Ridgecrest Music Week 2013 Day Three

Today was another very full, but very good day.  I began the morning with two classes from Steve Brown, who is teaching several classes in what they used to refer to as the "small church" track.  The first class dealt with generational differences.  I've taken similar classes before, but I really wanted a refresher, as our church is very multigenerational.  Steve went through the four main generations in the church right now: Builders, Boomers, Busters, and Bridgers, and how each of their attributes affected church life today.  The most interesting thing I gleaned (or inferred) was that Busters and Boomers (My generation and younger) are often "blamed" for the rise of contemporary music in the church, when actually, the Baby Boomer generation, who grew up during the birth of rhythm section music and rock and roll really were more instrumental in the changes that led to the praise and worship movement.  The baby boomers are the group that are currently in leadership positions in the church today which has also fueled this.  Now my generation, the "busters,"are sadly credited with the decline of denominational institutionalism.  Our indifference and indecisiveness have led to an increase in the numbers of non-denominational churches.  I honestly had not thought about that before.  A side note, on behalf of my generation, I hereby refute the dorky name "buster" for our generation.  Whoever thought of that must have been a baby boomer.  ;)  "Gen X" is much cooler.  The second class from Steve Brown dealt a lot with our role as a worship leader, specifically in regards to how we carry ourselves on the platform in our confidence level, and specifically with our conducting gestures.  We talked about what motions were appropriate and when.  For example, less directing is required with the congregation and more precision in gestures is necessary for choirs.  Pretty common sense stuff, but some good reminders nonetheless.  

Worship today featured another good balance and blend of songs both old and new,  There is a heavier emphasis throughout this week than I expected on hymns reinvented and rearranged, incorporating rhythm sections, etc.  I would say two out of three songs in worship this year have been hymns with either a new added refrain, a more upbeat tempo, or both.  I like this trend, as I think it's a great compromise and helps bring people together.  The message today dealt with Psalm 51, and how David's picture of brokenness and repentance is clearly illustrated.

After lunch, I had part two of the "Worship Deathstyle" class with Grant Norsworthy.  It was another good session, this time dealing with worship and grace.  Much of the emphasis in today's class dealt with how we as Christians misuse or overuse vocabulary on words like "awesome" (which we use colloquially, but in actually implies something to be feared or revered) and "worship."  

This evening, we had the option of staying on campus for a Christian movie premiere, but instead had the opportunity to meet up with a college friend In Asheville.  When they started making Wednesday afternoons and evenings a bit lighter several years ago, I first was disappointed and felt like we were not getting our "money's worth" :), but Im beginning to appreciate it, as by this time in the week, my brain is pretty full, and the flexibility is appreciated so that we can have some down time.