Comment Cards

At our church, we use a variety of ways to connect. One of those ways, is the connections cards. I get copied on several of these every week, and, as you can imagine, some of them are negative and some are positive. I love the ones that show someone accepted Jesus, or wants to be baptized. People use these to give feedback as well. Some sign up for classes, some complain, some give praise, some tell us their prayer needs and we pray for them. There's such a variety. Each week, I enjoy getting the email to see how people want to connect.

And then, there's the rare awesome cards. These are not as awesome as someone giving their life to Christ, mind you, but I love these because they're so random. Here's my favs from the past couple of months. These made the dry erase board in my office b/c they just make me laugh. Most of them get trashed. Enjoy.

Album Review

I don't generally review music too often. I don't like the fights. However, I downloaded the new Passion: Here For You album this past Tuesday. I first went to a Passion conference with a group of extra cool college students back in 2006 (where we first used the quote: "The weather ruins everything."), and since then, I have paid close attention to the music that comes from this magical college student gathering.

So, here comes my opinionated and personal review of the new album (deluxe edition), song by song. but first, an overview:
My first thought when listening to this album was, "Man, they had a lot of fun at Passion this year." That's the thing, the energy of the moments were captured beautifully. Granted, not every song is an epic ballad to be shouted in churches over the next year (nor should every song be that way)...but, there are a few gems. Overall, this could quickly become one of my new fav Passion albums because of a few excellent pieces. I know that the music is written to glorify God, but there is some great artistry to be discovered, here. Also, my one huge critique...the majority of this album is Chris Tomlin. I like Chris. He is brilliant. He is overplayed for a reason. I wish Matt Redman, David Crowder, Fee, Christy Nockels, Charlie Hall...all these folks...got more playtime on this album. Last album, Hillsong United did a piece...it was a typical Hillsong piece but it was a different sound than Christian music's "golden boy" (a term used by almighty Giglio, himself). I'm also surprised they have yet to do a compilation piece of message sound bites in the music. Passion production is so creative...HOW ARE YOU MISSING THAT OPPORTUNITY? With Francis Chan, Louie, Piper, and others...I am sure there were some great moments that could have been captured for an album like this.

1. Here For You- Tomlin (title track): I like it. Great sing a long. Great theology. Typical Tomlin. Not a title track, in my opinion.
   
2. Symphony- Tomlin: I could have done without this song on the album. I'm not saying it isn't a good song, just feels like filler to me (musically). Simple theology but more complex musicality than Tomlin usually gets into.
   
3. Waiting Here for You- Christy Nockels: Ok, now I am going to rant a bit. I am so sick of these albums typecasting their female leaders...women can sing more than just introspective slow melodies that build. I know that may seem harsh, and ignorant to others, but I am for real. Christy Nockels has a beautiful voice and can command the attention of a room. Her last album showed how diverse and energetic she can be. I am just sick of only getting the melancholy from the Passion folks with dear Christy. Step it up! That being said, it is a decent song...just bores me when I am flipping through the playlist.
   
4. All My Fountains- Tomlin: Nice melody, and great production. I think the lyrics are a bit lazy. However, awesome chorus for a energetic video. Plus, I'm not a big fan of singing about my fountains. I just think it is weird (yes, I get the theology on it).
   
5. Shadows (feat. Lecrae)- David Crowder Band & Lecrae: I think DCB can do no wrong. I am a big fan. Plus, this song was my favorite from the Church Music album. It's a great song. I'm glad he did this and it's on this album. The first time I really listened to this song, it made me emotional. It has very deep lyrics, and they mean a lot to me. Lecrae...not bad rapping (of course, I don't know squat about rapping...I just stand there/ sit there and bob my head and pick out a word here and there).
   
6. Lord I Need You- Tomlin: Not a bad twist on a favorite hymn. Good job. Don't think it is album worthy, but whatever.
   
7. Set Free- Redman and Tomlin: Good production. Love the electronic stuff and sing-ability of this one. I can see youth groups playing this ad-nausea. I don't see our church doing this one anytime soon...more of a pop sound and the collaboration idea is kind of cool...just almost as awkward as tag team preaching.
8. Forever Reign- Kristian Stanfill: I have to say, I am becoming a huge Stanfill admirer. I love the simplicity and edge to his music. This song..."You are good you are good...you are light you are light..." Ah! Great simple theology! Love this song. This is title track worthy. I can see churches doing this a lot if they can wrestle their music director away from "golden boy."
9. Sometimes- David Crowder Band: You could tell this song was a moment at Passion. The last choruses are special. I can envision a room of 20K begging God to send them to love. Send me! Send me! I can hear it. Wow. This song is special. I had a moment in the car earlier with this one.
10. Always- Kristian Stanfill: This is my favorite song on the album. Title track worthy...epic ballad worthy...hands down. Simple theology. Singable and easy melody. Epic builds. This song is perfect...it's the next ballad...I can't love this song enough. Again, car moments happen each time I hear this one and I am alone.
    
11. Carry Your Name- Christy Nockels: I am so disappointed, again. That's all I will say. Good song. Strong theology. God is glorified. But even He agrees this isn't a live album song. I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to Christy for not being able to rock out live on this album. You should have been given more.
    
12. Spirit Fall- Tomlin: Another moment at Passion happened with this song. I am sure of it. The audience actually starts the song. Beautifully done. I am surprised, though. It is a very IHOP-ish type of subject matter, and the Passion crew have usually stayed away from this type of theology (pneumatology for those of you keeping score). Ballad worthy...singable...awesome.
    
13. All to Us- Tomlin: Most brilliant lyrics to a worship song written here of late. Awesome. I love the tag at the end (we're using it this Sunday). Love this song. My buddy, Rich, turned me onto this piece about 3 months ago. A ballad for the church. Sing it LOUD.
14. Constant- Charlie Hall: Oh, Charlie. I didn't buy your last album and I think I should have. This song is so beautiful. "Faithful Jesus Cherished Treasure Our Portion Wisdom and God's Great Life." The bridge of this song kills me: "My God you are here with us, constantly here with us, you are our everything, faithful and true." This has been a prayer every time I hear it. This song ministers to me.
15. Our God (feat. Lecrae)- Tomlin & Lecrae: You can just see them sending everyone off with this song. It is an epic song. It is a great song. But the energy and excitement that builds here with the electronic loops are really cool. I loved it. The rap was awesome.
    

Chances are, I'll change my thoughts on some of these songs. I have only been listening to this album since Tuesday. Overall, I love it. Did you buy it? Share your thoughts...call me out...tell me I'm right or wrong, I don't care. It's just my opinion.
Later.

Flexibility- A quick post sans editing

I first really learned the value of flexibility on my first missions trip. Today, 13 years later, I am still challenged and amazed by it. This is a quick blog post as I'm sitting backstage listening to our band work through a last minute change.

Here's our current challenge: one of our musicians can't sing (winter brings some awesome illnesses...I have been ill for like the past month, myself). So, without that voice, we have no vocal lead on two songs. We have to adapt. After a quick huddle with the band, we made the call for which songs to replace. It also is challenging because we have a music heavy service today.

I'm listening to the band pull off the last minute adjustment. They're working through the keys, the music, and the dynamics of the songs they haven't touched in over a couple of months. We have dedicated and very talented musicians, but we also have something else: teamwork and leadership. See, you don't make these types of changes well without those two things. Sure, many of us have had to be flexible before. But this morning, our audience won't even know about the challenges because the band and the media team will pull this off extremely well. Being flexible and keeping quality are often impossible. We have an awesome team who, while they are challenged by the last minute change, they adapt well.

Oh yeah, we don't currently have a director for our team. My friend, Rich, is leading in an interim role. I think it speaks highly of his leadership that a band "in transition" (read, without a hired director) can do stuff like this. Thanks, Rich.

There's several lessons here. The biggest one: teamwork and leadership enable you to be free and see challenges as an excellent opportunity (there will still be tension, but that's ok). Too often, we are forced to see these moments as daunting challenges to just get through...ya know, grin and bear it and hope it passes quickly. Thanks team...you guys rock (literally...I'm listening to you right now).