www.Acappella.org The Acappella Company, Worship Ministry and Life
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View Article  Hallett Race Track
Randy Lamp invited me to join him in experiencing the thrill of running on a race track at speeds up to 120 mph.  His Ariel Atom is an amazing car.







I hope to have some video to post of our race track laps last week.  Thanks to Randy for a great experience.
View Article  Pop Quiz: Name That Tune


This song held the number one spot on the music charts for 14 weeks in 1996.  According to Billboard, it wasn't just a single, it was a phenomenon, becoming the biggest dance craze since the twist.  This song was inspired by a neighborhood in Seville, Spain, and a revered historical figure bearing the same name.

View Article  Now available at Acappella.org : HOLY GOD CD
It's finally here, ready to bless your heart and accompany you into His holy presence.



Hymns - the way they were meant to be sung.
Sample this CD here.
Order your copies at Acappella.org
We expect this to be a very popular Christmas gift.
View Article  Personal Musings Potpourri: Favorite Artists

This Week’s Question:




What are your top three all-time favorite musical artists?

View Article  Quote of the Day: ...Be Happy

“Happiness doesn’t come from doing what we like to do
but from liking what we have to do.”
View Article  Pentagon Memorial
Last week, we visited a sobering reminder of the 9-11 attacks upon our nation - specifically the new Memorial at the Pentagon.  The precious souls who died on the airplane are honored with a memorial pointing toward the building.  The ones who died in the Pentagon are honored by a memorial pointing the opposite direction, toward the path the plane approached the building.



When we can arrange it, I'd like to interview my good friend, Jim Shoenard, who was serving inside the Pentagon on the day of the attack.  Freedom isn't free.
View Article  Singing At Central
This morning, we enjoyed a very special extended time of singing and worship with the Central Church of Christ in Ada, Oklahoma.




Thanks to John Bynum for all the work in coordinating this inspiring weekend.  I'll post more pictures later.
View Article  Worship Survey: Inviting
Does your congregation offer a traditional invitation at every service?

View Article  Photo of the Week: Saving On Gas Tandem


If you haven't visited my Favorite Photos Gallery lately, click the link and don't forget to leave a comment in my guest book.  You can also vote on your favorites by clicking the thumbs up and it will appear in the "most popular."  I appreciate hearing from you.
View Article  The Few, The Humble, The Worship Leaders
They don't need big egos - but they do need training.  And there IS a drought across this land.  We need more leaders who are equipped to plan, lead and model worship.  Churches should invest in their leaders in the same way that churches have invested in preachers.  Most current volunteer worship leaders are not able to stop what they are doing to pursue a four-year degree in worship ministry.  However, churches who believe in the importance of worship and singing can sponsor their qualified leaders to attend the next Institute.

WORSHIP LEADER INSTITUTE
February 24-26, 2009
Nashville, TN

This is not for beginners.  There are countless places where individuals can learn key signatures, directing patterns, how to use a pitch pipe and so forth.  The Institute is designed to provide training for the busy person who needs to learn advanced skills as quickly as possible.  Not everyone who applies is accepted.  The outstanding instructors provide personal attention, as is guaranteed by the very limited enrollment.

Contact Derek Sachs to apply today.
Derek's email:  djsachs1565@gmail.com
View Article  Capitol Sunset


I couldn't resist snapping this scene earlier this week.
View Article  Traveling Family
Our travels today took us through two airports.  Sharon and I are not the only ones of our family who are avid travelers.  Just today we heard from Allison, who is on her way to Paris, France for her first visit to that city.  Last week, Kimberly and Allen hiked down to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back out in the same day.  I believe the park officials recommend against attempting to hike that far in one day.  However, Kim, Allen and his dad, Gary Brantley, made the trek in 12 hours.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Have any of you hiked the Grand Canyon?

Have you been to Paris, France?
View Article  How To Write A Bad Worship Song
It seems that everywhere we travel, I am asked about songwriting.  The truth is, I can't even begin to hear all the requested submissions nor provide the critique for all the budding songwriters.  Here's an article by Bob Kauflin who effectively addresses many of the typical pitfalls of songwriting.  The article is entitled Top Ten Ways To Write A Bad Worship Song

Bob used to be involved with the singing group, Glad, and has since served in local church and worship ministries.  His blog offers resources for songwriters and worship leaders alike.
View Article  Pop Quiz: Name That Vocalist


What former Acappella vocalist appeared in U2's movie, "Rattle And Hum?"

View Article  From Russia With HIS Love
Psalom is scheduled to appear at ACAFEST 2009, July 1-3 at Lipscomb University.



Russian composer, Konstantin Zhigulin founded this group that has already toured the United States and blessed many churches with their classical a cappella music.
View Article  Personal Musings Potpourri: Pets & People

This Week’s Question:




Are you a “pet person” or not? Do you prefer dogs or cats?  Inside or outside pets?

View Article  Hallelujah Music
So much has happened in the past few days, I have not had a moment to fill in the details or load my photos.  Lord willing, in the near future I'll be able to share photos from the Dulles Air & Space Museum, the Supreme Court,  the Library of Congress, the National Archives, the Spy Museum, the Pentagon Memorial, the Iwo Jima Memorial and a rare tour of the White House.

Caryll Rice, who is currently serving at the Capitol, has been tirelessly escorting us to the most interesting offerings of our nation's capitol.  We appreciate Caryll's hospitality as he (and many others) have made this trip very special.



Last night, when Caryll's wife, Barbara was putting four-year old Karl down to sleep, she normally puts on a nursery rhyme CD; little Karl said he wanted to hear "Mr. Keith's Hallelujah Music."
View Article  Quote of the Day: Don't Worry...


“Three enemies of personal peace:

Regrets over yesterday’s mistakes,

Anxiety over tomorrow’s problems,

Ingratitude for today’s blessings.”

View Article  The Big Apple At Sunrise
While sailing back to New York City on our Praise & Harmony cruise, I captured this HDR of the famous skyline.


View Article  Laurel's Love Of Praise: Fifty New Songs In One Year
I am constantly trying to motivate churches to make the learning of new songs (especially all four parts) a high priority.  Usually, we suggest for congregations to begin listening to the training discs two months ahead of time to learn the songs before we arrive for a workshop.  Laurel has surpassed all expectations by raising the bar with their successful strategy in motivating their entire church to participate in praise.



Photo by Myron Harper

Here are some of the ideas they implemented:
1.  The Laurel Church distributed the training discs FIVE months ahead of the workshop, encouraging everyone to listen to the CDs in their homes, cars and through their personal mp3 players.
2.  Kevin Caldwell (who attended our first Worship Leader Institute) conducted sessions for teaching one new song per week.  They set the weekly "new song sessions" at 12 minutes before their 6:00 PM Sunday service, calling it "5:48."
3.  Mike Ray, pulpit minister, reminded folks to listen to the training disc, and not just the full congregational singing disc.  These reminders helped people to actually concentrate on learning their individual parts.
4.  With the "5:48" sessions and the widespread use of training discs, this church was able to start adding new songs into their Sunday services on a regular basis.

The singing today was fantastic!  I was very impressed by the fruits of their serious preparation and investment in singing, harmony and worship.  Mike said, "Each CD has 25 songs.  We have used the two CDs to learn FIFTY new songs in ONE year; unlike places I have visited where they have learned ONE new song in FIFTY years."

As you can see from the photo, the young people are engaged in the process and are learning the joy of praising God.  We pray that more churches will follow Laurel's lead and light a fire of singing and worship that cannot be extinguished.
View Article  Worship Survey: Getting Noticed
Does your church ever ask visitors to stand? How do you think that makes them feel?
View Article  Today's Activities
I will be going to the Air & Space Museum at Dulles this morning, conducting a worship leader clinic this afternoon and leading an area-wide singing Praise & Harmony workshop tonight.
View Article  Photo of the Week: Saving On Gas


If you haven't visited my Favorite Photos Gallery lately, click the link and don't forget to leave a comment in my guest book.  You can also vote on your favorites by clicking the thumbs up and it will appear in the "most popular."  I appreciate hearing from you.
View Article  Library Of Congress
The world's largest repository of knowledge and creativity is a symbol of democracy and the principles on which this nation was founded.  After touring the Supreme Court, we visited this national treasure.


View Article  Pop Quiz: Name That Group


Don and Phil of Kentucky recorded some harmonies in the fifties that resonate to this day.

View Article  Personal Musings Potpourri: Weighty Matters

This Week’s Question:




Have you ever felt overwhelmed by weight issues?

View Article  Holy God Recording Team
All the preparation and work is quickly moving to the culmination and release of the third CD in the Praise & Harmony series, HOLY GOD.  We'll be posting updates soon at our web site: www.Acappella.org    Here's part of the wonderful team who made this possible:


View Article  Quote of the Day: Perspective

“It’s absent-mindedness when you forget,

but it’s gross negligence when someone else forgets.”


View Article  Larry Mudd's Narrative Preaching Ministry
Prior to our Praise & Harmony New England / Canada Cruise, we attended the morning worship service at the Manhattan Church of Christ in New York City.  What a treat to find their worship minister, Larry Mudd, presenting an amazing message derived directly from the book of Revelation.  As he portrayed John the Revelator by sharing much of the text by memory, we were certainly blessed.



To keep up with Larry's narrative preaching ministry, go to his web site.
View Article  From ZZ Top To Congregational Singing
The new Tulsa arena kicked off their grand opening a couple of weeks ago with a ZZ Top concert.  Yesterday, the arena hosted a cappella congregational singing.  I'd call that variety!


View Article  Park Plaza Worships At New Tulsa Arena
The Park Plaza Church combined all four services this morning to meet, not at their church building, but at the new arena in Tulsa.



When I saw the sign in front of their church building, it appeared we were going to meet at one o'clock A.M.  (Some churches have midnight services, but that is a little too late for me.)



Although the acoustics were not designed for congregational singing, this arena was filled with enthusiastic praise as all ages joined in the celebration.  What a wonderful experience!




Arena Photos By Donna Millican

Mitch and Shannon Wilburn have served this growing congregation for many years.



Park Plaza has also invited me to lead worship on the Sunday morning after the Tulsa Workshop in March 2009.  I expect to keep hearing great things about this church.
View Article  Worship Survey: Volume
Does your song leader ever “overpower” the congregation in volume?
View Article  Photo of the Week: Vietnam Veterans Memorial 2


If you haven't visited my Favorite Photos Gallery lately, click the link and don't forget to leave a comment in my guest book.  You can also vote on your favorites by clicking the thumbs up and it will appear in the "most popular."  I appreciate hearing from you.  

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