Welcome! I've started this blog as the Worship Team leader at Crossroads Church, Morgantown, WV.  I plan to use this space to share resources, especially by blogging through books that I am reading.  Many posts will relate directly to musical worship on Sunday morning, but Biblical worship is much more than that.
The title of this blog, "Go Out in Joy," is intended to call attention to the broader Biblical meaning of worship.  The phrase comes from the promise in Isaiah 55:12, "You shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace."  I focused on this passage for several reasons:

• It is a promise grounded in the omnipotence of the word of God, which "shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it." (v. 11)
• In sending us out, it reflects the missional focus of Crossroads Church. "Worship" is not just a thing we do in a windowless sanctuary when I pick up my guitar.  Worship is primarily the way we live out the call of Jesus' redeeming gospel among the people of our city.
• The promise extends to all of creation, looking toward the final rescue of all things from the curse brought by our rebellion.
• The broader context, starting in verse 6, is that of calling rebellious people to "Seek the LORD while he may be found... for he will abundantly pardon"  We recognize that every person has sinned in rebellion against God.  Each one must turn toward God away from Sin by trusting in Jesus, and each one will be welcomed!
• The purpose of the whole passage is given in v.13; "and it shall make a name for the LORD, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off."  The goal of our worship, whether gathered on Sunday, scattered in small groups during the week, or living lives "worthy of the gospel of Christ" (Philippians 1:27) among our neighbors, is to participate in filling the earth with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD. (Habakkuk 2:14)

So, I hope you will join me as I continue to learn how best to worship, in Spirit and truth, our God as he has revealed himself in his words and in his Word made flesh, Jesus Christ; and to lead others in doing the same.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)