I enjoy the diversity of lectures I hear at the Abundant Life Church's Leadership Academy. Last week, we learned about the Old Testament, about our attitude and integrity, the Holy Spirit, God' direction for our choices, church history, and practical music mixing and worship leader principles, for those of us in the Worship Elective.

Here are some of my favourite quotes from the sessions below. See previous week's quotes: Week 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and week 8.

Week 9 Quotes:

“If we didn’t have Genesis, the rest wouldn’t make sense. Thematic studies should track back time and time again to Genesis “— Steven Matthew (Monday, November 7)

“Law given, law broken, law given again. Humanity is fickle. Unless someone keeps those rules for us, we’re never going to do it.” “— Steven Matthew (Monday, November 7)

We are approaching God when we approach the Bible. We are approaching his revelation. “— Steven Matthew (Monday, November 7)

“Your attitude is ‘an inward feeling expressed by an outward behaviour.’” — Jock James (Tuesday, November 8)

“It’s like you are a beautiful vase; you were designed for an amazing purpose. When you pour water in it, you start to put weight in the vase, if there is a hairline crack, it will crack and shatter and break.” — Jock James (Tuesday, November 8)

“What is your reputation? What is it that people say about you or think about you? That is an indication of what your character is portraying to the outside world.” — Jock James (Tuesday, November 8)

“Keep your heart pure and right! Heart disease is a major killer physically and spiritually as well.” — Jock James (Tuesday, November 8)

“If you look at the Holy Spirit through the person and ministry of Jesus, it starts to make sense.” — Steve Gambill (Tuesday, November 8)

“He doesn’t confuse people. When the Holy Spirit is abused and chaotic, that’s not the way God intends. We don’t abuse or ignore it.” — Steve Gambill (Tuesday, November 8)

“There are tensions in truth: we understand part of it, but we’ll understand it more fully when we’re face to face.” — Steve Gambill (Tuesday, November 8)

“We overdose what God is responsible for and what we are responsible for.” — Owen Crane (Wednesday, November 9)

“When you delight yourself in God, the desires in you are from Him.” — Owen Crane (Wednesday, November 9)

“What is our end goal? To provide the congregation with an atmosphere for worship.” - John Rees (Thursday, November 10)

“Don’t feel your musical ability could limit you —God is not defined by our practical gift.” – John Rees (Thursday, November 10)

“Learn to actively listen to music. Your ears are the greatest tool. If you are listening to new music, sit down and analyze and digest it.” – John Rees (Thursday, November 10)

“Timing: it is vastly underrated … learn to play with a click track and love it. The harsh thing is that it highlights when you’re not right.” - John Rees (Thursday, November 10)

“Songwriting is an amazing skill and art; arranging is an amazing art as well.” – Jock James (Thursday, November 10)

“Unless you’re leading them somewhere, you’re just standing singing songs.” – Jock James (Thursday, November 10)

“It’s not about being fake, or working something up; you have something inside you — the Holy Spirit. And the Holy Spirit is a radical worshiper! The Holy Spirit inside you is excited!” – Jock James (Thursday, November 10)

Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? Do you just look at the joy and expectancy in the room, and reflect it? Or are you like a thermostat — do you set the temperature and turn it up? – Jock James (Thursday, November 10)