Worship Week 2011 is over. Almost 700 people gathered at Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, N.C., to meet new friends, gain new skills and make joyful noise to the Lord.
The Lifeway Worship area of Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention sponsored the June 29-July 1 event. Mike Harland, director of Lifeway Worship, addressed five common questions about Worship Week.
1. Is Worship Week just for worship leaders or can anyone attend?
It is for everyone! As a matter of fact, we really hope churches will bring their instrumentalists, singers, choir members, technical team and yes, even pastors. We build the tracks for all of them. My new mantra is, “This year they came in cars – next year they will come in buses!”
2. I don’t lead music or play an instrument. What could I gain from Worship Week?
Any Christian would be inspired by Worship Week. Why? Because every Christian is a worshiper. And the week is built around the theology and practice of worship. It would be inspirational to anyone who loves to worship.
3. My church uses a praise band – no piano or organ. Do you have any training to offer me?
Yes! Some of our most popular tracks are sessions with the conference band and other great musicians and teachers on how to be a better player in a rhythm section. Some of the MOST popular classes are sessions led by our whole band where they demonstrate how a band plays, learns new songs and rehearses together.
4. Can I get some hands-on training in using the Worship Project?
Yes to that one, too. As a matter of fact, you can see and hear the latest from all of Lifeway Worship, PraiseGathering and many other publishers, but there is always a special focus on LifewayWorship.com in the conference.
5. I’m 26 and fairly new to music ministry/worship leading. Will there be anyone there my age?
Yes. We have many younger people in our conference, especially in the songwriting track and the praise band tracks. It’s a great mix! This year, almost half of the attendees had never been before, so we are definitely attracting a new audience with this conference.
Go to LifeWay.com/Worship for more information about all Lifeway Worship has to offer churches.
by Polly House, Communications Department
