Monday Morning Email^TM June 2007

Bob Burroughs, Editor

**********

SPONSOR New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary School of Church Music New Orleans, LA Dr. Ken Gabrielse, Dean

*****

QUOTE – It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sit back and let things happen to them. They go out and happen to things. ~ Elinor Smith

*****

SCRIPTURE - …that I may come with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. (Romans 30:32)

*****

PRAYER - "Father, Close Friend, Counselor, Redeemer and Eternal One who loves all mankind, I pray today for the church—Your church---Your Bride when the end times come. You will take us Home to be in Your presence for all eternity—forever—always—and we will then finally have comfort, peace security, and know then what we have questioned almost from birth! Questions like:

Why do things happen that are so bad, unexpected?

What causes cancer?

What causes a marriage to go astray?

And perhaps, one of the most perplexing questions of all, If…the church is Your Bride, and if we are to love Your church as You have asked us to do, why is it so difficult for members of Your church to get along with each other…or why is it so difficult for Your people to be able to share the Good News of Your Son, Jesus…or why do worldly organizations often treat people better than does the church!

We are, after all, but human beings created in Your image and with Your stamp of approval upon our lives. But sometimes, we get so comfortable in our own surroundings that we forget the world outside the walls of our homes and our church fortress mentality. I bless You, Sir, for the churches that are alive, awake and geared to share the Gospel. They are making an impact, and only eternity will tell the results. I bless You today for those servants and followers who are making a difference in our world, giving of their time, energy, finances, and sacrifices to share the Good News. Protect them, encourage them, and grant them a peace to pass all human understanding. I pray this prayer in behalf of those who are becoming weak so that You may become strong, those who are going to the end of the line so that others may be first. Amen."

WHAT THINK YE – DISNEY VS. CHURCH

Esther and I recently took our son David, his wife, and our 8-year old grandtwins, Milligan and Walker, on a 3-day Disney Cruise on the good ship, Wonder. It was a great experience-to see the Disney Magic through the eyes of our grandchildren. We had a most wonderful time.

Let me share some observations:

- We were welcomed on board the ship by the Captain, who announced our names over a loud speaker and all the staff applauded and welcomed us as we crossed the entrance--as if we were expected!

- Every time we passed or talked with an employee, no matter what level the job, each one would speak, and ask how they could be of any assistance.

- Any time we used the phone, we were called by our name and made to feel so very welcomed. (I know! Our names were on the screen! But it sure felt good.)

- Meals were such a delight. Of course, the food was excellent, and the service and the waiters made each meal an experience. After a few moments, our servers knew us by name, took care of our every need and recognized us the next meal.

We’ve also been to DisneyWorld several times and this was our second Disney Cruise, the first one with my Daughter and her family several years ago. Every time we have been involved with DisneyWorld, we have encountered deeply committed Christians, who are not afraid to share their faith in conversation. We have been very impressed with this each time we have experienced their freedom to share the Gospel.

As I pondered the cruise, and also being a churchperson, I could not help but relate the experience to the church in general. These were some of my ponderings:

- How delightful it would be if the church Visitor's Center could welcome people and announce their arrival to church members standing by and then someone personally take care of them--see that they were escorted to a class, to the nursery or to the sanctuary.

- What would happen if church members and staff would actually would stop and speak to people whom they did not know, and ask if they could be of any help?

- What if, when people called the church, they were made to feel the church receptionist really cared about their needs and was knowledgeable about who was where, what was happening and could answer the questions asked—and if not, transferred the caller to someone who could answer the questions? And would it not be nice to sometimes talk to a "real live" person instead of a recording?

- What if, at church fellowship meals, we didn't sit together in our own little clique, but would to sit with people whom we did not know or with whom we knew but whom we did not know well? This is a very uncomfortable thing to do for many people, me included! I’m basically a shy person (don’t laugh like that!) I find it difficult to do this, but I’m going to give it a try.

- What if…we who are church-related Believers would consistently be so open and free to share our faith with those with whom we come in contact…at the post office, the check-out line at the stores, at the cleaners, and myriads of other places. It just might make a difference.

As most of us know, a "Disney Experience" is all about "make believe." The Christian life is not! Most of the time, Disney provides a "nitch" for their guests. Remember: to really feel at home in a church of almost any size, there needs to be a nitch where people can fit in. That nitch might be choir, orchestra, a SS class, a fellowship or a small group within the church. We can't know everyone and sometimes, if is difficult to know new members from visitors. But remember: people like to be called by their names, so it behooves us, especially those who are on a church staff, to learn names and be able to recall those names when necessary.

No! I realize church is not like a Disney Cruise--but it sure was a good reminder of how things could be in the church if we made people feel more at home!!

What think ye?

*****

LEADERSHIP – A DREAM-RELEASING LEADER

A DREAM-RELEASING LEADER is a servant who takes the initiative to serve and serve well.

A DRL has a passion to keep learning and improving. They are dissatisfied with the status quo and have a passion to improve and grow. Leaders always raise the bar of excellence.

A DRL is someone who can spot potential in others.

A DRL is someone who can dream or envision what can be accomplished.

A DRL is not easily defeated.

A DRL colors outside the lines.

A DRL is a risk-takier.

A DRL has the ability to bond with people and mobilize them toward a common goal.

A DRL is resilient and has an ability to bounce back from defeat and setbacks.

A DRL is compelled by a passion. If the "why" behind what we are doing increases, our passion and our creativity will increase.

*****

MARRIAGE SUGGESTION – AFFIRMING YOUR SPOUSE

Most of us do not affirm our spouse nearly enough—especially those of us in ministry! Sometimes our spouses think we care more for our ministry than we do for them. Some spouses have call ministry "our mistress." Here are some ways to affirm your spouse that are easy and within a good comfort zone:

*****

PARENTAL SUGGESTION

10 WAYS TO DEVELOP GOOD CHARACTER IN YOUR CHILDREN

1. Tell stories to communicate biblical truths.

2. Use stories from real life, newspapers or magazines to reinforce Biblical morals.

3. Refuse to allow your child to use excuses for poor choices.

4. Resist the temptation to protect your child from negative results of his choices.

5. Teach your child that confession does not automatically eliminate consequences.

6. Use "what if" games to help your child learn to think about how he would handle temptation...before it occurs.

7. Reinforce the idea that God’s rules are reasonable, sensible and that following them demonstrates our wisdom and love for God.

8. Explain why certain actions are right or wrong--especially as your child gets older.

9. Give your child chances to succeed or fail through small tests. Example: give him more money than he needs to purchase milk at the store...and see if he returns the change.

10. Praise and compliment your child when he makes good choices.

BY THE NUMBERS - INTERESTING FAMILY DINNER STATISTICS

Here are some figures that will interest parents, taken from Family Fun magazine,

March 2007. 2900 families were interviewed.

Moms do 85% of the grocery shopping.

Average weekly grocery bill is $128.

Average time spend preparing the family dinner--36 minutes.

How kids help out:

*****

THIS IDEA WILL WORK ! SEATING CAPTAIN

Do you find it a pain to try and rehearse as you line up your choir every time they are ready to sing for a worship service?

Are you stressed with so little time to run through the music and, are having to think about the best way to get the choir ready to go out into the choir loft...as the late-comers enter wondering where they should sit after you have already gotten things like you wanted them?

Then--why not consider selecting a strong and faithful (faithful is the key word here) personality and ask him/her to be the Seating Captain. Then, while you are rehearsing and giving your last-minute instructions, this person can be moving people here and there, counting chairs, filling spaces, and making the set-up look just right. This person should be of a personality so as not to take any guff, not easy to have his/her feelings hurt, and the people know he/she is "in charge" during this time. People should be told in advance that this person will do this task on a regular basis and to please cooperate-- or their robe will be burned next Wednesday night after rehearsal! It works ! It really works and the choir members will be happy that someone is taking over this responsibility for you, Dear Conductor! Try it - you'll like it.

This Idea Will Work !!

WORSHIP IS - the totality of our grateful, obedient response to God’s initiative in revelation and redemption. (Ron Man)

HUMOR - THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF EMAIL

Thou shalt include a clear and specific subject line.

Thou shalt edit any quoted text down to the minimum needest.

Thou shalt read thine own message thrice before thou sendest it.

Thou shalt ponder how thy recipient might react to thy message.

Thou shalt check thy spelling and thy grammar.

Thou shalt not curse, spit, spam or USE ALL CAPS.

Thou shalt not forward any chain letter. You will only have to apologize later.

Thou shalt not use e-mail for any illegal or unethical purposes.

Thou shalt not rely on the privacy of e-mail, especially at work.

When in doubt, save thy message overnight and reread it in the light of the dawn.

That which thou findest hateful to receive, sendest it not unto others.

INSPIRATIONAL CORNER – COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS

Since June is the big commencement month, MMEMail thought this would be worth reading. It is very good!

Ladies and gentlemen: Wear sunscreen.

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proven by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis for reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me. In 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your mind, the kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy.

Remember the compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry…maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children…maybe you

won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40…maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but in your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few, you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel a lot.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise.

Respect your elders. Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust

fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you follow, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But…trust me on the sunscreen.

NEW PRODUCT – SEASONS OF WONDER, Joseph M. Martin; Orchestration by Brant Adams, SATB, Keyboard, Shawnee Press #A8668, Approximate performance time: 40 minutes.

JOSEPH MARTIN is truly a gifted composer/arranger/pianist/concert artist, and much more! His skills and talents seem to me like the myriad stars in the heavens. He never ceases to amaze and inspire with the continual outflow of creativity in chorals and keyboard work. Once again, from his inspired pen comes a new Christmas work that will warm the hearts of all who hear it, and be enjoyed by the choir(s) as they learn it.

SEASONS OF WONDER is filled with familiar carols that your congregation will enjoy hearing in very fresh and creative writing. He has some new compositions as well. This brilliant work is both familiar and fresh, drawing the congregation close with outstanding orchestration by Brant Adams and poetic narrations tie the work together in a bright red bow (imagined!)

Martin’s treatment of several of these familiar carols will bring real freshness to carols that have been often been over done, over arranged, and over whelming! This work is within the grasp of most choirs—large and small—and in between. It will be a Christmas Present for the Congregation, to be sure.

As you would suspect, there is a full line of support products available to help enable

churches of every size to enjoy this new Christmas offering. Support products include:

A8668 SATB Score with Keyboard- $7.95

LB5928 Orchestration- $350.00

iPR5004 iPrint Orchestration CD - $200.00

StudioTrax CD $69.95

MA5103--10-Pack CDs $60.00

ND6006 Listening CD - $15.98

RTR5001 Rehearsal Trax CD-- Set of 4 Part-Dominant Reproducible CDs - $64.95

MMEMail has heard an advance CD of this work and it will intrigue, excite and bless you as well as your choir and congregation. It is to be released June 7—just in time for your Christmas experience! Thank you, Joseph, for this fine work.

*****

BOOK REVIEW - THE PASSION-DRIVEN YOUTH CHOIR, Mark Acker, Abingdon Press, ISBN# 978-0-687-49224-4

Once upon a time…in the land of Far, Far Away…no! This is not a Shrek story, but a real, honest-to-goodness review of a very fine book. But, back to "once upon a time," there was a time when Youth Choirs were THE thing. Youth Choirs basically supported a Youth ministry and kept it alive. Youth choirs were quite the thing. They came in different sizes in churches with some bigger and better, but Youth Choirs were hot!

In the last 10-15 years, youth choirs, for the most part, have slipped and fallen, and in most churches, can’t get up! What a shame! Reasons? Myriad, I assure you. Are there any Youth Choir heroes out there who are doing the job! Yes—quite a few. RANDY EDWARDS, with YouthCue is probably doing the most to keep Youth Choirs in the hearts and minds of minister of music. Good work, Randy!

Then, along comes THE PASSION-DRIVEN YOUTH CHOIR, by Mark Acker! His new book lays out for any youth choir director or minister of music plans that will succeed in developing a THE PASSION-DRIVEN YOUTH CHOIR, in your church! Mark offers tips, ideas and provides solutions for youth choir directors, including:

A guide for becoming a passion-driven youth choir director

Four stages of development aimed at your youth choir members

Repertoire for choirs of all sizes—listing some things that WORK!

Spiritual formation—worship and prayer times for the choir

Choir Tours – why, how, when, where and lots of ideas

How to avoid Youth Choir Burnout

Youth Choir Retreats – from beginning to end

So you can already tell, this book is a class act--well worth your early summer reading. You will find ideas, suggestions and thoughts that you may have forgotten—or never knew. Your Youth Choir will get a "shot in the arm" because you will be a better Youth Choir Director after reading this book.

Good job, Mark! I’m proud of you. This is one fine book!!

ANTHEM – THE AUGSBURG CHOIRBOOK, for Advent, Christmas & Epiphany, various composers/arrangers, ISBN: 978-0800678586, $14.95

OK…how would you like to have a very nicely bound Choir Book that would cover the entire Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season, with thirty-nine (YES! 39) original compositions and very excellent arrangements? Yes, it is a high price to pay at one time…but break it down. You get 39 octavos in this collection, which breaks down to $ .39 each! At today’s octavo prices, such a deal!

And…your choir gets to sing this great seasonal material from such composers and arrangers as Claude L. Bass, Donald Busarow, F. Melius Christiansen, Paul J. Christiansen, Rene Clausen, John Leavitt, Walter L. Pelz, K. Lee Scott and many more!

MMEMail has worked though this book and it covers three seasons, stretching into three months—all in one bound edition. There are settings for SATB, two-part, and three-part voicings. Optional instrumental parts on certain pieces are also included.

I know! You want to know titles with the arrangers. Here are a few:

At Bethlehem – Claude L. Bass

Coventry Carol – Arr. Walter Pelz

Infant Holy, Infant Lowly – Arr. K. Lee Scott

Joyous Christmas Song – Arr. Paul J. Christiansen

Lullaby on Christmas Eve – F. Melius Christiansen

The Virgin Mary Had A Baby Boy – Arr. John Leavitt, with percussion

This is only a small sample of the treasures in this collection. You should at least get one copy for yourself and look it over carefully. You will find gems that you did not know existed – from Bach to Bass – and you’ll discover new gems from the minds and pens of some of today’s best composers/arrangers. Augsburg has gone back into their past chorals and found some of the best of the best…and now, you can enjoy them, too.

Get your copy. You will NOT be disappointed.

Augsburg has been gracious to give MMEMail readers the following:

FREE! A NINE-WEEK WORSHIP SEMINAR SERIES BY PHONE/ONLINE

If you could take your worship ministry to the next level, there's a way for you and your worship team to get some amazing, live worship training from 18 of today's worship ministry experts - at no cost. But you'll have to act fast.

On June 12, 18 of today's leading worship teachers are kicking off a FREE, nationwide, nine-week worship seminar series, to be done entirely by phone and the web. It is designed for worship leaders, pastors, worship ministry team members, and worship ministry leaders.

You will receive a TON of seminar quality training on how to be a more effective worship leader, gain deeper worship insight, and get cutting edge strategies to propel your church's worship ministry to the next level.

Again, spaces are limited. So you need to register NOW to lock in your spot. Be sure to tell your worship ministry team members about it, also.

CREATOR Magazine is a proud sponsor.

Creator publisher, Vernon Sanders, will give a presentation as part of this National Worship Teleseminar on Thursday, August 2, from 8:00-9:P00 PM. His seminar topic will be

How to Develop Better Intuition as a Worship Leader/Planner by 'Sensing' What God is Doing in the Room--How to Give Him Space to Move

Go to http://www.worshipteleseminar.com/ for details and registration. Don’t miss this opportunity! Remember: space is limited – so if interested, NOW is the time to act.

The seventh annual church music conference, ALLELUIA! MANY VOICES, ONE SONG is going to be one fine event. It will be on the campus of Baylor University, Waco, TX. You may download a PDF of the brochure and registration form from the web site: http://www.baylor.edu/christian_music.com The information, clinician pictures, class listings, registration opportunities and more may be found in this PDF download. If such is not available to you, simply email Melinda Coats at alleluia@baylor.edu, provide mailing address, and she will forward a brochure to you.

The only problem with this conference will be the fact that you can’t attend all the sessions!

CHOIRFEST 2008 – The Huntsville Choral Festival, April 3-6, 2008

It is not too early to register for this remarkable festival, even though this is 2008 event!

This is the ONLY choral festival that focuses on individual singers. Of course, you can bring your whole choir and they would benefit from the experience, but you can also bring just one singer or five or twenty-one!

You can register online at http://www.choirfest.com/ 

SPECIAL for Monday Morning email Subscribers:

If you register by June 30, 2007, you will be allowed to register yourself and your group for $150 each because you are a subscriber of MMEMail! To receive this generous discount, you must click on the following link to register http://www.choirfest.com/MME.html

Early-Bird Registration is $175 per person.

After September 30, registration goes to $195 per person.

For more information, call Hugh Ballou at 888-398-8471, Ext. 1 or go to the website!

MMEMail wishes to express our deep appreciation to Dr. Ken Gabrielse, Dean of the School of Church Music, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, New Orleans, LA. It is an absolute miracle that the Seminary is still open after Katrina did so much damage in the area, but God protected much of the campus and the seminary is back in full swing. This is one of the finest church music graduate programs available today—with a wide variety of degree options from which to choose. The music faculty is outstanding, with several nationally-known professors. Imagine studying arranging or composition from Dr. Benjamin Harlan!!?? If you have an interest in a Master’s Degree or Doctorate from NOBTS, email Dr. Gabrielse: KGabrielse@NOBTS.edu This would be a good move for you, or someone you know wishing to go to graduate school with a good church music emphasis.

*****

Speaking of Dr. Benjamin Harlan, I have had occasion recently to use several of the Congregational Hymn Arrangements that were reviewed in MMEMail last month. They are unique, extremely interesting, and well worth the effort. The congregation LOVES this concept because they get to be treated as a choir! For all the scoop, go to http://www.benjaminharlan.com/ - find a hymn or two you like, look it over and you will be convinced these will work. Benjie told me recently that he would make available the price of $400 for ALL of these charts! That is a savings of over $50!

MMEMail highly recommends all of these charts. They work.

*****

*****

Flash! MMEMail has learned that Mark Edwards has announced his retirement from First Baptist, Nashville, effective November 1, after 30 years--that's 1560 Sundays! He will be serving as Worship Resource Manager for Mercer University Press (Macon, Georgia) after a couple of months of accumulated leave. You can send Mark a personal note of encouragement at mark.edwards@firstbaptistnashville.org

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MMEMail!

August 2007 is MMEMail’s 10^th birthday.

Lots of changes are coming in August! Here are some things you can look forward to seeing in this issue:

The July issue of MMEMail will list some MMEMail comments from our readers, Expressing congratulations for our 10th anniversary.

Since we are celebrating each month with something from past MMEMail issues, here is something from the January 2000 issue:

The new year is here...2000! Wow...and we lived through it...the world did not end... and our computers still works. We are going on with our plans for the future! We get so caught up, sometimes, in little things that are so unimportant. We tend often to major on minor things and minor on major things. What are...or should be...the "major things" in your life?

Here are some "major things" thoughts:

• Pray often with spouse and children

• Scripture Readings and Devotionals –personal and with family

• Keep sharp and up-to-date in your chosen ministry area

• Always be learning...seeking new ideas and ways to do things better

• Write notes of gratitude and thanksgiving to those you love and appreciate. You can't appreciate enough

• Never pass up an opportunity to explore and renew conducting, keyboard or vocal skills

• Never be satisfied with where you are in life. Always seek God's leadership for the future

• Never be satisfied with just a Bachelor's degree when there are ways and opportunities for higher education degrees available today...at or near home

• Annuity...funds for the future…extremely important. It will come sooner rather than later

• Begin saving $$ now for the kid's education and/or marriage. $50 a month...saved for 20 years...at 9% interest...will provide over $75,000. Everyone can afford $50 a month!

Have you ever made out your "major things" list? Perhaps, this would be a good week to do it.

*****

FINAL THOUGHT

11 Thessalonians 1: 11-12 says: With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of His calling, and that by His power, He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord jesus Christ.

This is the scripture prayer of MMEMail for you this day.

The extravagant grace of Jesus Christ be with you.

Bob Burroughs

bbur65@aol.com

© 2007 Creator Magazine