It's a pleasure to bring you this ShareSong.org Newsletter, featuring another solid crop of fresh and free praise and worship songs.  

In this newsletter:

- Our new ShareSong.org/4Praise.com Facebook group,

- Featured artists - Jesse Auciello, John van de Laar and Rebecca Huseby,

- Featured songs and streaming audio preview, and

- Ask Rick Muchow column on dealing with criticism and asking for help.

Jesse Auciello (Cincinnati, OH) writes gorgeously tender and broken praise and worship songs.  Jesse leads worship and teaches at his local churches ministry school equipping other worshipers.    Jesse is passionate about people serving their local church rather than focusing on being well known:   "...the day I become too big for my church is the day I should no longer be involved.  It's when pride comes before the fall (Proverbs 16:18)." 

John van de Laar is a Methodist minister and worship leader with over twenty five years experience in a wide variety of church and musical settings.  He is regularly called on to lead worship events and seminars drawing all language, race, gender and cultural groups together both musically and spiritually (including appointment as worship director for the national Conference of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa), and has been a sought-after speaker, conference leader and preacher throughout South Africa.   He has also recently completed his first international consultation - to Jackson, Mississippi, USA. John holds a Masters degree in the Theology of Worship Music from the University of South Africa, is a published song-writer, musician, and the author of the book Food for the Road - Life Lessons from the Lord's Table.    

Rebecca J. Huseby has been composing ever since she was old enough to talk.  "Music is the language of the soul!  What better way to express our love, our passion, our fears and heartbreak?  If only one soul is touched by the melody and moved closer to the Creator, the song is worth the singing!  I just have such an urgent, almost desperate desire to see the kidnapped royalty that is the human race, come HOME! I wish they could see His heart!"  And combining the titles of some of her songs, Rebecca says "I’m Abidin in the Vine and I’m Not Gonna Let Go. I Gotta Hold On because Somebody Loves Me. With A Single Touch, He made everything All Right! Since He Came to Cover Me, I can Wait-n-Watch-n-Pray from the Big “G” Point of View!  Let Him Reign in your life, Say the Name of Jesus, and remember that He loves you More Than You Know!

Featured Songs  

Below are the latest featured songs. Click here to hear all the featured songs (streaming playlist), on the song name to view what others have said about the song and on the artist's name to view details about the artist. 

ShareSong.org/4Priase.com Facebook group

There seems to have been an explosion of a social networking via Facebook over the last few months. Suddenly I’ve been able to catch up with friends that I haven’t seen for decades, see what they’re up to and see photos of their kids!

We've set up a Facebook Group for worship leaders and songwriters that we hope will further facilitate networking between songwriters and worship leaders all around the world.  The group allows members to post photos, videos and links, add event notices, participate in the discussion board, and network with other likeminded songwriters and worship leaders, and hopefully get to know them a little bit better (and even become ‘friends’).

To join just go to http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5647409142 once you're registered on Facebook. 

Blessings...  until next time. 

Marty Kendall

ShareSong.org Coordinator

Ask Rick Muchow

QUESTION:  Criticism and Involvement?

From Val Roark serving in Lake Elsinore, CA

“How do you deal with criticism and encourage others to grow in their involvement in ministry?  Our small church uses resources such as Top 10 CD, MPEG music video backgrounds, etc. to allow us to sing a variety of songs.  We have a couple of musicians in the church and they do not like the ‘canned’ music but are not ready to commit to being part of a praise band or to a regular practice and worship service schedule. I have been praying for God to send musicians for years and believe He wants to use some of the people already in the congregation.” 

RICK MUCHOW:

First, I think it’s great that you are using the resources you’ve mentioned. Those can really help augment the depth and effectiveness of your ministry team.  Even huge productions that tour across the country augment their performances with technology like the above.  

Second, I appreciate that you are praying for God to send musicians. I want to encourage you that God will meet your needs in this area according to His riches and for His glory.   I’ve depended on God to send musicians and singers throughout my ministry. I have found that as I actively seek, recruit and encourage involvement in the ministry, God has brought the right people to the team at the right time.

Dealing with criticism is part of ministry. For all the complements and encouragement I get, just a little bit of criticism can get me feeling discouraged if I’m not careful.

Here are three ways to deal with criticism in a healthy way:

1) Realize that criticism can be a blessing from God. That’s right.  Criticism can be a blessing from God.  I don’t think that God always sends the critic but I do believe God will always use the critic to help shape our character and ministry.  In a very real way, criticism has helped me to evaluate my heart and motives through the years. It has also helped me to make changes and to keep growing, which leads me to the next thought.

2) Learn from your critics. Sometimes their presentation is not what we’d hope for, but there is a truth behind it. If the critic is wrong, it can further affirm the truth. If they are right, it can be very helpful if we are open to suggestions and realize that we have a lot to learn ourselves. Pastor Rick Warren has written some great messages about dealing with critics, leaders are learners, and on dealing with discouragement, which are available through www.pastors.com.  These messages have helped me to better understand the journey.

3) Always love your critics. Not all criticism comes from hostility. When your critic senses that no matter what, you love them then a critic can become a strong ally. Often you can turn what looks like a lemon into lemonade. Jesus loved his critics. He prayed for them.  The Bible says to love our enemies. Obviously not all critics are enemies, but if we can love our enemies, we can also love our critics.

It seems to me that the second part of your question has to do with how to encourage others to grow in their involvement with ministry. Here are some thoughts.

Let others know how they can become involved. This is the beginning of developing a music program.  Have regular auditions. Audition for three things: Spiritual Commitment, Musical Commitment and Time Commitment.

Spiritual Commitment includes four items. While we may not all be at the same level of spiritual maturity, what is important here is that we do all need to be going in the same direction.

1. Regular church attendance
2. Upholding the testimony of the church
3. Personal testimony
4. Personal spiritual growth steps and goals

Musical Commitment is the agreement to be practicing our instruments, learning our parts, trying to be the best we can be musically. We meet the “standard” (unique to every church) of the musical worship ministry.

Time Commitment is where you communicate how much time you are asking from them and then you ask for a commitment.   In order to participate, the ministry team member commits to the minimum time required. For example, it might include all of the following: a weekly rehearsal, scheduled worship services and being punctual to start times and rehearsals.

When I started at Saddleback, the time requirement was less than it is now. Basically you need to look at who you have to work with and be REALISTIC about what you can require. Once you get them involved in the team, gradually increase the commitment level from season to season.  . What’s great about the audition process is that it makes clear what is expected and required. It helps to insure that you have the players needed for a season and at the same time allows the members to decide if the time required is healthy for their season of life, thus guarding against burnout.

From Marc Brown serving in Woodbridge, VA

QUESTION: When to ask for help?

“When do you approach your Pastor/Personnel Committee about pursuing a worship associate?    Currently my Pastor teaches and I lead worship in our Saturday worship, three Sunday morning services, as well as other venues which seem to happen weekly.  Many weeks I feel like I spend most of the week resting my voice just to lose it again on weekends. I'm constantly trying to train up people in our church to be 'lay worship leaders, but I feel like until my Pastor has another pastor to teach regularly, I must continue as well.”

RICK MUCHOW:

First, diagnose the problem, then look for the solution. If you are feeling you could be getting burnt out, bring it to the attention of your pastor and committee. Be sure to examine your presentation. Don’t bring it as a complaint, but so that they will know how you are feeling. Leave the situation to them first. 

Please plan to join Rick at the 2008 Worship Conference and Festival at Saddleback Church.  See www.purposedriven.com.  A complete archive of Ask Rick Muchow columns, along with all of Rick’s worship resources including the Purpose-Driven© Life resources, is available at EncouragingMusic.com (http://www.encouragingmusic.com.) To submit your question, visit http://www.encouragingmusic.com/askrick.