Fork In The Road Music » Thoughts

Most Embarrassing Moment of 2012

Russell Martin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:35:00 +0000

This morning we had a combined worship service at 10:30. It was supposed to be in our contemporary worship space, but because of some heating issues we moved it to our sanctuary where our traditional worship service meets.

We decided to keep normal order of worship for the Sanctuary service. This includes a closing benediction song that they always sing, every week.

I got the music, practiced the song and made sure I was ready to play it.

The order of service at the end was supposed to be hymn, pastoral benediction, benediction song, postlude.

I had planned a big loud postlude and was ready.

The pastor gave his blessing

And… I played the postlude, as loud as I could.

It was only after I looked out and saw the congregation standing, with a look of bewilderment did I realize that I had completely skipped over the song they were supposed to be singing.

There was not much to do, but stop, and start the closing song.

2012 is off to a great start.

So how has your 2012 been so far? Let me know in the comments!

Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/blese/

Instrumental Reflection #11- Veteran’s Day

Russell Martin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:09:45 +0000

This past week we created a video of member of our church, who was in the military, sharing his thoughts on what veterans day means. This weeks instrumental reflection is the background music I composed for that video. Click here to see the whole video.

Just a reminder.. Instrumental Reflections is now available as a podcast. Click here for the feed for the podcast or here to subscribe in itunes

Instrumental Reflections #10- Bridal Entrance and Podcast Test

Russell Martin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:29:20 +0000

This past weekend I had the privilege of providing music for the wedding of one of my former youth. The really cool part is that I was given the challenge of providing original music for the ceremony. This is the original recording of what was chosen for the Bride’s Entrance.

Also, I am using this post to test out the podcasting of Instrumental Reflections. The podcast will include not only these instrumental reflections but also other items, thoughts, videos, interviews etc that I can capture and put up here. What do you think?

Oh.. and I haven’t forgotten about the Christmas Instrumental Reflections.. I promise they are coming soon.

Click here for the feed for the podcast or here to subscribe in itunes

Creative Artists or Praise and Worship Cover Band?

Russell Martin — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:17:14 +0000

I was reading through various friends facebook updates when this one by Chuck Harris caught my attention:

“The church does not prize originality, but rather cloning, it does not prize freedom, but control.” Leonard Sweet.

It got me to thinking about how we approach worship music in the church. Do we foster an atmosphere of creativity and unleash our members to use their talent in unique and creative ways, or do we throttle creativity by insisting on playing a piece just as it was recorded by the latest worship band? I admit it is much easier to do the second. I also think that we are encouraged to do so by artists and publishing companies because they make it so easy. You can find now an extensive library of resources where the worship tunes have been charted out to mimic their recording. It is easier to learn the music when CD’s can be listened to and are available for easy reference. I wonder though if it has not just made us a praise and worship cover band. Although it is easier, is it best?

I had been thinking on this topic even before I read the quote above. One of our band members, who had been thinking along the same lines, asked if we could try an experiment. He said that we should pass out a chord chart to a song, and let us come up with the arrangement before listening to it on the CD.

I really want to get your thoughts.

What are the benefits of using CDs and pre-written charts?

What are the benefits of doing your own thing?

Which do you use more often? Why?

What are other ways you can foster creativity with your band?

Criticism and Praise

Russell Martin — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:56:50 +0000

I was reading through the google shared items of Michael Hyatt, and ran across an entry he had shared called False Praise and Distorted Criticism by Pete Wilson. Read the whole post, but I wanted to share one thing that the Pete said.

Don’t waste your time listening to false praise or distorted criticism. The praise will go straight to your head and the criticism will go directly to your heart. Both will lead you astray and both will damage the work God is doing in you and through you.

Wow, how true that is. I can point to many times in my life when false praise has blown my head up. I also look back at times where I let criticism crush me. At both points I was worrying about, or basking in what others said about me, and took my focus off of Christ and his work through me.

As Christians, we need to remember that our purpose and our worth comes from Christ.

Suggest Your Favorite Podcasts

Russell Martin — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:04:55 +0000

I was listening to music on my iPhone the other day and I noticed that there was one category empty…. Podcasts. I really hadn’t given much thought to podcasts until I took a trip down to Houston recently. On the way down I was tired of listening to music, but there was nothing on the radio. I stopped for dinner and began to browse through the podcasts in itunes. I downloaded several and had plenty to listen to the rest of the trip down, and back up.

The ones I started with were:

Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast- I really enjoy listening to Andy’s thoughts on leadership. The only thing I do not like is that this one only comes out once per month.

All About Worship Podcast- Wisdom Moon and the guys do a great job making an entertaining podcast. It contains artist interviews, reviews and just some good fun and conversation. Great for worship leaders.

Mars Hill Bible Church Podcast- Since hearing Rob Bell at a National Youth Workers Convention many years ago I have been challenged by what he has to say. Nice to be introduced to other great preachers from time to time.

Those are the podcasts that I started listening to but I know there are other great ones out there. So let me know! What do you listen to? Which ones inspire you, challenge you, or make you laugh?

Worship Planning with Google Wave

Russell Martin — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 05:21:34 +0000

I was invited to a google wave “post” or “blip” or whatever it is called, where my friend was writing a blog post, and wanted some fresh eyes to read over it. He posted his thoughts and what happened next was amazing. About ten other people started sharing thoughts, finding spelling mistakes and making corrections, giving alternate ideas and collaborating on the post.

After watching this for a few minutes I wondered if it could be used for planning worship services? What would happen if someone could start a wave with the sermon and scripture, then let people from all over comment, make song suggestions, give links to videos or tell about a skit they wrote that would fit the topic?

Well let’s find out. First let me say that I know not everyone has Google Wave, and I know this process won’t fully work until it is available everywhere, so hurry up Google! But I think there are enough to give this experiment a try.

I have created a wave for a service we are doing on November 8th. If you have wave add me to your contact list and I will invite you to the wave.

My contact is rgmmusic@googlewave.com

Do We Have Customers?

Russell Martin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:12:09 +0000

I have worked in churches for over 15 years now and I will have to say it is definitely a unique “business” to be in. In fact, I just described the problem. Is the church a business? We have bills to pay, employees to provide for, buildings to maintain. There is a budget, income and expenses.

If the church is a business then do we have customers? If so who are they? Are our customers those who are already in the pews and on the roster? The ones who are faithful in attendance and give to support our ministries. Are our “customers” those who are in our community un-connected to any church, or not even knowing who Jesus is?

Furthermore, should we gear our resources, worship services, communications, programs etc to those who are already here, or to those who are unreached? On one hand if you do not take care of those who are already in the church, supporting the church, then they may not stay and support. However are we really fulfilling our mission to make disciples if we do not expect, plan for, and actively pursue those who are un-churched, non-believers?

Or is even the right question to ask?

I’d love your thoughts…

Instrumental Reflection #7

Russell Martin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:40:04 +0000

I have to admit it has been much harder than I originally thought to produce one of these reflections per week. I won’t get caught up but will try to be more reliable in the future.

This week I sat down in my office and flipped through the hymnal. I came across one of my favorite hymns “My Jesus I Love Thee.” I love leading contemporary worship but definitely miss some of the hymns I grew up singing week after week. I decided to just sit down and play what came to mind. This recording is pretty close to my original thoughts. Enjoy.

Click to listen. Right click and choose “Save as” or “save target as” to save to your computer.

MyJesus I Love Thee

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Youth Bands: Who provides the equiptment?

Russell Martin — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:56:42 +0000

Our bass player was playing at practice three weeks ago when her strap came off and her bass landed right on the input jack, busting the jack, solder joints, and a good portion of the body of the bass. I was not sure if the bass would be repairable or how long it would take to fix or for her family to replace.

So I got to thinking, “Do many youth programs and bands have instruments that belong to the church for the kids to play, or do all the kids play/bring their own gear? Our band uses all my gear including my PA, drum set, bass amp, and guitar amp and effects, but they play their own instruments (I play left handed). So, what do the rest of do with their youth bands? Do I need to look into buying some instruments and equipment through and for the church?

Jason Huffman is the youth director at Palestine FUMC. He shares his own thoughts about ministry and more on his blog.