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Recorded live during Foursquare Connection 2012 in Phoenix, this three-part Learning Track features a songwriters session with renowned worship leader Matt Redman, presentations that strengthen the skill level of worship leaders for the local church, and performances of original worship music by Foursquare songwriters.

World-renowned worship leader Matt Redman says he was healed as he worshiped God, and that this healing is why he loves honoring God through music and praise. He maintains that when people take a path of trust in God, they also find a place of praise.

During this Learning Track for Foursquare worship leaders during Connection 2012 in Phoenix, Redman shares about passionate and meaningful music that will enhance the worship ministry in our local churches.

Redman says that he recently discovered a parallel between worship leaders and farmers. Having read a book on farming, he realized that the decreased nutritional value of vegetables today has a direct correlation to decreased richness of the soil in which they are grown. He warns worship leaders and songwriters to maintain a high standard of “spiritual nutrients” in their music.

Our worship songs “must be rooted in Scripture more than in current culture,” he says. As people sing the songs we write, they should find the depth of God’s truth as they sing. But, he says, a lack of spiritual richness in our lives can produce worship music that doesn’t take people to the depth of truth God intends.

As Redman encourages songwriters to broaden and deepen their worship music, he also offers detailed explanations of “five T’s” of songwriting: truth, transparency, timing, teamwork and technique.

To see more from Connection 2012, click here.

Worship Leaders Panel Discussion (88 minutes)

Foursquare worship leader, pastor and songwriter David Dirmann hosts this panel presentation of Foursquare worship leaders from various local churches. Topics include using technology in worship, presented by Eric Diaz, and leading effective worship team rehearsals, presented by David Hanley.

Marc Wymore explains how he recruits and develops members of the worship ministry in his church using methods of personal discipleship and by growing people in community.

Marla Reid describes what prophetic worship looks like, and she says it’s not about singing catchy or even inspiring worship songs. Instead, we must expect a fresh spiritual touch of God, and encourage people to experience personal healing and a prophetic word for their lives as they worship God.

Moses Lugemye contends that passion is contagious, and that our worship should move people “from a place of apathy to a place of surrender to the Lord.” He explains how to incorporate musical preferences representing different cultures and generations in our worship sets so everyone learns to value a diversity of music styles.

Songs in the Round (52 minutes)

The final session includes several live performances of original worship songs written and sung by Foursquare worship leaders. Whatever musical distinctive we prefer, Matt Redman says music is a remarkable gift of God. “Worship is about revelation and response,” he asserts, and a good songwriter will write about what he has seen and knows from firsthand experience with God.

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