Posts by Rainer Bantau
When God Feels Silent: Trauma and the Perception of Divine Absence
By Rainer Bantau A friend of mine once shared his frustration with being unable to openly share the weight of the trauma he was carrying in the one place you’d think that he could do so safely and without judgment. He believed that speaking the truth among his Christian brothers and sisters would permanently change…
Read MoreWhen the Soul Goes Silent: Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Worship
Worship is our natural response to God’s goodness, demonstrably expressed by a lifting of our hands and a song on our lips, as we turn our hearts upward. But for those among us carrying trauma, like me, worship can feel anything but natural. It may feel distant, disorienting, and at times, even impossible. If worship…
Read MoreThe Necessity of Solitude In Times of Uncertainty
Photo courtesy of Pexels, Liza Summer
Read MoreLeading Worship In A Crisis
Leading Worship During a Crisis Weeks ago, COVID-19 swept in like a tsunami disrupting life as we knew it. All around the world, churches sit empty as their leaders quickly learn how to leverage technology to continue connecting to their congregations. Overnight, pastors everywhere became televangelists. Worship leaders and worship teams pivoted, adapting to…
Read MoreBecause He Loves Me
It’s hard to believe that the God who created the Universe pursued me so that He could have a relationship with me. Before my lips formed my first words Jesus sought me and bought me with His precious blood. Before my mind had a thought, God fought for me, rescuing me from my sinfulness…Because He…
Read MoreThe Object Of Our Worship
How well do you really know God? What do you know about the Lord? If you think about it, this is a critical question for those of us charged with leading God’s people in worship, either as worship leaders or worship team members. This includes not just the people on stage, but those behind the…
Read MorePraise the Lord, O My Soul!
Praise the Lord, O My Soul! Worship and prayer are connected at the hip. Praise is injected in both. Worship and prayer include a heavy dose of praise. Through our worship of God, we demonstrate and express our love for Him. In our worship of God, we show our reverence and awe of who He…
Read More3 Keys for Persevering Turbulent Waters
3 Keys for Persevering Turbulent Waters Our church is coming out of a turbulent season. Two years ago, the Lord unexpectedly called our longtime Worship Pastor home. Six months later, our Senior Pastor announced that he would be resigning. His last day in the pulpit was Easter 2018. Our church entered a season of transition…
Read MoreNurturing A Heart of Gratitude
Search the heart of worship and you will find gratitude near the center. Gratitude shapes the core forming a genuine heart of worship. Washed in God’s grace, I find it hard, if not impossible, to live a life without gratitude. A wretch like me has much to be grateful for. We are not promised tomorrow.…
Read MoreBecoming A Good Worship Team Member
Becoming A Good Worship Team Member To the outside world, being a worship musician seems like a nice hobby. But being a worship musician is more than just a hobby. Belonging to a worship team, like being part of any team, calls for commitment alongside an acceptable level of ability. You don’t need to be…
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