Music Matters

Before I was a pastor, I was a rock star. There is perhaps some debate in the Greater Atlanta area as to whether I ever attained “rock star status,” but that’s neither here nor there. I was in a band. I was a musician. We released a cassette tape.

It’s been years since I picked up an instrument, but I’m still convinced that there’s something inescapable about music. It transforms words into lyrics. It changes walls into bridges. It turns listening ears into listening hearts.

As a performer, as a listener, as a visitor who might end up in a most unexpected place on a Sunday morning, music has a transformational power. And it moves people in ways that even the best communicator cannot.

Music matters.

It’s not just songs. Or musicians. Or lights and equipment. Music is much more than that. Music is a doorway to worship.

And as a pastor, one of my greatest honors is to point to that doorway. To announce the band and then step out of the way while we as a church, as a community, as individuals, answer the call to worship. A call that music sends out like nothing else.

Today, I have the distinct privilege to offer you that same invitation.

Sure, I’m not on stage, but I want to use this digital platform to do one of my favorite things—invite you to worship.

We regularly gather at our campuses for extended times of worship. We recently captured one of these experiences and the result was a new live worship album called Awake.

The songs on Awake go beyond rehashed clichés. Instead, they point listeners and participants toward a lifestyle characterized by obedience and surrender—a lifestyle of worship. These songs are being used in local churches around the country to connect minds and hearts.

So, in the spirit of the Christmas season, I want to give you a gift—a free download of “It Is Well” from Awake. You might remember this song from Catalyst 2009. Even if you missed Catalyst, I think you’ll enjoy the new arrangement of this age-old hymn.

Merry Christmas!

5 Comments »

1. My pastor is a funny rockstar.

   Comment by John (Human3rror) - Dec 14, 2009 @ 09:37 AM

2. I remember when Andy WAS a rock star.  Well, at least in the eyes of all the Good Stuff kids…and speaking of Good Stuff—Todd, “It Is Well” is really good stuff.

   Comment by Bob Griffith - Dec 15, 2009 @ 10:14 AM

3. Andy’s right, of course.  I was at the live taping of “Awake” and it was simply outstanding.  Seth Condrey is a great addition to the North Point team of worship leaders.  As I said in my baptism video a short two months ago, my itunes library will attest to my love of these songs and musicians.

   Comment by Dave Offer - Dec 15, 2009 @ 12:20 PM

4. Music is very important part of life. Pastor Andy is on point. Its is important that we have good worship and music experience in church. The church of God has to be creative.

   Creativity and envisioning new ways of reaching people led me to start ZOFAA COMMUNICATIONS (Zofaa.com), which is a premier provider of voice broadcasting software, phone messaging, unlimited toll free & local numbers, virtual call centers, click to call and email & text marketing.

   For more info about me and my company, please visit http://www.zofaa.com or call 1 888 537 5315
   God bless you

   Comment by Uyi Abraham - Dec 15, 2009 @ 02:10 PM

5. God bless us all in our worshiping God!
   Our way in narrow, but our mind, given by God is a wide stream and music in, I think, it’s great. Of course good music that praise God!
   Blessings again:)

   Comment by Kamianets - Jan 25, 2010 @ 04:53 AM

Sorry, but commenting is no longer available for this post.