Welcome to part 2 of Jamey Ketchum's interview at Consuming Worship

Jamey Ketchum

What’s the greatest “worship risk” you’ve ever taken?

I don’t think I’ve done that yet. I’ve never really had to play the keyboard during worship before, but my next step will be just that—lead from the keyboard. I say that because, when I sit at the keyboard and other people are watching I get very nervous for some strange reason. So the risk will be getting “out of that box”!

Any risks you wish you had taken but did not?

No, because I believe that there’s always going to be times to take risks. (Please see previous question.)

How did you fare during the “worship wars?”

Are they over? I believe you will always have those “Worship Wars” because everybody doesn’t like the same music and some of those people think it’s “all about them.” You just have to do what you believe the Lord is leading you to do and do it. (Make sure it follows the Pastor’s vision, of course.) Yes, you will make people angry! Sorry, you’re the leader.

Describe your process for planning a worship service:

I plan 4 weeks in advance. At Parkhill, it takes people a while to feel comfortable with a new song, so I will sing that song three weeks in a row.

Please include a sample worship set list and/or service order:

1st Service

• We’ll Understand It Better By and By
• I’ll Fly Away
• On Jordan’s Stormy Banks
• Sweet By and By
• Till the Storm Passes By

2nd Service

• Everyday
• Trading My Sorrows
• Your Grace Is Enough
• Beautiful
• Rescue
• Only You

Songs That We Working on Now:

1. Lifesong-Choir
2. By Heart-Ladies Ensemble
3. All Because of Jesus-Praise and Worship Song
4. All For You- Praise and Worship Song
5. Praise Adonai- Praise and Worship Song
6. Sing to the King-Choir

Do you write music for your congregation?

Nope, not there yet. (Guess I gotta get out of that box, too)

When you look back decades from now, what do you hope to see you’ve accomplished as a worship leader?

My goal is to lead people to a place where they have the closest relationship to Christ as possible. To show people that when they have that close relationship with HIM, ANYTHING is POSSIBLE. Most Christians feel that they are too “imperfect” to have that close relationship.

What are your predictions for the future of worship?

Let’s keep doing what we’re doing, but do it better. As worship leaders, we all have room for improvement. Let’s continue to let the Holy Spirit guide and lead us as we’re singing, playing, and leading for Him. The better we are, the more we can point believers and non-believers to Christ

What is something you wished every worship leader knew?

I have this hanging on my office wall.

Seven Habits of the Highly Effective Worship Leader

1. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Be a Worshipper Himself!
2. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Be a People Person!
3. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Be a Planner!
4. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Be Creative!
5. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Be have a Passion to Lead People in Corporate Worship!
6. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Strive for Excellence!
7. The Highly Successful Worship Leader Must Stretch the Paradigms!

Give us some background on how you have seen worship "style" transition at your church in your time there.

When I came to Parkhill, we had a blended style in one service. They had one set of contemporary songs and one set of hymns. I mixed that order all up. Two years ago, because of space, we began two worship services. There are pros and cons of having two totally different services. Fortunately, I have enough people to play in those two services. Eventually, I envision two services that are identical. I still believe that the “old hymns” are awesome, but I believe that they can be “updated” for today’s church. That’s where we as worship leaders have to be creative. (Note: You can add drums and electric guitar to “Nothing But the Blood,” yeah, seriously!)

Share whatever is on your heart about worship, church life, music, etc.

When I graduated from college, my dad gave me a piece of advice that I’ve shared with many a church staff member. My dad, in the past 40 years, has been a deacon, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and even was serving on the deacon board during a church split. He has been an awesome asset to me in my 13 years of my ministry.

He said this: “Don’t burn bridges!” Make sure that church members and the people that work under you always respect you. Earn that respect. Don’t do stupid things that can ruin that respect. Yes, sometimes they might disagree with you, but if they respect you, they’ll always follow you.

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