Dear Carl,

The insight and wisdom of this statement is only exceeded by it's truth and fact.
I was raised in the 1950's/1960's Catholic Church. I came to Jesus as my Savior at age 19 in a little baptist church in the south in 1975. I finally engaged the Lord at His "Throne of Worship" in song through Vineyard worship recordings beginning in 1991. Since then I have spent countless hours in songs of worshiping our God at home and in church and have participated as a worship team member playing drums.

I can not sing my way out of a wet paper bag.

In the early years I became frustrated trying to engage those "horizontal songs about God" sing those "unreachable" notes of traditional hymns, where my wife actually would laugh at me in church ( And I think dogs howled too ). Then, for me, came the songs of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship ministries. I found a place where I could actually sing without fear of embarrassment. I could focus on what it was truly about, pouring out my heart to God as never before. I noticed EVERYONE else was in church was "there" as well. I believe God was blessed and "Inhabiting the praises of His people". When I am in a church where the worship leader and team are putting on their own personal concert of musical skill set demonstrations, I am saddened, frustrated and a bit angered. I look around and NO ONE is engaged, they are just watching the show and God is ignored and the building might as well be empty.
I believe every worship song writer, leader and team member in the world should heed the words of the aforementioned quote, then God will always occupy His rightful place in our services, on His throne being worshiped in song by all of us. Thank you for serving Him.

I found your site through the piece you wrote on your perspective of Vineyard History and appreciate you sharing that. Being part of the Vineyard from "beyond the borders" you can appreciate how far away my location is but how close Vineyard worship is to me.

For the King!
Neal