https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:11:01 +0000 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 20:45:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/4-reasons-not-teach-new-song-during-service Whenever I introduce a song to our congregation, I have the urge to take a few minutes in the service to teach the song. You know, before we officially sing it. Teaching a song is comprised of having the leader sing a line, then having the congregation repeat it. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/4-reasons-not-teach-new-song-during-service Mon, 09 Nov 2015 20:45:55 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/does-sin-not-matter-anymore A while ago I had an old Frank Mills song running through my head. I hadn’t heard the song in decades, so I found it on the internet and listened to it through the stereo. My seven year old son asked me what the song was. I said it’s an old song my sister used to play a lot when we were kids. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/does-sin-not-matter-anymore Tue, 08 Sep 2015 12:39:34 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/why-love-has-nothing-and-everything-do-same-sex-marriage As we ponder the magnitude of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, we all will come to some conclusions about what it means and what’s ahead. The slogan “Love Wins” (or, if you prefer, #lovewins) has become a sort of rallying cry for those who support the decision. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/spiritual-formation/lets-talk-about/why-love-has-nothing-and-everything-do-same-sex-marriage Mon, 13 Jul 2015 19:34:49 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/gods-work-through-worship-team-goes-way-beyond-sunday If you had asked me two years ago how a worship director can have the greatest impact on God’s Kingdom, my answer probably would have focused mainly on leading worship on Sunday. It is the primary function of the team, so doing that well is the most important thing. Something like that. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/gods-work-through-worship-team-goes-way-beyond-sunday Mon, 06 Jul 2015 12:56:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/it-time-rethink-our-view-millennials Well, here's another blog post about Millennials. Yep, we know all about them. They can't carry on a face-to-face conversation. They have no need for scholarly pursuits because, hey, there's the Internet. They experience real, physical pain when without their phone. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/it-time-rethink-our-view-millennials Wed, 20 May 2015 13:01:56 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/music-fasting-part-ii In my previous post I talked about the idea of music fasting: removing all music from the worship service for a period of time. We did this last summer, and in my post I noted a lot of the things we did instead of music. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/music-fasting-part-ii Mon, 13 Apr 2015 16:13:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/music-fasting Last summer, although it wasn’t for Lent, our church gave up something a little bigger than chocolate. We gave up music. We were going through a period of transition and wanted a clean music slate, a cleansed palate. We wanted to refocus on what was truly important in our services. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/music-fasting Tue, 24 Mar 2015 05:29:05 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/using-obscure-songs At our church, we are currently in the midst of a long sermon series on Genesis. We’re covering the entire book, so it’s taking, well, a while. I’ve always liked covering a book of the Bible chapter by chapter because one discovers obscure passages. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/using-obscure-songs Fri, 27 Feb 2015 04:55:13 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/did-you-attend-calvin-worship-symposium With the Calvin Worship Symposium still (I hope) fresh in your minds, I’d like to start a discussion forum for sharing your thoughts. I did not get a chance to attend, but those I’ve spoken to said they loved the diversity of music and styles, especially the international emphasis. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/did-you-attend-calvin-worship-symposium Fri, 27 Feb 2015 04:04:29 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/what-do-we-mean-vibrant-worship The other day, I was talking with someone about some former members of our church. I asked her why they don't come to our church anymore. "Oh, you know," she said, "They like vibrant worship and all that." I nodded, because I knew what she was trying to say. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/what-do-we-mean-vibrant-worship Tue, 10 Feb 2015 06:01:58 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/theology-song-your-love-never-fails A friend asked me recently if we could sing the song "Your Love Never Fails" (Anthony Skinner & Chris McClarney) in our church. I'm generally open to song suggestions, so I listened to the song and read the lyrics. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/theology-song-your-love-never-fails Sun, 25 Jan 2015 22:24:21 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/participation-everything As I neared the completion of planning a recent service, I was feeling pretty good about things when I once again realized I had not lined up a prelude (this happens to me a lot, but never mind about that). Thinking of the theme of the message, I thought of the perfect song to go along with it. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/participation-everything Thu, 08 Jan 2015 04:49:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/letting-god-teach-through-advent-and-christmas-songs Our annual celebration of Christmas varies little from year to year, including the music we sing and listen to.  And since it's something most of us have been doing since childhood, it's easy to let it become routine.  I don't mean that it's mundane or uninteresting. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/letting-god-teach-through-advent-and-christmas-songs Thu, 11 Dec 2014 05:10:57 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/self-promotion-vs-humility-asking-your-church-use-your-creative-works Whenever we create something, be it a song, poem, or artistic work, we naturally want to share it with others. Usually the only difficulty in sharing is the vulnerability that comes with opening yourself up to criticism. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/self-promotion-vs-humility-asking-your-church-use-your-creative-works Tue, 02 Dec 2014 17:08:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/composer-spotlight-mason-and-bradbury When you think of some of your favorite hymns, do you ever wonder what draws you to those hymns in particular? A few years ago, I was wondering this so I looked closely at each hymn for something that might tie them all together. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/composer-spotlight-mason-and-bradbury Wed, 26 Nov 2014 05:44:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/prayer-songs One thing I've been trying to do in our church is build some ritual into our music. I'll save for another time the discussion of this concept, but during this process I've discovered something I really like: singing a short song to begin the congregational prayer. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/prayer-songs Wed, 10 Sep 2014 22:30:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/putting-music-its-place What is the proper place for music in our worship?  An alumnus of Wheaton College asked that question of several Wheaton grads and put together a great article on that topic. The article is too long to re-post here; you can read the entire thing at this link: Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/intergenerational-ministry/putting-music-its-place Wed, 27 Aug 2014 22:16:08 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/whats-happened-doxology I was besieged recently with one of those powerfully emotional fond memories--something you suddenly, and clearly remember, and then can't stop thinking about. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/whats-happened-doxology Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:50:33 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-should-you-opt-out Last week, our youth director asked me to lead a midnight worship session for the youth lock-in at church.  At first I wanted to say “no”; after all, that’s normally when I sleep.  However, I thought about it more and agreed to do it. Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/worship/general-worship/when-should-you-opt-out Wed, 16 Jul 2014 13:30:36 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/4-ways-worship-god-songs-every-day A while back, I talked about the importance of praising God every day.  From morning to evening, our souls long to worship our Lord.  So how can we do that? Christy Olsen https://network.crcna.org/topic/children-youth/childrens-ministry/children-worship/4-ways-worship-god-songs-every-day Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:02:34 +0000