My goal ever since coming to New City has been to cultivate a Christ-centered, music community. Not only is it practically impossible for us to operate any other way but this is also the call of the gospel on our lives. Great bands will come and go, but gospel-centered bands will (to borrow the apostle John’s words) abide forever. Being and becoming a gospel-centered community is the will of God (1 John 2:17).
I’ve also been saying from the beginning (not always out loud) that it’s easier to become a good band without Jesus than a gospel-centered community. In fact, without Jesus working in each of us by his Spirit we absolutely cannot be a gospel-centered community. We came into this world unable to relate to one another in a manner worthy of God. But can we go out of this world differently than we came into it? It will be a process. Everyone will need to be committed to Christ and each other to the end. The process will be difficult, challenging, and frustrating—like war, if you know what I mean. The end result will be glorious, though! Because on that day we will see the gospel having finally and completely triumphed in our lives.
What about the interim period—the time between new birth, and a new heavens and new earth? How will we make great strides in being and becoming a gospel-centered music community, here and now? Consider the metaphor of blending. Blending is the sound of two or more voices combining to create a single, bigger sound. You’d think this to be an impossible feat. Think about a couple of the obstacles that must be overcome, e.g., phrasing and timbre.
Being and becoming a gospel-centered community is kind of like blending. Within a music community you have equal members with a variety of gifts. Some sing solos. Others do not. Those who don’t sing solos sometimes blend better. Some are gifted readers. Others are not. Sometimes the readers can’t hear parts. Some are natural leaders. Some are followers. Each can learn from the other. The bottom line is this, equal members with a variety of gifts must learn to work together. That’s blending. This requires mutual deference, love, respect, and humility, i.e., taking instruction and receiving correction from one another with joy. It takes a certain kind of phrasing. Choosing the what that you say with grace and care. It also takes a certain kind of timbre. Choosing the way that you say what you say, very carefully.
If we are to be and become a gospel-centered community (not just a band) then we will have to work hard not just in our effort to sing parts well and precisely, but also to truly blend with one another. That’s the only way we will become a single, bigger voice. “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding” (Rom. 14:19).
Bro,
I don't have a clue what you're talking about.
Sorry.
Posted by: Brandon Wells | July 24, 2006 at 01:20 PM