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February 14, 2006
Finding a "Brand New Bag"
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”
1 John 3:16
Culture is a complex thing. Some cultures are defined along ethnic and racial lines. Then they can further branch out from economic, educational, and generational diversity. The subtleties of understanding and speaking to cultures different from my own can be at times frustrating. There are times when I begin to doubt whether it makes any difference or that there is any value in trying to be unified into a church made up of so many different cultures. Why not have separate culturally specific congregations where we all worship with the music that is most comfortable and understandable to that particular group?
This weekend, I was reminded of why it is so exciting and meaningful to be part of an intentionally multi-cultural church. When I learn to sing songs that are from the Congo or from the African-American tradition, I am performing a specific act of love toward my brothers in Christ. The way I stretch myself to listen, to adapt, and to absorb a certain music style clearly communicates that I love this culture as Christ loves it.
As is almost always the case, the way of the world is not the way of the cross. Musicians all have a certain “bag” or “shtick” or “sound.” Early on as a musician develops his skills, he learns that one of the golden rules of music is: “find what you can do well and do it a lot.” But, some of the greatest musicians in history have produced embarrassing performances when they get outside of their sound. I love Ella Fitzgerald, but there is a track I have of her singing, “The Girl from Ipanema” that is terrible! Ella might be the swinging-est singer who ever lived, but that was her problem: she butchered “Ipanema” by swinging it. My point is that the greatest point of vulnerability for any musician is when they are asked to play outside of their particular safety zone of style.
Taking on the cumbersome task of attempting to have a multi-cultural worship service means that the musicians must enter into their greatest place of weakness and vulnerability. That is the exact thing that Christ did for us: he became completely weak and vulnerable in order to show his amazing love for us.
This weekend, I stuck my neck way-out in several ways. I arranged a negro-spiritual for a choir (never done that before), I sung a gospel lead imitating Kurt Carr (yeah, right! as if I could come close to sounding like him), and I led a Congolese song in Swahili (what makes a white-boy from Tennessee in any way qualified to do that?). But, after the service, I receive a response of loving gratitude from both Africans and African-Americans because they had deeply appreciated that I would show them love by learning their music. I am not particularly good at playing or singing in these styles, but they were not responding to the strength of my performance. They responded to the love that I showed to them by laying down my “bag” and my “shtick” in order to honor them by honoring their culture.
Happy Valentines Day!
Multi-Cultural Ministry | By Kirk Ward | 2:59 PM
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Comments
Like the new blog look! I'm sure you'll put new pics of Sarah and lil Jo though?
Loved this post. I'm feeling a bit stretched too in my own artform. I get kicked in the pants to try things and when I screw them up it hurts. But, especially in your case, it's worth it. Painting is such an isolated art, I wish I could share my clumsiness with others more often.
Posted by: katiek at February 14, 2006 3:47 PM
Great pic choices. I love the one of Sarah and Joanna. So sweet and Sarah is looking mighty trim! Bye Bye baby belly!
Posted by: katiek at February 15, 2006 7:47 AM
Plus, the advantage of worshipping in a multi-cultural church provides more aid in our preparation for worship in heaven.
Congrats on the new baby. God bless...
David
Posted by: Illman at February 16, 2006 1:02 PM
I'm BACK!!! You never know when I'll drop in and, frankly, neither do I. But.....you REALLY do write well. That was a VERY good Sunday - with more to come. God is good and, therefore, let us, as as church and ministry within it, do what we CAN do. HE knows. And, let's continue to ask for His grace, mercy, and blessing as we stumble, trip, walk, run, or whatever the method forward.
Posted by: Elder D at February 22, 2006 5:35 PM