Here We Grow! 2015 In Focus

Music is fundamental to a Pentecostal service. We use the phrase, "We don't need music," at times in efforts to encourage people to not lean on the fleshy side of the entertainment music gives. But in fact we CAN'T HELP but have music. If there weren't a musical instrument in the building, if there were no designated singers around, I dare say music would be produced regardless. Because the joy of the Lord causes a song to burst forth from a thankful heart. Even prayer carries a sing-song quality to it. We may not need rehearsed music. But the presence of our God calls music out of us. Period. 

Perhaps there will come a new day, a new culture which prefers a more "earthy" or "organic" form of music in  worship services, where missed chords and sharp or flat voices will be an asset rather than a distraction. But today's culture definitely is used to quality. Be the genre unplugged, straight from a campfire, or be it highly produced, techno pop. Even the most remote villages in third world nations know what our world's highest quality of music sounds like. 

In the church, we do not strive to produce our best quality because we're egomaniacs. We do so because we have ONE goal: to draw people to Christ. In our culture where television has made it acceptable to criticize so publicly a performer's best work through shows such as The Voice, or America's Got Talent, etc. We must be vigilant to be on our toes giving our best so that their ear can relax in our best sound. Our best sound softens the listener's spirit to be receptive to the gospel we share. 

We do not strive for betterment because we're professional entertainers. We strive for our best because we are professional fishers-of-men. We do not sing the purest notes, or learn the tightest licks because we're ego-driven, but because we are harvest-driven.

I have made a heightened effort in the last five years to perfect what we have. That is, to put people to work in the areas I see as their strong points. I try to push people to get better via personal discipline. And you have all risen to the occasion with me. When God brings someone to my attention, there's no amount of explanation that will convince me that they cannot do what I ask them to try.  I don't need people to have self-confidence, I merely need trust and willingness. I don't need self-promoters, I need team-promoters. When you are absent, your group feels the loss. When we wing-it without practicing it, the audience feels it. Together, for a cause bigger than ourselves, will always strive to keep quality and unity at its best.

There will be some new methods of learning material this year that will feel more like a worship concert than a traditional choir practice. In those "concerts" I hope to give people some opportunities to bless us through their gifts of art; be that singing, or playing, or drawing, etc. We will be doing more outdoor concerts with our new street meeting stage. But from the rehearsals, to the great outdoors, to the regular worship services, we can never underestimate the importance of rehearsal & unity.

I love the music people of Souls Harbor so insanely much!! God has given me great excitement and enthusiasm to climb to another level. Let us rise to this occasion together, as one, in 2015.

The 4th Thursday of every month is set-aside as our new material rehearsals. It would be very helpful for you to plan around those dates. If you have a trip or appointment, or something unavoidable causing you to miss it, it would be appreciated if you touched base with me, letting me know if you'll be absent. And of course, continue your personal responsibility to get a replacement when you'll be gone.

The dates in this pic are extremely important. They're not inclusive of our traditionally important rehearsals for TtF prep, etc. Those rehearsals still exist. But these are newbies and trial runs. Please regard them.