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| March 3, 2008
Ministry Tools
Bob Burroughs Quote The secret of concentration is…elimination. [Howard Hendricks]
Scripture We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is leadership, let him govern diligently. [Romans 12:6,8, NIV]
Prayer Great and Mighty God of the Universe, Creator of all things beautiful, Redeemer to all who call upon Your Holy Name, and Lord of my heart, I bless You this day for the gifts given to all Your creation--the many skills--so diverse and exceptional--designed to be used in the building up and fortifying of the Kingdom. All human beings have been given special and unique gifts and I bless You especially for those who are actively engaged in using those gifts to bless people and extend to them the powers of grace and mercy. My prayer this day is for divine wisdom granted to those who are serving You in the Vineyard where You have placed them--that they will be wise in how they use their gifts. Bless each who call upon Your name as Messiah, Lord, Redeemer and the Giver of Salvation to those who ask. I pray You will continue to teach us the power of kindness, love and grace. I pray this prayer in the strong and powerful name of Jesus, who was the very presence of love and grace. Amen" What Think Ye?
Doing More Than Is Expected of You in Your Job Description
That is an interesting statement, isn't it?
But if you take time to sit down, be quiet, concentrate and think about what you are doing, you will probably discover that you are doing far more than is expected in your job description.
No way, you say? Well, let’s look at some possibilities where you might find yourself guilty of doing way tooooooo much.
• How about scheduling 10-18 Christmas Performances—instead of the normal 2-4? Can you name any church members who have asked, begged, pleaded and/or threatened you to have so many extra performances? And think about what these many performances are doing to the family members of those expected to be involved in these performances!? What about time away from the spouse, children…and the regular schedules interrupted and much, much more. Not in your job description. • You are attempting to direct 10 or more choirs, instrumental or vocal ensembles, bell choirs, and praise teams--that you could “farm out” to talented people standing in the wings—who just need to be invited to help. 10 groups is tooooooo much! If you are doing this much, and the music ministry falls apart when you leave for greener pastures (if there are such,) you have not been a good music minister! One of the main responsibilities that you have for the church is to train, train, and train more, more and more volunteers to be active in the music ministry by directing ensembles, children's choirs, and other groups. In a church where I was a recent member, if the current MoM were to depart, the music ministry would carry on for at least a year or more--because talented, trained, and excited volunteers are filling all the directing responsibilities--except the Adult Choir and the Youth Choir. Oh yes, the MoM is the overseer of all that went on, but he did not find it necessary to have to conduct all the groups. Directing 10 groups! Not in your job description. • Having assistance with all the music ministry responsibilities may just allow you to be at home perhaps 2-3 nights a week with your spouse and children. Sometimes, your family may go for two or more weeks without really seeing you, having a good family meal--with conversation, family devotional and prayer times, and much more. The stress in a family situation is extremely high anyway! You can’t do it all—by yourself. Not in your job description.
Get the point? Ease up a bit. Find some time to consider the five Rs: Relax, Renew, Rest, Recommit to family and Realize…that you are doing more than is required—and if you stop doing and doing and doing, and give others the opportunity to help, church members will even know you have stopped doing and doing and doing things that are beyond your job description! What think ye? Leadership Over the next few months, WHAT THINK YE is going to deal with 10 leadership mantras that should be on the desk, office wall, or computer screen of every ministry-orientated leader. These mantras have been collected over the years from many sources, and I will try to identify the author of each, but some are unknown. I hope you will be blessed by the words that are to come.
You Are Doing Toooooooo Much !
Inexperienced leaders try very hard to prove themselves worthy of their job—by attempting to do everything--without help from others. This is a natural thing because leaders want to set the pace and prove to the people they can do the job entrusted to them. But—what may at first be natural—may ultimately limit the effectiveness of the leader.
Mantra #1 (Andy Stanley)
The two best-kept secrets of leadership are:
1. The less you do, the more you accomplish.
2. The less you do, the more you enable others to accomplish.
Every leader has what is called core competencies—those areas in which the leader is very good! Some leaders are good communicators--but poor managers. Some may be good visoncasters—but poor on follow-up. Leaders waste valuable time trying to be a better manager when he should stay with his communication skills! The key words might be summed up as: ONLY DO WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO—WELL!
Almost every leader I have ever known—at some time in their lives--made great attempts at trying to please all of the people--all of the time—and it just doesn't work that way! Every leader been assigned or called to do certain things. What is success for your position?
Allow me get even more personal.
Of the things that define success for you, which of those are in line with your giftedness--the areas where you must focus your attention and energies? These are the areas in which you will excel. Success within that realm of your giftedness has the potential to make you an indispensable leader. Best of all, you will enjoy more of what you are doing in your job assignment!
The moment a leader steps away from his core competencies, his effectiveness as a leader diminishes. And…the effectiveness of every other leader in the organization also suffers. Over a period of time, a leader who is not leading from his best zones--will create an unfavorable environment for other leaders in the organization.
Leaders want to make the right impression, especially in the early years, and think only they can do a certain task right.
But—leadership is NOT always about getting things done “right.” Leadership is about getting things done well--through other people! We miss the opportunity to play to our strengths because we haven’t figured out that great leaders work through other leaders, who work through other people. Leadership is about multiplying our efforts, which automatically multiplies our results; What think ye? Marriage & Family How Kind Are You?
Contributed by Sheri & Bob Stirof
Without kindness in your relationship, your marriage probably won't last. Here are some ways to check up on yourself to see how kind you are in your marriage:
- You say "yes" a lot more than "no" when your spouse asks for a favor or for help.
- You are willing to share that last piece of pie or cookie because being kind is also being generous and unselfish.
- You listen with your heart--as well as your eyes.
- You don't interrupt your spouse.
- You are polite and say "please" and "thank you" to your spouse.
- You show respect for your mate in public and in private.
- You let your spouse know how much he/she is appreciated--often.
- You are helpful--willingly.
- You don't allow unkind comments about your spouse flow from your lips.
- You are sure that your teasing is fun--and not hurtful.
If you said YES to all ten, you ARE a kind partner in marriage. If you said YES to eight, you are above average. If you said YES to six or more, you need to work on your kindness quotient.
Inspirational Corner
Faith And Obedience For The Journey
(What a Trip!)
Jim Gibson, Independent Consultant -- Nashville, TN
 Recently, I was browsing through a file filled of memorabilia. Everyone has those files! We all have stuff worth keeping--things that jog our memory of times past. While I try to keep the files to a minimum, I have held on to a few items that hold special meaning:
• the bulletin announcing my accepting Christ
• the day of my baptism
• my ministry ordination bible
• my senior recital programs from college and seminary
• a personal letter from the late great Dr. R.G. Lee
• pictures
• notes from friends, associates, former pastors and choir members
You get the picture!
While browsing through my stuff, I found a brochure, announcing a Weekend of Revival Services--with Steve Taylor, Gospel Musician and Trumpet in my home church, Ruhama Baptist, Birmingham, AL. On the cover page was a picture of this handsome, robust musician, Steve Taylor, trumpet in hand and arm raised. The date was June 20-22, 1958. On that cover, I wrote these words:
“I gave my life to Christian Special Service, Saturday, June 21, 1958. That night Steve told his life story.”
You see, I also played trumpet and had earlier felt God urging me to make “the decision” to give my life to His service. That night, God used Steve, his talents and his story, to speak to my heart and prompt me to begin a journey of “Special Service,” a faith journey of Kingdom service. As an aside, that Steve Taylor, from back in 1958, is the dad of the Steven V. Taylor, well known contemporary writer, arranger, and producer, with whom I have had the joy of working and knowing for about 25 years in the music publishing industry. I found that to be an interesting turn of events.
Reflecting back on that brochure, I was reminded that 50 years ago this coming June 21, 2008, God said, “C’mon Jimmy, let’s get this journey under way.” So I did what you think was natural. I graduated from Samford University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary--ready to spend the rest of my life as a Minister of Music.
NOT!! God had other plans.
For most journeys we take, the destination is known, including how long it’s going to take and what is going to happen upon arrival. But, those of us who are Christians know that’s just not the way it happens on our Christian journey.
• We learn it’s about surrender.
• We learn it’s about obedience.
• We learn it’s a faith walk.
• We learn our plans are not necessarily His plans.
• We learn our ways are not necessarily His ways.
• We learn this is a journey in which we are not in control.
And, if one has not reckoned with it yet, one needs to know that we also learn that we don’t know the future!! As Oswald Chambers said, “We must simply obey and leave all the consequences with Him.” (My Utmost For His Highest, January 11 devotion). Dr. Charles Stanley says it thusly, “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.”
I am grateful to God for my journey. He has poured out enormous blessings on me and my family. In these 50 years, God has allowed me to serve several small churches in a part-time capacity; to serve three churches full-time as Minister of Music; to be an executive with Meadowgreen Music; to serve as the head of two major Christian music publishers, Word Music and LifeWay Music; and, to have the grand opportunity to give leadership in the development of three hymnals: THE HYMNAL (Word 1986), THE CELEBRATION HYMNAL (Integrity/Word 1997), and THE CHRISTIAN LIFE HYMNAL (Hendrickson 2006) He then allowed me to go a church as Minister of Music/Church Administrator for a few years. I resigned to embark on the ever continuing journey of faith. WOW!!
Several years ago, I chose Philippians 3:13b-14 as my life verse. While reading the book, See You At The House, by the late Bob Benson, of the Benson Publishing Company, I discovered Bob had put that same passage into words in his own inimitable fashion that reads like this, “I have started in one direction and I will steadfastly choose that which leads me forward toward the goal.” I have had that “version” on a small index card on my calendars now for several years. Worn and tattered, it serves as my constant reminder.
I am quite moved by the anthem, We Walk By Faith, text by J. Paul Williams, music by Jan Sanborn, published by GlorySound (A7678). What a wonderful wedding of text and music together providing a glorious and moving choral piece. It ends with a triumphant and victorious statement as follows:
What God has promised will be done.
And as each journey is begun, His Holy Spirit makes us one.
And as we follow faith’s command,
God leads us to the Promised Land.
We walk by faith and not by sight.
We trust in God and not in might.
For in our darkness He is light.
We walk by faith and not by sight.
During my faith journey, I have leaned heavily on various Biblical faith passages. Lately, I have honed in on Hebrews 11 through 12:3. In giving further consideration, it occurs to me, "If I can entrust God with my soul for eternity, then I am compelled to trust Him with my life while on this earthly journey." (Gibson)
I encourage you to be faithful to the “journey” on which God has you and to be obedient to the “call.” Celebrate your call into His service for your life, whether in full-time ministry or otherwise, capitalize on your strengths, love God, love people, and love what God allows you to do on this journey. Remember: you never know what God is up to with your journey, where you are going or whose life God will use you to impact.
So, this year as I celebrate the 50th Anniversary of my calling, my faith journey of Kingdom service, I encourage you to celebrate yours. And from me to you…HAPPY ANNIVERSARY… whatever the number!!
What a Trip!! This Idea Will Work
Ten Things Every Choir Member Should Know
1. Have a red pencil ready for marking the music from the director’s comments and suggestions. Spell as correctly as possible! By the way, Crescendo is NOT spelled kirsendough.
2. Always be on time--even a bit ahead of time. There is never an excuse, barring emergency, for anyone to be late for choir rehearsal or performance.
3. Know which tenor to whom you can point and blame--when you make an obvious error in singing a particularly difficult phrase.
4. Don’t talk during rehearsal--except about musical things! It is frustrating to the conductor to have conversations going on while he is trying to rehearse with another section. Common courtesy applies here.
5. Keep negative comments to yourself. There's no good reason to downgrade anyone or any section or the Director or your pastor or your church! Always speak positives about your situation...even if you have to stretch it a bit.
6. Ask your Director if the entire choir can chew bubble gum on a given rehearsal night...and allow you to blow bubbles for half of rehearsal! It will be a great fun night for all.
7. Know your Director's birthday or anniversary! Make sure he/she is appreciated regularly with the little things, such as cookies on the music stand every once in a while--with no identification as to who put them there--or a sweat towel once every two months--or a half of a bunt cake--or tickets to the symphony--or a bunch love notes from the choir members--or a birthday card shower, where your director receives many, many, many birthday cards from the choir members! Remember—just a bit of appreciation goes a l-o-n-g way!
8. Keep your folder clean! Don't allow junk collect in your folder from week to week. Throw away all bulletins earlier than 1989! Get rid of gum & candy wrappers that make noise. (Well...save a couple for those boring service times when a bit of noise can be a welcome relief to the preaching!) Rid thyself of written notes that may get you in trouble sooner or later. Wash the hankies that have been there since 1977!
9. Look for surprises under your choir chair from time to time. You may find a candy bar, a CD, a picture of your college roommate, or a ticket to the movie. If you don't find anything--ever--complain to your director, or The President (your choir president--not Bush)!
10. Carry an extra can of Tenor Mace to help keep the tenors in line!
Worship Quote
Remember that God will not be mocked; that it is the heart of the worshiper which He regards. We are never safe till we love Him with our whole heart whom
we pretend to worship. (Anonamous) Numbers Easter is Early This Year...Ask any Choir Director This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! And only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above!). And none of us have ever, or will ever, see it a day earlier! Here are the facts: Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is March 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar calendar that Hebrew people used to identify passover, which is why it moves around on our Roman calendar. 1) The next time Easter will be this early (March 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now). The last time it was this early was 1913 (so if you're 95 or older, you are the only ones that were around to see it.) 2) The next time it will be a day earlier, March 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now). The last time it was on March 22 was 1818. So, no one alive today has or will ever see it any earlier than this year.
Humor Five Campaign Promises Moms Want to Hear This Year
Contributed by Jen Singer
- The National Institute of Health will provide a large grant to find a cure for stretch marks by the year 2010.
- Beginning with 2010 models, family cars will come equipped with an automatic soundproof barrier behind the front seat.
- Beginning in 2011, for every hour of new baby-induced sleep deprivation a Mom endures, the government will compensate Moms with a state sponsored spa experience, including a 60-minute stone massage, and an aromatherapy facial.
- A new law from the IRS in 2012 will allow a Moms to write off up to 100 lost barrettes, socks, pacifiers, mittens, stuffed animals and blankies per annum.
- And very soon, Dads will be required by law to sleep on the side of the bed nearest the door to be the one the nightwalkers and footie pajama little people awaken first for whatever.
Anthem CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN, J.S. Bach, Arr. Tom Fettke, Beckenhorst Music Press #BP1813, $1.60, SSATB, Keyboard, Optional Violoncello or Bass Parts on page 8
J.S. Bach--Tom Fettke? Tom Fettke--J.S. Bach? Oh, I'm not suggesting that Fettke is the "Bach of the 21st Century!" But I know that Fettke is a marvelous, creative and innovative composer--who often uses a lot of "classical" touches in his arrangements and compositions. You may have to look for it, but it's usually there, nevertheless!
Fettke has taken the very popular Bach Sicut Locutus Est (Magnificat in D,) added the very familiar Easter text and created a magnificent Easter anthem. And, if you need one more Easter piece that is a winner, grab on to this one...or order it for next season. This piece can also be used throughout the year--not just at Easter. And...it can be performed a cappella! Fettke has done an excellent job with the accompaniment, allowing it to support the melodies without always doubling them. It is medium difficulty and the choir(s) will love learning and singing it. This anthem makes a great call to worship, using the choir in tie Narthex, balcony or even from the aisles of the church. It calls for a creative approach to performance! If you wish to see the score and hear a recording of this wonderful piece, double click on the following-- http://www.beckenhorstpress.com/new.asp-find NEW ISSUES, scroll down to the title, double click, and you can make your choices. This is an anthem worth your time! New Product #1 SAVED BY THE BLOOD, SATB, Keyboard, Soundforth Music--Item #233981, $10.95, compiled & Edited by Larry Carrier  SoundForth Music has just released a most delightful collection of ten octavos with the subject, the "blood of Jesus" and our responsibility as believers. It is a very fine collection, all SATB with keyboard and Medium Easy. The church music ministry that enjoys evangelistic music--done extremely well--will enjoy this new collection. It features, among other writers, two well-known composers: Ed Rush, from Alabama, and Dan Forest, from Greenville, SC. The titles include: - Glorious Freedom
- Hallelujah! I Have Found Him (new tune)
- I Love to Tell the Story (new tune)
- My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me (new tune)
- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need (new tune and very well done)
- Saved By the Blood
- Savior, Like a Shepherd, Lead Us (new tune)
As noted, many of the familiar texts have new music settings and they are very nicely done! If you wish to order directly from the publisher, click here: http://www.bjupress.com/nav/product/233981?path=1350 and be taken directly to the page. Or you can double click on the cover above and be taken to the site. If you order from SoundForth directly and mention MME, they will give you a 10% discount! You may also go through your own music dealer. New Product #2
GOD BLESS AMERICA AGAIN, Created by Mike Harland with Orchestration by Richard Kingsmore, $8.95, many companion products available  God Bless America Again is an opportunity for churches and communities to gather for worship--a time for prayer and commitment. Harland, who also created America, We Must Not Forget, felt the burden for God to lead His people to bless America--again--and has expressed his emotions in this musical patriotic feast that mixes original songs with new arrangements of worship anthems, and optional narration that invites people from every background to fall on their knees before God.
The overall theme is that America will once again pray for God to pour out His Spirit upon His people and bless this great nation once again. Titles Included: Pray for America (Prologue) / God of the Nations / The Cost of Freedom (Underscore) / God Bless America Again with My Country, 'Tis of Thee / You Are God Alone / If You Are God / Spirit of the Living God (Underscore) / Ancient Words / The Lord's Prayer / Shine on Us / Finale (includes Let Your Holy Rain Fall Down and God Bless America Again (Reprise)) You may double click here www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=815008 and go to the website to order from the publisher--or order from your own music dealer. Or you may double click on the cover above and be taken there, also.
Conferences/Workshops 
Church Music In Today's World North Greenville University, Tigerville (Greenville) SC Friday, March 14, 2008 (Next Week)
• One day only -- 8:30 AM to 3:15 PM
• Includes Lunch
• Concert by the NGU Vocal Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Barry Combs
• Four lectures with question/answer session to follow each one: 1. Where Do We Go From Here? (The future of Church Music)
2. Creativity in Church Music--An Oxymoron?
3. Youth & Children's Choirs - The Future is Here - Now!
4. Consecrate Yourselves--for Tomorrow.... • Presenter for this Conference: Bob Burroughs
• Pre-Registration: $35. Registration at the door: $45. Conference limited to 50
• To register: simply send the Pre-Registration fee of $35 (checks only) to: Dr. Barry L. Combs North Greenville University PO Box 1892 Tigerville, SC 29688
For more information contact Dr. Combs: 864-977-7082 or email Dr. Combs at bcombs@ngu.edu
BAPTIST CHURCH
MUSIC CONFERENCE
June 15-17, 2008
First Baptist Church
New Orleans, LA The theme for the 2008 BCMC is Rebuilding the Wall: Reclaiming Music as Ministry--a very timely theme for this day and age. President Dr. Tom Bolton and the Executive Committee have planned an outstanding and exciting program that should interest all segments of church music leaders. The Conference will stress the need to keep the total music ministry perspective in providing not only meaningful worship services, but also rededicating ourselves to discipleship and education of lay musicians and using our music for evangelism and missions to reach an increasingly secular world. Using music to do the work of the church: worship, discipleship, and evangelism—results in another goal of the local church: fellowship. Dr. Fred Luter, pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, New Orleans, will lead morning devotions, and the Monday night feature will be a worship concert by Keith & Kristen Getty. Randy Edwards will lead the conference to invest in youth through music, and hear results from such an investment from the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir and Orchestra. On opening night, combined church choirs from New Orleans area churches will present a concert--dedicated to the renewal of the city and the part Christians have played in that effort. - The 2008 W. Hines Sims Award will go to Mark Blankenship.
- The 2008 Commissioned Anthem will be written by Pepper Choplin.
- The 2008 Lifetime Ministry Award will be presented to Paul Bobbitt.
As an act of support, President Bolton is asking individuals, churches and educational institutions to donate $175--which will provide a full scholarship to this conference for part-time and volunteer church musicians from the ravaged Gulf Coast--a very noble idea! Checks may be sent to: Buford E. Cox
Baptist College of Florida
5400 College Drive
Graceville, FL 32440 MME has given one scholarship. I hope many do the same and help in this venture! Go to www.sbcmc.org to find all the details of the conference, including the conference hotel, rates, special events, and the complete program. MME highly recommends this conference.
July 22-25, 2008
Baylor University Waco, TX
The Baylor University Center for Christian Music Studies, Jubilate, Choristers Guild, The Kyle Lake Center for Effective Preaching, and The Baptist General Convention of Texas proudly present the Annual Music/Worship Conference, ALLELUIA! Many Voices, One Song! The conference features two new features for 2008:
- Preaching Track
- Bi-Vocational Music Ministry Track
Clinicians for this conference include such well-known personalities as: - Stephen Carrell, Youth Choir • Gary Chevalier, Bi-Vocstional Music
- Craig Curry, Keyboard • Rodney Eichenberger, Choral Conducting
- Joel Gregory, Preaching • Lee Hinson, Working With A Praise Band
- Helen Kemp, Children's Choir • Joseph Martin, Composing and Piano
- Tammy Waldrop, Handbells • Rick Owens, Emotional Health for Ministers
- Terry York, worship • Isadore Jackson, African American Worship
- and...more!
Full information, conference cost, hotels and class schedules/personalities can be seen on the conference website: www.baylor.edu/christian_music This is a world-class conference--one that can provide a refinement of professional skills and gifts as well as providing inspiration and fellowship. MME highly recommends this conference.
 Make Leadership Development --
A Priority
That's What Leaders Do.
Whether it’s at church, home, work, or in the community, God is calling His people to do what leaders do. •Cast vision •Set strategy •Navigate change •Build into others. •Motivate teams.
But who's job is it to build into you? The truth is this: leaders are responsible for their own development.
That’s why tens of thousands of Christ-following leaders will gather in more than 140 different locations for The Leadership Summit 2008, Thursday-Friday, August 7-8. It’s a trusted, high-caliber event that’s designed to stretch, challenge, and inspire leaders who are serious about growing their spiritual gift.
The event features highly-respected senior pastors as well as innovative minds from the public and social sectors leading right where they are. Each session delivers practical learnings, alongside inspiring programming, to stretch your leadership capabilities. The 2008 faculty includes:
- Bill Hybels
- Craig Groeschel
The Leadership Summit is much more than just a conference. It’s crafted to envision, equip, and encourage teams with space to grow and learn together. It’s two full days of opportunity--during sessions, over meals, and in the moments in between--to process the life-changing potential of your church, your community, and the world.
Exclusive Offer for MME Readers Register your leadership team today--with Priority Code MMESUM--and receive $20 off per person! This special is available for the Willow Creek campus--or a Satellite site location in your area--but you must register before the Super Early Bird Deadline, Tuesday, May 20. For more information about speakers, location, and pricing, visit www.wllowcreek.com or call 800-570-9812. Bits 'n Pieces MME wishes to express deep appreciation to Greg Brewton, Boyce College of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for his continuing support of MME. This is a fine undergraduate school and worthy of a look. Double click on the ad at the top left of MME and be taken directly to the Boyce College site for further information. Thank you, Greg. If double clicked. all promos and graphics in MME. will take you directly to the website. This is a new feature for MME and another step in helping our readers. The Union University Music & Worship Conference, scheduled for February, Jackson, TN, was cancelled--due to the terrible and horrific tornados that caused 30 million+ damage to the school facilities--but thanks be to God, no loss of life! The article below, by Dr. Betty Bedsole, gives a first person report about this tragic event. Be sure to read it. A Shelter in the Storm: February 5, 2008 at Union University
Tuesday, February 5, I went to the office for classes and arrived home around 5:30--and watched the news as I prepared supper. By 6:30, I realized that this storm was a big one, so I decided to go back to the office. There is no "safe place" like they describe on TV in my house! Windows are everywhere, bathrooms are on outside walls, and there is no basement or stairs. I live very close to the school, so I was there by 6:40. At 6:45, I called a colleague to let his family know where I was. I knew that if it was a bad storm, they would call my house to check on me and become concerned when I didn't answer the phone. I climbed under my desk with my storm radio and pulled up a chair to the opening for protection. Around 7:00, I heard a sound that was like a big "thud," the lights went off, as did the radio station that was giving the weather. Later, someone said that was probably when the roof flew off! After that it was dark and quiet. I tried, unsuccessfully, to find another station on the radio giving a weather report. Earlier, the weatherman had said that the tornado would be in Lexington, TN., around 7:26, so around 7:20, I decided to come out of my "safe place."
When I got to the main hallway, I saw a colleague who told me that part of the roof was gone and that he and some students were going to White Hall, the newest building on campus, across the Great Lawn from Jenings Hall that houses the Departments of Music and Communication Arts as well as the School of Christian Studies. I went to one of the doors of Jennings Hall and looked out to see if my car was still there. Of course it was not, but at the time, I was not aware of the severity of what had transpired. I went to White Hall with the colleague and students who had also weathered the storm. When we arrived, there were a few students there but soon, there were LOTS of students. Since a second tornado was expected, we were told to go into labs and rooms without windows for safety. I assisted other faculty members who were getting students to sign in so we could be sure all students on campus were accounted for. Then I heard that we were to go to Penick, the main academic building on campus. One of our music students had called her parents and they were on their way to pick up her and a friend. Everyone else left White Hall and we waited there for the student's parents to arrive.
After the students were gone (those who's parents could ge them,) I began to walk across campus toward the Penick Academic Complex. I could see the lights of emergency vehicles across campus, but had no idea the seriousness of the situation. When I arrived, I saw the colleague that I had called earlier in the evening. They graciously provided transportation and shelter for the night for me and seven students. The electricity was out at their house so we had no access to the news, except a weather radio and phone calls that came to the students on cell phones. The second storm that was expected turned out to be a thunderstorm and was not a threat.
The next morning we went out for breakfast and drove past the campus. That is when I realized how devasting the damage was and what a miracle it was that no one died on the Union University Campus the night before. I am grateful to God for protecting our students, faculty and staff that night.
Dr. Betty Bedsole
Professor of Music
Union University, Jackson, TN
Final Thought Easter is such a time for personal reflection, inner quietness and solitude--if we can find it! Why not make this a priority for this Easter Season. Find some time each day to sit, be quiet, read scripture, pray and listen to God's still, small voice and see what the Father speaks to your heart. I am reading the book of James over and over again through the month of March. I started in February and have been challenged by the words of James, the brother of the Lord Jesus. Pick a chapter and read if through the month of March and see if the Father will speak to your inner heart in the quietness of the time spent in His presence. May the peace of Christ and the bond of love bound by the Holy Spirit be with you in this new year. Blessings. 
Bob Burroughs © 2008 Creator Magazine All Rights Reserved
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