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About pmershon

I am a cultural artist, a saxophonist, a pastor, a writer and a creative thinker who is interested in things as varied as the integration of theology and the arts (call it biblical artistry), the role of the heart in art and relationships, sports (esp. tennis, volleyball and college football and basketball), church planting and much more!

Worship in the Storms: 5 Benefits of the Gospel Found During Life’s Storms

Have you ever lived through a tornado or hurricane? How about an earthquake, blizzard or tsunami? Maybe an extreme drought, windstorm or flood? No matter where you live, the threat of natural disaster always looms. Most of us go through … Continue reading

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Worship after Easter: 10,000 Reasons to Praise God for the Gospel

Have you suffered the post-Easter duldrums? It sounds heretical, but I’m not talking theologically. Many pastors and worship leaders experience a natural let down after the proper focus we place on the Holy Week and especially Resurrection Sunday. It always … Continue reading

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The Hunger Games: 5 Things Church Worship Leaders Can Learn from The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games movie will be released in theaters this week. Culturally sensitive worship leaders should be aware of this. If you don’t have teenagers, it’s possible that you’ve missed this trilogy. Don’t let the target audience keep you from … Continue reading

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Psalms in Worship: Congregations Singing New Psalms (an album review)

Does your church sing the psalms? I don’t mean singing psalm snippets like many modern worship songs do–nothing wrong with that, but it’s not the same as psalm singing–but singing a psalm in its entirety or at least a significant … Continue reading

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Arts and Worship: 5 Thoughts on the Nature of Biblical Artistry

What is biblical art? Or what makes art biblical? For that matter, how do we know if someone’s artistry is truly biblical? What difference does it make for worship leaders and thoughtful cultural artists? If those questions have ever traveled … Continue reading

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Valentines Day and Worship: 4 Ways Churches Should Focus on Valentines Day

February 14 is indelibly marked on the minds and hearts of millions of women (and hopefully men) across America and the globe. Most women look longingly toward Valentines Day as an occasion where their “man” or suitor will forget his … Continue reading

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Reading for Worship: 5 Books to Fuel Your Faith

I’ve read or started reading 5 books in the last month that have fueled my faith and challenged my thinking in good ways. None of these are “worship” books, but they all relate to lifestyle worship. 5 Books to Fuel … Continue reading

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The Role of Music in Global Missions: 10 Reasons Why We Need Musicians to Take the Gospel to the Nations

I’m currently reading K.P. Yohannan’s Revolution in World Missions, (get it free here). He has seen phenomenal results throughout Asia in taking the gospel to villages through national missionaries who are literally willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of … Continue reading

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Phil’s Top Ten Lists: 10 Reasons Why Every Worship Leader Should Play or Sing Outside His/Her Church

This week I’ve been playing in the pit orchestra for CYT Wichita’s production of Cinderella Enchanted next week. My participation has reminded me of some sage advice I received from Wade Williams of Perimeter Church in Atlanta. He encouraged me … Continue reading

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The Drama of Worship: 5 Ways to Improve Your Gospel Storytelling in Worship

Why do our children find themselves bored in our worship services? Is it because we don’t have enough cool videos or tantalizing children’s sermons? No. It’s because we’ve lost the art of storytelling. Children love to hear and watch great … Continue reading

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