Category Archives: Music

Raise the Bar: Hard Work and Enthusiasm in Worship Leadership

Posted on October 4, 2024 by Mark Cole

As I was reading Romans 12 this morning, Paul’s words, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically,” challenged me. They reminded me of the essential role that a strong work ethic plays in worship ministry. Too often, we may find our teams stagnating—not because of a lack of talent or resources, but because we aren’t fully committing ourselves to the work with the enthusiasm and diligence Paul speaks of. Continue reading →

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Serving The Church And Your Family

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Mark Cole

My pastor wants me to participate in his message on Sunday by answering this question: Mark – You are a husband, a father and a grandfather, you have served in ministry with your wife, you have raised your kids and now they serve in ministry, you have grandkids now. How have you balanced serving and family, and what has been the impact on your family that you still see to this day? Continue reading →

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The Quiet Strength of Humility in Competition and Creativity

Posted on September 22, 2024 by Mark Cole

I love to compete in sports, especially racquet sports and I also love to lead worship. I have discovered that humility is a foundational principle in both life and faith, and it plays an essential role in the worlds of music and sports. Continue reading →

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What I Learned From Working With A Billionaire

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Mark Cole

When I was a teenager, I played saxophone and clarinet in an old-fashioned church orchestra. This rag-tag group was at my home church, Glad Tidings, in Vancouver, Canada. A local millionaire (later he became a billionaire and one of  Canada’s richest … Continue reading →

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The Personal Life Of A Christian Musician

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Mark Cole

Have you read Colossians 3:16-17 lately?  This great passage gives solid advice for musicians and Christians in general to follow. 1. Let Jesus’ teachings and message fill your life! Years ago, I was challenged to get to know Jesus at a deeper level. (Frankly… I’m … Continue reading →

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Investing In Worship: Following David’s Model

Posted on August 23, 2024 by Mark Cole

How much is your church investing in it’s worship ministry? Continue reading →

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Is Music a Spiritual Gift?

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Mark Cole

In the life of the church, few things have the power to unite, inspire, and move hearts like music. Whether through the beautiful melodies of a hymn, the uplifting chords of a worship song, or the reflective tones of a spiritual ballad, music has been a cornerstone of Christian worship for centuries. But as we delve into the New Testament’s teachings on spiritual gifts, an interesting question arises: Is music and songwriting a spiritual gift? Continue reading →

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Asaph: The Unsung Hero of Worship in the Bible

Posted on August 13, 2024 by Mark Cole

As Christian musicians, we often find inspiration in the lives of those who have gone before us, especially those whose lives were dedicated to the service of God through music. One such figure is Asaph, a Levite musician, seer, and psalmist in the Bible. Continue reading →

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Worship Team: Developing Stage Presence

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Mark Cole

Developing stage presence as a singer or player on a church worship team involves a combination of self-awareness, practice, passion for worshipping God and connecting with the message of the music. Here are some tips to help you improve your … Continue reading →

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Worship in Spirit and Truth

Posted on June 25, 2024 by Mark Cole

In the Gospel of John, Jesus delivers a profound statement that has resonated through the ages: “For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24, NLT). This declaration offers a deep well of spiritual wisdom, inviting us to explore the essence of true worship and our relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Continue reading →

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