by Mark Edwards, minister of music / associate pastorIn rehearsals when we are preparing music for a Chapel Choir tour program, we talk to the teenagers about pacing the program and about shifting styles quickly so that each song is presented appropriately and as the composer intended. By now they've gotten pretty good at it. They can raise their heads in joyful praise one minute and then bow the knee in humble worship the next. Good job, ladies and gentlemen!
They've learned to shift gears in other ways as well. Last week much of our ministry in New Orleans was other than musical. In the mornings, we got our orders and fanned out to several Habitat construction sites in the Ninth Ward to paint, hammer, install siding, remove siding, install siding, roof, cut, fabricate, putty, inventory, clean, etc, etc, in the extreme heat and heavy humidity. Then we'd grab a quick sandwich and bottle of Gatorade on the cool bus and head to sports camp for more than 100 children. There, our teenagers played with the kids, taught sports skills, and led Bible Study. Then it's back to "headquarters" for a shower and off to the evening activity--French Quarter, sing a concert, citywide rally for Katrina clean-up crews, or just see a movie.
And at nearly every spot along the way, people remarked how well-behaved and competent and willing to help they were. Even today a thank you note was received from someone who attended our concert Sunday night, June 10.
For nine days, our students' music and ministry were "presented appropriately and as the composer intended." I wish you could have seen them shifting gears while they were building bridges. (I wish you could have seen the adults trying to keep up with them!) You would have been proud. I was.
You can, in fact, see our crew in action on the student ministry website-- www.firstbaptiststudents.org. Photos, daily blogs and video awaits you!