2011 Post Conference ReCap
If I sound like I’m bragging, please forgive me, but Inspire 2011 was one of the best things I have ever had the privilege to witness. Our team of super volunteers worked so hard to roll out a great welcome and from then on we had so much fun together in the presence of God. Jonathan Lee band opened the conference with an “outta no where” killer band who modeled a perfect balance of musical excellence with passionate worship. Stan Mitchell (my personal favorite) left us all encouraged after two amazing teaching sessions on weakness, the number one qualification for ministry. One Sonic Society and Michael Easley concluded day 1 with world-class songs and practical Biblical teaching. (…”water, manna & Me. I won’t forget that)
Friday got started with an entirely different sound and vibe when Jeromy and Jennifer Diebler took the stage, leading us to start the day. Their quiet and careful arrangements created the perfect environment for the whole conference to connect with God. Buddy Greene was easily the biggest surprise of the conference when he took the stage with his side-man Jeff Taylor. I think there were 2 standing ovations as they played and sang the gospel in such a fresh and musically superior performance.
Finally on the last night I led worship along side of the Inspire Band and Ian Cron in what culminated in one of the most beautiful and refreshing communion services I’ve ever attended.
Who knows what God has in store for 2012, but I know that I was able to see so many prayers answered in the 2011 conference. The theme of God’s power at work through our weakness emerged as the centerpiece of this year’s conference. For me, it’s the one thing I take away from this year.
Thanks to every one who came to the conference this year. I hope to see you all again soon!
Carl
What do you think?
Easter Aftermath
April 27, 2011
Hey Worship Leaders.
I hope you had a great Easter. If you were like me, it was a marathon weekend and you fell in a heap after it was done. We had six services at Fellowship with over six thousand total attendance. I was thrilled to see the Gospel proclaimed, but the work involved to see it happen was hard and required a sacrifice. I’m reminded this morning of Galatians 6:7-9.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
I remember hearing that verse in warnings from well meaning preachers, telling me that all the bad stuff I did in middle school would come back to get me. “The law of the harvest: You always reap what you sow, you reap more than you sow and you reap later then you sow.” For those of us in ministry, it’s good to remember that there are two sides to that coin. What you do matters in eternity and the price you pay to do it with you family and time and heart will not go to waste…God will not be mocked and I am so grateful for the hope that I have in that.
I know you guys work hard, so I’m praying you wont give up on what God’s called you to do. There is a harvest that’s on the way.
Guard your heart, stay close and honest with your community and I’ll see you next week.
Blessing,
Carl
What do you think?
Writing a Worship Song
March 31, 2011
I was asked recently to write out 10 most important things to consider when writing a worship song, so I thought I’d share it here. These are high points of a longer talk I participated in, but take them and apply them to your writing. Your church needs songs and there is nobody better to write them than you. Here are a few things to think about as you start.
1. Write your prayers with melodies. Practice the discipline of prayer and as you do, explore singing what you would normally say.
2. Nurture your devotional life with prayer and journaling for a healthy mind
3. Devour the Bible from a memory standpoint…it fuels imagination
4. Do not be too rangy…enforce sing-ability.
5. Study popular worship songs…they are popular to sing for a reason.
6. Check and double-check your lyric for truth and Biblical accuracy. You cannot be too careful with the content of your songs.
7. Imagine new ways to say things…refresh your mind so you can always have a renewed insight to offer a lyric.
8. Test market your song for the audience…get it ready for the masses by playing it for your peers and getting honest opinions.
9. Don’t wait until you feel like it to write worship songs. It is a language that you must practice and cultivate.
10. Align your song writing ambitions with the ambitions of Christ. Matt 6:33
What do you think?
Writing a Worship Song
March 31, 2011
I was asked recently to write out 10 most important things to consider when writing a worship song, so I thought I’d share it here. These are high points of a longer talk I participated in, but take them and apply them to your writing. Your church needs songs and there is nobody better to write them than you. Here are a few things to think about as you start.
1. Write your prayers with melodies. Practice the discipline of prayer and as you do, explore singing what you would normally say.
2. Nurture your devotional life with prayer and journaling for a healthy mind
3. Devour the Bible from a memory standpoint…it fuels imagination
4. Do not be too rangy…enforce sing-ability.
5. Study popular worship songs…they are popular to sing for a reason.
6. Check and double-check your lyric for truth and Biblical accuracy. You cannot be too careful with the content of your songs.
7. Imagine new ways to say things…refresh your mind so you can always have a renewed insight to offer a lyric.
8. Test market your song for the audience…get it ready for the masses by playing it for your peers and getting honest opinions.
9. Don’t wait until you feel like it to write worship songs. It is a language that you must practice and cultivate.
10. Align your song writing ambitions with the ambitions of Christ. Matt 6:33
What do you think?
Four Things
February 28, 2011
Raising three boys comes with its share of learning to get along and developing a process to deal with conflict. It’s kind of funny to think of conflict in terms of preparing for it, but it’s wonderful how a “conflict process” eases strain on relationships. A process Heather has taught the boys helps train their hearts while confronting conflicts in honest and humble ways. She calls it “Four Things”. I’m not sure where it came from, but it’s an excellent application for worship teams. When an offending brother causes conflict Heather says, “say four things.” The boys know the process and what they need to say…
1) “I was wrong.”
2) “I should not have [fill in the offense here].”
3) “What I should have done was…”
4)” Will you forgive me?”
We will have conflict, there’s no getting around that. But when wounds turn to bitterness because of unresolved conflict, that’s when teams (or families, or organizations) start to loose forward momentum, eventually loose influence and fall apart.
Humility is earned through confession and making things right. Mercy and forgiveness flow most easily to the humble.
Next time you’re in the middle of a conflict, have a healthy process in place to deal with it before it spins out of control. Don’t be afraid to “say four things”.
What do you think?
Defending Yourself
February 02, 2011
Don’t Defend Yourself
As leaders, the nature of our calling exposes us to criticism. The buck stops at leaders and rightfully so. However, it often falls to us to bear the full force of every fully deputized member of the Monday Morning Praise Police. Armed with righteous zeal and an itchy ambition to send you “informative” email, they’re not afraid to let it fly. As humans with egos and tender feelings our nature can lead us to defend ourselves.
In Numbers 12, Moses endured the murmuring of some people on his “leadership team”. They actually were complaining about his wife and questioned why he had chosen her. As they were grumbling, the Bible records one very interesting parenthetical piece of info in verse 3. “Now the man Moses was humble. More than any other man who was on the face of the earth.”
What?
Wow.
Here comes the comfort. When faced with criticism, the main thing the Bible says of Moses is that he was humble, more than any other man in the world. As you read further, it’s the Lord who vigorously comes to Moses’ defense, declaring that he speaks with him face to face & distinguishes him above prophets and any other person from among the children of Israel. Moses’ relied on the presence of God to be his defense. God dealt with the murmurers in his way, assuring Moses that He will be defender and that Moses’ should continue to revel the presence of God.
Lord, let our instinct to defend ourselves be tempered by time in your presence and the humility that comes from being in your company. Also, give all those who grumble against us leprosy…but just for a week: then take it back. Thanks.
What do you think?
Greece Trip 2011
January 24, 2011
Friday of this week, three friends and me leave for Athens Greece. We are heading over once again to train and equip worship leaders from different churches around the country. Our efforts will be joined with those of Hellenic Ministries, a well established evangelistic ministry to the Greek people. Would you please pray for us as we preach and teach the gospel of Jesus. Something that has been on my mind to pray specifically is for the Spirit’s power to be demonstrative through us. I wish you would join me in praying for that and the following things as well…
• Comfort and care for our families while we are away
• Courage in the face of struggle and adversity
• Trust in the Spirit of God
• Surrender to his will and timing
• Insight for teaching and discernment for what the Greeks need to hear
• Lasting and eternal impact for our conferences and teaching
• Wisdom as we explore the right time and palace to hold Inspire Worship Conference Greece.
Thanks for praying for us…
Every Blessing,
CC
What do you think?
Pizza Night and Worship Leading
June 10, 2010
Tuesday night is homemade pizza night at the Cartee house. Heather has a weekly Tuesday night meeting so we have boy’s night and I make pizza. Oak, my 4 year old, always wants to help. “Daddy, when can I help you?” x 1000. He badgers me relentlessly until I slide a chair over to the counter and let him stand up beside me to make the pizza. If there is a time and place in my day where I don’t need help, it’s in the kitchen with Oak. He is known for his proclivity at both time wasting and mess making. However, I love that boy and because I want to be with him, I invite him into the pizza. He is not qualified to do even the most basic parts of the work, but I dignify him with my invitation to join me and create value in him by giving him the chance. He knows, that I know he’ll mess it up, but he’s learning that I am not using him because I need him, it’s because I love him.
We are all invited into the work that God lets us do. Our weakness is obvious but his loving kindness dignifies us and reminds us of his care. Understanding this idea helps move your ministry from pressure packed performance to liberated joy. You’ll never fully measure up, but you are and have always been fully loved.
Lead with that perspective. Worship with this in mind. Understand that your opportunities to write or preach or serve or lead are not acknowledgements of your ability, but an expression of love to you from a God who knows your frame and your limitations and your penchant for mess making, still he invites you in…the process is so much more important to him than the product. You have a calling and ministry because you have a Father who loves you and wants to use you. Not because you’re good, but because He is good.
What do you think?
greatworshipsongs.com Scholarship!!
April 12, 2010
GreatWorshipSongs.com and Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing
Partner with the Inspire Worship Conference
GWS and BBMP to provide scholarship to the winner of this contest…
GreatWorshipSongs.com and Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing will give a full scholarship* to one worship leader as part of their new partnership with the Inspire Worship Conference. The winner will be chosen based on nominations sent in from member(s) of their church.
Founded by Carl Cartee, Inspire is a 2 day conference tailor-made for those who “have a passion for worship, a desire to deepen [their] talents and get rooted in the worship community. Worship leaders, artists, worship teams, technical and media teams, songwriters, indie artists and bands are encouraged to come.”
The conference will be held on May 6 & 7, 2010 at Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, TN. Speakers scheduled include Brenton Brown, Laura Story, Bob Kauflin, Carl Cartee, Ronnie Freeman and many more.
To nominate your pastor or worship leader, just explain (in 50 to 100 words) why he or she deserves to come to this amazing conference! Send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) by April 26 and be sure to include your name, the name of your nominee and the name and location of your church. The winner will be notified the next day, April 27.
What do you think?
Last Week for the Lowest Price. Sign up for Inspire!
February 22, 2010
Hey worship leaders, this is the last week to sign up for Inspire before the price goes up on March 1.Hey worship leaders, this is the last week to sign up for Inspire before the price goes up on March 1. It’s a great deal at any price, but saving money is good for you. Click on the register button right now and make sure you don’t miss your chance to learn from some of the country’s best musicians, worship leaders and speakers. An investment in your imagination and in your emotions has huge and lasting impact on your ministry. You cannot cut wood with a dull axe and signing up is fun, you’ll get to be in Nashville and you might see Keith Urban. You will see Brenton Brown and he’s a got just as cool of an accent as Urban anyway.
What do you think?
Follow @carlcartee on Twitter
November 24, 2009
Follow me on twitter for up to the minute details about how the conference is coming together and what to expect when you arrive.@carlcartee. #Hashtag all your tweets with “Inspire 09” or “Inspire Worship Conference”. If you do not know what I am talking about, it’s OK, you’re no less a wonderful person and I will always love you.
What do you think?
Blog
November 24, 2009
This is the most up-to-date information, thoughts and musings about Inspire 2010, check back often for updates.
What do you think?
Top 6 Songwriters Announced
May 09, 2009
The Top 6 songwriters were announced. They played at Inspire.They are, in no particular order…
Bert Fowler
Logan Dagley
David Blackwell
Jonathan Welch
Anissa Haney
Darian Sasher
Way to go guys! I enjoyed hearing your songs at Inspire.