expressive worship

Tom Jackson Joins Faculty of National Praise & Worship Institute

The time has come for Nashville and Christian music to have a school that will give in-depth relevant training to future Worship Pastors and Christian artists.

The National Praise and Worship Institute (NPWI) at Trevecca Nazarene University will meet that need and open its doors this summer with its first class.

I’ve reviewed this unique two-year program and believe that it is both solid in its well-rounded approach, and progressive in that every student will be in a band. [Read more...]

Be the Unique Person God Made You

Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.

Taking risks can be a scary thing. In all the years I’ve worked with musicians and singers, I can’t recall one who didn’t have an invisible wall of fear – something they were afraid or uncomfortable to try.

But if you want to be the unique person God made you, using the special gifts and abilities you have, pouring your personality into whatever you do – you need to have the courage to take risks! You can’t always just “play it safe.” [Read more...]

Fun With a 5-Stroke Roll

It’s so helpful to know the classic drum rudiments. I use them all the time for exercises and warm-ups. [Read more...]

The Definition of Insanity

Albert Einstein said “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” He was a smart dude.

I don’t want that definition to apply to how you approach what you do on the platform. I want you to get out of the thought process of “singing songs,” and into the thought process of “creating moments.”

So does it have to be a song full of special meaning for you in order to create a moment? [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Thoughts

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, and I have a lot of things to be thankful for! Here’s a short list:

1. I have a great wife who puts up with all my idiosyncrasies, not to mention my busy schedule and all the traveling I have to do.

2. I have [Read more...]

Songs Outside the Box

I love seeing God show up in unexpected places. There are times when I am awed by a piece of art, or a meaningful conversation, or an unusual bird landing close by…as if God is telling me, ‘I’m here. Just wanted you to know!’

I also love hearing a song that’s unexpected during worship….something I haven’t heard before, at least in church.

I know it’s a challenge for worship leaders to continually find great songs, and great songs that fit your sermon topic or theme. This is where we need to open our ears and get out of our rut of going to the same stuff we hear on Christian radio. [Read more...]

To Move or Not to Move – it’s One of the Questions

There are a lot of psychological and spiritual reasons why we don’t want to move when we’re on the platform. Many people think it’s distracting.

And it can be distracting when it’s done at inappropriate times. But it’s also distracting if it’s not done when it is appropriate! [Read more...]

What Real Worship Is

I’ve been a believer for over 30 years and have been fortunate enough to work with Christian musicians that whole time.

I’ve taught at hundreds of Christian and worship conferences around the world, and I try to be sensitive to different denominations – to what they teach about worship and what worship artists should be and do on the platform.

Here’s where I need your help. [Read more...]

Knowing What You Don’t Know

As a worship leader, you know that it’s important to grow as a singer, as a musician… and to do that, you need true humility. A real humility that says “I want to learn!”

I find that what often keeps us from growing is: 1) denial there’s anything wrong, 2) arrogance, and sometimes 3) ignorance of what we don’t know. It’s all a part of what we might call “the flesh.”

I see it in my kids, who often seem to know everything. It’s amazing! And actually, this “I know it all” attitude rises up in all of us constantly, including me. Sometimes I cut people off with a “yeah, I know, I know.” But the truth is, I don’t know.

I see so many singers and musicians who really are called to do music… [Read more...]

Redefining What it Means to be Humble

It really gets me going when I hear from clients who are using the tools we give them, through either a session together, Tom’s DVDs, or an Expressive Worship Workshop.

When artists take the time to put these things in action, they see the reality of what can happen. One couple I’ve worked with over the last year or so, Jacob and Katie Eckeberger, just experienced this. [Read more...]