OUR MISSION
The Worship and Creative Arts ministries exist for the purpose of glorifying God primarily through the vehicle of music – but also using dance, drama, painting, & other creative ways of expressing our worship to God. We believe worship is all about God and for God.
A by-product of worship is the liberty and new life we receive when we commit our whole selves to God, through Christ, in a lifestyle of worship. We believe the best chance we have of bringing “the Kingdom of God to earth as it is in Heaven," as Christ prayed – is when passionate Christ followers allow their private lifestyles of worship to overflow in a corporate setting of worship. We believe worship should be authentic, passionate, and sincere, and that our posture during worship should reflect a heart that is passionately drawing near to the heart of God.
“Mission is not the ultimate goal of the church, Worship is.
Missions only exist because worship doesn’t.”
- John Piper
"If we only worship in ways that we are comfortable with...are we really even worshiping at all?”
- Darrell Evans
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put
out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.”
- C.S. Lewis
on this earth who is bored and turned off by worship is not ready for heaven."
- A.W. Tozer
CREATIVE ARTS
BAND – Our worship teams are divided into different bands. There are 4 bands that serve on our weekends and 4 bands that serve on our Wednesday night ACCESS services. These bands are made up different instruments...each slightly unique in musical style and “tastes”. The primary instrumentation is drums, bass, 2-3 electric guitars, acoustic guitar, 1-2 piano/keys, and 2-4 vocalists in addition to the primary worship leader(s). However . . . these vary slightly from week to week and can include trumpet, sax, violin, cello, etc.
STYLE – While we work hard to bring a wide range of musical preferences to CLC, the most dominant style would be classified as “modern worship”. However, our talented team of staff and volunteers regularly bring special services that include jazz, gospel, bluegrass, folk, Americana, etc.
CHOIR – CLC is very blessed with a large group of talented singers & musicians. On special occasions such as Christmas & Easter, the CLC Choir will join our worship & arts teams in the services. Their energy and excitement are always a big lift in our services.
DRAMA – Dramatic illustrations are occasionally used to provide imagery that enhances a particular aspect of our weekly services.
DANCE – In some cases, the art of dance beautifully depicts the relevant truths of struggle and pain or joy and freedom. In those times, talented and full-time vocational dancers use their gifts either as a stand-alone worship experience or during our time of corporate worship with band/singers.
SUPPORTING ARTS
SOUND REINFORCEMENT - A foundational ministry for everything that happens is the Sound Reinforcement Team. The individuals involved in this ministry must display a commitment to service and a good musical ear. These “un-sung heroes” of our services, work tirelessly to make sure that their ministry is never noticed. Their motto is “you only notice the tech team when something bad happens". . . as a result – they work to never be noticed.
LIGHTING TECHNICIANS - Theater lighting enhances the various aspects of our worship services. If you enjoy working with computers, you may find this area of ministry interesting. We believe that the sanctuary should be a place where “things happen”. We want the room to not only sound amazing . . . but to visually support the excellence we are hoping to achieve sonically. We hope when you enter our sanctuary . . . the room looks and “feels” conducive to worship. We believe that intentional lighting can actually help communicate themes and can certainly enable more seamless and less distracting transitions.
MULTI-MEDIA – We are a very media-driven church. We believe technology has opened new doors for the church in sharing Christ. While technology should never be the “main idea” . . . when used well . . . it can certainly help communicate the main idea. That is . . . Jesus Christ. Background media loops are intentionally created to match the theme or “vibe” of each particular song or worship set. Each background loop is created to match the colors and vibe of the stage lighting and what is happening on stage. Additionally . . . we believe media is a wonderful way to share stories, testimonies, or show supporting illustrations to the teaching pastor’s message.
STAGING – Several times a year . . . and for special sermon series a new stage design is used to enhance a theme or idea. We believe stage design can be creatively used to enhance the environment of worship. We feel it is our responsibility to utilize all creative means to create an atmosphere that is conducive to worship. We believe musically, visually, sonically, aesthetically, etc . . . we can and should be intentional about sharing this precious message we have . . . the gospel of Jesus Christ.
STAFF WORSHIP LEADERS
Pastor Dustin Burke - Dustin oversees all of our worship & arts ministries. He is ultimately responsible for our weekend services and leading a team of over 100 musicians and singers that serve across several CLC campuses. He & his team plan all the worship, media, creative elements, etc in our services. Additionally – his team is responsible for the media presentations and recorded sermons that our sites watch each week. Before coming to CLC . . . Dustin toured with his band, produced music professionally in his recording studio, and worked as singer/song-writer and studio musician for bands & artists. At CLC . . . Dustin leads at our main campus. You’ll usually see him behind a fender telecaster (that’s a guitar) . . . but occasionally could see him with an acoustic guitar, on piano, behind the drums, on bass, or . . . still waiting for his big kazoo solo.
Contact Pastor Dustin via email or call 937.898.8811 x233
Joey Stamper – In addition to leading worship at CLC, Joey helps manage the volunteers that serve at CLC. He’s the primary “go-to” guy for our teams. Joey’s the communicator of all things worship, music, charts, etc. He also manages the software we use to keep our teams, sites, and worship venues organized. Joey’s heart for worship is contagious. So far . . . about the only thing Joey has ever done in his life vocationally or as a hobby . . . is lead worship. And . . . because of that – his leadership and authenticity is such a gift to CLC. Most weekends Joey will be leading at Little York & you’ll see him behind the keys – but he could sneak over to guitar or behind the drums. Joey’s hoping we can debut his new accordion soon. Seriously.
Contact Joey via email or call 937.898.8811 x234
Amante Lacey – Amante is a talented singer/songwriter. And . . . while CLC is his church home . . . he still tours with his worship band when not leading here. Amante is responsible for working hard to be a better ping-pong player so that he can someday be an actual challenge to Dustin. But . . . when he’s not training for ping-pong – he is spread thin on all of the stages where we lead worship. Amante leads at our main campus each month . . . but also serves our sites as a worship leader . . . as well as our student ministries as a worship leader. Amante primarily works to prep for those venues by planning services, scheduling musicians, charting music, and leading and growing worshippers. You’ll usually see him playing his weird looking Babicz Guitar . . . and singing notes that God never intended men to sing. :)
