Everyday at this grand event there was something new, something fresh and pleasing to God. Monday, NWLC kicked off theology and worship leading topics by Ross Parsley, Mike Harland, Laura Story, Mark Roberts and Leonard Sweet. In the afternoon, there was a panel discussion with Paul Baloche, Matt Redman and Scotty Smith involving the service of worship.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday was filled with a plethora of workshops all the way from Lincoln Brewster’s “Transforming Your Worship,” to “Creating A Worship Flow” with Paul Baloche (very funny, as Paul continues to express his talents in both music and comedy). Our own John Chisum led a moving study entitled “Broken and Beautiful,” the healing power of worship. The mornings were a journey-treat as you took a devotional walk through the Tabernacle, meditate on devotions led by Chuck Fromm and John Schreiner and sing praises to God via ancient church song/chant known as “Odes,” ushering your way into great morning worship with Fernando Ortega, Calvin Nowell and Jonathan Butler. Wow!

During the day you can float from class to class in the categories of worship leading, worship choir, songwriting, technology, leadership, worship planning and Small Church Specialization. In the evening, we had worship services led by Matt Redman, Paul Baloche, Leeland, Matt Maher, Philips Craig and Dean, Kathryn Scott, Lincoln Brewster and Gateway...is there more? Why yes: Chris Tomlin, Tommy Walker, CeCe Winans and Israel Houghton!

We also caught up with our friends at some fabulous companies to name a few: Worship Kitchen, Same Page, Christian Copyright Solutions, Roland Music, Consuming Worship and Integrity Music. Soon you will find more of what you love in worship ministry from the many participating worship leaders, artists and companies right here on PraiseCharts and PraiseCharts Live! Below this section, view all the new Featured Articles of the week as they contain some of the latest songs led at this year's conference. View the workshops and blog.


In reflecting over the past week at NWLC, I’ve had a few takeaways of my own. I guess the simplest thing was having time away. Time away from all other responsibilities. Time away from the push and the pull.

The conference was held at Riverbend Church in the hill country (foothills) of Texas. Here to the left you see the large contemporary architecture of the Worship Auditorium. The building was very impressive as it offered large angular windows that engaged your senses to the outdoors. The tall and deep rich cedar woods on the inside of the building seems to guide you to a quiet and gentle solace. As the services and worship progressed through out the week, this place of worship gave you a feeling of home and familiarity.

If you do not know, Central Texas and Austin is one of the most beautiful landscapes in all of Texas. My wife and I visit the hill country frequently. You will see this picture to the left of the very dark foliage overlooking the meandering river that lazily swims by the church side. The main bridge takes you right over to the church campus as you travel through roads of cut rock.


This picture is Riverbend’s chapel. Like its outside, has stone-white and limestone walls on the frame arches of dark rich mahogany beams. As you enter through its heavy wooded doors, you see the worship space itself - intimate with old english style pews with a very high stone ceiling. The pulpit area had a marble floor with simple wall accents of icons and relics. The space itself was captivating and atheistically pleasing.

The church campus is nestled among the hills dotted with trees of deep green and airbrushed accents of shrubs against etchings of white rock. The fragrance from the cedar trees lingered through the hillside as golden sunbeams pierced through the shadows. Through out the landscape you will find small creeks, stones and walking paths that are peppered with sign-markers of engraved Scripture verses, which acts as your tour guide to solitude.

Having the conference at the retreat-style environment/local church made this conference a special treat. I ran into numerous good friends and churches and was excited to hear of their experience. To my surprise, I found myself not alone. I know I was in love with the surroundings and others felt the same. It seemed that almost everyone commented on the uniqueness of the conference. At first, I was expecting folks to share stories of their favorite classes and the attended seminars. The overall conversation among my friends were fixed upon their time alone with God. Many shared that they really came to the conference to be ministered to and not so much to learn what’s “new,” but rather what God was speaking into them. Fellow ministers communicated how the conference gave them time away and to not have to “worry,” about anything. They felt great in the worship services to simply participate and not to lead. Others, told me how God had replenished their inner longings of spiritual fulfillment while others through silent tears, were awestruck to learn just how dry they really were and now had the opportunity to be filled as well.

Each of them shared their experiences of the Tabernacle, which seemed to be the outdoor highlight. The Tabernacle was an actual replica of the Biblical dwelling of God. Marked off by private walls from the outside, the tabernacle was a place behind the walls for individual worshipers. Tickets were given to participants as they were asked to come not by groups, but individually at certain times so each person can take-in the experience and to not feel rushed. One by one, people would enter the area. You were given an mp3 player and/or headphones as a recorded guide explained biblical/historic details of the tabernacle. In certain spots along the way you were able to meditate and pray. As you are finally led to the inner sanctum, you were free to commemorate your devotion to God in the special time. As partakers explained, it really gave them a sense of what it must have been like in early Israel. They were moved by the spiritual tour that also wet their appetite for the rest of the day/evening’s worship services and classes. Sorry no pictures.

All the days for me left me with the same experience as I met God either in solitude or in mass with people. The worship time was so intimate that as I was with my brothers and sisters I also felt face to face with God. The power of solitude and cooperate worship was powerful. Doesn’t this sound like a great place for you? Just to get away from it all and just “be” with God? I know for me, this was a needed and cherished time. We walked away changed by God, inspired to continually seek and be found by Him and re-filled to share in the work of the saints in building the Kingdom of God.

More on the way!