The Message in the Music

SAU Professors (And SAFMC Worship Team Members) Robert Woods and Brian Walrath have just released this collection of essays that speak to the content of “Contemporary” Praise & Worship music.  You know, the whole organ vs. guitar vs. drums vs. Choirs vs. flash vs. liturgical vs. history vs. taste vs. the instrument Jesus played.   It’s been a pretty big blip on the church radar screen these past 25 or so years. If you lead worship or even attend a church where worship happens — you’re probably familiar with this discussion.I’m just getting through the first few chapters now.  I already think it needs to be on every Worship Leader’s bookshelf (or whatever it is that you use to hold up books.  An old tailgate, perhaps). If you care at all about the theological content and the pedigogical effect of Worship songs, then this book is for you.  Here’s a nice picture of the cover:     And here’s the link.

Happy Thanksgiving

What am I thankful for?  I’m thankful for thanksgiving, both the national holiday and the perspective.  We take a day off, watch the Lions lose, spend time around a table topped with turkey and terrific tasty treats that attach to our thighs.

Not literally, of course.

Today I’m just plain thankful.  We always thank God whenever we avert danger, barely make it or come within inches of losing our lives.  But when the plane lands safely, the stairs aren’t slippery and the tests come back normal — who do we thank then?

Not the turkey, I can tell you that much.

Sniff

The Lions lost.

Sniff

Michigan lost.

Stuff We’re Working On

I’m a big fan of getting things done. Not everything, mind you — but important, life-changing things. I have a friend in ministry who knows how to get things done. We grew up in the same church, and even when we were kids he had a tendency to dream big. Sometimes they weren’t very good ideas (Dude! Let’s hook this sled up to the back of your car and pull it around the church parking lot during a board meeting! What could possibly go wrong?) but other thoughts he had were downright genius. I’m not sure if he was getting these ideas directly from on High or if it was just a result of growing up a little bored by church but he got things done. To this day, I know him to be the guy who comes up with an idea, runs with it and gets it done.

Everyone comes up with ideas. That’s fairly easy. It’s implementing these ideas and seeing them through to completion where we fall short. We see this not only in ministry but across the board in corporations, non-profits and even our own homes. I still haven’t finished filling in that sink hole that formed in by back yard. Last year.

Intentions are always good but sadly make very little difference in the Kingdom. We don’t read the book of Acts and see a bunch of dreamers saying “wouldn’t it be nice if we did this?” We read the book of Acts and see, well… acts.

This is the dark side of visionary leadership. We put a cubic ton of stock into visionary leadership and figure that someone else will make it happen. We’ve all read this stuff and I think it’s true — we need visionary leadership. But we actually need (bad word) management. Visionary management. Leaders in the church who have a dream given to them from the Chief Visionary and can see how we get from here to there. I used to aim to be a visionary leader. Now I want to be a visionary manager.

Thoughts on Facebook

Random thoughts about facebook and/or myspace:

Poke? What’s this? I’ve been poked? So, like… what do I do? Do I report this to some kind of authority? I mean, we don’t just do this at the mall. Hey. Poke. What are you going to do? It’s not done that way. Oh, wait. I can poke them back. I see. Just like we learned in preschool — when you get poked, you poke back. We got in trouble for it, too.

Is it wierd that I know more about people on facebook than I do about the people I actually see every day?

We don’t send e-mail anymore. We write on people’s walls. But we put up things that don’t belong on walls, at least I think. I don’t envision driving through Chicago and seeing in graffitti: “Hey, man. Just wondered what Jessica’s screen name is. Lat’r!”

Sometimes Facebook turns mere acquaintances into high-maintenance friends.

One of my favorite quotes about technolgoy has some harsh language, but I still think is true, espeically in light of this post. “Technology is a whore that promises what it cannot deliver”. Love it.

Am I off here? Seriously. I love facebook. I’m just thinking out loud.

Barnes / Davidson Project (BDP)

Just did a “gig” at the local University. That’s what musicians call it — a “gig”. Ben Barnes and I played guitar and keyboard, respectively. But not respectably. Anyway, we even had a “Merch” table — that’s what musicians call it — “merch”, which is short for “merchant of venice” which is long for “merchandise”. Sold some BDP shirts that were custom pressed for this event at BDP (Ben’s Dad’s Place) and even had our #1 album available for sale. It’s our first album, so I’m sure you’ll want to pick it up before they’re all gone and become “collectible” or, really… “coasters”.

We have a myspace page here, though I have no idea what’s on it. Apologies in advance for those who dare to click. Another one for the BDP @ SAU!

UPDATE — someone had a camera at the event:

CAPTION: Both musicians simultaneously wonder what the other is doing.