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by Neil Smith, Territorial Music Secretary –
Delegates were able to participate in interactive workshops during the recent Worship Arts Retreat at Camp Kuratli.
Imagine going to your local Salvation Army corps and seeing some different expressions of worship during a Sunday morning service…how about dance, mime and drama?
The reality is that all over the Western Territory these things are actually happening. Corps have bands and songsters, but many of them also have groups and individuals who use the gifts that God has given them to help others in worship.
Two years ago, the Western Territory began the annual Worship Arts Retreat (WAR) to provide training and resources to those who are interested in expanding their vision of utilizing arts in worship. Attendance has been good both years—many people have benefited from this experience and have taken what they have learned home to enrich the spiritual life of others.
WAR 2008
Leading us and guiding our “worship thinking” this year were two outstandingly genuine worshippers, Colonels Robert and Gwenyth Redhead, who have participated in worship all over the globe.
Phil Laeger and Marty Mikles were our “sung worship” leaders. The humbleness of these two brilliant musicians was a rare sight. It was not about them; instead, they went quietly about their business, encouraging others through song and bringing people into God’s presence.
Again—as at the inaugural retreat—the Bill Booth Theater Group from the Central Territory joined us. They are excellent communicators who share the gospel in new and thought-provoking ways. Their late-night presentation of “The History of the Old Testament in about 20 minutes” was a great way to conclude the day. The witty perspective on such a huge amount of material left us with a great deal of food for thought, and we were in no doubt that the Holy Spirit was right there amongst us.
Excellent instructors from around the West joined us to teach workshops in media, dance, drama, mime, keyboard, percussion, guitar, discipling musicians and leading worship.
We were blessed and challenged by all that was shared over the weekend. Delegates were excited about taking the skills they learned back to their own corps so that they can help others and ultimately glorify God!
Be sure to watch New Frontier for details on next years Worship Arts Retreat!
