I'm sorry that I've been inactive from blogging for so long. But I am excited that I've finished one of two goals I've placed on myself before the summer. I would like to use our Georgia Music & Arts site as a resource to all those involved in Music Ministry.

One aspect of this ministry that I am passionate about is Contemporary Worship. This is an area that the Salvation Army is just starting to catch up with and grab hold of. William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, added Christian lyrics to bar tunes as a means to reach the unsaved of his day. That is exactly what Praise and Worship is about! We take popular styles of music and add a Christian Message. Young people and young adults are drawn to this music, and after a while, the words behind the music are etched in their minds.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am an avid brass band supporter, and member of both my Corps Band and the Southern Territorial Band. But I feel we need to embrace both our heritage, and this new style so that we leave no one behind!

Anyway, I'm not going to get on a "soap box" about the Spiritual Effects of music, or an argument for or against either genre. I just wanted to inform those interested about a new Praise Band Curriculum. Marty Mikles, Territorial Worship and Music Evangelism Specialist, and I were responsible for leading a session at the Territorial Youth Workers Conference this past weekend in Nashville. Our session was about Praise and Worship Curriculum for Summer Conservatories. I've posted this curriculum outline on MyChurch.org, and you can get to it from the link above.

This curriculum is very general and many aspects of it can be used for your weekly Praise Band Rehearsals. Please check it out and give us feedback, as we develop the Territorial Curriculum.

I've been asked to play the cornet solo The Reason as a part of the Augusta Corps' Music Sunday.  Before I play the solo, I will be giving my testimony.  I've only given my testimony once in my entire life, frankly because I've always had this "thing" against hypocrites.  I thought that in order to give your testimony, your relationship with Christ had to be PERFECT.  We'll come back to that whole "perfect" idea, but since my Spiritual life has never been all I thought it should be, I figured it would be hypocritical to give my testimony.

The Lord has laid on my heart this: to tell you my story mixed in with some scripture that has been valuable as God makes me who He wants me to be.  I know my parents will probably read this... but it's alright.  I just pray God uses my testimony to bring just one lost soul home.

I didn't pick the solo I'm playing, but God always has a way of mysteriously lining things up.  I'm always surprised by this, but I shouldn't be.  You see, the words behind The Reason come from the Salvation Army song Would You Know Why I Love Jesus.  The chorus to this songs says:

This is why I love my Jesus, this is why I love Him so:

He has pardoned my transgressions, He has washed me white as snow.

My mom and dad are both Officers (ministers) with the Salvation Army.  This means that, other than having to move every few years, my life growing up was pretty easy.  We lived comfortably.  We always had everything we needed and my parents were very supportive and loving.  But, being a part of TSA , because of the locations and programs offered, I saw a side of life that many others are blind to, and often times ignore.  The stories of victory and triumph over such great odds were heard time and time again within our churches. 

This somehow made me feel inadequate.  Instead of listening to their examples and staying away from the trouble they spoke of, I often jokingly said "I'm building up my testimony."  This to me meant that I had it easy.  In order for me to eventually have an "effective" testimony, I had to do some crazy things now and overcome the challenges I got into.  Scary Stuff...

If we give up and turn our backs on all we've learned, all we've been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ's sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be!  Hebrews 10:26-27 (Msg.)

When college came around, I decided this was the time to REALLY build up my testimony.  I could've had the truly inspiring testimony of staying pure and clean... a young, yet strong Christian through college, but I had to get Dirty!  I would go wild through school, and then immediately change, "cold turkey," after four years.

You've heard of "Sunday Christians" - living one way six days of the week, and then putting a mask on for church.  Well I was completely Two-Faced.  There was one Sunday where I put my nice clothes on and was headed out the door, and then I got a pleasant reminder of what I had been doing the night before.  I threw up all over myself... needless to say, I didn't go to church that Sunday.  

During this time I was still leading worship at Youth Councils every year.  I hated it!  I could sing and play guitar all day, but I just knew everyone could see right through me.  They could tell that my heart wasn't right.  I was leading others, but I didn't know THE WAY!

Cold Turkey Time... yeah right!  After I graduated I tried to change on my own.   I stopped partying and I cleaned up my language, but I was still lost.  I like to read scripture in context, so I'm not going to post it here, but you should definitely check out Romans 7:14-25.  Here, even Paul admits his constant struggle with sin.  When I saw this, I felt like I was reading my own life story.  But in the last verse, he gives you the answer: Jesus offers a way out of SIN!

There were a couple WOW moments for me in the past two years.  I'll just share one right now.  I was at church when Matt Luyk gave his incredible testimony about overcoming an addiction to pornography.  He said something that has stayed with me all this time.  All the guilt I had from my college days really hindered me from being a leader.  I was waiting... for my life, my Christian Walk to be PERFECT.  

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.  But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.  1 John 1:8-9 (NLT)

What Matt said went something like this: "I am never going to be perfect; I will always be a sinner.  I cannot wait to be completely pure... it's impossible.  I have to start now!  Living my life as a Christian and leading others to Christ."  I had never thought about it that way.  But from that point on, I started.  I've never really had a life verse, but I think this one fits pretty well:

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.                  Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)  

 So... God always has a plan - a REASON.  This solo was given to me by the Bandmaster of the Augusta Corps, but it was picked for me by God.  I will leave you with my testimony from verses two, three and four:

Would you know why I love Jesus, why He is so dear to me?

'Tis because the blood of Jesus
Fully saves and cleanses me.

'Tis because, amid temptation,
He supports and strengthens me.

'Tis because in every conflict
Jesus gives me victory.

I am a music minister with the Salvation Army. Between me and Daniel Meeks, we are responsible for supporting Music and Arts programs of the 26 churches in Georgia. Last night I was blessed during one of these visits to the Augusta Corps.

You see, I come from a family that somehow caught the "music bug." At the age of eight I began to play the trombone, simply because it was the instrument my dad played as well. Thinking back, my arms probably couldn't reach past third position, but Dr. Holz let me try it anyway. Ten years later, I was already a LIFE-LONG musician; meaning, whether music was my career or not, it was something I would make for the rest of my life. When college came around, my two brothers and I couldn't think of anything else we would rather do, so all three of us either have or are pursuing degrees in music.

I tell you all of this because I am only 23 years old. I don't quite have a story of immense dedication like I saw at the Augusta Corps.

The Senior Band in Augusta consists of close to twenty members. There are five teenagers, which I am so proud of; maybe five members who, for lack of a better word, I'll call middle-aged; and then the rest of the band is made up of SENIOR CITIZENS. All members, including the bandmaster, are volunteers. Not only do these volunteers participate in a weekly practice and worship service, but there are multiple events throughout the year that they gladly give their time to support.

Now, let's come back to one thing. Almost half the band is made up of Senior Citizens. To say they are Senior Citizens doesn't do justice explaining their commitment. I am sure each one of them has a story, but I can only tell you what I observed.

The man sitting next to me had a distinct vibrato that I had never heard before. As I took a closer look, his arms and head were constantly shaking. Every body part that touched the instrument, he had no physical control over. But he still makes a "joyful noise unto God" (Psalms 66:1), not because he sounds beautiful, but because his testimony of giving his all is beautiful.

One long-time member of this band was literally on his death bed. After much prayer from family, friends, and Salvationists across the south, he made an amazing recovery and no longer needed hospice care. What was the first thing he did after God's healing? He honored his commitment to God, and is back playing in the band. He cannot even carry his music folder to his seat, much less his TUBA. He comes in on his walker, with oxygen tank behind him and plays in the band every week. Truly INSPIRING! It brings this verse to mind:

1.  Serious vs. Fun

• Music is exciting and fun to play, but understand: this is Kingdom Business.
• God has given us these musical gifts; it is our responsibility, our burden to focus them for His glory.
• Together, as a band, we must seek God.  Every encounter with Him equips us with more experience to do it again.
• Pray together for each other, for the leaders, and for the congregation.
• Performers look for a response.  The Holy Spirit looks for a revelation.  If God is revealed people will respond to Him, not us.

2.  Be Prepared

• Don’t use the Holy Spirit as an excuse for laziness.  Those who are most prepared are the most led by the Spirit of God.
• Words: If using a projector, check for typos in presentation.  Get with your media technician to run through the slide order, then allow the Spirit to move and both follow Him the best you can.
• If words are in bulletin, call out where you’re going without disrupting the flow.
• Rehearse: order, transitions, key changes, timing, dynamics, EVERYTHING!

3.  Servant Leadership

• Feel out congregation for song selection: collectively pursue God’s heart together.
• Live out songs: JOY-1st, last, in between.

4.  Forget Me 

• Worship = seek God, bless His name, please His heart.  As long as we do these things, we are worshipping GOD, no matter what form, style, etc.  We all experience God differently. 
• Traditional vs. Contemporary…which style suits you?  It doesn’t matter:  WORSHIP is NOT about us!
• Quit complaining and do something.  If you feel there are members of your congregation who will benefit spiritually from another style of worship, than either offer to contribute something different to the regular worship service, or suggest that you’d like to start a contemporary service for those interested.
• Pray—ask God what he likes. Be FLEXIBLE.  Be open to God’s direction in preparation.

5.  Personal Spiritual Fitness   

• You can’t lead if you don’t know the Way.
• Make time—prayer, daily devotions, scripture study.
• As you spend more time in God’s Word, you begin to hide scripture in your heart.  Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind the appropriate portions at the appropriate times.  Worship flows best when the Spirit of God is in control.