What's up with the music bus?

Two and a half years ago I transitioned back into a more musical role in life as a Pastor of Music at a church (www.valleyviewalliance.com). Not being particularly up on all the latest and greatest writers and songs to be sung in a church that wanted to be "cutting edge" in its style I began searching the web for a web based service that would let me legally access lead sheets to worship songs at a reasonable price. As an artist it meant something to me that the artisits were getting appropriately paid for their work.

To my surprise I found a great service, which has only become better, named www.praisecharts.com. They have had some struggles with the big companies removing songs from their catalogue because of buyouts or such like but still have some sort of exclusive arrangement with Integrity and have Hillsongs etc.

Through the amazing support and benovolence of a friend and now benefactor I was able to record a worship CD I am incredibly pleased with. Song samples and CD cover and sales at www.cliffcline.com. Moreover, I discovered early on that PraiseCharts is owned by a friend of mine from youth and from University! All that to say, my charts will be for sale online at PrasieCharts in the New Year!! Merry Christmas.

Christianity and Gay Marriage in Canada

The issue should be understood I think simply: Christians that follow the often black and white (not to be confused with legalistic or right wing fundamentalist) teachings of the Bible are against the homosexual lifestyle. They are also against lying, cheating, hating, slandering, violence etc. In the end, all Christians are self condemning. They know they cannot possibly live up to the standards the Bible puts before them and will always have sin in there life that others can point to. This does not make them hypocritical - those who do not own up to this reality are hypocritical. It does give them a never ending growth curve to take them to the after life - kind of exciting really to have a righteous purpose for your whole life!

Many believe the true Christian response to the Gay marriage issue is screaming and yelling until we are heard. I am quite sure I do not agree. I do believe that Christians should be endeavoring to leverage their relationships with people to influence and make known there views on this matter - but the truth is their view on this matter is not ultimately what they need to be giving.

My point is this. The best thing I can tell anyone as a Christian is that the universe is held together by a Creator - God. That Jesus Christ is the facilitator of ensuring I can know God and experience the best parts of Creation for all eternity with Him, and that if someone is serious about discovering the depth of meaning that this life, but more importantly all eternity has to offer, they can find that through personally reading the Bible and letting it reveal the not so secret parameters of the universe.

To get bogged down in issues, even some that the Bible talks about, is to miss the big picture. Jesus did not come to condemn anyone, but to show us all that this life and eternity can be. I think we need to constantly start there, and then walk together and figure out the other things in the context of belief in Jesus Christ. If one does not believe in Jesus Christ, and if they are not open to the concept of what His existence means, than I would dare say I am naive to think that my passion about some of His teachings are going to be shared by anyone who really does not care to accept my premise that He is worth listening to in the first place.

The New CD is Out

I have written a litte bit about the new CD. I have moved 160 units without doing a whole lot in terms of promotion. There is lots to happen in the new year once the engine starts, but for the very few who might be reading this, the new cover and some samples can be seen at www.cliffcline.com.

Peace.

Much to do about lots of things.

This year is definitely been a year to write home about from an earthly perspective. My goals were to finish and release a CD (done), begin and Post Modern Gathering at my local church (done), begin my Masters degree (first course done) and Executive Produce a compilation CD (oops, not done).

So much of what I so revolves around my day job as a pastor. My main public face is that of music guy, but truefully I have a passion for leadership in the sense that I have many ideas about how things should go, and love to inlfuence people towards accompishing my visions and passions. This, of course, is helpful in that I have all kinds of artistic visions, and unlike many artisits, I think, I am learning and accomplishing more as I blend my artistic and leadership gifts. Moreover, I find that God has provided many opportunities and friendships with wildly talented people to achieve the goals that I think he has instilled in me.

The producer of my latest CD and I have developed a great and strong friendship/partnership an have begun to discuss grander vision of how me might positively influence and develop the Canadian Christian landscape in music. Cetainly we are not original thinkers on this front, but it is the very burgeoning landscape of the Candian Christian music scene that I think will give us the ability to accomplish something. Time will tell, keep you posted.

To Infinity and Beyond

It seems like Saturday November 27, 2004 will go down as the culmination of my life's musical work to date. I have spent several months in the studio with a benefactor and friend who has helped me realize the dream of producing a tier 1 commercial recording.

I had the privilege of sharing the live stage with him, his son, and three other great friends for a release concert that saw over 160 attend and lots of CDs enter the public world.

I am encouraged, humbled and grateful that God has given me such an opportunity. The future seems so bright, well you know the rest. Really, it is in God's hands - and I am happy to be there.

Peace.

The Heart of Worship

Dude, where to start.

I am the music pastor of a congregation of over 300 in the peak times. One thing I am learning is that we North Americans love to worship, but the leaders of said worship times need time. Perhaps in a way that is very opposite to everything else in a readi-made world, worship takes time. Singing, praying, meditating etc. all take time. 3 songs here, 2 songs there, annoucncements, video, drama, blah, blah, blah. What a joke. Much like the trend in preaching towards story telling, worship seems to go the way of emotional manipulation. Don't get me wrong, worship is emotional, but is also intellectual. John talks about worshiping in spirit and in truth.

What I am finding is no rocket science. We need time, not manipulation (besides the normal energy builds and lulls that The Art's supply). We need the truth of several songs and some prayer to sink in over several minutes to free the spirit to worship. 1 Song, announcments laced with story, 4 songs, a sermon and closer just don't cut it. What are we trying to do, get through a modern day useless liturgy, or worship the Creator of the Universe? My vote is for the latter.

Post Modernism

I recently finished a seminary course on Preaching to the Post Modern World. This was timely and interesting because I am launching, with the assistance of some volunteers at my church, a new service which is meant to appeal to a post modern person. (www.thechurchcoffeehouse.com)

Cetainly there was some philosophical, theological, and homiletic learning that took place, but being a post modern myself I guess, I find it quite easy to critique the findings of the course, especially after I have distance and a good grade secured.

One of the presuppositions of the course was that stories, metaphor or narrative is the most effective was to reach a post modern audience. I am quite sure I disagree. Not entirely wholeheartedly, only because there are always exceptions to a rule, but strongly in this: I personally find and believe most of peers find stories are less authentic than plain speak. When anyone, but especially a preacher, begins to tell a story to me, one that obviously is trying to manipulate my emotions towards and end, I balk. "Tell me what you mean to say!" my insides cry, don't try to manipulate or sell me an idea I am not sure you live, breathe or possibly even believe.

I am, as I believe most Post Moderns are, looking for authentic people, who are intelligent but communicate in plain speak. Not stories or manipulative methaphor. Just the truth as you see it. If it is worth listening to, I can figure it out. Your convivtion and passion will show your true colours, not how well you tell a story.

Tithing (Giving a tenth of income) Musings

To many tithing a tenth of income is an Old Testament teaching that comes out of the law because when Jesus came, he formed a new covenant. Moreover, 2 Corinthians 9:6&7 talk about sowing and reaping according to what we give, but ultimately we should give according to what we have decided in our heart to give.

So what should guide us? Some say the tithe should be the starting point. Others say that when Malachi talked about giving to the storehouse, it no longer refers to giving to the church, but to any worthwhile Christian endeavour (parachurch).

The new covenant is predicated on Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 7 it talks about Jesus being a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Moreover, it talks about how Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek, who was a priest forever, not from the line of the Levites. It goes on to say that Jesus is like Melchizedek, "and when there is a change in the priesthood, there is also a change in the law"v12.
The change in the law is not what or how much we give, however, but rather that we no longer need to go through the rules of an imperfect law that does not lead to perfection and that is tended by mortal priests (Levites). We are now led by a new priesthood, one that is eternal and is the way to perfection and eternity with God.

I think the sub-point here is the tithe, but it is a significant sub-point. It is a new testament reference to the fact that Jesus, the head of the church, is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, and as such is worthy of receiving our tithe as Melchizedek was worthy to receive it from Abraham.

Is the tithe part of the new covenant and strongly referred to on the New Testament? I think quite clearly yes. But don't take my word for it. Read Hebrews, the whole book, but chapter 7 in particular. Let the Holy Spirit confirm or refute the truth of this assertion in you!

 

Church Leadership

I have heard it said that: 

 "I believe the local church is the hope of the world and its future rests primarily in the hands of its leaders."

No matter how hard I try I can't see how that as a statement would honour God. To me the hope of the world is Jesus Christ, and the future of Christ and His church rests in the hands of God the Father. I understand that Romans 12:8 (or a portion therein) talks about leading with diligence, but I would posit that is referring to people who are gifted in an area, say like teaching or playing in worship, and are also gifted to lead in that area. I do not think it is referring to the gift of diligently leading in leadership. Within your gift, lead with diligence. Serve God and be used by Him to create His prevailing church with the gifts He has bestowed on you for the edification of the body. Perhaps this is splitting hairs, but I think that is putting the emPHAsis back on the correct sylLAble. My biggest struggle with this is that I love the heart of the quote and the quotee. It makes no sense that the church today would not operate organizationally with excellence, in fact it certainly honours God to do so. I simply think that the primary message of the church ought to be the message of the cross and the fact that Jesus Christ is our hope, not that the church is the hope of the world.

Psalm 25:3 No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,

Psalm 25:5 guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long

Psalm 25:21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD .

Psalm 33:18 But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 71:5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD , my confidence since my youth.

Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.

Matthew 12:21 In his name the nations will put their hope."[ 12:21 Isaiah 42:1­4]

Romans 5:2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[ 5:2 Or let us] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

Colossians 1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

I think you get my point. By the way, I did not find a scripture yet that says or intimates that the hope of the world rest in church leaders. There are plenty that put their hope in the true head of the church, Jesus Christ.