Britt Nicole

My Christian Artist Report

The person I chose to do my report on is Brittany Nicole Waddell. She is better known by her stage name, Britt Nicole. She was born on August 2nd 1984, which makes her currently 32 years old. She is a vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist. She has so many popular songs. But to name a couple, in 2012 she released a debut single called “Gold” and another in 2013 called “Ready or Not.” Both made it in the Mainstream top 40! While those two songs may be the most popular right now, my two favorites were released a few years before and are called “All This Time” and “The Lost Get Found.”

At 3 years old, Brittany Nicole Waddell started singing at her church in North 

Carolina. At seven, she dealt with a lot of pain during her parents’ divorce. But that didn’t stop her from pursuing her passions. Once in high school, she sang regularly with her brother and cousin on her church’s daily television program that aired in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was also part of her school’s advanced choir, which had the honor to perform in Carnegie Hall in New York! Britt Nicole also loved to dance. She did ballet, jazz, hip hop, and lyricaldance. After high school, Britt Nicole accepted a scholarship to Belmont University to study in their commercial music program. But she soon realized that Godwas calling her somewhere else. She felt no peace with her decision to go to Belmont. So she denied her scholarship three weeks before she was supposed to go to school. 

​Britt Nicole then got really focused on her calling to making music. She created an album and started playing at local churches. God clearly had big plans for her because 600 people showed up to her official CD release party.  After being an indie artist for five years, she was signed by Sparrow Records. After that, her success only increased. She was nominated for a Dove Award in 2011 for Female Vocalist of the Year and for a Grammy Award in 2013 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album. She got married on July 1st , 2012 to Joshua Crosby and now has two beautiful kids. I really admire how Britt Nicole blindly followed God wherever He took her, even if it meant giving up a great opportunity at Belmont University. I hope that I can be just as sensitive to the Holy Spirit and follow God wherever he takes me. 

Response to "Are you insulting God in worship"

     This article by Sam Storms, talks about our attitude when we come to worship. Storms starts by really dissecting the meaning of the word "for." He says that we often say that we worship "for" God. But what does that really mean? Are we trying to say that we are worshiping because God needs us? Or are we saying that because we are offering our gifts to him as a way of praise and reverence? We need to check our hearts and see if we have the right attitude toward worship so that we can properly lead people.
     I think this is a really important concept. When we lead worship, we often think that we are doing God a favor by serving him. But this is not true! God, of course, loves our worship. But he doesn't NEED our worship. God doesn't NEED us. But he WANTS us. That should be the motivating factor for our worship. Our worship should simply be a way for us to show God how much we love him a and are in awe of him.

"Get off the Platform" response

     In the article, "Get off the Platform," the writer Dan Wilt explains how we should lead worship. He starts by saying that almost all worship leaders have the wrong kind of motives deep in their heart. Even those who are devout followers of Christ have issues with their motives. It's easy to get caught up in trying to be the best singer on the team, or trying to be the best instrumentalist. But that isn't why we were called to lead worship. Dan says that we need to get off this "Platform." He then goes on to explain how we should be okay with serving silently. He says that it is more valuble to be humble and silent about the gifts and roles that God has given us.
      I really liked this article because I found it really relatable. What really hit me was when Dan Wilt said that even when it feels like you are not being noticed or recognized, God notices. He recognizes all your accomplishments and all that you are doing to serve Him. And in the end, that is what is really important. It isn't about trying to make yourself the best of the best. It isn't about being the center of attention. It's about pointing the attention to God and leaving all the glory for Him. I think this is a really valuble lesson for all of us.

"If worship was like an NBA game" video response

Summary: This was just a silly video making fun of worship. It was enjoyable because basketball and worship are so different yet the video still put the two together.

Chapter 29 of Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader

     In chapter 29 of Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader, the author talks about ministering beyond your comfort zone. He gives a personal experience about how he had to go out of his comfort zone in his own worship team. He says that sometimes, "you don't have to like it; you just have to do it." Sometimes God asks us to do things that are not in our comfort zone but  we should do them regardless.
     I really like how the author says that if we don't go out of our comfort zone, we won't be able to grow. Doing things that we are not comfortable with help us to grow and understand new things. It is important for us to blindly follow where God is telling us to go even if we don't feel comfortable doing it. God know what is best for us and we must trust that whatever he tells us to do is the best for us.

Chapter 28 of Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader

     In Chapter 28 of Keys to Becoming an Effective Worship Leader, Kraeuter talks about understanding the dynamics of the Worship Service. He starts off by emphasizing the importance of having a good foundation for the service. This means being prepared. Specifically, he says it is helpful to create a flow. We can do this by using songs that fit well together both musically and lyrically. Another tip that Kraeuter says is to fill in pauses between songs with prayer.   

     I really like how Kraeuter says that in the end, the whole point of the service is to bring attention to God. Everything we do in preparation for the service should be done with that purpose in mind. We need to remember that we are not leading worship to impress people, but to lead people to God. If we keep our eyes on the Lord, as Kraeuter says, then the service will always go as He(God) wills it. 

Chapter 26 of Keys to Becoming and Effective Worship Leaderi

     In chapter 26 of Keys to Becoming and Effective Worship Leader, Krauter talks about being spiritually prepared to lead. This is such an important thing to do.  Krauter says that it is important for us to prepare our hearts and receive his forgiveness to be ready for worship. One simple example that Krauter mentions about being prepared is being on time. 

     I really like how Krauter mentions that preparation looks different for each person. Each person has different strengths and weaknesses so they may have their own unique ways of preparing for worship. We can take a lot from this chapter as a worship team.