Tuesday, January 25, 2011

State of the Worship Ministries

Sunday morning retuning: As you follow one step behind Jesus, I am fairly confident your path will look different than the one Tom Stebbins has traveled. It will however have this one thing in common: you will not cease to be amazed at how He will guide your steps if you simply determine to follow in faith!

Dear Worshipers,

Though I had another idea for the communiqué, as I listened to the address of the President Tuesday evening I realized that reflecting over the past season and looking ahead to what is coming is a healthy discipline for any group of people. I did the former part of that labor over our Worship Ministries earlier this month. You can read those reflections in the Annual Reports which will be available for consumption this weekend.

I have also been doing a fair amount of thinking and praying about the future course of this ministry. I have done some listening along the way as well. I have come to some conclusions as we look ahead that I think will help us to better serve the church in her worship as we act upon them. Allow me to elaborate.

When we launched our Encourage/Engage service model, the intent was to create two distinct worship experiences which reflect the diversity of expression currently resident in our church and to create an atmosphere for those experiences to be enhanced. Initially, I was uncertain as to how quickly we could make that differentiation due the demands in would place on our current system. Those increased demands have dictated a slow progress that has left some wondering why we are not experiencing more of a difference.

Lately, I have felt that it was time to reapply ourselves, particularly myself to this diversification, if you will. I spoke of this with choir on Wednesday explaining to them the demands it will place on their ministry as I see it directly before us. My observations and our subsequent course corrections seemed to resonate with them.

All this to say, that for being patient as we have striven to serve the church. Please be patient and prayerful as we enter another season of discovering what Jesus would have us to aid God’s people in their worship. I am excited about the possibilities in each service and simply look to the Lord for the strength, grace and wisdom to stay one step behind Him. Thanks for all each of you does to help in that.

Jesus, as we continue to endeavor to stay one step behind you in worship, please help us to know Your heart on these matters. Though there is great freedom in the tools we use to serve, help us to choose wisely with Your glory and the churches good ahead of all other considerations. We will worship while we’re waiting.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Working to Resolve the Issue

Sunday morning retuning: Remember, you may be facing some very difficult circumstances. Even financially the outlook may look bleak. Simply remember, “But God…” That tends to alter our perspective when we factor Him into the equation.

Dear Worshipers,

I am thankful for the myriad of talented, passionate people around me who help me exalt the Lord Jesus week in and week out. One in particular I am thankful for this week is our Audio Coordinator, Todd Maki. We have been working for some time to balance the choir and instruments on Sunday morning, and this past Sunday was evidence that we have not conquered that issue yet. Todd wanted to speak to you directly to bring you up to speed on where we are with this issue. Rest assured we are seeking the best solution for this issue.

Hello everyone,

I wanted to drop a quick note to address a reoccurring, and extremely valid concern. Namely; ….ahem…."I CAN'T HEAR THE CHOIR". Again, it's an extremely valid concern that has been expressed by quite a few people, and most likely thought by many who have not expressed it. I would assume that the following questions would logically be asked, so I thought that I would state them, and offer an explanation:

1. "Why don't the sound guys simply turn their microphone levels up?" Extremely fair, valid and reasonable question, that has an equally valid and solid answer: we can't. I don't mean that we're at max volume with the microphones (they can go 10 times louder). I mean that because of the poor acoustics of the sanctuary, we're not able to raise the levels of the choir mics any louder without having them feed back (making that really annoying "chimey" sound that sounds like a high pitched whistle). Each Sunday is a wresting match to try to get as much volume out of the choir mics without them feeding back. The next logical question could be asked:

2. "I understand. So…..why don't we fix the acoustic problems in the sanctuary"? As far as I understand it, while some of the prohibitive reasons might have been financial in the past, that is not necessarily the case at present - from what I understand, there have been some funds allocated directly towards this - which helps immensely. So, onward: We were in contact with one man who seemed to have a lot of expertise, that we were looking forward to hire to do the job. But for various reasons, he was not able to. He referred us to a company that he thought would be a good match. We waited quite some time to hear back from this company…and then staggered at the potential 100,000 estimate. Yes….that's how Timothy and I responded as well. So, in a nutshell, each time we get in contact with a new potential person trained in acoustics, it somehow doesn't seem to work out….

3. "So…..what are you going to do about it?"- We're NOT giving up! I'm asking the "me" to turn into "we". Choir - I'm challenging all of you to pray with me, and with Timothy, that the Lord will bring the right person to our church, who has the expertise, insight and knowledge on how to fix our troublesome acoustics - and search as well. Ask around at other large churches, and friends of friends. Any insight that you all might have, please feel free to send out my telephone number and have them contact me directly.

In a nutshell : please be patient with the low volume of the choir until we can find the right person/solution to fix the acoustics - and help us find one!


Jesus, we want to make Your praise glorious. Would you help us discern the cause of this balance issue and deal with it, whether with acoustic treatments, new equipment, a combination of these or something else. Please give us wisdom Lord, particularly to Todd and Timothy.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Resolution

Sunday morning retuning: Are you allowing God to redirect your heart with the money in your hand. Following “One Step Behind Jesus” takes on a whole new meaning when we take out the extra in our wallets, doesn’t it. I am so excited about the Spirit’s work in our midst. Embrace it with me.

Dear Worshipers,

That word has a lot of different meanings. More than I at first realized as I sat in church the first weekend of the New Year. Of course at the beginning of the year the one that comes to mind is setting in our minds that we will do this or that. But there are several others.

Of course, the main ones for us in our little musical world revolve the progression of a voice part or of the harmony as a whole from a dissonance to a consonance. Resolution is also the term used to describe the tone or chord to which the dissonance is resolved. In other words, the tension that results when a chord is suspended finds its release when the chord is resolved. Tenors often have this as they more from a fourth to a third in a chord. It’s the “Ah-h-h-h-h” moment in music, time and time again.

There can be a resolution to the same note, but that is not nearly as “enjoyable” as when the tension is resolved into a harmony or chord. Unison may seem to be the preferred ideal, but I have a different perspective on that. When resolution comes, it may not end up being the same note, but one that sounds good and creates something possibly even more beautiful than unison or the exact same note.

When there is that dissonance, there is a longing for it to be resolved. Even the untrained ear can hear it. There is something that longs for consonance deep in our souls. Resolution meets that longing.

That idea of dissonance to consonance is the constant in many of the different uses of this word. Coming to a place where the tension is resolved, even if not in sharing the exact same view. Truth be told, no two of us think exactly alike. Best friend or spouse. So this longing for resolution is a constant for all of us, in all our relationships.

A solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc. Resolution. So maybe you are longing for resolution. I know I am. I am praying fro it even today. For me, for you. May Jesus be glorified in all our resolutions…

Jesus, consonance out of our dissonance. Resolve the things in our lives that are suspended. Ease tensions. Create harmony. We believe You can do this, and are trusting you for it.

In Christ,

Pastor Timothy