An Exciting and Challenging Question

Many churches feel that to have dynamic and vital worship, they must choose between traditional and contemporary styles. They ask, "What do the people want? "Though this is not an unimportant question, there is a deeper question to ask, and it is an exciting and challenging question: "What MUST we sing in order to be the church God is calling us to be?" Asking that deeper question keeps our search for exciting church music from being a popularity contest with winners and losers.

Congregational singing can be so rich when it is thoughtfully integrated into worship and used to enhance the sacraments, the reading and proclamation of the scripture, and other poignant moments in the drama of worship.

See and hear the Sanctuary Chorale of First United Methodist Church of Houston perform "A Look Up at the Stars". Music by Michael Ekbladh. Text by John Thornburg. See it larger here.

Rev. John Thornburg

John Thornburg is a preacher/singer who believes in the transforming power of the gospel. He loves to laugh with others and at himself. In his 22 years of parish ministry, he was known as an innovative worship leader and teacher as well as an inspiring preacher. His mentors for this ministry include people like Jane Marshall, John Bell, Michael Hawn, Billy Crockett, and Ruth Duck. He was the song leader of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church for 10 years, and has led singing at several regional and national gatherings.