BeachDaze be Bloggin'

And nothing blue (or borrowed).  Feel the tingle in my fingers again after a year away.    Check back soon.  I gotta get something to eat first.

Today started differently.  As we were leaving the morning plenary* one of the leaders came up and asked if I was a pastor.  He said I had “the look”.  I have no idea what “the look” consists of, but if I am the base model, then it’s slightly overweight with bad haircuts and ugly shirts.  Also the model doesn’t like to shave or wear shoes.  And must have an affinity for beer.  Somehow I don’t think that is the “classic” model of a “pastor”.  But then I’m not sure there is a classic model anyway.

SOULFeast was a great time.  I learned much in my workshops, although I doubt The Upper Room will publish the devotional I wrote in the “Writing From The Heart” workshop.  But that’s okay, as that’s not why I took that particular shop.  I was hoping for better techniques and ideas for this blog.  I’m not positive that will pan out, but one can hope.

One thing I did take away from the week was the talks by Phyllis Tickle.  In particular her talks on “Emerging Christianity”.  She outlined so many variations on emergence, I actually  had to take notes.  If you know me you know I don’t write much of anything down.  But she was so quick in her humor while throwing out tidbits of info, I got lost quickly.  I did buy two of her books while at SOULFeast.  If she ever stops in your area on one of her many lectures, go and listen.  She is amazing.

Peace,
B

This is part 2 of an ongoing series about SOULFeast, part of the Upper Room’s Spiritual Formation Event series.  Part 1 is here.

My Saturday workshop was on songwriting (if you missed it, shame on you, but you can read it here).  The workshop was facilitated by Rev. Jay Voorhees.  Jay is the new pastor of Old Hickory UMC.  His blog “Only Wonder Understands” is here.

I learned a couple of things in this workshop.  Mostly a good way to get what a piece of scripture is saying to me.  The concept is surprisingly easy.

• Read the passage
• Read it again, slower
• Take some time, 5 – 15 minutes to really think about what is important to you in that passage
• Write down words or phrases that “pop out” at you from the scripture (try to get at least 10 words or phrases in your list)
• Read the passage again
• Go back to your list and pull out the top 3 – 5 words or phrases (you may have to do this step several times if your first list has many items)
• Once down to 3 words or phrases, pick the most important one, this is where you should start your writing.

Memorial Chapel

I like this technique as it calls to mind the Lectio Divina method of scripture study.  Which, interestingly enough, was used in this morning’s emergent worship service.   While a somewhat difficult to get into method, it has always been a favorite of mine, WHEN my scattered brain allow it to be.

We never did get any real writing done in the workshop, but it was interesting.  Once again, I was the youngest person and the only non-pastor of the group.  I was also the least experienced member.  Not that it mattered, just a fact.

Up tomorrow, I have a three part workshop (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings) Writing from the Heart: Reflecting on Your Experience with God with Mary Lou Redding.  This scares me a bit as it will rely on some journaling experience.  And is you think my writing on this blog is bad, don’t try to read any journals I’ve ever tried.  Rather emo to say the least.  But that’s one of the reasons I’m taking this workshop, so my writing may improve.  Of course Nancy will always need to proof my work.  Like she does all aspects of my life.  Love ya babe!

The afternoon session will be on social networks and the Church.  Building Chrisitan Community through Social Networks with Lanecia Rouse.  Lanecia is also the youth director for SOULFeast, so I’m hoping this won’t be a social network bashing session.

Hopefully more tomorrow.

Peace,
B

Well we made it to Lake Junaluksa, NC for SOULFeast. We made real good time without speeding too much.  No accidents and other than the crazy traffic on I-26 and I-40 in the Asheville, NC area it was very smooth driving.  It seems that when it rains in Asheville everyone stops driving.  They don’t get off the road or pull over or anything, they just stop.  The interstate was a parking lot twice.  No reason other than it started raining.  Very bizarre.

The lighted cross from our room

SOULFeast is part of The Upper Room’s Spiritual Formation Event series.  The almost week long event runs from Sunday to Thursday.  This year has an extra day on Saturday as well. I will try to post updates every day or so on the workshops my wife and I will be attending.

My Saturday workshop is “Enter The Worship Circle – Spirituality and Songwriting” with Jay Voorhees.  My wife will be attending “Creativity and Divine Surprise” with Karla Kincannon.

The reason I wanted to go on this week is simple.  I’m looking to find some new ideas to energize my congregation at CCCDB.  As a worship leader, I need to find new ways to communicate the love of Jesus to “my” congregation.  Hopefully I will come back with a new spirit filled with ideas I can use to take our worship to a new level.

So stay tuned for some reviews and hopefully some inspiration.

Peace,
B

Sitting here watching The Beatles “Let It Be” movie.  Most of it is just the band in the studio doing studio work.  Some of it interesting, most of it very mundane and boring.  But it ends with the (in)famous rooftop concert.  And don’t get me started with U2 trying to copy this feat – they failed.

But it reminds me of why I play and sing every Sunday.  They did this concert with no thought of making direct money from it.  I’m sure they hope it would spur record sales, but that was it.  No one was charged to listen to the concert.  They did it because they love to play their music anytime.  They don’t need a big audience, even though they knew just showing up would draw a huge crowd.  I know no one comes to worship on Sunday to hear me play and sing.  John Lennon claimed The Beatles were bigger than Jesus, and unfortunately he was probably correct.

So why do folks like me get up every Sunday to play if we’re not the center of attention?  Because we know who is the center of attention.  Jesus.  Plain and Simple.  Audio Adrenaline hits this in their song “Never Gonna Be As Big As Jesus”.  I get up and play in hopes that I don’t get in the way of the message in the music.  Hoping, beyond hope at times, that I can help someone connect with someone so much bigger than I.  Just trying to be a mirror that reflects the love of God to the congregation while reflecting the praise back to God.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”  Matthew 6:5

Hopefully worship leaders aren’t there to gather the praise to themselves.  I’ve never seen Hillsongs preform but I’ve been told when a song ends the stage goes as dark as is safe and the performers try to be not seen, so that all the honor goes above them.  A wonderful example for all of us.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship”.  Romans 12:1

Peace,
B

Figured I’d post a video to compliment the new theme.

This was recorded on 27 June, during Worship.  Not the best sound quality, but not bad for a Sony digital “still” camera.

Peace,
B

This one may take a while….

Many years ago my wife and I were caught in the middle of a nasty time at our place of worship. It wasn’t pretty in nay regard.  It was very petty I believe.

A wise man once told me “A Church won’t split over theology, but it will split over where to put the piano”.  Why is music such a hot topic?  I have touched on this subject in this post “Praise Music vs…”.  When things were quickly going down the tubes at this church one of the most vocal opponents to anything other than the organ as a worship instrument saw us setting up one Sunday and remarked “This swing band won’t fix what’s wrong”.  I thought that a most interesting term.  A “Swing Band”.  I look around, no trumpets or other brass instruments, no reeds so no saxophones.  That meant we couldn’t be a 40′s type swing band.  No fiddles or banjos, so not a Texas swing band.  What other kind of swing band is there?  Having played in both of types of bands, I knew we didn’t meet the criteria.  All we were was a 4 piece PRAISE band with some extra folk on vocals.  Seems to me this lady had some deep seated feelings against up tempo “swing” music.  I guess anything that lifted the spirit was bad.  So sad.

More some day…

Peace,
B

The reason I started this blog was to talk about the trials and tribulations Worship Leaders go through.  I don’t think I’ve done much, if any, of that.  So here goes;

Today’s topic is in dealing with stress.  I stress a lot in this job.  One of personal problems is a lack of self-worth.  I touched on this in my talk last Sunday (6/27/10).  I have been playing guitar and singing for over 40 years.  The only voice lessons I had were in the church choir as a child.  I was lucky in that my choir director, the Pastor’s wife of course, taught me to read music before I could read words.  I knew the notes, staff, rests and other basic music notation at age 5.  I guess she saw something in me way back when.   I played trumpet and flugelhorn in junior (that would be middle school for today’s kids) and senior high school . So my music theory is adequate.  I know my scales, key signatures and the usual basic stuff.  But – I’ve never had a guitar lesson until this month.  Everything I know on the guitar is self-taught.

That’s where I stress most. Are my skills good enough to server in a worship leader capacity?  I know the platitudes “it’s a joyful NOISE”.  But this is the Creator of the Universe we are worshiping.  Doesn’t Jesus deserve the absolute best?  Not just the best we can offer, but the very best of everything?  How can I with no real training ever hope to be the absolute best?

I’m reminded of this Christmas song:

Those that know me know I have a, shall we say aversion, to Christmas music.  But this has always been one I have liked.  I remember as a little child asking my mother to play that song on the old record player.  But don’t ask me to drum, too many moving body parts.

And now, after a month of guitar lessons, I can almost play a scale again!  I’ve got several Beatles riffs sounding much better and there is just a small bit of self-confidence is creeping in.  Practices are going better with the band now that I can play a little bit of lead parts.  I still need a new electric guitar (donations are accepted – click on the donate button PLEASE!!!).

And now I have to go to my lesson for the week.  Let’s hope my hands don’t cramp again.

Peace,
B

Yeah, it’s been awhile since my last post. And like the song below says, it’s been awhile since I could hold my head high.

So, other than an excuse to post an awesome video, what does this mean? It means that I think I’m on the right track.  My head is still in shambles most of the time, but once again there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

One of the biggest problems with bi-polar depression, at least for me, is self-worth.  I never feel like I can do anything right.  I’m not going to blame anyone in the past or present for me feeling like this.  I honestly think it’s a chemical problem, and no manner of nurturing or environment would have made a difference.  But for once I see that what I think doesn’t matter any more.  I no longer have to worry about what my peers think of me.  I look back at my high school friends and wonder.  How many of my band geek friends are still playing music?  I’m sure of the more talented folks have made a ton of money.  But not me.  There are probably several who have recording contracts or at least been on a CD or two.  Not me.  And as much as it scares, I’m sure several are gone due to the usual excess in the music business.  Not me.

“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” Hunter S. Thompson (maybe)

So maybe music isn’t all it’s appears to be. It’s not really that shiny.  But then I’m not playing before crowds that would fill a stadium.  We can almost fill our sanctuary (if we remove the last rows of chairs). No, I now play for an audience of one.

Peace,

B

This Sunday Setlist for CCC is part of the on-going Sunday Setlist at The Worship Community.

A much more musical worship time this week.

• Everlasting God (Brown/Riley)
• Love Is Here (Tenth Ave North)
• Awesome Is The Lord Most High (Tomlin/Reeves/Pierce & Able)
• Revelation Song (Reeves)
• The Potter’s Hand (Zschech) – Intrumental for Communion
• You Are My King (Foote)
• Another Hallelujah (Cohen/Brewster) For Offertory

What did you play/sing/dance to at your worship this week?

Peace,
B