I don’t usually watch the final credits of a movie. The exception is when a performance has been so amazing, I want to learn the performers’ names so I can truly appreciate the excellence of their performances. This is my last blog as Director of LifeWay Worship. I want to submit to you that the […]
The Macedonian Call – by Mike Harland
Many years ago, I made a realization about ministry that has guided me through the years. The idea is based on a story from the Apostle Paul’s life in Acts 16. There, we find the Apostle Paul following the leadership of the Holy Spirit who was both guiding him and directing him on his journey. He […]
Let Our Spirits Sing! – by Mike Harland
“Can you tell a bird to just go chirp, chirp, chirp? No, Andy, I’m like a bird. I was born to sing.” – Barney Fife This quote comes from one of my all-time favorite Andy Griffith episodes in which Andy is trying to find a diplomatic way to keep Barney from singing a solo. Barney retorts with this quote […]
Before You Pick up a Microphone… – by Mike Harland
… be sure you have put it down first. You don’t see carpenters without a hammer, and you don’t see shepherds without a staff or fishermen without a fishing pole. In worship ministries these days, you don’t often see worship leaders without a microphone in their hands. The secret of spiritual worship leadership is understanding the […]
The One Thing I Know – by Mike Harland
A Governor from one state closes their beaches. A Governor from another opens theirs. One expert says, “Shelter in place. Don’t get out.” Another one says, “Get out into open spaces.” One person says, “Wear a mask, whatever you do.” Another one says, “Healthy people should not wear masks, whatever they do.” One doctor says, […]
The Longing – by Mike Harland
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. It’s not exactly in the Bible, but it does seem to be true. And nowhere is absence doing a better job of making hearts grow fonder than in the congregations of our churches. I see it everywhere I look – God’s people have a built-in desire to be with […]
The Right Questions and Clichés to Help – by Mike Harland
The only people making me nervous these days are the leaders who are convinced they know exactly how the church should be changing right now. The “never waste a crisis” crowd is wanting to reinvent their ministries in the name of COVID-19, and the “wish life would never change” folks are scared to death it […]
3 Attitudes to Watch out for in 2020
It’s 2020, and already we have seen every analogy about vision and clarity we can imagine. I want to take a different approach to the year and decade in front of us. Instead of talking about the possibilities that lie ahead, I want to remind us of a few attitudes that could overtake our vision […]
The Lesson from the Fall – by Mike Harland
With apologies to author Jim Harrison and the book that became a movie, “Legends of the Fall,” I coin this similar phrase today as a public service announcement for all worship ministry leaders heading into the Christmas season. First, let me share a story: