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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!

Phil’s Top Ten Lists: 10 Things to Make 2012 Memorable

The end of a year always provides a chance for analysis and forecasting. While it’s an arbitrary marker in certain respects, it allows us a chance to evaluate our work and lives. John Piper recently released his end of year … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Worship, Preparation for Worship, Worship Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Worship As Story: Crafting Worship Services that Rehearse the Gospel (An Album Review)

I love a great story. I especially like seeing a great movie or musical. Even now I can hear the haunting music as the tension rises only to be released in a moment of ecstatic joy. Characters facing overwhelming challenges … Continue reading

Posted in Reviews, Worship Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

God With Us: 5 Implications of the Incarnation for Corporate Worship

I love singing Advent songs like “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.” They help me remember the longing Israel felt as they waited for God’s promised Messiah. Check out the two cool arrangements of these … Continue reading

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Phil’s Top Ten Lists: Top 10 Reasons to Celebrate Advent

If you grew up outside the church or in a broadly evangelical congregation, there’s a good chance you don’t know what to do with Advent. For years I thought Christmas and Advent were synonymous. Not true. They are inseparable, but … Continue reading

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Excellence in Worship: 7 Ways to Overcome the Tension Between Excellence and Performance

If you’re a church musician, I’m sure you’ve heard, said or been a victim of one of the following statements: “Worship is not a performance, so stop showing off every Sunday.” “God is more concerned about our hearts in worship, … Continue reading

Posted in Worship Leadership | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Keeping Worship Fresh: Insights from Worship Director, David Hampton

How do you keep your worship services fresh after 5, 10 or 15 years in the same church? What do you think about when you lead a congregation filled with world class musicians? I was wondering some of these questions … Continue reading

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Celebrating Advent: 4 Songs and Resources to Aid in Your Worship

With Thanksgiving behind and Christmas ahead, many churches will enter the Advent season this Sunday. If you’re like me (raised more generally evangelical), the richness of Advent is often an after thought. I know for many churches this is the … Continue reading

Posted in Preparation for Worship, Worship Leadership | 2 Comments

Offering New Songs of Thanks: Three Stories to Inspire Your Thanksgiving Celebration

Football, turkey, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Add in family, friends and some fall colors and you have Thanksgiving, right? I don’t think that’s what the pilgrims were thinking. The food and celebration overflowed from a place of gratefulness they … Continue reading

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God’s Call to Worship: 5 Ways Psalm 95 Shows Us How to Worship

Do you know how to worship God? Sounds like a silly question, especially on a site about worship for worship leaders and serious worshippers. But this is a vital question, “Do you really know how to worship?” Sixty years ago … Continue reading

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Finding Songs for Worship: 7 Sets of Questions to Answer When Selecting Worship Songs

Do you wonder why some songs become instantly popular in your church and across the country, while others fall flat? If you’re a worship leader, do you have a systematic way for evaluating new songs or do you just look … Continue reading

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