Today, we're excited to introduce you to someone on the front lines of worship every single week at a local church, just like you!  He's a worship leader, pastor, husband, father and a good friend of the ministry: Jordan Merritt.

Jordan is currently serving as Worship Pastor at Embrace Church in Sioux Falls, SD, one of the fastest-growing churches in the country.  In addition to leading worship, he is a gifted songwriter. He co-wrote the Newsboys single, “You Hold It All,” and he has written songs for multiple projects with artists including Newsboys, Selah, Travis Ryan, and others. Jordan’s desire is to see the Church equipped, refreshed, and reminded of God’s promises through worship.

Thank you to Jordan for taking the time to sit down with us!  We hope you are encouraged by a "fellow soldier in the fight", who is leading worship in a local church every week.  Be encouraged and be confident that God has put you on mission as a worshipper in your church ... to restore the honor of God, to restore the People of God and to bring His presence into your services each and every week. 

Have a great week!

James & Dustin had a chance to sit down with Jonathan Brown - President of Integrity Music - to discuss unity and division among the people of God, and among worshipers in the church.

JB (Jonathan Brown) and Dustin both had the chance to be part of a tour with WeAreWorship, where they visited multiple church leaders in multiple cities.  There were so many great things experienced and along with that, there were so many things learned.  At the end of the day, we want unity in the the people of God and especially among the leaders of God's Church, and we need to have inspired conversation on this topic. 

Enjoy!

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Anyone who has been serving in the local church long enough knows that ministry is a 24/7 - 365 gig. There is no off-season. There are no slow months. And there definitely is no such thing as part-time. In fact, those times of the year when everyone else is enjoying extra time with family and friends, church leadership is usually pulling overtime like it’s a lifeline.

As I type these words, we are waist deep in the Christmas season. Trees are up and decorated. Garland is strung on anything that will sit still. Sales are in full bloom. On the church front children’s Christmas programs are wrapping up, Christmas Eve service times are being blasted all over social media, and worship leaders all over the world are trying to figure out the perfect set lists. 

That all sounds so simple, doesn’t it? 

If only that were the case. But for most people in church leadership, the Christmas season is anything but simple. I don’t know about you, but this year in particular seems uncharacteristically heavy. It feels like every time I turn around, I learn about someone else in my little corner of the world who is walking through something tragic . . . a death, job loss, divorce, a diagnosis, and the list goes on. Sure, there are plenty of wonderful things happening in the midst, but the fight every single day is to not let those wonderful things get overshadowed by the not-so-wonderful. And I have a feeling that until Jesus comes, that fight is going to get tougher every year. 

So as worship leaders, what role do we play in helping both our worship team members and the people we serve navigate a season that at times can feel more joyless than joyful? Unfortunately there is no secret formula, but I do have a few tips that might resonate with some of you who are entering into Christmas surrounded by people who are suffering, or even walking a tough road yourself.

1. Acknowledge the hurt.

A precious friend of mine lost her 2 1/2 year old little boy unexpectedly right before Thanksgiving this year. Not terribly long after his death, she posted a quote that basically said not to avoid mentioning him out of fear of somehow reminding her that he was gone. She hasn’t forgotten, and never will. Instead what you’re reminding her of is that he lived. The people around us who are hurting don’t wake up some days having forgotten what is going on. They don’t walk through the doors of our churches and suddenly feel all better. So what good does it do for us to tip toe and pretend like nothing is going on, whether face to face or from the stage? When the Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep, it doesn’t say anything about holidays being exceptions or saving it for certain settings. The church operates at her best when she comes around those hurting especially at times like these. So call it for what it is - painful - and you might be amazed at the new level of freedom that is felt in the room.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. - Romans 12:15

1. Give a reason to celebrate.

When everything is on the table and there is a rich sense of acceptance for everyone regardless of their mental, emotional, or spiritual state, the door to authentic celebration tends to open a little easier. It may not look the same as the person sitting next to them, but reminding them of the truths of who God is, what He’s done, and what He’s still doing will always prove fruitful - even if it’s just one more layer of doubt being broken off. At their lowest points, those who are hurting need to be reminded that there are still things in their lives to find joy in. Then once they are tapping into that joy that only comes from the Lord, they begin to experience a renewed strength they might not have thought was possible.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. - Nehemiah 8:10

1. Root it all in HOPE.

The most important piece to the puzzle of loving well those who are hurting is to keep everything established and fixed on HOPE. Nothing you say or do is going to make things all better for them or take their pain away, but the HOPE of Christ can and will move the needle. If a hurting person leaves your presence or your church service knowing and believing that things will not always feel this way and that Jesus is able to replace their suffering with victory, their pain with joy, and their grief with peace, then you’ve done your job well. So keep HOPE as your North Star. Center it all around the fact that a baby was born to change everything, that our current sufferings are not in vain, that He wastes nothing. 

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Whether it’s someone on your team walking through the most painful time of his or her life or a family in your congregation experiencing a tragedy, you have been given the opportunity to breathe life back into a place where death has begun settling in. Pray for open eyes to see the hurt around you. Ask the Lord to open doors for you to speak into those lives. Make the most of those chances and watch the Holy Spirit do what He does best. 

El Pastor Hector Hermosillo, comparte con nosotros una mirada contemporánea al libro de Eclesiatés, recogida en su libro "Debajo del Sol". Parte 1.

El Pastor Hector Hermosillo, se presenta en este segmento com autor, compartiendo detalles de su libro "Debajo del Sol", un análisis contemporáneo al libro de Eclesiastés. (Parte 2).

Esta es la tercera y última parte de la entrevista que Amarilis Rivera le hiciese al Pastor Hector Hermosillo, durante la presentación de su libro "Debajo del Sol", un análisis contemporáneo al libro de Eclesiastés. (Parte 3).

Pro-Choice Republican Marjorie Dannenfelser’s father was in the Army and got his degree in medicine. After years of moving, the family wanted to plant some roots and decided to settle down in Greenville, NC where her father opened a private practice as a dermatologist. Marjorie’s mother went back to college and finished her master’s degree in library science. As Episcopalians, her family loved church liturgy and hymns. They were conservative Republicans in their economic and foreign policy...

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If you are a Christian, then you are called to use your gifts at church in a volunteer role or perhaps professionally. Choosing the roles that best fit your personality and interests can lead to serving God and the church more effectively. Your job satisfaction will also increase as you serve people out of your strengths.  John Holland created a theory that can help you to have more job and ministry success and satisfaction. Holland identified six personality themes: Realistic, Investigative,...

Gaylord, MI Sofia Kunst had already developed a knitting hobby by the age of 12 after learning how to knit blankets from her grandmother. One day she ran into a “snag." She was running out of yarn. Reflecting on that moment, Sofia says, “I didn’t have enough money to buy more yarn, because the yarn I like to make blankets with is more expensive.” Sofia’s mom, Courtney, suggested she use the remaining yarn and weave a wall tapestry and sell it. They found a design online, and for three days...

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What if the most unselfish thing you could do was to pursue pleasure? To look for delight? To feel joy? We make the case for the transformative power of joy, pleasure and delight.

Original Air Date: October 12, 2019

Guests:

Ross Gay — Kathryn Bond Stockton — Laurie Santos — Lynne Segal

Interviews In This Hour:

365 Days Of Delight: A Poet's Guide To Finding Joy — A Queer Theorist On Ecstatic Kissing — Laboratory of Joy: A Psychologist On The Science of Feeling Good — The Revolution Will Be Joyful: Feminist Lynne Segal On Fighting Power With Pleasure — The People Power Of Happiness

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Sharing of personal pronouns has become standard practice on resumes, business cards, email signatures and more. And that’s just one sign of an increasingly widespread shift in how we think about gender. So what’s next? And what would it take to actually celebrate gender freedom? To have trans joy?

Original Air Date: January 15, 2022

Guests:

Jules Gill-Peterson — Big Freedia — Torrey Peters — Akwaeke Emezi

Interviews In This Hour:

The Long History of the Trans Child — A Diva's Oasis? Bounce Music — 'Detransition, Baby' author Torrey Peters on life, love, gender and parenthood — Many Identities, One Spirit

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Two powerful market leaders are joining together to form one powerhouse partnership. Hospeco Brands Group, a United States-based, full line manufacturer of personal care, cleaning and protection products to serve the janitorial, industrial supply, automotive, foodservice, health care and hospitality markets, is announcing a merger with Monarch Brands, wholesaler and manufacturer of microfiber, commercial laundry linen, institutional textiles and wiping products.

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Imagine training employees with a virtual reality, audio-visual headset that puts them on the job, inside a realistic house, with saws buzzing, hammers tapping and birds chirping. That is the concept behind an industry-leading virtual reality training program sponsored by Owens Corning.

Barricade Building Products announced its partnership with BIMsmith, which will enable architects, engineers and designers to access Barricade’s extensive product information and seamlessly integrate it into their projects.

One product that can help save time and money and reduce waste

Tamlyn received the prestigious “Best Family-Owned Business” award from the Houston Business Journal.

Created in the 1960s by the Lyndon B. Johnson administration as part of the “War on Poverty,” 40 years later, Job Corps continues to enjoy strong bi-partisan support in Congress. It continues its mission to help young men and women fulfill their life’s potential, and it may just be part of your solution to meeting the demand for skilled labor in today’s transitional labor market

Advances in chemistry make more sustainable building envelopes.

Vision, innovation, and dedication, are all hallmarks of Detroit, Michigan-based firm BEI Architect & Engineers. 

W&C Architect interviewed an architect that takes a non-traditional approach to architecture.

Each month W&C interviews a new architect to hear their perspective.

Following the launch of its first-of-its-kind ExoActive Exoskeleton, Festool announced on Aug. 20 its lineup of fall products that blend power, efficiency and organization. The launch includes a new cordless rotary hammer drill, the KHC 18, new energy sets and Systainers, jigsaw and oscillator saw blade sets, and limited-edition DOMINO kits.

The organisation, which employs more than 2,500 people, will provide a single point of access for people with complex needs

Dan Corry says funding mechanisms guarantee competition not collaboration, contracts promote short termism and there is a 'real absence of data'

It includes a film directed by the Academy Award-winning James Marsh

In early September, the Structural Engineers Association of California inducted Jeff Ellis, S.E., director of strengthening at Simpson Strong-Tie, into its prestigious College of Fellows. The organization’s highest honor, the SEAOC College of Fellows recognizes members for their distinguished service and outstanding contributions to structural engineering.

Washington — Five Senate Democrats are imploring the Mine Safety and Health Administration to lower its exposure limit for crystalline silica – a carcinogen found in sand, stone and artificial stone.

The charity also received a £5m grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery

For the chief executive who has made an outstanding contribution to their organisation, or the wider sector, during their first two years in post

Paul Johnson Drywall LLC has completed the acquisition of Stratis Construction Inc., one of the leading drywall subcontractors in Arizona.

Flak Jacket protection includes a specialty coating the company applies to TJI joists to enhance its fire resistance.

The Executive Committee of top international design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman announced that Sanjay M. Parmar AIA has joined the firm’s Charlotte office as an Associate Principal.

Bayer’s EcoCommercial Building Network, dedicated to bringing together varied disciplines in the pursuit of high-performance buildings, has expanded its expertise in the public sector for governmental and institutional projects.

RKTB Architects, an East Coast firm with a national message about addressing the 6-million-unit housing shortfall, has recently been honored with a Leadership in Housing Award from the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Associated Builders and Contractors announced Oct. 7 that it has named John Mielke as its senior director of apprenticeship. The former ABC Wisconsin chapter president will provide strategic direction, transformational leadership and innovative education solutions to ABC’s 67 chapters, 23,000 members and their apprenticeship trusts nationwide.

Associated Builders and Contractors participated on Sept. 18 in a White House-sponsored roundtable discussion, “Recovery in the Workplace: Investing to Build the Workforce of Tomorrow,” which convened more than a dozen leading corporations, business groups and government leaders at the White House in Washington, D.C., to highlight the importance of recovery-ready and recovery-friendly workplaces and share best practices.

Itasca, IL — John Dony, senior director of thought leadership at the National Safety Council, has been appointed to serve on OSHA’s National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.

Seventy-five percent of respondents to Safety+Health's 2014 Job Outlook survey said environmental, health and safety was not their first career choice. Why aren't more students aware that EHS is a career option? Also: Veteran EHS pros talk about how they got their start.

Are occupational safety and health professionals looking to change jobs? Are opportunities growing? Safety+Health presents the latest results from its annual survey.

Despite rising demand for safety pros, awareness of the profession has yet to catch up. Safety+Health explores what’s being done to address this. Also: The results of S+H’s 2019 Job Outlook survey.

Occupational safety and health pros weigh in on the current job market, as well as whether the COVID-19 pandemic will have a lasting impact on the profession.

How do safety pros feel about the current job market? Has the COVID-19 pandemic raised the profile of the profession? Safety+Health presents the results of its annual Job Outlook survey.

The results of our 2022 Job Outlook survey are in. Find out what occupational safety and health pros had to say about the current job market, and the impact of COVID-19 on the profession.

How would you describe today’s job market for safety professionals? What are some current or emerging issues safety and health pros need to keep tabs on? What can employers do to encourage safety pros to stay? The results of our 2023 Job Outlook survey are in.

Columbus, OH – Ohio has launched a program to help injured workers learn new skills and return to the workforce.