WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
Joel Klampert – Worship Leader, Husband, Father, Hat Lover
“I have a few different ways at looking at worship music and if I can use it. I usually look for songs that can be stripped down because I don’t always have the luxury of having a full band every week. As a worship leader it’s also my job to make sure the theology first lines up with the bible and second lines up with where my congregation is at. Our services are modern yet ancient as well so the entire service is pointed at Communion (Eucharist). Because of that I am also on the look out for songs that fit well into communion and help the congregation focus on the cross. For me I think worship needs to take you somewhere. It can’t be just a grouping of cool songs.”
Conner Byrd – Worship Leader, Husband, Father, That Youth Guy
“I’m officially the Youth Director at our church plant. What that means though is that I get to be the stand in for our adult worship services and frees me up for various oddities like retreats and camps while still leading worship for our students as well. I definitely have a bent towards artists trying to advance worship music and I do believe that style matters. I don’t believe style matters to God…but I think it matters to us. And I think that’s ok. ”
Mike Mahoney – Worship Leader, Husband, Father, Bald but still lovable
“I look for songs that I can break down easily and teach to other musicians and to our congregation. Our worship team is made up of volunteers, and usually we are simply one guitar, bass, piano and drums, so I look for songs that we can credibly pull off, while still retaining something of the original. Plus we like to have songs that the congregation will connect with, and that fall in line with what we teach, and what we believe.”
Alastair Vance – Worship Leader, Husband, Father, Irish
“I’m involved with a church plant that is reaching out to the unchurched. I’ll be looking for songs that are easy to sing along with, have lyrics that teach us about, and point us toward God without an overload of the normal worship cliches. At this stage in our growth our band is made up of volunteers and could change from service to service, therefore I always look for songs that I can play easily on my guitar. I love songs that work well in small group settings as well as large congregations.”
