Bart Millard & Mike Scheuchzer are founding members of MercyMe, one of the best praise and worship bands around. They donated time out of their 200 days on the road to be part of YMI. Catch up with them at www.mercyme.org

Worship and the Millennial Generation

Background

MercyMe is out of Dallas, Texas.  Started as a worship band who played together in a local youth group in Florida.  Bart was an intern, who had been asked to lead the worship for the group.  In talking with a ministry in Texas, who were putting together a band to go overseas.  After praying, they went.  They later moved to Oklahoma City, which is where Mercy Me actually began.  

They were asked to open for Audio Adrenaline at Oklahoma Baptist.  They saw themselves as a concert band, but kept doing camps and Disciple Nows leading worship.  They saw leading worship as a stepping stone, but the concert band idea was not working out.  Upon some encouragement from Audio, they moved to Nashville to seek signing with a record label.  During the process, they realized worship is where they wanted to focus their efforts and ministry.  

They went up to 200 plus dates a year.  Some say that worship is a fad, but they find that hard to believe since that is what we are created to do.  God had a different direction for them.  In the beginning, they did records with cover songs, but in listening to youth ministers, they began to write new worship.  God has blessed it tremendously.

Question and Answer

What is one good resource for youth who are wanting to start a worship band?

Mercy Me has a web-site www.mercyme.org, which contains a link to jars of chords, which has worship songs with chords for the youth to follow.  It is out there, you just have to look for them.

What are some things you look for to create the right environment for woship?  How do you choose the songs you will use for worship?

Many times we do not do a set list because we have played so much together.  Without a list, you will find yourself worshipping because you are asking God what is next.  The best way to lead worship is by worshipping yourself.  That comes by being comfortable with the people with whom you are playing.  One of the hardest things to get across to youth is that they are in a place to lead this ministry to worship.  I would hold your leaders to a higher level.  They are being set apart to lead with tremendous responsibility.  Ideally, you should meet with them before every event in which they participate.  You can guide them with some practical questions, such as are we too slow and the group is getting bored. 

Traditionally, worship is done at the beginning and then the teaching.  What things help lead into worship the best?

As youth ministers, we often try to create that moment.  You cannot quench worship by bringing the word of God.   Students desire to sing, yet we have created a shallow Christian by placing an emphasis on that part, implying that getting into God's word is boring.  As long as you are on the same page with God, worship cannot be quenched.  God is sovereign and we try to mess Him up, but HE always comes through.  It is hard to pin-point a specific answer.  Being sensitive to the spirit is ultimately important to know how not to quench worship. 

Have we gone to an extreme in teaching youth that worship is just singing?  Do we not need to teach our kids that worship is offering, sermons, and singing?

We are a society of extremes.  As Christians, we have taken so many things to an extreme.  In thinking of the definition of worship.  I ask myself what the definition of worship is in our churches.  In many of them it is anything that has one verse, a chorus, and be able to fit on PowerPoint.  Worship is such a huge movement, but we are not taking the time to teach them that corporate worship is different than personal worship.  Worship is a lifestyle. 

Do you feel like worship has become isolated as happening at a certain time? 

We use the word 'worship' in reference to the time that we are in the sanctuary.  They are not identifying worship as the way we live our lives.  This is why we see students who are seemingly changed during worship, but then go right back to the same life outside of church.  Worship is a beginning and an end.  Worship is not over when the preacher comes up to speak.  Everything comes together for worship. 

From your experience seeing many churches and participating in many events, have youth ministries lost the focus?

Most often, the youth group is a reflection of the leading of the youth minister.  There are ministers who are focusing on producing program and numbers.  Lights and sound do not make a ministry.  Trying to keep up with the new thing will eventually get boring to student, not to mention that you cannot ever keep up.  However, if you realize that God's Word is the only constant, students lives will be changed.

For those of us who cannot sing, what do we do?

Whatever leads them to the throne is what to do.  The Bible says to make a joyful noise.  Whatever the students respond to.  Get students who might be talented to lead.  Encourage them in their strength. 

How do you feel about using the local drummer from the pub, who is very talented to come in and lead worship?

It is a huge responsibility to lead worship.  It does not matter what part the individual plays, they are a worship leader.  It is detrimental to the group to have someone who is leading out in worship, who to a student portrays God, to live the life of one who does not even know Him.  There are so many other things in the world who do not discipline students.  Students do need a chance to redeem themselves, but they should be held accountable. 

How do you avoid the spiritual high of worship that leads to the same mundane when it is over?

Teaching students that the Christian walk is spending time with the Word of God and you need to be consistent in your relationship regardless of the times when it gets boring.  When we base our faith in shallow things is when we get disappointed.  Simeon got a word from God that he was going to see the Messiah and then spent another 113 years of silence, not getting a word from God, but he was faithful still in the scripture so much that they found him in the temple when the Messiah came.

Where do you get the idea for your songs?

Most of it is life experience.  If there is a formula, how does what I just went through bring glory to God. Sometimes the connection is harder than others, but I have found it is there.  How far are we from what heaven is going to be like.  All I have is my imagination.  What I think I am going to see pales that comparison from what it is really going to be like.  Songs are usually from my shortcoming and giving God glory for what He had done.

How do you get a band like Mercy Me to do a camp or event?

They have a management group, who you can find and contact on a record cover.  Once you determine an open date that works for both you and the group, the company will send a contract.  You will want an attorney to look at it and possibly sign off on it.  Many will often also send you a rider for more details about the booking, such as specifications about sound system use, plane tickets, and meals.