Joshua Rhodes – Minister of Music (joshrrhodes@gmail.com)
WORSHIP SERVICES AT FBCD
Worship is the key to our services at FBC. At its most basic level, worship is setting our hearts’ affections and minds’ attentions on God, ascribing greatness to Him for Who He is and what He has done. It’s our response to the revelation of God’s character and glory… and He builds His throne on the praises of His people!
Music is a powerful tool we use in our worship services. Music is indeed a genuine means of expression! Scripture proves that God desires music to be a major part of the corporate worship of His church body.
· Music can be a source of comfort and encouragement. (1 Samuel 16:23)
· Music is a vehicle for Christian service. (Psalm 100:1-2)
· Music is a means of praise and worship. (Psalm 150; Revelation 5:8-10)
· Music is an effective way to testify and express our faith in Christ. (Acts 16:25-30)
· Music is an evidence of Spirit-filled lives. (Ephesians 5:18-19)
· Music is a valuable teaching tool. (Colossians 3:16)
In our worship services at FBCD, you’ll experience a variety of songs and instruments. All of our songs are carefully chosen; we want the best of the best. Songs from church history: the most biblically accurate hymns of our faith. Songs from today: the most theologically sound and musically interesting offerings… not chosen because they’re the most popular, but because they teach solid scriptural truth. We use everything from a worship choir to a praise team to soloists; from the most modern tunes to the most time-honored songs of the gospel… the bottom line is that our goal is to glorify God, edify and educate the believer and testify the name of Christ to those who do not know Him. Our worship attempts to be God-centered, not entertainment-driven.
So, yes, music is vital to our worship. Several groups and many people participate and aid us in leading our worship music. But the most important music group at FBCD is the congregation. The first part of each service is devoted to singing and sharing our appreciation and devotion to the Lord through music and singing. I am always encouraging people, no matter how their voices sound, to sing joyfully to the Lord. After all, it’s a joyful noise that’s asked for, not a well-practiced note!
No music of any style takes precedence over the Word of God. No song, no matter how incredibly written, is as inspired as the Bible. Therefore, each song and element of our worship services is done in anticipation and support of the time when our Pastor leads us in that day’s reading and study of the Scriptures.
WORSHIP/MUSIC GROUPS AT FBCD
Hopefully the future will see other choirs, ensembles and groups being equipped to lead our church in worship. Presently, we offer the following –
Praise Team: Ages 11th Grade on up. A group that assists the worship pastor sing and play in our services. Anyone who plays an instrument or sings is eligible to join the praise team, but must be auditioned by Bro. Josh, and must have a passion for worship. The Praise Team meets for rehearsal on Sunday afternoons once a week.
Worship Choir: Ages 7th Grade and above. Anyone with a heart for worship, and a desire to sing and praise God can join us in the Worship Choir. We perform “messages in song” in our worship services and share special seasonal presentations with the goal of reaching the lost for Christ and edifying the Church. The Worship Choir meets for rehearsal on Sunday afternoons once a week.
