Welcome back!

I wanted to take a chance to share with you in writing (I guess a blog counts as "writing") the quote I shared in rehearsal last night from Rick Muchow, Worship Pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA (the church that Rick Warren of Purpose-Driven Life fame pastors). Muchow was interviewed by the editor of THE CHURCH MUSIC REPORT for their October/November 2005 issue.

The interview covered quite a range of topics re: the state of worship and music in the church today, and I'll be sharing more of Muchow's thoughts with you in the days to come. For now, though, here's the quote I shared last night...

"We're more than music, we're a family. It is much more important to prepare the family. The relationship with God is number one and the relationship with each other is number two. It's much more important to focus on the relationships than worry about the notes. Though I have always pushed for excellence, excellence in itself is a good value, but it's not a good goal. The goal is to connect people with God...that's what worship leading is."

From someone who has built a very large program that is widely-known for it's excellence, do these comments surprise you? Do you agree or disagree? What is our purpose as a choir?

Let me know your thoughts...thanks!