Music in missions
Been doing some thinking about how to use something I'm passionate about here on the "mission field". Specifically, how does one build a ministry around playing the trombone? (I'm laughing now thinking about how this could easily turn into a comedy spoof or something very easily...inviting all sorts of comments from the peanut gallery.)
Really, though. I'm coming at this from this angle: God gives us gifts, talents, passions. Several authors I've been reading recently (and I agree) promote working with these gifts, talents, and passions to form ministry opportunities...to give more opportunities to build relationships with and minister to the people around us.
But how does one do that with a trombone (again chuckling)? I've honestly thought of so many angles on this. Forming a quintet, quartet, brass ensemble, trombone choir, giving private lessons (more just being an ear to give budding players more exposure), etc. I even called the (there's only one) music school in town to talk to them about any possibilities. [By the way, this is the 2nd time I've tried to get something going.] The vice-director explained how they do things differently than we do in the US. To save time, I'll just say that this means that they are extremely closed in Poland. They want their musicians working ONLY with certain people and that's it. In the states musicians are so hungry to play and get exposure that they'll do just about anything to form and play in different groups, have different teachers, etc. Not the case here.
So, where does that leave me? Thought I'd just post this and let you read some of my thoughts about this issue. This is definitely part of the ministry development process as we think through the possibility of new ministries. Let me know if you have any ideas!!
Really, though. I'm coming at this from this angle: God gives us gifts, talents, passions. Several authors I've been reading recently (and I agree) promote working with these gifts, talents, and passions to form ministry opportunities...to give more opportunities to build relationships with and minister to the people around us.
But how does one do that with a trombone (again chuckling)? I've honestly thought of so many angles on this. Forming a quintet, quartet, brass ensemble, trombone choir, giving private lessons (more just being an ear to give budding players more exposure), etc. I even called the (there's only one) music school in town to talk to them about any possibilities. [By the way, this is the 2nd time I've tried to get something going.] The vice-director explained how they do things differently than we do in the US. To save time, I'll just say that this means that they are extremely closed in Poland. They want their musicians working ONLY with certain people and that's it. In the states musicians are so hungry to play and get exposure that they'll do just about anything to form and play in different groups, have different teachers, etc. Not the case here.
So, where does that leave me? Thought I'd just post this and let you read some of my thoughts about this issue. This is definitely part of the ministry development process as we think through the possibility of new ministries. Let me know if you have any ideas!!
posted by Michael Shattuck at
12:17 AM
1 Comments:
Would that blend nicely with a worship band? The reason I am asking is because we are planning a worship evening in Bydgoszcz in a couple of weeks to bring gospel music workshop participants back together. Hopefully it will spur on a local connection between worshippers and seekers. Music at a worship night like this will be somewhat different than what is taught at the workshops. But the end is the same -- combining music and the message the songs contain.
Of course, I have no music gifts, so this is really up to the worship band. Just thought I would ask to see if you are interested in exploring that. There are other motives as well, but for now, that's all.
Post a Comment
<< Home