Highlights from PDWC '06

Overall it was a very good week. A very good conference. Here are the highlights from most everything I heard/saw.
1. Rick Warren talk - worship does not equal music. worship = expressing your love to God. Churches/ministries/believers should focus on spiritual health, not growth. All living things grow if they are healthy.
2. Marcos Witt talk - Worship Leaders should develop sensitivity to people before us [congregation], people behind us [pastors, supportive leadership], people on either side of us [fellow musicians], and to ourselves.
3. John Ortberg talk - Mission vs. Shadow Mission
4. Louie Giglio talk - We only are able to enter worship through the blood of Jesus. Worship is only intended for God. We get stuff out of it, but it exists for God alone. Exalting God should be the priority of any church's worship services. True worship is more about what you give than what you get. Praising God is more about how you live and treat others than it is about music and styles. God doesn't want us to write/sing more songs. He wants us to pursue justice. James 1:27. Profound revelation.
5. Blogging/Podcasting workshop - blog daily for success. blogging can create/facilitate community. news/businesses are moving away from static websites and toward blogs
6. Guitar tone workshop - guitarists should sculpt their EQ toward the middle to fit into the mix better
7. Elemental Synergy workshop - it is ok to take a break from creative planning in services
8. Production Assistant workshop - a wonderful thing a PA can assist with is letting the ushers know when the offering will be taken up!
9. Student Worship Leaders workshop - give students your time; develop their hearts; teach them to be teachable; help them be responsible; leading worship is a ministry, not a hobby!
10. Effective Vocal Rehearsal workshop - Clearly communicate and model your values and expectations