I got the opportunity to play guitar at a camp meeting last week. I was the oldest member in the band, and we did a lot of new songs.
I loved being around these young musicians. They still get excited about new songs. Part of this is just enthusiasm and youthful exuberance, but I also recognize the old familiar pressure to stay fresh. At this point in my musical career I have seen-and heard- several cycles of church music styles, trends, and sounds come and go, and then come back again a generation later like a comet. And I have studied music and music theory sufficiently to where a new song rarely sounds fresh anymore. At least to my tired, overworked ears.
I personally believe that just about any music can and will get the job done in church. Or at least I am willing to try it for the same reason my young friends want to be the first to play a new song: to be fresh. I don’t suppose there is anything wrong with that, and I’ve got scripture to prove it. But what really matters to God is worship.
We may be looking for a fresh sound, but God is looking for true worshipers.
I hope he finds me.
John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
I just wanted you to know that I have not quit writing. In fact I write every day. Maybe more than I ever have. I just don’t publish everyday because it takes time to edit. I have a vision for a higher level of production in the future. I really felt like writing something to share with you right now.
Mostly From Memory 