So I am sitting here on my futon, relaxing from a weekend in Topeka, KS. We were at Good News Church this weekend leading worship and doing ministry. I had kind of a rough weekend and it's hard to get over. You see we got up there Friday night and stayed in the house of a gentleman in the church. As soon as I walked in the house, I knew I was in trouble. You see the guy has a cat. For some people, that's not a big deal. For me, that's a huge thing. You see, I've become allergic to cats in the past few months. Not sure where that came from, but it's terrible. So I slept in the house that night and the next morning... it was terrible.
Later that day we practiced and I knew it was over. My throat was on fire! I felt like I was breathing fire every time I sang a note. It doesn't help that I am not very friendly to my vocal chords when I sing. So I bore down and began to sing. As we hit the set that night, it was a struggle. I couldn't hear much because our monitor went out and had to listen through the main speakers and we had a drummer with no drum shield. The first song went terrible for me. I was off and my throat was dying. By the time we hit the last song (a very high song) I was done. I'm still getting over the soreness and being hoarse.
All that being said, I am trying to figure out some things I can do to preserve my voice. Singing when you are hoarse and when you are sick..... VERY BAD for you vocal chords. The only thing you can do is drink water and rest. I am looking for some voice remedies as well. Any suggestions?
Writing.... An Art Form?
Monday, April 14, 2008
There have been several worship albums come out in the past couple of months.
A few of my favorite include:
- Free by Planetshakers
- The I Heart Revolution by Hillsong (this is a re-release of some of the their old material live with some new stuff)
- My Savior Lives by New Life Worship
All of these albums are really good. Like any other album, there are songs that I like more than others and there are a few that I think are terrible. Maybe I am just biased, but worship songs always sound better when the bands and artists take time to work out every aspect of the song and then go back and fix the mistakes at a later point. This just shows commitment to excellence, which I firmly believe is a scriptural foundation.
I've always wondered how these song writers produce such quality songs. It's amazing to look at the simplicity of the lyrics and hearing such an anointing on the songs. The compositions are so refreshing and the music behind the lyrics is so deep and complex. God's wonder and glory seem to be encompassed in these songs. Maybe it's just my biased towards to the music, but the music just inspires writing every time I listen.
A few of my favorite include:
- Free by Planetshakers
- The I Heart Revolution by Hillsong (this is a re-release of some of the their old material live with some new stuff)
- My Savior Lives by New Life Worship
All of these albums are really good. Like any other album, there are songs that I like more than others and there are a few that I think are terrible. Maybe I am just biased, but worship songs always sound better when the bands and artists take time to work out every aspect of the song and then go back and fix the mistakes at a later point. This just shows commitment to excellence, which I firmly believe is a scriptural foundation.
I've always wondered how these song writers produce such quality songs. It's amazing to look at the simplicity of the lyrics and hearing such an anointing on the songs. The compositions are so refreshing and the music behind the lyrics is so deep and complex. God's wonder and glory seem to be encompassed in these songs. Maybe it's just my biased towards to the music, but the music just inspires writing every time I listen.
What a Decision!?!?!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Let's see, I've made my decision. Im going to join the church plant that I talked about previously in a blog. It was a tough decision. I'm going to take a job with undefined hours and no pay. Well, I think it's the best decision for me. Who knows that will happen in the next few months. Who knows what I am going to do for a paying job. That's scary, but I know God will provide!
Here is the website for the project (we are calling it a project because it is a church revitalization). The website has vision for the project, bio on some of the team, and a place to donate. Now I am not a person to push donating money for things, especially ministry. Most of that is because I have televangelists and their greedy ploys to get your money to buy houses and thousand dollar suits. I can mention this safely because I know that isn't the case! We are going to a church who can't pay anyone's salary, not even Jason who will be the lead pastor. Every single one of us is going have to get an extra job or two so that we can pay rent and even eat. Many people have already donated. We have a church sign donated, some printing material to promote the church and other things that we greatly appreciate! I am not asking or trying to pull any heart strings so that people will give money. I am simply just giving you the option. If you feel like you want to help us, then I wanted to give you an option. I really feel uncomfortable doing it, but I know that we all need help!
On another note, I really appreciate all the support I have been given so far. Everyone who has been praying and lending an encouraging word, THANK YOU SO MUCH! All the prayers and well wishes have meant so much! It has been really overwhelming. All I really feel comfortable asking for is prayer. Please for myself and the rest of team. God has been working behind the scenes and it is all coming together so beautifully. I'm so encouraged and I know it is because of the prayers that have been lifted towards Him. Continue earnestly praying for us and the community we are heading into. God is moving!
http://www.thenewlifeproject.com/
Blessings
Geoff McLarty
Here is the website for the project (we are calling it a project because it is a church revitalization). The website has vision for the project, bio on some of the team, and a place to donate. Now I am not a person to push donating money for things, especially ministry. Most of that is because I have televangelists and their greedy ploys to get your money to buy houses and thousand dollar suits. I can mention this safely because I know that isn't the case! We are going to a church who can't pay anyone's salary, not even Jason who will be the lead pastor. Every single one of us is going have to get an extra job or two so that we can pay rent and even eat. Many people have already donated. We have a church sign donated, some printing material to promote the church and other things that we greatly appreciate! I am not asking or trying to pull any heart strings so that people will give money. I am simply just giving you the option. If you feel like you want to help us, then I wanted to give you an option. I really feel uncomfortable doing it, but I know that we all need help!
On another note, I really appreciate all the support I have been given so far. Everyone who has been praying and lending an encouraging word, THANK YOU SO MUCH! All the prayers and well wishes have meant so much! It has been really overwhelming. All I really feel comfortable asking for is prayer. Please for myself and the rest of team. God has been working behind the scenes and it is all coming together so beautifully. I'm so encouraged and I know it is because of the prayers that have been lifted towards Him. Continue earnestly praying for us and the community we are heading into. God is moving!
http://www.thenewlifeproject.com/
Blessings
Geoff McLarty
Worship and Creative Arts Jobs?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
There are few things in life that can cause the type of stress that looking for a job does. There is definitely nothing like looking for a job in the Church. I am graduating in a few weeks and I am at the point of no return. I am looking for a job. I am looking to be employed by a church as their Worship and Creative Arts Pastor. Some might say that I shouldn't have a problem, there are so many church's in need of someone to take over that aspect of ministry. Unfortunately, it is a little more difficult than that. It is true, there are a large number of church's looking for a Worship Pastor. There are actually some quality church's out there in need. The unfortunate part is that most of these church's, though great church's, cannot afford to pay this position or pay inadequately.
You see, most church's want someone who has been in ministry for many years and has experience in leading in a church of over 500 or more. They are not willing to take a chance on a 23 year old straight out of college. The church's that are interested in taking that chance, typically are not large enough to pay an adequately enough for me to live and pay off school loans. You see the issue?
I have come across one or two church's that are very promising. The first is a church in Arizona that is a church of 250 and willing to bring me on full time with very promising salary and benefits. The other is a church plant that isn't able to pay off the bat. Most would say, why not just take the job that pays? Well, I have decided something in my search. I have decided that I want to go to a church that has strong leadership, vibrant vision, stable and logical belief's and promise of growth (whatever that looks like). I want to go to a church where I trust the leadership and their ability to lead. I also want to go to a church where I have some freedom. Freedom to work within my ministry, without a dictator telling me what songs to sing each Sunday. Freedom to be innovative with the media and graphics. I want t be valued for what I can contribute.
With that said, I am debating. Go to a church where the salary is great, but I don't know the leadership as well. Or go to a church where I know, trust and love the leadership. Where I know I will be valued because I have ministered with the Pastor and leadership team for the past two years. Where I know I can go in and mold my area of ministry. It's tough, because the first church might be a place where I can do that as well. I know God will guide my steps, I also know that he gave me a brain to be logical.
God guide me in Your will, that I might be where you are working!
You see, most church's want someone who has been in ministry for many years and has experience in leading in a church of over 500 or more. They are not willing to take a chance on a 23 year old straight out of college. The church's that are interested in taking that chance, typically are not large enough to pay an adequately enough for me to live and pay off school loans. You see the issue?
I have come across one or two church's that are very promising. The first is a church in Arizona that is a church of 250 and willing to bring me on full time with very promising salary and benefits. The other is a church plant that isn't able to pay off the bat. Most would say, why not just take the job that pays? Well, I have decided something in my search. I have decided that I want to go to a church that has strong leadership, vibrant vision, stable and logical belief's and promise of growth (whatever that looks like). I want to go to a church where I trust the leadership and their ability to lead. I also want to go to a church where I have some freedom. Freedom to work within my ministry, without a dictator telling me what songs to sing each Sunday. Freedom to be innovative with the media and graphics. I want t be valued for what I can contribute.
With that said, I am debating. Go to a church where the salary is great, but I don't know the leadership as well. Or go to a church where I know, trust and love the leadership. Where I know I will be valued because I have ministered with the Pastor and leadership team for the past two years. Where I know I can go in and mold my area of ministry. It's tough, because the first church might be a place where I can do that as well. I know God will guide my steps, I also know that he gave me a brain to be logical.
God guide me in Your will, that I might be where you are working!
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