For my newest post, I am announcing that my blog will now be hosted at allthingsgospel.wordpress.com.
I will update here as warranted.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Friday, June 1, 2007
Part-time and proud of it
In recent posts on several SG sites, I have noticed that there is developing a trend of criticism of part-time groups. While everyone knows many part-time groups do not have a decent sound or whatever their yardstick is, there are also many who are quality groups.
I am sick to death of the mistakes, problems, blunders or whatever term you want to use for what is wrong with SG being blamed on the plethora of part-time groups. The industry itself has created this problem and it won't go away until the industry people hold themselves accountable.
The new trend in the SG industry is to buy your way in. If you have several thousand dollars just lying around, and you want to be a star-you can be an SG star. Or so these people are made to believe. In actuality, so much is lost when this is allowed that I don't have time to dig as deep as I would like, but here goes with just a few examples.
When a group buys their way into the southern gospel industry full-time straight from the start they lose the opportunity to learn. The first question is bound to be "What do you learn from spending days upon days calling pastors and music ministers?" You learn how to communicate. You learn to ask about the needs of the church, you learn how to interact with people. The fact is, no matter how much money you put into it, the initial groundswell of popularity will not last forever. In SG (unlike secular music) the ministry aspect is essential. There are many groups who can sing well, pick the right songs, and entertain; but if you do not connect with the people you might as well stick with open mic's and stay home to feed your musical desires.
Another question about this learning thing is "What can I learn from loading equipment, driving for hours, setting up and all that week after week?" You learn perseverance. You learn obedience, you learn to give it your all even when conditions aren't ideal. Even if you pay for the privilege, you will have plenty of those times where the sound is bad, the roads are bumpy, and you wish you had more time to sleep. Obeying the Lord in a ministry isn't about "fame and fortune", it is about the experience. Most importantly, it is about the people.
Third question, "What can I learn from the people?" You learn how well your message is being heard. You learn what the needs of the individual are. Most of all, you learn to listen. No one in Ransomed would trade any of the opportunities we have had meeting the people for anything. They have shaped our ministry and taught us just as much as the vocal coach, the Sunday School teacher, or the pastor. We are supposed to be reaching and ministering to all these people.
Another thing that are lost in buying your way in is the reality of the business. This is a lesser concern than the others by all means, but still a necessary one. The fact is that a novice going for the gusto (as it were) is very idealistic in what they expect. They expect that they are dealing with Christians who do not look at the bottom line. That is such a wrong perception. The record companies, promotion companies, and other industry types are still a business. They don't care if you have learned it, but they expect you to know it and to produce. If you don't produce, they may very well still take your money, but they aren't going to do any more than that.
The previous one leads me to this one: toughened skin. Like it or not, jealousy and ego are rampant in this genre. Jealousy because someone gets there first, or does something before you, or just plain and simply are more successful than you. And the immediate thinking by people with this problem is to tear down. They don't build up, they don't give constructive criticism for the purpose of moving you forward in your ministry or walk, they undermine. They will go to any lengths necessary (behind your back, of course) to remove you as an obstacle to their perceived success or status. We have met many people like that, and it is not going to change. By starting at the top, or trying to, you lose the opportunity to learn this and it can destroy your ministry.
Ego is a part of what we do. It has to be. Ego becomes a problem when we start to believe we are IT. There is a difference between the ego that comes from a humble confidence and an ego that doesn't allow us to hear when something or someone is trying to help. The ego that is needed to be willing to get up in front of a group of people (large or small) is a necessary part of the music business. It becomes a problem when you think you are the only ones to have it right and everyone else is not worth your time.
So if you are thinking about getting into this business, embrace the hard work. Prayerfully consider the next steps after you have done it for awhile, and learned how to do it. Your ministry will last longer and be more apt to outlast others who haven't learned it.
I am sick to death of the mistakes, problems, blunders or whatever term you want to use for what is wrong with SG being blamed on the plethora of part-time groups. The industry itself has created this problem and it won't go away until the industry people hold themselves accountable.
The new trend in the SG industry is to buy your way in. If you have several thousand dollars just lying around, and you want to be a star-you can be an SG star. Or so these people are made to believe. In actuality, so much is lost when this is allowed that I don't have time to dig as deep as I would like, but here goes with just a few examples.
When a group buys their way into the southern gospel industry full-time straight from the start they lose the opportunity to learn. The first question is bound to be "What do you learn from spending days upon days calling pastors and music ministers?" You learn how to communicate. You learn to ask about the needs of the church, you learn how to interact with people. The fact is, no matter how much money you put into it, the initial groundswell of popularity will not last forever. In SG (unlike secular music) the ministry aspect is essential. There are many groups who can sing well, pick the right songs, and entertain; but if you do not connect with the people you might as well stick with open mic's and stay home to feed your musical desires.
Another question about this learning thing is "What can I learn from loading equipment, driving for hours, setting up and all that week after week?" You learn perseverance. You learn obedience, you learn to give it your all even when conditions aren't ideal. Even if you pay for the privilege, you will have plenty of those times where the sound is bad, the roads are bumpy, and you wish you had more time to sleep. Obeying the Lord in a ministry isn't about "fame and fortune", it is about the experience. Most importantly, it is about the people.
Third question, "What can I learn from the people?" You learn how well your message is being heard. You learn what the needs of the individual are. Most of all, you learn to listen. No one in Ransomed would trade any of the opportunities we have had meeting the people for anything. They have shaped our ministry and taught us just as much as the vocal coach, the Sunday School teacher, or the pastor. We are supposed to be reaching and ministering to all these people.
Another thing that are lost in buying your way in is the reality of the business. This is a lesser concern than the others by all means, but still a necessary one. The fact is that a novice going for the gusto (as it were) is very idealistic in what they expect. They expect that they are dealing with Christians who do not look at the bottom line. That is such a wrong perception. The record companies, promotion companies, and other industry types are still a business. They don't care if you have learned it, but they expect you to know it and to produce. If you don't produce, they may very well still take your money, but they aren't going to do any more than that.
The previous one leads me to this one: toughened skin. Like it or not, jealousy and ego are rampant in this genre. Jealousy because someone gets there first, or does something before you, or just plain and simply are more successful than you. And the immediate thinking by people with this problem is to tear down. They don't build up, they don't give constructive criticism for the purpose of moving you forward in your ministry or walk, they undermine. They will go to any lengths necessary (behind your back, of course) to remove you as an obstacle to their perceived success or status. We have met many people like that, and it is not going to change. By starting at the top, or trying to, you lose the opportunity to learn this and it can destroy your ministry.
Ego is a part of what we do. It has to be. Ego becomes a problem when we start to believe we are IT. There is a difference between the ego that comes from a humble confidence and an ego that doesn't allow us to hear when something or someone is trying to help. The ego that is needed to be willing to get up in front of a group of people (large or small) is a necessary part of the music business. It becomes a problem when you think you are the only ones to have it right and everyone else is not worth your time.
So if you are thinking about getting into this business, embrace the hard work. Prayerfully consider the next steps after you have done it for awhile, and learned how to do it. Your ministry will last longer and be more apt to outlast others who haven't learned it.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
It's Not Necessarily Just My Opinion
I have waited a couple of weeks since my last post to write this one.
Seems a few people didn't like the most recent post, and someone has made it clear that they didn't like 2 sentences in the one before that.
First off, let me say that if anyone was hurt by what I wrote, I am sorry. It is not my intention in writing any of these to hurt anyone. But I am compelled to write what I hear and see that either uplifts or brings down the music we all love.
Some who read this know that my husband is a member of Ransomed. My blogs, however, do not reflect Ransomed's views. They reflect mine and a few others. My normal process before I write a blog is to discuss the things I notice with other people outside my little bubble. Why do I discuss a possible blog subject with others before I write it? Because it gives me the opportunity to see if I am biased or if I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. While I did not start this blog with the idea of it being seen by a wide variety of people, I knew that some would see it. I take that possibility seriously so I prefer to solicit other opinions than mine to be sure I am not off track somewhere. In doing this I have the opportunity to get other viewpoints (similar and dissimilar) and have been given some "insider" information.
When "confronted" by the individual who was so upset about something I wrote, I could have lied and denied that the reference was to anyone they knew. I did not do that because I firmly believe if I have written it, I should back it up. Just to clarify, what I wrote then was not just my opinion it was noticed by several others outside the Ransomed bubble. In fact, it was pointed out to me by someone outside of us, by several people in fact. Had I noticed it? Yes, and while not overly fond of what was done, didn't think much of it because Ransomed has backed and helped other groups who have used the same technique in the past.
Before anyone gives me the "those who can, do; and those who can't, write about it" thing. Let me give a little about what I do.
I do not sing, that is true. That is something that would not be pleasing to the audience or to the Lord, in my opinion.
I do, however, run sound for Ransomed at our events. I know and understand the nuances of the music we do, make adjustments on the fly during the events, and it is my job to also watch the audience in order to know whether what we are doing is pleasing or offensive. I am a part of the ministry team of Ransomed, so I do know something about the inside-even if I am not on the stage. We have been doing this for almost 10 years, and while others have been doing it longer, I am not a novice. And, in spite of 2 heart attacks in the last 12 years, I still tote equipment, put in the long hours on the weekends when we travel and maintain a household that at one time had 6 children in it.
In addition to all that, I handle the schedule book, handle the hotel reservations, drive to and from events, create forms and such when needed, and I design and maintain the Ransomed website. I am also blessed in that the guys listen to me when I have an opinion on their music or the SG industry because I take the time to not only talk, but to listen. I spend time reading other blogs and message boards, participating in the local and not so local associations, etc etc. So I am informed and active in this.
My biggest gripe are the groups that form because they want to go national. Does Ransomed want that too, maybe in time-if the Lord wills it. But we didn't form to pursue it, and while it will cost some money to get to that point we are going to be watchful, careful and go about it wisely. The Lord expects that of us in our ministry. We are not going to sink every dime we get from the loyal listeners we have into buying our way in. That is foolish and is just dragging down the industry. We have run into many of these types in the past and some have gotten national recognition but at what cost? When they stand in front of Jesus, will He say "Well done" or will He say that they missed the boat and an opportunity to minister to someone in a small church somewhere and because they chose their own path and not His, that person is condemned to hell. That is an extreme scenario because it really isn't the group or soloists job to get people to heaven, I know, but it illustrates the point about obedience to the Lord. I have a hard time believing that the Lord calls someone to spend a small fortune to achieve earthly success. That isn't to say He wouldn't call them, but when they form and start pursuing national status, then they leave out an important part of what is needed to be truly effective-training.
Without working the smaller churches and growing into the larger venues and such, a group formed for the specific purpose of going national doesn't learn how to minister. I do not care what you have done in ministry prior to that, it is still a whole new ball game. My brother-in-law was a youth minister and music minister for more than 15 years before he started Ransomed and he will be the first to tell you that ministering the way we do now is nothing like what he did leading the music in a church. We have made a lot of mistakes over the 10 years and learned from them. The biggest lesson, not everyone is going to like what you do so don't take offense at everything you hear or read. I was told by a very dear friend recently that in this business (and it is a business as much as a ministry) you can't wear your feelings on your shoulder. You have to be thicker skinned, and there is a post on one of the message boards about the pervasive attitude of those in the SG industry who don't like anything negative, or any type of criticism. My initial response to this is too bad. There is going to be criticism. It is fostered out of jealousy sometimes, a bad spirit other times, and sometimes it is just personal opinion. The things that are said should be listened to and taken into account, but you must be able to separate personal taste from constructive criticism that will enhance your ministry. Don't ever discount what someone says about their perception of what you do, but take some things with a grain of salt.
The other thing we have learned is to be bold. You can do one of two things in this business. You can either be timid, agree with everything that is said, and follow the leader. Or you can learn, watch, listen, and then speak out about things that are important. If you see something that is dragging down the music you perform and love, and you feel God has given you this ministry as a responsibility, then you cannot keep silent. Satan wants you to keep silent, then the message gets lost in the muddle, because no one will speak up to make things better.
Satan also loves to put stars in the eyes of talented people. We have heard thousands of times over the last 4 years alone "When are you going national", and all the variations thereof complimenting us on our sound, our songs, our attitude or annointing. We have been told by some evangelical preachers that our music would cure cancer (so far the only verified thing we have cured is road rage in one person). We have tried to take all these things with a grain of salt. Are we happy to hear them? Sure. Are we pleased that we have impacted people in that way? Most definitely. But the goals and ambitions of going national are not what define Ransomed. If we let that define us, then we have taken our eyes off of the reason we are doing this-Jesus. He is the only One who should be looked to for guidance and compliments and most importantly direction. If your eyes are on the road ahead and where it may lead and not Him, you are definitely heading in the wrong direction.
So remember whenever you see me write something on this blog it is after it has been pointed out to me by someone else, or I noticed it and talked about it with several others. While I am the one to write it, it won't be just my opinion. If it is my personal, not to be shared opinion, I will still do it the old-fashioned way, write it in my diary.
One last thing, if you are going to gripe to me or others about something I wrote or said, be responsible enough to tell the truth. Like I said, I am not a novice and I am not stupid. Treating me like I am will not get me to listen to what you say in defense, and lying to me loses any respect I have for you as a Christian or a fellow performer. I won't deny anything I have written in my posts because I have vetted the subjects through others, and when I am wrong I will write a clarification and an apology. I want to get it right, but dont' treat me like an idiot who will accept any old explanation. I will know, and more importantly, God will know. I write with the confidence of knowing that God knows my heart and my love for this music and industry and my firm belief that it should succeed.
Seems a few people didn't like the most recent post, and someone has made it clear that they didn't like 2 sentences in the one before that.
First off, let me say that if anyone was hurt by what I wrote, I am sorry. It is not my intention in writing any of these to hurt anyone. But I am compelled to write what I hear and see that either uplifts or brings down the music we all love.
Some who read this know that my husband is a member of Ransomed. My blogs, however, do not reflect Ransomed's views. They reflect mine and a few others. My normal process before I write a blog is to discuss the things I notice with other people outside my little bubble. Why do I discuss a possible blog subject with others before I write it? Because it gives me the opportunity to see if I am biased or if I am making a mountain out of a mole hill. While I did not start this blog with the idea of it being seen by a wide variety of people, I knew that some would see it. I take that possibility seriously so I prefer to solicit other opinions than mine to be sure I am not off track somewhere. In doing this I have the opportunity to get other viewpoints (similar and dissimilar) and have been given some "insider" information.
When "confronted" by the individual who was so upset about something I wrote, I could have lied and denied that the reference was to anyone they knew. I did not do that because I firmly believe if I have written it, I should back it up. Just to clarify, what I wrote then was not just my opinion it was noticed by several others outside the Ransomed bubble. In fact, it was pointed out to me by someone outside of us, by several people in fact. Had I noticed it? Yes, and while not overly fond of what was done, didn't think much of it because Ransomed has backed and helped other groups who have used the same technique in the past.
Before anyone gives me the "those who can, do; and those who can't, write about it" thing. Let me give a little about what I do.
I do not sing, that is true. That is something that would not be pleasing to the audience or to the Lord, in my opinion.
I do, however, run sound for Ransomed at our events. I know and understand the nuances of the music we do, make adjustments on the fly during the events, and it is my job to also watch the audience in order to know whether what we are doing is pleasing or offensive. I am a part of the ministry team of Ransomed, so I do know something about the inside-even if I am not on the stage. We have been doing this for almost 10 years, and while others have been doing it longer, I am not a novice. And, in spite of 2 heart attacks in the last 12 years, I still tote equipment, put in the long hours on the weekends when we travel and maintain a household that at one time had 6 children in it.
In addition to all that, I handle the schedule book, handle the hotel reservations, drive to and from events, create forms and such when needed, and I design and maintain the Ransomed website. I am also blessed in that the guys listen to me when I have an opinion on their music or the SG industry because I take the time to not only talk, but to listen. I spend time reading other blogs and message boards, participating in the local and not so local associations, etc etc. So I am informed and active in this.
My biggest gripe are the groups that form because they want to go national. Does Ransomed want that too, maybe in time-if the Lord wills it. But we didn't form to pursue it, and while it will cost some money to get to that point we are going to be watchful, careful and go about it wisely. The Lord expects that of us in our ministry. We are not going to sink every dime we get from the loyal listeners we have into buying our way in. That is foolish and is just dragging down the industry. We have run into many of these types in the past and some have gotten national recognition but at what cost? When they stand in front of Jesus, will He say "Well done" or will He say that they missed the boat and an opportunity to minister to someone in a small church somewhere and because they chose their own path and not His, that person is condemned to hell. That is an extreme scenario because it really isn't the group or soloists job to get people to heaven, I know, but it illustrates the point about obedience to the Lord. I have a hard time believing that the Lord calls someone to spend a small fortune to achieve earthly success. That isn't to say He wouldn't call them, but when they form and start pursuing national status, then they leave out an important part of what is needed to be truly effective-training.
Without working the smaller churches and growing into the larger venues and such, a group formed for the specific purpose of going national doesn't learn how to minister. I do not care what you have done in ministry prior to that, it is still a whole new ball game. My brother-in-law was a youth minister and music minister for more than 15 years before he started Ransomed and he will be the first to tell you that ministering the way we do now is nothing like what he did leading the music in a church. We have made a lot of mistakes over the 10 years and learned from them. The biggest lesson, not everyone is going to like what you do so don't take offense at everything you hear or read. I was told by a very dear friend recently that in this business (and it is a business as much as a ministry) you can't wear your feelings on your shoulder. You have to be thicker skinned, and there is a post on one of the message boards about the pervasive attitude of those in the SG industry who don't like anything negative, or any type of criticism. My initial response to this is too bad. There is going to be criticism. It is fostered out of jealousy sometimes, a bad spirit other times, and sometimes it is just personal opinion. The things that are said should be listened to and taken into account, but you must be able to separate personal taste from constructive criticism that will enhance your ministry. Don't ever discount what someone says about their perception of what you do, but take some things with a grain of salt.
The other thing we have learned is to be bold. You can do one of two things in this business. You can either be timid, agree with everything that is said, and follow the leader. Or you can learn, watch, listen, and then speak out about things that are important. If you see something that is dragging down the music you perform and love, and you feel God has given you this ministry as a responsibility, then you cannot keep silent. Satan wants you to keep silent, then the message gets lost in the muddle, because no one will speak up to make things better.
Satan also loves to put stars in the eyes of talented people. We have heard thousands of times over the last 4 years alone "When are you going national", and all the variations thereof complimenting us on our sound, our songs, our attitude or annointing. We have been told by some evangelical preachers that our music would cure cancer (so far the only verified thing we have cured is road rage in one person). We have tried to take all these things with a grain of salt. Are we happy to hear them? Sure. Are we pleased that we have impacted people in that way? Most definitely. But the goals and ambitions of going national are not what define Ransomed. If we let that define us, then we have taken our eyes off of the reason we are doing this-Jesus. He is the only One who should be looked to for guidance and compliments and most importantly direction. If your eyes are on the road ahead and where it may lead and not Him, you are definitely heading in the wrong direction.
So remember whenever you see me write something on this blog it is after it has been pointed out to me by someone else, or I noticed it and talked about it with several others. While I am the one to write it, it won't be just my opinion. If it is my personal, not to be shared opinion, I will still do it the old-fashioned way, write it in my diary.
One last thing, if you are going to gripe to me or others about something I wrote or said, be responsible enough to tell the truth. Like I said, I am not a novice and I am not stupid. Treating me like I am will not get me to listen to what you say in defense, and lying to me loses any respect I have for you as a Christian or a fellow performer. I won't deny anything I have written in my posts because I have vetted the subjects through others, and when I am wrong I will write a clarification and an apology. I want to get it right, but dont' treat me like an idiot who will accept any old explanation. I will know, and more importantly, God will know. I write with the confidence of knowing that God knows my heart and my love for this music and industry and my firm belief that it should succeed.
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