By Laura Koenig | Staff Writer
Students sit in the stands of Odle instead of the seats of Rediger. The band organizes on the gym floor instead of on a stage.
Even though the campus is changing rapidly, Taylor students and faculty find value in the time of community worship led by four different chapel bands. The Echo had a chance to discuss worship with each leader.
David Neville - Faculty
Describe the band in three words.
"Fun. Worshipers. Praisers."
What is your definition of worship?
"Worship is any act that involves using what God has given, blessed or created you with to honor Him and show Him the worth of who He is. Declaring all that we can about our Creator and His greatness, taking into account what He has done is true worship."
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
"To help the student body worship freely and to diversify the music. Our desire is that we move away from the idea of worship bands being designated by "a person." There will clearly be a main leader, but everyone on that stage is a worship leader."
Why did you decide to form a chapel band?
"It was proposed to start this worship group to bring a different style of worship to the student body. All the music typically was Christian contemporary music, which is not a problem. However, not all students find that to be the only style they associate with. So if we never diversify our music, which is a driving force of the church, we will leave out a portion of the body of Christ that we may be able to touch with the more diverse music."
Cassie Long - Junior
Describe the band in three words.
"Christ-centered. Joyful. Family."
What is your definition of worship?
"Worship is the act of presenting ourselves as living sacrifices to our Father (Romans 12:1). Worship can be practiced through every aspect of our lives. One of those ways is through music."
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
"Our goals are simple: glorify God and have fun."
How do you hope to see God work through worship with the Taylor community?
"We pray that God uses chapel and our worship time to challenge the Taylor community and stimulate deeper understanding of God's character."
What is the process for choosing and preparing your music?
"As a band, we pick songs that lead us to worship God. If the lyrics or music to a song move us as a band to a better understanding or appreciation of the Lord and His beauty, then we want to share that with the rest of the campus. The entire band contributes to a list of songs we could potentially play in chapel, and then we select two or three for a specific chapel based on the speaker and/or theme for the chapel. We all practice the music on our own time and then rehearse together as a band the night before chapel."
What is one fun fact about your band?
"We have three freshmen, one sophomore, one junior, and three seniors in our band, and we come from English, Olson, Wengatz, Sammy and Wolgie. We love how spread out we are across campus."
Sam Davies - Senior
Describe the band in three words.
"Laid-down lovers."
What is your definition of worship?
"Worship is a lifestyle of devotion and intimacy with God. I believe worship is completely about the intention of the heart in every thought and action. In another sense, a worshiper reflects the glory of God back to God and to other people. The worshiper reflects this glory in his or her offering of faith in the whole person of God and by obeying His commands."
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
"We seek to see ourselves grow in musical ability and unity as a team. We also seek unity among all chapel bands, so that we might all learn and grow together."
How do you hope to see God work through worship with the Taylor community?
"Our hearts desire Taylor University to be a place marked by undying and radical love for Jesus. We seek personal and campus-wide revival as hearts turn back to their first love."
What is the process for choosing and preparing your music?
"As the leader, I always pray, asking the Lord for wisdom and direction in our time of worship through music. I let the Lord highlight songs both on my heart and songs relevant to what I believe He wants to emphasize. From there, the team comes together and throws out whatever suggestions are on their hearts. We continue to pray, and we come to a consensus."
What is one fun story about your band?
"Our band came together, for the most part, because I went to the wrong Basics (the kids ministry at UCC) meeting. I intended to be a part of Basics Jr. and ended up at the Basics meeting instead. At that wrong meeting, I met two members of our band who later introduced me to two other members of our band. Basically, because of my foolishness and God's sovereignty, we exist."
Tyler Schnute - Senior
Describe the band in three words.
"Hardworking. Alpha-male. Jackhammer. Merciless. Insatiable."
What is your definition of worship?
"Worship is simply giving glory and honor to God. Music is one of the best mediums in a chapel or church setting because it is inclusive and everyone is able to participate together."
What are your goals for the upcoming year?
"Our main focus is always to create an authentic, worshipful atmosphere. This year I hope we're able to lead the student body in worship in a way that is genuine and pleasing to the Lord."
How do you hope to see God work through worship with the Taylor community?
"I think chapel is essential to the growth of Taylor as a community, being the one experience where we are unified in praise toward God as one body. God willbe in our midst when this happens, and He willwork in and through us if we let Him. We don't have to hope, we just have to be willing to give him control and worship is a great way to surrender over what we have."
What is one fun fact about your band?
"While we refer to ourselves now as Schnute and the Blowfish, we have gone through many identities. Some of them include:
Newsboys and girls
Relient Hey!
Steven Curtis Chapel Band
Guitars of Clay
Toby Mac 'n Cheese"
