Joel Klampert
Middleton, RI

Joel Klampert is a Blog addict, Mac addict, Music director, Worship leader, youth pastor, as well as the marketing and design guy at Lifepath Church in Middletown, RI. He is married to the most beautiful woman ever and has 3 amazing boys. As a writer he contributes to klampert.com, the worshipcommunity.com, igniteservice.com.

1. What does worship mean to you?

I think that starts with where God truly became real to me. I was in high school and was full of anger toward life and going through some really difficult times emotionally and spiritually. During one of those dark and brooding times I was listening to Mozart’s brilliant masterpiece “Requiem.” I remembered something said in the movie about the work that as crazy as Mozart was, you could hear God in the music. This simple moment changed me and my outlook on worship forever.

I realized what being a living sacrifice meant. It was always Christian-eze to me as a kid, "Die to Self," but that is what worship is all about. For me it is about realizing that all I have is God’s and everything around me is His creation. It is about finding God in everything I do and realizing that If I am actively seeking His face God can be seen through somebody as flawed as me.

2. What do you think happens when you worship?

I think it does a few things. First it is our act of laying down our self and offering our lives over to God. I think in turn God gives back and blesses us. I think worship is found greatly in the eucharist (Communion). I think doing this as a memorial or remembrance in worship teaches us to always keep our eyes on the cross. When we worship we create altars to remember Christ’s goodness. I love that thought.

3. What causes you to worship?

Almost everything should because Christ should be in everything, but that isn’t always the case. I think music, communion, my family and provision cause me to really fall on my face before God more than anything. There have been some major moments in my life that have really made my heart cry out as well. When I have seen people healed or delivered and when I see huge expanses of nature or space; those are the times when I am in awe of God and have to worship Him

4.  How is worship displayed in your life?

Well this goes back to #2 for me. I have found blogging to be worship for me. See I think when you look at the bible people made altars for God to remember His good deeds. My altar is blogging. I recount all the wonderful things God has done and be real so others can see how Great God is.

Worship is also displayed in other aspects of my life like my family and church etc etc....I think it’s any time I am focused on kingdom things and sacrifice myself for Christ.

5. What is your favorite song and why?

Tough question...I guess the question should be worded...favorite song right as you are answering. So I will answer with a few. sorry...

How He Loves - John Mark McMillan : This song is so simple and yet profound. The lyrics really make you think and the chorus has you proclaiming the greatness of God’s love. It’s almost like a reminder that we are not God, He is bigger and he still cares for us.

FaceDown - Matt Redman : This one always gets me. It is a walking on Holy ground song that teaches us to bow before our Lord and maker

Always on His Mind - Misty Edwards : It’s all about a praise habit. Keeping our eyes and thoughts on Him. Through the whole day having Christ as our focal point. Then it proclaims that He thinks always about us. Wow. love it.

Divine Romance - Phil Wickham : it’s not a yucky love song. It’s about being complete, being satisfied and just full of God. With so much crap we try to fill ourselves up with it’s awesome to be able to sing how He has washed all of our cares away.

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cool
written by lori, November 18, 2008

I'm so fortunate to be able to work with this guy. Joel your insight is great, thanks for sharing all this and for being real.

title...hmmmm
written by klampert, November 18, 2008

Thanks guys for dropping by. I think this whole altar thing came to me a few months ago. I was debating why I blog and talking to mudpuppy about it. I realized that blogging became this place for me where I could document publically how great Go is in my life.

...
written by conradical, November 14, 2008

Blogging as an altar.. I too never did think of it that way. Isn't it great to see so many different thoughts on the same questions!

Whenever I read the words "living sacrifice" I somehow remember what my pastor says.." the problem with living sacrifices is that they crawl off the altar..." he might be quoting someone else on this though..

@john: It is easier to comment if you are a signed in.. no captcha!

...
written by Shannon Lewis, November 14, 2008

Very good stuff, Joel... I couldn't have said it better myself, in fact, I wouldn't have said it half as well!

...
written by brent(inWorship), November 13, 2008

Right on Joel.

Love your answer to #3!

Klampert Does It Again
written by Bobby Gilles, November 13, 2008

Blogging as an altar -- hadn't thought of it in that particular way before, but I like it. Also, great thoughts on the eucharist.

title? wah...
written by John, November 13, 2008

rocking! wish this comment form wasn't so hard... with a title and a hard-to-read captcha...

doh!



but, joel is cool. kinda. !!!!!!

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