As we were looking for ways to improve [ WM ] for 2017, the idea of creating a section of the magazine dedicated to youth worship teams and their leaders quickly went to the top of my list. In case you didn’ t know, the core members of Hillsong United and Jesus Culture all started out as members of youth worship teams. When we interviewed Michael Guy Chislett for The Worship Guitar Book, he reflected on how being part of the worship community impacted his life, [ MGC ]“ I am extremely dyslexic and left school when I was sixteen because of it. Lucky for me music came naturally. Hillsong Church was a huge help to me growing up. They have so many amazing musicians there that I felt like I had the potential to be professional at a very young age. Pastor Brian Houston used to speak a lot about“ using what’ s in your hand to fulfill what’ s in your heart” so I decided that if I put the work into guitar, God might be able to use me for all sorts of things.”
WE’ RE A MINISTRY NOT JUST A MAGAZINE In the busyness of being in the magazine business, we are always thinking of ways we can better serve you and the team you serve on. When I was in High School,
I studied with a local guitar teacher named Joe Satriani, yes that Joe Satriani. He didn’ t just show me how to play guitar, he taught me pretty much everything about playing guitar, including what gear he thought was cool and how to connect it!
YOUTH WORSHIP RIGS In a recent conversation, Dale Krevens( marketing manager at Tech 21) commented that if she were starting out again, she wouldn’ t know where to begin when it came to buying gear. The guitar and bass rigs I put together for this issue reflect hours of research designed to help you make informed choices about specific pieces of gear as they function in the framework of a rig designed to fit the unique needs of young worship musicians. As demonstrated in Rig Building 101, we have zero interest in dumbing it down for you.
NOT JUST FOR KIDS Noting that student ministries is where just about every senior pastor gets their start, we found it a bit strange that there wasn’ t more information out there for youth leaders, especially those working with worship teams. So, I decided to ask Ps. Mark if he
would share some of what he’ s learned with you. Ps. Mark Cotter and his wife Ellie used to be on staff as youth pastors at Lakewood Community Church, where Mark spent a considerable amount of time pouring into the worship team. His perspective on worship, developing a closer relationship with Jesus, and grace are a constant inspiration to me. Just being around him inspires me at every level to spend more time in the word and strengthen my relationship with Christ. I’ m believing that in the busyness of youth ministry his words of wisdom will be of great service to you. He also plays a Gretsch, which makes him extra cool in my book!
HOW YOU CAN HELP Noting that 40 % of the Churches in the U. S. have a youth worship team, chances are you know someone who is playing on one who could benefit from this section of the magazine. We are passionate about serving youth worship teams and their leaders, so we invite you to help us out by letting them know what we’ re up to!
In His service- and yours, Doug Doppler / Editorial Director
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR YOUTH WORSHIP TEAM LEADERS
YOUTH GUITAR RIG YOUTH BASS RIG
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50 Jan � Feb 2017 WorshipMusician. com