Christmas Song that works!

As far as 'Christmas Arrangements' go, a lot of songs are 'improved' that were better left alone. In the spirit of the season I won't rant on any particular artist that shouldn't have added their 'diva-esque' influence to a holiday tune that didn't need their help.

Here's something positive. I think it's my favorite new to me arrangement of the 2008 Christmas music offering

Peace on Earth

Jimbo

TOO MUCH FUN

The wife and I were shopping in Branson tonite, and dropped by Silver Dollar City for a bit, and I got to visit with my old friends, the Homestead Pickers. We had been inside the log cabin about five minutes before I was asked to sit in and play bass. While there, with no sound system, big lights, or any agenda whatsoever, I played 'One Day At A Time, and 'On My Father's Side' and got to think about how much God has done for me. I had never heard Father's Side before, but was warned that every time it's played, somebody gets blessed. It was true. I found a version of an old timer singing it. I hope you enjoy it. Jim

A new song on the horizon

Our super-soprano Tammy S will be singing a new song for offertory this week

We will be adding it to our worship mix. I like this video: Grab some tissue

Jim

HE REIGNS!

The Sunday night Gospel Event was truly some of the greatest music I've ever been involved in. Will posts excerpts soon!


Jim

An even BETTER Quote:

"What unites us is greater than what divides us"

Dr. Rodney Reeves - Interim Pastor South Haven Baptist Church

One of my favorite quotes

and it applies to this blog.

"I'm an equal opportunity offender" - Mel Brooks

Guitar Lesson: I Am Free

Starring the most horrible pants I own



I'm at home recovering from my anterior cervical disc fusion ( note the white soft collar / neck brace in the video), and with LOTS of time on my hands, I made this video for vanderbilly.com . Clearly the Tony Stewart pants should not be allowed out of the house, even on video; but what's done is done. If you like this song you can use the above video to learn the Ross Parsley version , at least my idea of how to play it. Chances are you play better than me anyway, most folks do, but it's my first video all the same. Enjoy it, and forgive me for the wardrobe selection. Thank you to my friends for the amount of healing that has already happened thru your prayers. A minor thank you to the Gibson Guitar Co., for chambering the Les Paul model, otherwise it would be too heavy for me to lift, even to sit and play while I'm in recovery mode. For those of you headed to church Sunday morning to lift your voices and instruments toward God, count your blessings, and be grateful for what you have. Know that while I'm not on stage, my heart will be shouting the joy of knowing God and experiencing his love for each of us.

Jimbo

The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang:
"He is good; his love endures forever" . . II Chronicles 5:13 (NIV)

Be on time

Tim Hughes said so!



Jim

Should We Practice or Rehearse

OK, I've been a techie all my life. Back when I was 19, I got a job at Dynamight Sound and Lighting in Springfield MO, working on stage lighting stuff, and once in a while, tweaking a piece of commercial sound equipment. Along the way, I discovered a non-teenager magazine called " International Musician and Recording World". It was a world class mag, that reviewed $800 guitar amps, and $200k mixing consoles. Since I'm an info junkie, it was the perfect mag for a kid starting out in the pro sound world.

Of the 20-25 issues I read cover to cover, I remember one article most of all. It was the musician version of the boy scout handbook, which basically said: " Be Musically Prepared "

You do not PRACTICE with a group. You PRACTICE at home ( OK, no more caps ). You are assigned a song, or you find one, or God gives it to you, . . . whatever. Learn it and know it before you ever make a sound in public. MP3 players are really good for this. I will listen to a new song 80-100 times before we all get together, and I'll have the flow memorized, and might even work out some chord fingerings in my head based on the recording.

THEN, and only then: We get together to REHEARSE.

from dictionary.com

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This re·hearse /rɪˈhɜrs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-hurs] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation verb, -hearsed, -hears·ing. –verb (used with object)

1.	to practice (a musical composition, a play, a speech, etc.) in private prior to a public presentation.

2.	to drill or train (an actor, musician, etc.) by rehearsal, as for some performance or part.

3.	to relate the facts or particulars of; recount.

–verb (used without object)

4.	to rehearse a play, part, etc.; participate in a rehearsal.

this isn't all of them, but it's a good start.

When we get together on Wednesday nights, it should be to rehearse. We should have heard the song by then, and not be surprised when the WL ( my future abbreviation for Worship Leader ) tells the instrument that starts off the recording to start it off for our run-thru. If we can put a little more effort into what we do at home, we can polish even further what we work at as a team. This way no one is holding up ten people needlessly.

Collossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. ( thank you biblegateway.com )

I hope that we can move forward in a manner that will honor God, and we may present our efforts for his kingdom and cause, as an offering of our time and service. I've used this scripture before in my 'arguments', perhaps too often; yet it continues to fit the situation at hand. Thankfully I've not had to deal with rehearsal for a bit, due to my medical recovery. Thank you to JD for his willingness to jump into the fray and help out in my absence. I've heard many good things about him already, and will get to hear him in person with our band this coming Sunday. I am SO looking forward to plugging in again next to CM, DC and HB and making our joyful noise as soon as I can. My Les Paul is about to jump off the stand!

Thank you God for the many times you've allowed the inspiration of Your music to touch my heart, and for the songwriters and musicians that brought songs of Your love to me.

JC

Wisdom of the Ages ( Aged ? )

My wife's adorable Granma Dorothy pointed out to me yesterday: " Our church must really be involved in the Lord's work for the devil to want to give us all this trouble we're having "

She's right. If we weren't after lost souls, and actually bringing them to Christ, our church life would probably be alot more ho-hum

Jimbo

Tight

So I played with a different band tonight. We were tight! Their regular bass player was on vacation, and they needed a fill-in. A low key presentation of a handful of current tunes during an ordination of a new Free Will Baptist Pastor. I did something unusual. I played bass. Hadn't played a bass for real since November 2006. Just like riding a bike. Turns out I like my Conklin Bass alot more than I remember. Yes, it was expensive, but you get what you pay for (my Les Paul Honeyburst wasn't $399, and my Strat wasn't $149 either).

Anyhow, It was the first time I had every played 'God With Us' by Mercy Me. We hadn't rehearsed it, but the regular band members knew what was going on, so I walked in and played it off the chart, and we NAILED IT! No surprise twists in the song, just follow the chart, and let the song's message speak to the heart God intended it for.

I'm done ranting. Check out the other band

this post will be updated ASAP, and you'll see photos of the band

Jimbo

Whoa! Sunday July 19th, 2008

What a great event. The music was great, the preaching was PHENOMENAL! Thank you Dr. Reeves for an inspiring message about the definition and purpose of worship. Thank You Dr. Scott for leading worship. I always enjoy your performance of ' I am free '.

We did a new arrangement of Blessed Be Your Name this week. Instead of a slow-ish Matt Redman which is our std. bill of fare, we did a Newsong version (nice video here), that reminded me of some of Chris Tomlin's live cuts, the way Daniel Carson ( guitarist) can pull some U2-edge into a modern worship tune. We hit it in a big way, and it was killer! For invitation we played the Tomlin Amazing/Chains tune, cutting short at the end of invitation, and sending the folks out with the last chorus. The tag after the invitation was perfect, and better than 'the usual' by a long shot. Yes, I enjoy the usual, but what Scott pulled off was so much more meaningful.Again, beautiful job Scott. We all felt it, we all loved it. Yes, I know it's not about how WE feel, but how God feels. I hope God got a smile out of seeing us today.

JC

Flow?

We are having a flow problem at church. Medium sized contemporary southern baptists, 500 in one service, 200 in the next. Continuity is just not there.

Here's the old flow

song
meet and greet
end of same song
song 2
song 3
stop for announcements
offertory song and offering taken
song 4
song 5


sermon
invitation song
announce new members/decisions etc

we just switched to this, and I'm not sure it works either

Song
meet and greet
end of same song
song 2
song 3
song 4
announcements ( that really fall flat on their face after the meaningful music. Even the announcer/assoc. pastor is not sure he likes it )
offertory song and offering
Sermon
Invitation Song
announce new members/decisions etc


I'm proposing:
Song
meet/greet
announcements
Song 2
Song 3
Song 4
Song 5

Sermon
Inv. Song
offertory song
announce new members/decisions etc

FYI this is the flow at Second Baptist, or at least how it was in the awesome Sat. nite service a few years ago

We are not sure we can move the offertory to the end of the service. It would be a big change after a few decades of doing things the same way in this church, and since we just lost our pastor, maybe people will want to keep things a little more routine, or something to that effect ( paraphrased from the boss )

your opinions/suggestions please email
( I have also posted this discussion at worshiptogether.com )

Sunday July 6th 2008 Review

(photo from my back yard following a major storm in 2001)

Wow! Today, we didn't play. We didn't sing. We let GOD speak to us, and thru us. It was not about us AT ALL. Normally during prayer times, I'm hooking up, unhooking, adjusting, switching guitars, etc. , but not today. Today during prayer, I actually prayed. It was like we were in church, and not at work. Very special thanks to my buddy John Howland for leading such a wonderful service with music and prayer. We sounded like a band again. ( Usually we sound like an orchestra. Admittedly, a rock orchestra, but a loosely assembled bunch of volunteers that clearly show we don't do this for a living ). Heck, we even played a new song, and with a minor mistake during the first set, we still managed to get the message across, and all stay together. I was really really cool. Yes, I know it's not about us, it's not about cool, it's not about feelings, but: If we felt so good about doing the same ol' thing, how do you think the crowd took it?

One comment was: " That's the best it has ever been"


13 in unison when the trumpeters and the singers were to make themselves heard with one voice to praise and to glorify the LORD, and when they lifted up their voice ^(A)accompanied by trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and when they praised the LORD saying, "^(B)He indeed is good for His loving kindness is everlasting," ( II Chronicles 5:13 NASB )

Give God all the credit!

JC email

Getting dropped from a record label

I got the following email from


is it just me, or did it seem like back in the '90s, it was a big deal when an artist was dropped by a record label? Today, we barely bat an eye at such news. Has it always been this way?

To me, it's partly explained by the radically changing landscape of the music industry over the last five years. A record label is a business like any other, and if it fails to make ends meet year-to-year, changes have to be made. Dropping an artist is a tough decision, but it's a reality, just like having to fire an employee within a company or even at a church.

Of course, nowadays it's not as critical for an artist to have label support. If their music connects with listeners, independent artists will find ways to carry on. As long as the music is good enough to find its way to the ears of consumers, it really doesn't matter if a record label is supporting it or not.

My question is, shouldn't it matter? I sincerely want the company to succeed as much as the artist, because just as successful artists continue to make good music, successful record labels continue to find good music. That's why it bothers me that record labels today don't have a better track record with introducing new artists.

Unfortunately, there's no foolproof formula for success in music—but I get the sense that some record labels believe there is. Too often it seems as if some labels aren't interested in an artist's potential. Rather than looking ahead to the long-term investment that comes with signing an artist, they become preoccupied with the present ("What's selling now?") and the past ("What's worked before?"). Granted, we can't know what the future holds, but is it any wonder that we find so many short-term artists by focusing only on what's selling at the moment?

Let's face it: the synergy between record label and artist isn't what it used to be. If you look back at least twenty years ago, you'll find a lot of legendary artists who didn't start off strongly, but found their footing with time and artist development. Those are the artists who have graced us with careers lasting ten, twenty, even thirty years.

My favorite record labels are the ones that invest in their artists—breaking bread with them, praying with them, listening to their hopes and ambitions. They're the ones that enter into a long-term partnership after careful consideration, not short-term business deals based on shortsighted marketing data.

Believe me, I'm not trying to blame all the woes of the music industry on record labels—it's not all on their shoulders, and there are lots of factors at work beyond their influence. But much too often, it seems record companies are looking for quick success with a new act, only to drop that artist when the success is fleeting. Are record labels and listeners afraid to invest in the new? Or are we all really this fickle with our music? No easy answers, just something to think about.

Here's my reply

when you speak of an artist that 'developed' I can't help but think of Michael Bolton. He was the original 'Chris Daughtry' in terms of style and talent, but was an unknown rocker forever ( to most of the Gen. Public ) until his 'Dock of the Bay' single in 1988. Currently, he's trying to beat out Michael Buble' in a genre that doesn't fit his voice AT ALL. Regardless, he stuck with what he was good at all those years, and so did the record company, until the point that the style was no longer marketable ( makes me think of Point of Grace - will they ever be successful again? Honestly, I don't miss them a bit.)

As far as record companies investing in their acts, Rob from Pillar once said in the FOTF/Plugged in magazine ( paraphrased as best as I can remember) "People used to buy albums, read all the liner notes, and get to know the band. Now with downloads, it's 'the flavor of the day' ". In my pre-christian days, I could tell you what song was on what side and in what order of every album I owned: Rush, Journey, Kiss, etc. ( I had more free time back then, but really got to KNOW the music ) If the fans arent' willing to invest in an artist, why should the record companies?? Nowadays, I'm lucky to buy 2-3 CDs a year, and they are usually movie soundtracks that I enjoy. One exception is the grammy awarded 'Fingerprints' by Peter Frampton. Quality songwriting, production, and musicianship. Besides, how much should I invest in another CD with all the current bands rehashing the same 3-4 chord worship tunes over and over when most of them play at a college levels?

Thanks for the article !

Jim Cox

At the risk of embarrasing myself . . .

Living Water


We had a guest drummer, all of fifteen years old, which is why he's a little loud. That, and the fact that Nancy's (the backup singer) Husband recorded this on the 'drum side' of the room.

Anyhow, I totally dig Chris Nesbitt's music, you should check him out.

JC

Sunday June 29th, 2008 Review

2nd service was like this

3rd service

maybe if we talked less and rehearsed more during REHEARSAL ( I'm guilty too ) we would have sounded like we had played together before


JC

Music Set 06-29-2008

We're involving the choir and a couple of videos from Vets, and the Boss is singing the national anthem in a really cool arrangement with his nice wife Mary on the keys while Harry is out for the week. Following that, we have two quick songs ( all links take you to a really close 'youtube' version of what our arrangement is like )

Marvelous Light from Passion 2005 We sometimes have trouble remembering how to start this one, but it's pretty close to what you'll see on the YT

I Am Free by Ross Parsley We play it pretty much note for note, but maybe about 5% faster. I enjoy the guitar parts in this song, but I have a little less 'The Edge' tone ( U2's guitar player) and actually use more edge: distortion/delay/Phase/Flanger/Gain ( just picked up a used MXR late model Phase 90 on ebay. Hope to get the R28 and C11/C12 mods done by Saturday). I'm tired of how hard it is to edit the parameters and then save them, only to need a former version later, so I'm using effects outside of Line 6, but you've heard me gripe about them before

and after the Sermon:
Take My Life for the invitation. Tomlin hits this just a little harder live than we do, but I ALWAYS like what Daniel Carson brings to the lead guitar at a Tomlin event. He's just plain awesome, and inspires me to play alot more, and to try and play better along the way.

Short, sweet, but lotsa fun in the time alloted. Sure it's about God, never said it wasn't, but we can have fun along the way, right?

Be Good!
Jimbo ( email )
II Chronicles 5:13

Set for Sunday June 22

Here's our set list for this coming Sunday, with something new thrown in

God Is Great ( linked to youtube )
How Great is Our God (linked to youtube. Sorry for the Kingeth Jameseth Introductioneth )
here's our new one: You Are Good - or maybe it's We Worship You, I don't know which is correct. You tube linked ( somebody should tell the white guy in the leisure suit that men should take their hat off indoors! )
Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone the Tomlin tune, linked as well.

our 'You Are Good' is close to a Willow Creek version. Still has a ton of B3 organ, and alot more guitar too. Scott, our tenor for the week complimented me ( Thanks Scott ). I hope we can pull it off. Regardless, the Boss did a good job of getting us through the rehearsal. I originally thought this song should have been put throught the shredder, but we actually pulled it off. ( Hey, the header above says I'm cynical, right? ) If the crowd likes it, then I'm in. I wasn't really interested when I heard it, after all we already have one I'm Still Standing , but I may change my mind yet.

My friends are always complimenting me when Worship 'feels good'. Yes, I know, it's about how GOD feels when we place our worship on HIM, but still, can't we strive towards that 'feeling' if it helps folks feel closer to God, or as I like to say it 'fall in love with God all over again'?? Why not help find that feeling? It's not a focus, God is our focus. But, can it be a goal??

Jimbo email

Workin' on it

I'm currently building a 12AX7 or 12AU7 tube preamp/Effects pedal for my church gig. I'm using real tubes, running in a 'space charge/starved plate' mode, which makes a really nice square wave, and it can run off a 15V wall wart adapter. I'm gonna dink around with tone controls until I find the one I like the most, I have lotsa options, including the Conklin Parametric EQ I developed a few years ago. I've heard enough 'models' of distortion to last a lifetime. The POD XT works ok on my USA HSS Strat, but the Les Paul Classic just overdrives it beyond hope. Too bad the $500 gizmo isn't as easy to use as the pre-owned one I got for $125 at a second hand music store. Why can't the 'modeling brains' at Line 6 put a friggin' volume control on the front!

BTW, the Volume pedal doesn't work AGAIN

Glad I'm playing for a higher purpose, otherwise, I'd be venting right now!

;-)

JC

Sunday May 25th 2008 review

We had fun. Plain and simple. It was fun. We played

God is Great ( youtube link )
Blessed Be Your Name ( youtube link )
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever ( the 'dark' one- link)

I added a new 'effect' to my setup this past wknd. A Dunlop/MXR micro amp. I had used my own personally modified super-cool DS1 a few times in the past, but it adds lots of distortion along with the boost, and changes the EQ, so I brought in the micro-amp. I saw a local musician Bill Brown (1960-2004. He also taught me how to play an 'A' with one finger, my very first guitar lesson! Anybody remember Piano Forte on Campbell St?) with one back in 1980, and can still see him on that stage over on olive street, with his Strat and Sunn Beta 212 amp. Back then, he taught me that the guitar player will know when he's going to solo or just add something, and will know better than the soundguy ( who is probably a volunteer, and should not be held accountable for knowing every arrangement that comes along ) when the guitar needs to be hotter. This little MXR does the job perfectly. No color added, no tone changes, maybe it drives the POD XT Live a little harder ( which probably adds a model of distortion, whatever that is ) which is OK, cause you're looking for a little more bite when you're adding emphasis.

After the offeratory, we did 'By His Wounds' from the Glory Revealed project ( youtube link ), and tagged it with the chorus from Matt Redman's 'Nothing But the Blood'. For the invitation, we did 'Blessed Be Your Name' (BBYN) again, full speed, full volume, and rocked it. It was nice to have something a little more powerful for invitation.

FYI, the chord changes for BBYN are the same as 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey. Gave me an excuse to slide a Neah Schon melody in there during the second half of the bridge.

I LOVE PLAYING IN CHURCH!

JC

My favorite Shaun Groves post of all time. Makes me want to study alot more Greek in my 'Strongs Concordinance' - Jimbo

10.22.07 Shut Up And Worship Pt.5
It’s like transferring vinyl to mp3. A lot of information gets whittled away when the bible is taken from Greek and Hebrew and a foreign culture and ancient time and transferred into English to be read by modern Americans. What we’re left with is still beautiful and moving but we sense sometimes that what we read and understand today is lacking the fullness of the original.

That’s how I feel when I go to church and hear a pastor say something like “Now, brother So-and-so will lead us in worship” and I watch as brother So-and-so opens his hymnal or picks up his guitar and sings - asking the rest of us to join him. Or how about when I meet a musician who calls himself a “worship leader” or meet a pastor who says the “worship” at his church is fantastic, just something I’ve got to “hear.”

Sometimes the modern use of the word “worship” leaves me feeling hungry for something more - like the waiter’s delivered me a bowl of ranch dressing before the salad’s arrived. And other times I wonder if the chef has even heard of salad.

I was twenty-six when the word “worship” first left me feeling this way. I was standing at the back of our large church sanctuary watching more than a thousand people, many of them with hands raised, sing loudly to God. They were facing a stage and on that stage was a front man in ripped jeans and a t-shirt, one hand on his microphone and the other arm stretched up past his stubbled cheek and highlight-streaked haircut toward heaven. A thin haze of fog hung in the air around him, making the dances of colored beams of light visible. A row of singers clad in black flanked the front man, harmonizing beautifully together. A golden Les Paul pumping through a Marshall amp wailed from the darkness behind them where a thunderous bass pounced out and thumped us all in our bones. Keyboards and a massive drum kit filled in the rest of the stage and our ear drums. Behind it all, through the fog and laser lights and darkness, lyrics and moving images flowed continually across a twenty foot screen. This was everything I always wanted worship to be. It was every word we tossed around in planning meetings and at conferences: relevant, excellent, cutting-edge, moving.

I heard someone say once the best way to find out you’re wrong is for everyone else to think you’re right. And that’s what happened to me. For years we church staff people fought with the congregation and each other over what worship should look like and sound like. We lobbied hard for the front man and his t-shirt, the guitars and drums and bone thumping bass, the songs and singers and lights and big screen. And we emerged victorious. Those who disagreed with us left and those who stayed believed we were right - or didn’t care. Regardless, we got what we wanted and that left me with the suspicion that we were wrong, that there was something else, something more to “worship.”

But what else was there?

Over the next couple years I tried to find out. I looked up every mention of the word “worship” in the bible and then took a look at the original Greek and Hebrew words they were all translated from. This took a long time since I’m a musician by training, not a linguist, but it was worth it. What I discovered made me angry at first. What was missing was so obvious that I couldn’t believe I’d never heard it come from a pastor, a worship leader, never heard it at a conference or read it in a book.

I discovered that of the eleven Greek words and the five Hebrew words translated as “worship” in the bible, NONE of them have ANYTHING to do with music.

And suddenly what I thought was vinyl turned out to be an mp3.

Or a lie.

SG

What did I tell you? Is this an awesome post or what? - Jimbo

From Dr. Joe's web page

“from You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly…” Psalm 22:25

what comes first

So I go to church, I get a guitar solo here and there, and a ton of people tell me they love it. They like it better than that 'other music' we have to do sometimes ( hymns, maybe a contemporary song nobody ever heard 'cept for our music pastor ), and wish we could do more of this type/that type/whatever. Like Shaun Groves said, paraphrased ' when we make something else more important than God, we've missed it'

How many times am I gonna have to quote Dr Joe Crider who once told me "You can't worship the music". Evidently, this is over some folks' heads. I dunno why.

So tonight, after my cool solos, the killer bass lines, big drum fills ( sorry, no fog or big trusses covered with stage lights ) I heard the chamber choir, and the handbells. The handbells were great, the best they have ever sounded. Doing the Tomlin tune 'How Great is Our God/How Great Thou Art' was the most modern thing they've ever done, and they did a great job of it. The chamber choir let loose of some great tunes I've heard on Gaither Homecoming videos, and everyone in the room was truly blessed.

Q: Why is it the only music that moves me is Southern Gospel? I'd love an answer to that question. FYI I don't play 10 SG songs a year.

God First, Music Second

Jimbo

I DARE YOU

not to cry

Perspective

nothing I have said here will ever be as important as what you will see in the above link

JC

Worship Slides

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
Bids me come and die and find that I may TRULY LIVE.
Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
All who gather here
by grace draw near
and bless your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were and offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
Bids me come and die and find that I may TRULY LIVE.
Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
All who gather here
by grace draw near
and bless your name

Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live.
Oh the Wonderful Cross, Oh the Wonderful Cross!
All who gather here
by grace draw near
and bless your name

Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life,
my all

I put these slides together a few years ago for a song we did at Southpark/Journey Fellowship Church in Springfield MO

American Idol and Hype

Read THIS from Russ Breimeier of ChristianityToday.com. It's an op-ed about the hype around American Idol.

My response was this: If you really really really wanna sing, you WOULD BE SINGING! I have a dozen friends at church that sing in our praise band/worship team/whatever we should call it. We have some great folks, and some great voices. Point is, they SING. They want to SING. If someone wanted to sing, they could get themselves involved. For some person to sing in the shower tone deaf as can be, and think they are gonna walk onto some stage somewhere and be discovered is crazy. If you wanna sing, then SING. In August of 2005 I volunteered myself as a guitar player at our church. Two days later I was rehearsing with them, and now I can claim to have been there since then, as the electric guitarist on stage. I work on it when I'm at home, I think about it when I'm in the car, and listen to music I don't know yet when I'm at work ( what did we do before MP3 players? ) If you are serious about an involvement in music ( career or not ) you should already be there, making your dream happen. The other side of this coin is maybe you weren't given those particular gifts, but whatever your gifts are, you should be serving God with them regardless.

Jimbo

If you really really wanna Worship

Check out Nate's personal blog. God has given him and Tricia a miracle baby, and they need your prayers DESPERATELY. Let's all see what an Awesome God can do. Please check out the link, and PRAY

Jim

Our first Sunday Back

After we returned from Tulsa, I took a very informal survey: How did the college team do in our place? I got three "It was amazing/great/etc. . . " and three "glad you guys are back" ( out of six friends I polled) Interestingly enough, the line between the votes was also divided by testosterone and estrogen. I think this means that the women I asked all FELT like they were praising God during the service, whereas the men were uncomfortable with the change. I didn't hear it, but personally, I think the other guitar player (Craig) can play circles around me (and he's roughly half my age).

OK, so we're back, we've seen a lot of Rock 'n' Roll in churches in Tulsa, cool lighting ( some excessive), and we're PUMPED to get back to it. We didn't buy any new lights, but we paid more attention to the lighting in our church. Musically, no difference. Honestly, it's only been two days since Sunday, and I can only remember two of the five songs we played. "I am Free" by Ross Parsley, and "Knowing You" by ?????. "I am Free" is obviously recognizable by anyone that has heard the Newsboyz on the radio, so people can at least sing the hook on the chorus. I really can't remember the three songs we did before the Mission Minute and the Offeratory song. Oh Yeah, the offertory was in 'C' and we sang an accapella 'Amazing Grace" afterwards in the same key. ( " I am Free " was also moved down to C for range and continuity ).

Maybe I expected a little more Rockin' going on this past weekend, but people really didn't need it. We had a funeral for a beautiful ten week old baby this past Saturday at church, and maybe folks weren't ready for it.

Funny thing. We did the exact same song set the next service, and it wailed. We had fun, the smaller 3rd service crowd was engaged, and we had a good time. What was different?

Jimbo

Pleasing People or Pleasing God

Ok, so it's NOT about how we feel during worship, It's about how God feels. Do any of us know how God feels? Did we bother to ask him. As musicians/singers/leaders/whatever, what if we made it a part of our job to help people feel wonderful about God?

Would that be bad?

comments? mr.jamescox@yahoo.com

Jimbo

Four Churches in Tulsa OK

The praise/worship team* of South Haven Baptist Church took a road trip last weekend to Tulsa, OK, (three hours SW of Springfield, MO) to observe other churches, and how we can improve the worship experience for our congregation. We left early Saturday morning on 12 Jan 2008, arriving in Tulsa in time for lunch. We ate, went to our the home of our Music Pastor's younger sister, and discussed the intentions for the weekend. Following our meeting, it was time for Hotel check-in, and then off to the first two church services.

*we were missing our buddy Tambra, an amazing singer with an educated sound and a rock and roll style (recovering from foot surgery)

Saturday Night -

First up: Church on the Move. A Word of Faith church that is big big big, and doing very well in Tulsa. The presentation reminded me of a concert. Andy Chrisman ( formerly of 4Him ) is the worship pastor, and quite an accomplished singer. The lighting was strong on stage, and dim in the audience area, adding to the concert feel. A couple of roving cameras moved around the stage, along with two stationary video cameras in the audience area all rotated views on the screens. I personally liked the camera tight on the snare drum, as it made me pay more attention to the music as a whole, and not just the guitar. Lots of expensive lighting, a few trendy multicolored/multipatterned high-tech lights that didn't do me any real favors, but didn't bother me either. Again, I think I was supposed to feel like I was at a concert. I would sing at a Christ Tomlin concert, why not here? The only thing I really learned comparitively speaking, is that my wardrobe is not trendy enough ( and I'm actually ok with that ). Pastor George went out of his way to tell the congregation that if they didn't attend faithfully, or if someone attended a different church, they shouldn't expect the COTM folks to come help them with tree damage from the recent ice storm. Something came to mind about the God's kingdom being of more important focus than the COTM. If a church can't help out another, well. . . insert your own comment about missing the boat, etc. . . .

Next up: Lifechurch.tv in downtown Tulsa. One church, many locations. OK, they have ear plugs at the door, and I DIDN'T MIND A BIT. Dark inside, like a club, with lights and smoke/fog, and loud loud music. Still, I didn't mind. Definitely a seeker-sensitive way of doing church. The way I saw it, this crowd had their choice of a loud dark club with a less than wholesome environment, or a loud dark church with some amazing message for a way to spend Saturday night. I support them completely, and absolutely enjoyed the message/sermon . The pastor believes in smaller buildings that can be used four or five times each weekend. I hope this church spreads like wildfire in the 20 something crowd and continues to bless the Tulsa area.

Sunday:

Following the continental breakfast, we were off to Asbury United Methodist church for their 9.30 contemporary service. It was a big beautiful church, amazing architecture, perfect sound, bleached oak interior, lots of ceramic tile, just plain beautiful. Someone called in sick that morning, so a guitar player got drafted to lead the music for the service. He referred to the service as 'high energy' at least three times, and I'll have to give him credit. This was the highest energy contemporary service for SENIOR CITIZENS I had ever been to. He did have a nice tone from his guitar amp though. They had just added a new song to their worship service, Chris Tomlin's "Forever".

Next up The Church at Battle Creek . A baptist church ( but not by name ) meeting in an entire shopping mall. What was once store fronts was now information tables for the Sunday School classes meeting inside. The former movie theater was the Kid's Club area, and some store ( like a clothing store or something ) was the worship room. Dark, with cool lights and trusses, like a night club stage. This church is truly focused on the un-churched community, (as is lifechurch.tv) and they are succeeding. I was truly blessed to be a part of this service. The music was good, the preaching was beyond any expectation I had for the entire weekend.

When we got done, we had another meeting, and planned some changes for our own service. Some stage re-arranging is in the works, along with some new lighting ideas. We'll know if it works in about 18 hours or so ;-)

My buddy Tambra pointed out something, a quote by Rick Warren. Paraphrased "A mature Christian can worship to any kind of music". I know there is alot of talk about whether your music is pleasing people or pleasing God, now I'm thinking maybe we should please people to please our God, by offering/inviting those who don't yet have a relationship with the loving Savior, and encouraging them in their journey.

comments please mr.jamescox@yahoo.com any time.

Jimbo
II Chronicles 5:13

FYI

When I started this blog, I thought 'The Worship Kitchen' was a pretty silly name, but easy to remember. Turns out there is an actual website http://www.worshipkitchen.com/

I'm not endorsing nor am I discouraging you from checking them out. I'll research it and let you know. Historically, I've been dissapointed with a few 'chart services' that are just an excuse for people with a music degree to clutter up great tunes with endless and mindless chord changes, IMO.

Check them out and let me know what YOU think

JC

Serving God December 30th

We had a fill-in for Worship Leader, and it totally worked. We rehearsed less, practiced less before church, and worried less. We had less to talk about, less to focus on, and we just let our music express how we felt about God. We cut one song and still went a little long. Somewhere along the way, one of my normal guitar solos got left out, and nobody minded ( not even me ). Instead of the usual Sunday morning stress, we (the band) had Sunday morning WORSHIP. We got to feel the music, and think about God during the music. If we can do it this way once in a while, maybe we can survive the other weekends when it's so much work. . . .

Thanks Scott

Jimbo