hundreds of churches around the world.

• January – release new Piano in Worship DVD
• January – Eastside City Church, Calgary, AB
• January – Life Bible Church, Harrisburg, OR
• January – Rock Point Church, Newberg, OR
• February – School of Worship, Lucknow, India & Worship Conference in Delhi, India
• February – Worship Northwest, Salem, OR
• March – Fuente Para El Mundo, Puebla, Mexico (tentative)
• May – Europe tour (tentative)
• October – Indonesia (tentative)
• November/December – Life Church, Kampala, Uganda & Islands of Lake Victoria (tentative)

We would like to extend our deep gratitude to you for supporting the release of worship during this vital time in all of our lives. Thank you for your friendship and prayers as we labor and worship together. Without you, we could not possibly do what we are doing now. We thank God for you and look forward to working even more closely with you in the future. Together we are transforming nations!

Have a great chadash Year,

Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith

Your Worship Missionaries

503.327.4808 / timsongsmith@gmail.com / wwob.org

We would like to take this Christmas season to say thank you for being a part of an incredible year at Worship Without Borders. From Mexico to India, Florida to Washington, we have seen God move powerfully in worship, literally around the world. In three years, Worship Without Borders has touched nearly 200 churches, six nations, three continents and held 26 local church worship seminars. We have seen God touch countless lives as His worship is released in city after city and nation after nation. New songs are being birthed and prophetic worship is being released as His Spirit moves among His people. Even more exciting are the steadily growing numbers of people coming to Jesus for the first time at all of our meetings.

Worship Without Borders 2009

The highlight of 2009 was in Coimbatore, India with Rev. David Prakasam at Bethel City Cathedral. We were privileged to minister to widows, orphans, lepers as well as teach and train thousands of worshipers. We also returned to Puebla, Mexico with Phil and Judy Jaquith, Fuente Para El Mundo, as well as Fuente de Vida in Veracruz, with many people coming to Jesus in service after service. We had a powerful worship conference in Florida with Pastors Danny and Giselle Bonilla. They are having us back in 2011!

One very exciting development of 2009 was the recording of my first-ever instructional DVD: Piano in Worship. This DVD corresponds to my book of the same name that hundreds of students and teachers around the world have been trained and released into creative worship. Now many more will be able to see and hear the unique yet simple patterns that I have used in worship for years (called ‘worship bridges’). Using these basic yet creative techniques, the worship pianist can play virtually any song in any key. It will be made available by mid-January! We hope to get a DVD into hundreds of churches around the world.

Worship Without Borders 2010 plans

• January – release new Piano in Worship DVD
• January – Eastside City Church, Calgary, AB
• January – Life Bible Church, Harrisburg, OR
• January – Rock Point Church, Newberg, OR
• February – School of Worship, Lucknow, India & Worship Conference in Delhi, India
• February – Worship Northwest, Salem, OR
• March – Fuente Para El Mundo, Puebla, Mexico (tentative)
• October – Indonesia (tentative)
• November/December – Life Church, Kampala, Uganda & Islands of Lake Victoria

We would like to extend our deep gratitude to you for supporting the release of worship during this vital time in all of our lives. Thank you for your friendship and prayers as we labor and worship together. Without you, we could not possibly do what we are doing now. We thank God for you and look forward to working even more closely with you in the future. Together we are transforming nations!

Have a blessed Christmas and a great New Year,

Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith

Your Worship Missionaries

503.327.4808 / timsongsmith@gmail.com / wwob.org

Here it comes – ready or not, the Christmas season is upon us. For many worship pastors it’s the same-old routine: while the words ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ are still warming our hearts, we have to drag out the well-worn Christmas carols, add a few new favorites, decorate the platform with trees, etc., change the lighting in the sanctuary, find a few great visual backdrops to the PowerPoint and presto – it’s Christmas/Advent time again.

Personally, I love Christmas and my pastor always said I had an ‘anointing’ for it, but I know that’s not the case for your average worship or music pastor and a lot of musicians dread it.

I also know that your average congregation gets glutted with Christmas songs and ‘cheer’ even before Thanksgiving so it makes it difficult to get them to sing it ‘one more time’ at church. And then add in traditions, myths, legends, nostalgia, over-kill, consumerism, bad experiences (and the list goes on and on). These can all get in the way of a truly wonderful and spiritual experience (even though we’re Christians and this should be one of our most exciting moments – God incarnate now comes to earth!). So what does a weary worship pastor do?

Well, whether you ‘believe’ in Christmas or not, whether you prefer to celebrate it or not, whether you enjoy it or not, why not use this time to point to the only thing that really makes sense of it all? Jesus. He did come to earth. He was born sometime. He was a humble King in swaddling clothes, somewhere. He was foretold by prophets and announced by angels. Our job is to make sure every song reveals Him and every word comes alive in their hearts. Help them see and hear (and sing) the great Christmas music with new eyes and ears (and mouths). Here are some ideas:

1. Study the carols and their composers – Find out one significant thing about each carol you sing. Share it you’re your team. Then share it with the congregation before you sing it. For instance, Isaac Watts didn’t write ‘Joy to the World’ as a Christmas carol and probably didn’t sing it at Christmas. He wrote it as a new setting for Psalm 98. Look up and read Psalm 98 out loud before you sing ‘Joy to the World’ next time. In fact, play the music behind it while you read it to the congregation.
2. Rehearse the words with the congregation – because we are so inundated at the malls and everywhere we go with Christmas songs, we have a tendency to become dull to the words and the meanings of the songs.  The Psalms say we are to ‘Sing with understanding’. We need to make the words come alive and provoke the contemplation and curiosity of the congregation.
   1. Have the congregation speak the words first. I encourage the people to speak the words with emotion and physically (use your hands).
   2. Highlight a key word or phrase that is significant and often overlooked. “’till He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth’! Wow!
   3. Mix and match – try lyrics to a carol with another well-known tune in the same meter (i.e. Joy to the World to the tune of Amazing Grace)
   4. Feature a prominent word in the PowerPoint display – i.e. ‘Joy’ in red, different and bigger font.
   5. Sing the forgotten verses – so many carols have multiple verses that are rarely sung and surprise people when they start singing them. Shock them!
3. Treat each carol uniquely – Avoid doing it the same old way each year. Try some variety [caution: don’t get too far away from the original or you might lose people that way too] Help the people hear these songs in a new way. Consider some of these possibilities:
   1. Use a same-note drone throughout the song – ie bagpipes
   2. Change tempo: speed up or slow down the song (I love Joy to the World in half-time)
   3. A capella is always a great thing to throw in if you can pull the four parts (practice with your singers first)
   4. With a capella add a single instrument – recorder; snare drum; trumpet; cello (my favorite) – have them play a counter melody against you.
   5. Engage the kids! Bring them up and sing a fun song with them. Or have a kids’ choir sing one. One little six year old voice can change everything.
   6. Engage the seniors! Definitely the forgotten force in your congregation. They can still sing and they will probably put more emotion in these songs than your college-age singers. Give them a shot. You know you make them sound and look great.
   7. Place your choir around the sanctuary and leave them there till the last song. Then have them walk up slowly singing the final incredible song (your choice).

Whatever you do, make sure you worship Jesus this Christmas season. Not the songs, not the mood, not the myth, not the nostalgia, just Jesus – King of kings!

Be creative, and have a Merry Christmas!

Dr. Tim Smith

©2009 SongSmith Ministries

]]> http://wwob.org/2009/12/03/579/feed 0 http://wwob.org/2009/11/19/wwob-update-piano-in-worship-dvd-coming http://wwob.org/2009/11/19/wwob-update-piano-in-worship-dvd-coming#comments Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:56:15 +0000 Tim Smith http://www.worshipwithoutborders.org/?p=574 Greetings fellow-worshipers,

Maryl and I give thanks to an amazing God for an incredible year at Worship Without Borders. From Mexico to India, Florida to Washington, we have seen God move powerfully in worship literally around the world. Now we get to end the year with an exciting project that has the potential to make a significant impact on worship teams everywhere.

Friday, November 19, I was in Kirkland, WA (with my friend, Michael Vossler at Impact Video and Audio Productions) to record my first instructional DVD that will demonstrate my Piano in Worship book.

We are asking our friends to pray with us for this recording:

We hope this new worship product will be available by the end of January. We are also asking our friends to prayerfully consider investing in this project.

• For a donation of $50 or more to the ministry, we will send you a first edition of the Piano in Worship DVD when it comes out. If you don’t play the piano or keyboard you can gift it to someone who does!

We love the opportunity to bless many more people around the world and to do our part in making His praise glorious!

Here are a few testimonials from people about Piano in Worship:

“Prayed yesterday Tim.  I know how much I’ve enjoyed using your worship book with students for years.” Susan Palmer – Piano Teacher

“Tim,  Praying that it goes very well.   Will be signing up for a DVD.   I still have my old tapes too.  Going over it all again will be a great winter project.” Margaret Harris – Piano Teacher

“I will be signing up to get the dvd. What a wonderful tool it will be to so many! Keep up the great work and may the Lord continue to bless you both.” Daniel Ramos – Worship Pastor

God bless you all richly as you worship Him in spirit and in truth.

in Him,

Dr. Tim and Maryl Smith – Worship Without Borders