Tony Cummings spoke to worship singer and songwriter, ANDY PARK.

AP: More and more pastors are recognising the power and effectiveness of worship music in drawing people into God's presence. If the pastor is the most influential person in the meeting, the worship leader is usually the second most influential. With the revolution in church music that has been going on for the last 30 years, this view of worship music is becoming more and more standard, at least from my perspective.

TC: Those whose experience of God is not a "charismatic" experience would argue that the charismatic faction of the broader Church has almost appropriated worship as something it exclusively does. Isn't it true that worship and its produce - intimacy with God - is in fact experienced by millions of people through the vehicle of centuries old hymns and a traditional liturgy?

AP: Absolutely. I cite examples in my book from many eras in Church history in which people have experienced God's presence in worship. Today, the lines between "charismatic" and non-charismatic churches is blurring. Though some churches still see the gifts and empowering of the Holy Spirit as not meant for this age, many mainline denominations are more open to this reality.

No particular stream of churches or denominations has a "corner on the market" of God's presence. God loves his whole Church and will visit anyone who chooses to humble themselves to him, regardless of the style of music. Most denominations have a percentage of churches that really love and welcome the manifest presence of God, though perhaps not all of them would use the same language to describe this experience.

TC: What would you hope for To Know You More to achieve?

AP: In my seminars and in the book, I've simply taught what I've learned from experience. (And I'm still learning.) For those who are new to this model of worship, there may be all kinds of new insights that are gained. I hope there will be people from all kinds of different worship traditions that read this book. To give a broad view of my way of leading worship, I decided to include the heart and theology behind the model I use, not just the practical 'how-to's and examples.

TC: What would you say to the criticism that the Nashville-based record industry has marketed praise and worship turning it into just product pitched at evangelical consumers?

AP: God has moved on his Church, bringing a fresh wave of worship music over the past few decades. In the western world, we are big time consumers - we package, distribute and consume whatever we can. In this case, it is worship CDs. But that can either be viewed positively or negatively. We have the means to buy CDs, so if we perceive that we can get fresh resources to stir up vital worship in our churches, why not buy them? I think God will bless the ministries of people he has gifted and called into music, whether they never write a song or whether they write thousands. The material that is really anointed by God for far-reaching purposes will find its place, and usually God will use record distributors to do that. The stuff that is just shallow but slickly produced music won't have much of a long term impact. I'm sure there are lots of people in the distribution of worship music who are driven by a desire for profit. But I don't see any benefit in trying to analyse people's motives - I can't read their hearts, and it's not my place to do that.

TC: What are your hopes and plans for the future?

AP: I want to keep imparting a heart of worship wherever God takes me. After a few years of staying home, I'm doing more travelling these days to lead worship and teach on worship. I also want to influence key young worship leaders in my own city and region. My five oldest children are in a worship band with me. We are playing occasionally at different events here in town, and on Sunday mornings in our own church. (I have eight kids in all, from 16 years old to 1 year). It's very rewarding for me to see my kids mature as worshippers and to grow musically. I look forward to investing lots more time and energy into my family. To see more on my family, look up my website: www.andypark.ca.

Finally, I want to continue to live a lifestyle in every sense of the word - reaching the lost and needy and ministering in my own local church.