A recently-released study concluded that smiling and happiness is indeed contagious.  Are you surprised by the findings? Of course, I immediately thought about the worship leaders' role in "setting the tone" for celebration in the assembly.  Do you believe that worship leaders should be trained the way we expect/demand ministers to be trained?  If so, why do we "hire" preachers with years of college (including many with graduate-level training), yet the majority of our song leaders / worship leaders are untrained volunteers?

That's exactly why we began the Worship Leaders Institute.  We have scheduled our next Institute for February 24 - 26.  I'm the lead instructor and will be joined by several others who will work intensely with a limited number of qualified candidates.  An emphasis will be placed on stage presence and worship planning.  The institute includes video-taped labs and individualized instruction.  I pray that more congregations will realize the importance of singing/worship and invest in their leaders.  Space is limited.  For more information, contact Derek Sachs.

As December 7th approaches, I remember our visits to Pearl Harbor.  The first time was in 2002 with the Sweets, Bowmans and the Moyers.