Point of difference

Inspired. Refreshed. Ready.

That's how I would feel after music practice @ Southside every Friday night. The new songs we practise together, making beautiful melodies when practising for Sunday, the occasional embarrassing moments when someone plays a wrong chord, Jo's message before practice, powerful prayer sessions... but most of all, the PASSION to worship God.

I couldn't help but keep thinking about what Jo said last week: New songs are good. They bring new meaning, keep the fire burning, and brings out the dullness of course. That's why we have 1 week to practise 2 new songs from the new Hillsong United album, "Point of Difference" and "Hosanna". Really glad that it didn't take long for new songs to be introduced to church, and it still saddens me thinking about how the elders at SFEC find it really hard to accept the introduction of new songs.

"We, the older generation cannot pick up songs so fast."
"The new songs are so difficult to sing! Cannot la!"
"Old songs also have meaning."
~bla bla blahhhh.

Firstly, when I was at CNLC, new songs are sung almost every week. And mind you, the 60 year old ah mas even move their feet and lift up their hands when "Salvation is here" is being sung. Also, old songs do have meaning, I don't deny that. But after a while, it becomes a routine; people sing the songs without even thinking of the lyrics. People are CREATIVE beings, that's what sets us apart from the other animals. We use our brains, we need changes, we need nourishment to grow. That's why new songs are composed everyday around the world, and that's why the great churches around the world have strong worship teams.

I'm tired of hearing excuses. Lame excuses that will eventually bring the whole worship team down. I'm not afraid to say that if this continues on, many will leave the church, there will be no growth, which beats the whole point of having a church at all.

That is why I long to see a major breakthrough in the future. No matter what it takes, or how it should be done, I will see to it that change will happen.

***

Lighthouse BBQ fest few weeks ago.

Testing Rob's baking skills.

The sign of autumn.

It felt just like yesterday that I started my second year of uni. 2 and a half years seem not too far away. Autumn is slowly giving way to winter now, just 3 weeks before the cold winds and constant showers attack Dunedin. Nevertheless, I'm still excited to whether the rest of this year will take me.