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| Confessions of a Corps Snob |
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1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Like many others of you, I grew up in The Salvation Army. I knew at an early age how to take up offering and how many napkins came in a pack from Hallmark. When I was younger, my parents were officers. They had some small appointments and some large appointments. Each place had its own peculiarities and quirks. But, they were all filled with wonderful people.
As I got older, I began to get involved in Divisional groups. God has given me many gifts in the area of music and I enjoyed it. At very young ages, I was playing better than others who were much older than I. I enjoyed a lot of success that was neither deserved or earned. I was gifted and that was all that mattered. Who I was in the Territory and in the Division was all that mattered to me. Like most groups now, to be in these Divisional groups, you had to participate in your local Corps groups. Participate is such a subjective word. For me a lot of times, it meant tolerate. I tolerated the local Corps groups, so I could be in the Divisional ones. Now don't get me wrong! I gave a hundred percent and tried my level best. But, my focus was not where it needed to be.
Becuase my parents were often in smaller appointments, I thought that meant that they were not as good as other Corps. I learned a valuable lesson! During my later teen years, I attended two very different Corps. Until I was 15, we were in Key West, FL. It was a smaller Corps. The Corps band was my family plus two other people. We were a small group but we did our best. I played in school, but my first love was the Divisional Youth Band of the Florida Division, calld "Sonshine Brass." I was allowed in that group at 12 which was very young in those days. I remember going to my first Youth Councils and not being old enough to be there. The DYS said because I was in the band, I could be there. I loved that group and we played some great stuff. The band took me to Ecuador, Canada, Jamaica, and all over Florida, playing at Sea World, Disney, etc. I came alive in that group. I could not wait for the next rehearsal and we were good. It was also at this same time that Florida decided to send some kids from tha division to the Lyman Kimball Conservatory in Georgia. In those days, there was no conservatory in Florida. We were supposed to go and help design the new conservatory program in Florida. This was my first trip to Grandview, and the first time I met a young euphonium player named Daniel Meeks (believe it or not, he was even shorter) and an absolutely fascinating girl who would later become Captain Kim Turner Grimes of the CFOT! I enjoyed my time in Georgia and even got better. I was able to work with excellent musicians and we even played "Light Walk" in manuscript with Barry Gott (the composer) leading from the drumset. I received many more awards at that Conservatory and was told how good I was. You know how much of that I took home....nothing! Oh, I was a better musician, but not a better Christian musician.
After some upheavals in my own life, we moved to Orlando, FL. The band at that corps was much larger and much better. They even had Songsters and a Contemporary group. These were things that we never had in other Corps. But, it was still not as important as TMI, Conservatory, or Soshine Brass in my book. It was at Orlando I met a wonderful pianist named Karen Doss who played the first piece I ever wrote. I often look back and wish I could have made mroe with the experiences God gave to me so freely.
Now, my point! Almost all of the most wonderful, life-changing experiences, musically and spiritually, happened at the Corps. Playing at Youth Councils and going on trips were great, but being "in service" every Sunday, playing God's music for God's people, was going to become my life's work. I know I am the only Salvationist in the whole world who has ever acted like this! I am sure I am the only one who neglected his duties to the Corps, but were first in line for the Divisional ones. So, being the only one, I thought I should confess and beg your forgiveness.
4:2 preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching.
I am often caught by the phrase "in season and out of season." If you can "preach the word" with your instrument, then is it fair to say that no matter what the situation, large Corps vs. small Corps, local band practice vs. Youth Band at Youth Councils, playing at kettles vs. playing in a foreign country, we should be prepared, be urgent, to share God's word, His love with everyone.
So, my confession. Your response. |
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| Doug...a very good blog. It is so important to minister to those where we are. I realize that at a young age it is hard to see that. This blog is timely, in that I plan on sharing with my own son, who might be going through the same things now. Thanks. |
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| Doug... I read your blog, and I was going to ask you if we could post it on Georgia Music & Arts because it is so appropriate for our young people... then I noticed that you already did. Thanks so much for your insight. I'm sure many others will be blessed just like I was. |
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| I can't say that was me as I didn't find the army untill I was grown but I saw the same thing with Chad and Candace. |
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Daniel |
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March 20, 2008 at 11:11am |
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So true! As I remind all those who are in our divisional groups - it is a privilege to be in those groups. Our Corps are most important in that you are there on a regular basis -- supporting the worship service, supporting the weekly activities, supporting your fellow soldiers, friends and family of your respective corps. If we can't be active in our own corps to share God's word, what good are we going to do on a divisional level.
Thanks Doug!!
I believe you were a little smaller that first time we met too!! : ) |
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| Thank you so much for your thoughts and insights Doug!! Oh my goodness, my FAVORITE Psalty has grown up to be a strong Christian young man. I will print your blog and share it with our young people in Orlando. Thank you again. |
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| Great post Doug. Brought back alot of memories I have from New Jersey. |
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