Randomania...
Now that we're upgrading to Crosspoint 2.0, I've been thinking about how to update the code for Blind Bart (the band). I've already got a schedule worked up for the vocalists, and I'm trying to establish better lines of communication for the rest of the band members. But how do we really evolve into Blind Bart 2.0?
The challenge: Making a band that is (1) good, (2) a place for people to connect and share their talents, and (3) a group of individuals doing what we do to connect with the mission of Crosspoint. Aiiight... Over the past few months there has been some incredible dialogue about the band - our purpose and and structure, and how that relates to the overall mission of Crosspoint. And some great things have happened and/or been discussed. What's too much? How can we function week to week if not ALL band members share the same passion or schedule? Etc., etc.
And as I sit here thinking about all this, my primary thought is the mission, 'cause everything we do comes back to it: "Our mission is to reach people, help them mature, and equip them to magnify Christ." (condensed) How does the band connect with all 3 aspects of the mission?
Reach people: Does our worship connect with people on Sunday morning? Do our attitudes convey that we love what we do? Do we have a passion for this dimension of what we do, or do we just show up to "play?" Even more than this...are we going beyond church walls and engaging our community? (this dimension is sorely lacking, and may take some brainstorming to find new ideas to make this work). Also, are we connecting with people personally, or are we wrongly content to just keep our social-church circle the same? Can we back off and let new people into our "niche," or are we too worried about the fact that it is our "niche," and no one else's? In this light, is the band a safe and effective place for new people to get connected...in other words, is the band an effective 'back door' to the church? Additionally, are we willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel - do we love the unlovable? Do we move past comfort zones? Do we show people that they're welcome here if no one else will welcome them? Do we ostracize people to avoid controversy or just to keep things "practical?"
Mature: Again, does our worship connect with people on Sunday morning? When in the auditorium on Sundays, have we effectively led the people in worship (helping them mature by drawing closer to God)? Again, is the band a safe place for people to volunteer and get connected? Is it a place where people can exercise and develop their spiritual gifts? Are we willing to grow as a band and equip others to serve and grow? Are we willing to grow spiritually ourselves, or do we resist? Are we willing to accept varying degrees of passion and spiritual maturity and still call ourselves a "team"?
Magnify: In the end, why do we do this? Is it for us? Is it because we love music? Is it because we love being onstage? Or do we do this for the glory of God? Do we "perform" or do we "worship?" Even the secular stuff we've wanted to do is not just to perform, but to give god glory by using a song that helps us better communicate with the world around us - whether we play that song in church to arouse thoughts/images as part of the program "flow" or we play it out in the community as means of building a bridge. Are we willing to put our own personal life frustrations and "issues" aside so that God is glorified? In the end, isn't this what's it's all about for each of us (even though our journeys may be notably different)?
As creative people (all musicians are, I believe, inherently creative one way or another), we have a unique perspective to "create" new ways of building bridges with people and helping them to meet Christ - or deepen their relationships with him. I do not EVER want to be (or remain) "just another church band." I want to explore all the amazing possibilities...I want to revisit the mission and figure out the best way WE can carry it out as a group of musicians, partners in ministry, and -above all- friends.
Why put this in a blog entry? I dunno... 'Cause I know people in the band read it, and I wanted to break up the monotony of pseudo-humor-blogs with something challenging and dialogue-provoking. 'Cause I want people who don't know me from Adam or our church from any other to read it and know that our passion is real, yet different from so many groups claiming 'passion,' yet don't truly love anyone other than themselves. And mostly, because I want to people -anyone- to know where I'm coming from.
The challenge: Making a band that is (1) good, (2) a place for people to connect and share their talents, and (3) a group of individuals doing what we do to connect with the mission of Crosspoint. Aiiight... Over the past few months there has been some incredible dialogue about the band - our purpose and and structure, and how that relates to the overall mission of Crosspoint. And some great things have happened and/or been discussed. What's too much? How can we function week to week if not ALL band members share the same passion or schedule? Etc., etc.
And as I sit here thinking about all this, my primary thought is the mission, 'cause everything we do comes back to it: "Our mission is to reach people, help them mature, and equip them to magnify Christ." (condensed) How does the band connect with all 3 aspects of the mission?
Reach people: Does our worship connect with people on Sunday morning? Do our attitudes convey that we love what we do? Do we have a passion for this dimension of what we do, or do we just show up to "play?" Even more than this...are we going beyond church walls and engaging our community? (this dimension is sorely lacking, and may take some brainstorming to find new ideas to make this work). Also, are we connecting with people personally, or are we wrongly content to just keep our social-church circle the same? Can we back off and let new people into our "niche," or are we too worried about the fact that it is our "niche," and no one else's? In this light, is the band a safe and effective place for new people to get connected...in other words, is the band an effective 'back door' to the church? Additionally, are we willing to take risks for the sake of the gospel - do we love the unlovable? Do we move past comfort zones? Do we show people that they're welcome here if no one else will welcome them? Do we ostracize people to avoid controversy or just to keep things "practical?"
Mature: Again, does our worship connect with people on Sunday morning? When in the auditorium on Sundays, have we effectively led the people in worship (helping them mature by drawing closer to God)? Again, is the band a safe place for people to volunteer and get connected? Is it a place where people can exercise and develop their spiritual gifts? Are we willing to grow as a band and equip others to serve and grow? Are we willing to grow spiritually ourselves, or do we resist? Are we willing to accept varying degrees of passion and spiritual maturity and still call ourselves a "team"?
Magnify: In the end, why do we do this? Is it for us? Is it because we love music? Is it because we love being onstage? Or do we do this for the glory of God? Do we "perform" or do we "worship?" Even the secular stuff we've wanted to do is not just to perform, but to give god glory by using a song that helps us better communicate with the world around us - whether we play that song in church to arouse thoughts/images as part of the program "flow" or we play it out in the community as means of building a bridge. Are we willing to put our own personal life frustrations and "issues" aside so that God is glorified? In the end, isn't this what's it's all about for each of us (even though our journeys may be notably different)?
As creative people (all musicians are, I believe, inherently creative one way or another), we have a unique perspective to "create" new ways of building bridges with people and helping them to meet Christ - or deepen their relationships with him. I do not EVER want to be (or remain) "just another church band." I want to explore all the amazing possibilities...I want to revisit the mission and figure out the best way WE can carry it out as a group of musicians, partners in ministry, and -above all- friends.
Why put this in a blog entry? I dunno... 'Cause I know people in the band read it, and I wanted to break up the monotony of pseudo-humor-blogs with something challenging and dialogue-provoking. 'Cause I want people who don't know me from Adam or our church from any other to read it and know that our passion is real, yet different from so many groups claiming 'passion,' yet don't truly love anyone other than themselves. And mostly, because I want to people -anyone- to know where I'm coming from.
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