[rodgersorganusers] Re: A Thought About 'Pleasing Folks'

Charlie:
Much like the priest,minister, rabbi, vicor, medicine man, whatever the title, 
we are "called" to serve God in this fashion.

We become organists because of that calling, and we play to the Glory of God  
each day we sit at our instruments and prepare our Sunday message. He has given 
us that talent and that ability and it is up to us to use it in the fashion 
that he has chosen.

General question: Have you ever noticed that you are playing at a church 
somewhere and seem to be happy, but you pick up the paper and scan the 
organists help wanted column and suddenly realize a church that you've always 
gone by is looking for an organist? Your first response is you contact the 
church and go in and play the instrument, and find yourself auditioning for 
that job?(even though you were happy with your other job)?
You are being "led" to where he wants you.
Everytime I find myself in that position, I know God wants me to move to that 
new position. I go where he leads me. There is an organist shortage out there, 
therefore it is his will to share me and my abilities with the churches in 
need. I accept that role.

I am NOT moving from church to church for more money. Money has nothing to do 
with the position that I accept. I simply go where the people are in need the 
most, whatever the compensation. Sometimes I bridge the gap until another 
organist can be found, before being led to another position.
My last job was like that.

Rich T.

Rich Torlai
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Charlie Strack 
  To: rodgersorgan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 5:39 PM
  Subject: [rodgersorganusers] Re: A Thought About 'Pleasing Folks'



  Keith Stiles:

  I said nothing about stifling creative urges nor about playing the same =
  hymns over and over, but here is what I think about these things.

  If an organist doesn't have creative urges then he really is not an =
  organist, just a player. If he has them but does not use them, then he is =
  no musician and is not giving all that is asked of him. Without a musical =
  approach our playing neither honors God nor helps others to do so--at best =
  it is mechanical and thus uninspired. We are to bring our best to God, and =
  this includes the grace of creativity he has given us.

  I think the standard hymns should be used but not worn out. I think new =
  ones should be used as well, but not exclusively. The musical challenge is =
  to bring new life to the old standards and to play the new ones in a way =
  that the congregation can grasp. These are challenges, to be sure. But =
  they are challenges a good musician should gladly accept. And, as in most =
  of life, the key is to find a workable balance.

  I wholeheartedly agree that leadership sometimes involves prodding to get =
  to a new, higher level. In music, this will, of course, include new hymns. =
  But you can only prod so hard and for so long before it is just an =
  annoying pain to the receiver who will then tune out the message. The =
  leader has to approach this with cautious judgement and determine the =
  right amount of force that will get the congregation moving, but not so =
  much that they ask they resist.

  In all, no one decides to become a church organist because it is easy.

  Best regards,
  Charlie


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Download free music by Clay Baker at: 
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To unsubscribe or set to vacation, 
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If you have any difficulty with this or PayPal, 
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