Jason Whitehorn

To become employed with a church with a solid Biblical foundation, an honest desire to serve God, and a passion for vertical worship.

While at LifePoint Church, I have served in the following capacities:

• Leading worship across two separate campuses.
  

• serving as a backup vocalist for other worship leaders.
  

• being a member of a high caliber worship team band playing acoustic guitar.
  

• leading while conducting auditions for new prospective band members.
  

• serving the choir by creating and implementing a website for the LifePoint Choir. This website would disseminate schedule information, music, lyrics, and more in order to help our choir become more prepared for Sunday service.
  

• participating in special performances in children's ministry that engage the children in drama and teach valuable Christ-centered messages.
  

• participating in church-wide dramas.
  

• active as a small group leader for married couples.
  

• serve as a songwriter for the church.

Served as the AWANA Director for T&T (3rd-6th grade) and provided leadership to over a dozen adult leaders who were tasked with pouring into these kids on a weekly basis.

At the time, I was also blessed with the opportunity to pastor to these children on a weekly basis. I prepared sermons geared towards children and presented the Gospel to them. I also trained other leaders in how to be proper "encouragers" to children without "leading" them in a decision. Services that I would conduct for the children would have over 100 in weekly attendance.

Jason's writing on worship have appeared in numerous worship-related publications in both online and print versions.

I welcome your questionnaires in advance at jason@gotworship.net . Until then, I have included some random questions and answers that will, hopefully, help you to better know my heart.


1. What is your philosophy of ministry? Please explain your overall philosophy and then how that pertains more particularly to the worship and arts ministry.

I believe that every portion of my life should be a ministry. I believe that God gave me a calling to be a Worship Pastor/Leader...but God has called us EACH to the ministry. Each ministry, no matter the subject, (feeding the homeless, prison ministry, planted church, etc.) should have one main overall focus : serving God and advancing His kingdom. A worship arts ministry should be no different.

I believe in creating areas of worship that engage and unite in vertical worship to our Creator and Savior. I believe that my personal ministry is seamless with the right church - as the right church and I will be both pointed in the same direction.

2. Describe your views on shared leadership. How do you see yourself fitting into this model?

I think that the early church (Acts 14:23) created a church with shared leadership for a reason. I am thankful for the shared leadership that I have been involved in and integrated into in my past churches - because they helped me to grow in Christ...just as proper shared leadership should do within the Church as a whole.

3. What is your personal practice of discipleship?

I study God's Word daily, lead my wife and family in devotional studies, and lead a group of married couples in weekly devotions at our home.

4. Describe your Philosophy of Worship. Describe your preferred worship model. Traditional/Contemporary

I believe that "worship" has become a misnomer to many people today. Worship isn't a few songs...it is your life - even on the days that aren't Sunday. Worship, to me, is defined in Romans 12:1-2: when the Bible tells us that "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, or well pleasing and perfect."

Notice there is no point in the verse where you hear "music...singing...drama."? While it does not specify these items...worship is found IN these items. Worship is what we do with our lives - by offering up each and everything we do as a pleasing sacrifice to God.

As a portion of my worship, I am passionate about leading others in music and song by facilitating areas of vertical worship. My style is a contemporary style - leading music from Chris Tomlin, Carl Cartee, Charlie Hall, Hillsong United, New Life, New Song, Vineyard, David Crowder* Band, etc. I lead with an acoustic guitar.

Each Sunday that I lead a team, I remind them of the same concept. "We aren't here to create worship. We simply can't. It is impossible. Worship already exists in each person. Everyone is worshiping something...be it money, love, material possessions...our jobs are to direct the worship to the area that it should be...to God."

5. What tools (music, readings, etc.) have you used to facilitate worship?

The tools I use in worship include voice, instrumentation, drama, art (most all mediums), and inspirational readings.

6. Tell us about your family.

I am blessed to have a wife and two children to accompany me in life. My wife has a sincere desire to serve God - having served as Preschool Director at our last church home and is currently serving as MaxImpact Director (Next Gen related) at our current church home. I have been blessed to have baptized both of my children after they were saved. Together, we all four are dedicated to living our lives for God.

7. What was the most difficult time you have faced in the last two years?

The most difficult time we have faced in the past couple of years was when I lost my job at Dell Computers. My wife had been urging me to pursue my calling in a full-time manner by going full time into Worship Arts and returning to school for a degree in Theology and Worship Arts. I resisted because I felt leaving my current job in an unstable time would be the worst choice I could make. God took that argument away when my work started to downsize and laid me off.


8. What did you do about it?

Somehow, my family and I still have bills paid after nine months of not being employed. I honestly think that God had a lesson for us to learn out of this situation. In all that we have gone through, we have realized that, while I had made an income before, I was lost in thinking that I was the one providing for my family....it has been God all along.

I am trusting God to help me find the job He would want for me - and to do the things that would best serve Him.

9. When you are faced with a major life decision, whom do you seek advice from?

I turn to God. I can't do anything without Him. He provides guidance via scripture and the counsel of my peers.

10. If you could change one of your personal characteristics, what would it be and how would you go about making the change?

I tend to have a "Mr Fix-It" mentality when it comes to listening to the problems of others. I tend to jump right to trying to offer a solution instead of just listening to the problem. The change is obvious - I need to stop and listen. Who knows what God may have to tell ME through someone else's problems.


11. When did you first feel God's call in your life?

I was a pre-teen when I first began leading congregations in music. I chose "I Want To Be A Worker for The LORD" as my first song - because I remembered my father leading it. Up until that point, I knew that God had blessed me with the ability to sing - but it was at that point that I finally realized that God was going to use the voice He had given me to serve Him. I've never felt more at peace or at ease than when I am leading in worship.

12. If you wanted the Worship, Music & Arts ministry to grow, how would you go about doing it?

...never stop doing it for God's glory. Just as I wanted to follow in my Dad's footsteps, someone else may feel the urge to serve if I engage in honest worship. I'm not afraid to step aside to let someone else give of their talent - and I welcome opportunities to help others find out how they can plug in.

13. Please include a page describing your conversion and baptism.

"I love God so much...I was baptized twice!" Okay...I was baptized twice - but for a different reason. I was born and raised Church of Christ and, one day many years ago, I went forward to the front of the church and made a confession of my sins and then repented and was baptized...all per Church of Christ doctrine...but not wholly of God's doctrine.

That was my story for quite a few years. Then, I talked to Tawni McCowan's mother. It is amazing how God keeps putting people in your path that seem so trivial at the time...but in God's time, it all makes perfect sense. You see, I was a young teenager and had a girlfriend...one of those "relationships" that "meant" so much...that I can't even remember her name. I do remember one thing: she had a friend named Tawni. Why remember her name but not my "girlfriend's"? Easy...because I remember Tawni's mother.

I never met Tawni's mother. I spoke with her on the phone all of three times at any length...all of those times were because Tawni's mom did not like me one bit. My little girlfriend was always at Tawni's house so I was always calling there. Her mom obviously didn't like something about me...or at least she seemed a little "careful" with me. The last time I talked to her on the phone, she asked me a simple question: "Do you go to church?" YES! I am IN now, I thought. I told her about my church history...and told her of my baptism. She then asked me another question..."yes...but are you saved?" I honestly didn't know how to answer. Being "Saved" was something "those crazy Baptists, Methodist, etc" did that "wasn't Biblical" by Church of Christ standards. Then, Tawni's mom changed my life.

She talked at length about what salvation is...and how my baptism has nothing to do with going to Heaven. (That, after all is what I thought from the Church of Christ....baptism mattered...nothing else did.) She told me about the beauty of the body that was broken for our forgiveness...and how He took on our sins and took our eternal punishment for us by doing so. By the time she was done - I had peace and had a burning within me. I begged her to pray with me...and she did so gladly. I wholly and fully accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at the age of 15.

My life was changed by Jesus, ultimately...but it was revealed to me by one woman that I have never met...who simply asked a couple of questions. The Bible tells us to go into all the world and preach the Good News...she needed only to go to her phone. Who has come into your life that you could talk to? Studies say that over 80% of those who are unchurched would go to church if they were simply asked by someone...could that someone be you? Who knows...maybe it will be your involvement in someone's life that will lead to them one day telling their story...just as I am telling you mine....today. Thank you Ms. McCowan!

14. Ministry style: Do you prefer to do ministry "hands on" or by delegating? Are you more of a "lone ranger" or team player? Explain or give examples as to how this has shaped your ministry.

I love working together as a team. Creative juices can really flow with a truly dedicated worship team. I can, however, work as the lone ranger if there does not exist a worship arts team. I am very hands on as I do not mind doing the work involved.

15. What are the three most significant books that you have read within the past year?

Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson
Pure Praise by Dwayne Moore
The Bible


16. STATEMENT OF FAITH


About God

God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are co-equal and are one God.

(Genesis 1:1,26,27; 3:22; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1Peter 1:2; 2Corinthians 13:14)


About Man

Man is made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. He is the supreme object of God's creation. Although man has tremendous potential for good, he is marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called "sin". This attitude separates man from God.

(Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1,2)


About Eternity

Man was created to exist forever. He will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or in union with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and Hell are places of eternal existence.

(John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 John 5:11-12; Matthew 25:31-46)


About Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is co-equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords.

(Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)


About Salvation

Salvation is a gift from God to man. Man can never make up for his sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God's offer of forgiveness can man be saved from sin's penalty. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus Christ into his life by faith.

(Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8,9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1)


About Eternal Security

Because God gives man eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in salvation for eternity. Salvation is maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the grace and keeping power of God that gives this security.

(John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 3:5)


About the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son as God. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The Christian seeks to live under His control daily.

(2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16,17; Act 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1)


About the Bible

The Bible is God's word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error.

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)

Ron Alley, Worship Arts Director
Worship Arts
LifePoint Church

tel: 615-459-3311
506 Legacy Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167, USA

Pat Hood, Senior Pastor
LifePoint Church

tel: 615-459-3311
506 Legacy Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167

Kris Dolberry, Campus Pastor
Stewarst Creek Campus
LifePoint Church

tel: 615-459-3311
506 Legacy Drive
Smyrna 37167, USA

Pastor Jamie Powell, Pastor
Perry Baptist Church
tel: (478) 987-2002
1105 Main Street
Perry, GA 31069-5504, USA

Micah Huebner, Worship Leader
Worship Arts
LifePoint Church

tel: 615-459-3311
506 Legacy Drive
Smyrna, TN 37167, USA