‘Be Excellent!’
By Jeff Slaughter, FEIC Communications & European Worship Institute director
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
To paraphrase that in today’s language, we might say, “Whatever you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability.”
God has gifted us with natural abilities and talents, and has called us to use these gifts for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. Most of us involved in church worship, media and arts ministry have had some kind of training. It would be difficult to serve in our positions if we hadn’t. But none of us ‘have arrived’.
Even the best musicians, artists and media whizzes still have to learn, take lessons, and practice. No one improves ‘naturally’. Improvement comes through hard work with teachers, training, lessons, watching, looking, listening, rehearsing, making mistakes, and on and on.
If we don’t work to improve intentionally, we fall behind in our abilities. We aren’t good stewards. And we waste the gifts God has entrusted to us.
The European Worship Institute partners with FEIC “to inspire, encourage, train and network worship leaders, musicians, vocalists and technicians for service in the local church by organizing seminars, workshops and conferences.”
In just the past five months, we’ve held training events with the help of five FEIC churches in: Padova, Italy; Casablanca, Morocco; Brussels, Belgium; Paris, France; and Vienna, Austria (thanks Steve & Patti Gray, Chris & Carol Martin, Richard & Sherry Dunn, Todd & Amanda Tyson, and Larry & Melinda Henderson!). In fact, FEIC churches in Tirana, Albania and Lugano, Switzerland even brought their teams to the event in Padova, Italy! (Thanks Barry & Donato!)
These events attracted more than 400 worship leaders, musicians, vocalists and sound techs.
To help your team and region push toward excellence, we would love to bring a ConVerge regional training seminar to your area or perhaps a FOCUS retreat for just your team. If you’re interested, e-mail me at: [email protected]
In addition to this, we’re planning a Camp in Brussels July 9-13 for worship leaders, team members, sound techs and church media techs (graphics, websites, social media, etc.). Already folks are registered from England, Austria, Belgium, Serbia and Morocco.
This camp is our most intensive event to date. If you think your team would benefit from an intensive four days of training in the area of worship (theological teaching, practical instruction and discipline-specific workshops), check out our Camp 2012 page on our website: http://europeanworshipinstitute.com/events/worship-camp-2012/
and see all we have to offer. E-mail me for more information!
The European Worship Institute exists to help your worship leaders and team members advance in ministry skills so that ‘whatever they do, they can do it with all of your might.’
Consider partnering with us in a ConVerge, a Focus and Camp 2012, and together, let’s encourage our worship teams to continue to push toward excellence!
‘Be Excellent!’
Jeff
Website – http://europeanworshipinstitute.com/
