InnerView: Brian Thiessen

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InnerViews are candid glimpses into the heart behind some of today's worship leaders, serving in the Vineyard Music’s InnerView is with Brian Thiessen, a Vineyard worship leader and songwriter from North Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

IW.COM: How and when did you become a Christian?

BRIAN: I was about six years old. I remember feeling a sense of urgency, to get outside, to go somewhere private, so I went behind a woodpile and gave my life to Jesus. And I remember the sense of joy that followed.

IW.COM: How did you get involved in worship ministry?

BRIAN: Since I was about six or seven, I would play violin in church orchestras, mostly around Christmas time. I took part in children's choirs, and later adult choirs. I was first exposed to Vineyard music in my late teens. I found it a more intimate approach to God, and was hooked by it. I learned some of the early songs and would introduce them to my youth group. Those songs, with their intimate expressions, somehow really grabbed hold of my heart.

In 1989, Brian Doerksen, who started leading worship at Langley, invited me to be part of the Vineyard worship ministry, and I have been heavily involved since then.

IW.COM: What Bible verse is most central in your life right now?

BRIAN: The most recent anyway is 1Timothy 6:6-9 (NIV): "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing out of the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction." I’m trying, and have been trying for some time now, to get through this life being content with what I have. It doesn’t matter whether I’m rich or poor, but if my desire is to get rich, then I know I’ll get derailed.

IW.COM: What has God been teaching you recently?

BRIAN: Trust him. Be thankful. Be content.

IW.COM: What are you passionate about at this time in your life?

BRIAN: I want my kids to grow up loving Jesus and not despising me. I want them to walk in a greater measure of freedom than I ever did, and to experience God in greater ways than I ever have. I hope I won’t be a hindrance to that. Good music always factors in when I think of what I’m passionate about, because music, when it’s done well, seems to speak so much louder.

IW.COM: What is the most important thing a person should understand about worship?

BRIAN: Worship is much bigger than your typical Sunday morning experience. You’ll find it in our simple every day acts, or when we gaze up at the stars at night. Sometimes, we get broad sided by someone else’s expression of what’s in their heart.

The Sunday service is a highly valuable corporate expression, and is an opportunity we get only once a week. We worship through a structured service or liturgy. We sometimes need to make a choice to worship because it is right.

IW.COM: What kind of music do you listen to?

BRIAN: I listen to pretty much everything, except super dark stuff. One of my favorite guys right now is Oliver Mtukudzi. One of my favorite guitar players is David Gilmour, of Pink Floyd. My favorite style right now is bluegrass, and my favorite show is and I think always will be, a Phil Keaggy show. There’s so many to list: Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Van Morrison, U2, Beethoven, ...I could go on.

IW.COM: What is your favorite album of all time?

BRIAN: That’s a tough call, but I’d probably say one of Sting’s albums. I think he’s the most brilliant writer and arranger of our time.

IW.COM: What is God doing in your heart, and life, these days?

BRIAN: I'm leading worship at North Langley Vineyard, evenings, while my wife, Loralee, oversees the dance. I’ve held my leadership call at bay for a while, but lately I’m choosing to say yes to all God brings me. I'm asking God to father me and train me in the things I seem to be poor at. The spotlight is shining and selfishness seems to be looming. It's frustrating to see these things, but I know God's purpose is to change me.

IW.COM: What is currently your favorite worship song that says what you want to say to God? Why?

BRIAN: My favorite would be “Psalm 121” (I Lift My Eyes Up). It was one of the first songs that really grabbed me when I started back in 1989. I like David’s approach in asking the question, “where does my help come from?” When I ask the question in song, I can reflect on the times I’ve looked for help in places I won’t find it. "You are my only hope; you’re my only prayer." That's stuff I want to sing when I come to worship.

IW.COM: If you had the ear of every worship leader on the planet right now, what would you say to them?

BRIAN: Unlike at a concert, in a worship setting, not everybody likes the music loud, and the solos long. If you’re a gifted in musician, understand who it is you lead in worship. Let the excellence of the music guide people, and use restraint, otherwise you'll leave many behind.

IW.COM: Do you have a word of encouragement to artists and creative people in the Church?

BRIAN: There is a need for your expression. Creativity comes from God, and all of our expressions together create a clearer picture of Him. They each wipe away a bit of dirt from the window to heaven. Some clear larger sections and some smaller but, the more expressions, the more area is cleared, and the more people can see. There are no two people alike and no two expressions alike. Even if you doubt your influence, be creative, not to please others, but to please God.

IW.COM: What is your favorite worship (or other) song that you have written? Why?

BRIAN: My favorite is “All I Need.” Surrender and dependency on God have always been core issues for me. Every time I sing that song, I'm reminded I'm not there yet.

IW.COM: A lot of creative and artistic types struggle with their local church involvement. Could you provide a word of perspective or encouragement?

BRIAN: I was involved in one church from my birth until I was 23, but one day I received an invitation to be a part of Langley Vineyard. I accepted because it seemed like the Lord’s leading, and for the first time, I experienced freedom and fulfillment for many of my heart’s desires.

I'll be slow to tell people to move on to another church. Although I believe there needs to be a good fit between you and your church, I also know that constantly moving from church to church tends to breed a “me” focused worship experience. If you feel your creativity is undervalued, your greatest creative challenge will be to find a way to present your gift that it might be a blessing to others.

IW.COM: What ways do you express your heart’s cry to God other than musical worship or spoken prayer?

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