It is important to me that when you come to my workshops, you get tools that apply to any style or genre of worship. I don't teach that any one way is better than another (context is everything), but I do teach fundamentals that should show up in whatever we do (and examples of this in several styles).
By the way, the photos in this album were taken by Jamie Scott in Nebraska. Thanks, Jamie! (www.jamesann.com)
I teach that worship ought to be "sensory-rich" because we learn and communicate in various ways. I also believe that I have to "practice what I preach" so my workshops are sensory-rich as well.
People always comment on how much energy I put out in a workshop and how much inspiration they receive. Yes! You can always count on laughter, discussion, interaction and moments of deep reflective worship at my workshops.
One of the most important aspects of teaching about worship, I believe, is modeling skills of worship leadership. We can have lots of creative ideas, but if our worship leadership isn't an experience of opening ourselves to the Spirit, we won't effectively model that for others.
I am a ritual artist and a teaching artist. I am most at home when I'm speaking to a group of people who are passionate about making worship meaningful and memorable. I like to make connections and I like to have fun at it!
In my workshops, I utilize many different examples of how music, words, actions and visuals can "layer" together to bring an experience of the living God.
In my workshops we always gather around the font at the end of our time together. Workshops are not just about education for me. It is also an opportunity to get to worship together. What a blessing!
I am called to this teaching ministry. Many participants of workshops comment on how obvious this is. Indeed, I am mightily blessed to do what brings me joy!
As many of you know, I never go anywhere without my African "djembe" drum. Rhythm is so much a part of what connects us and I have found no other more powerful way to bring a group together than to feel the rhythms among us.