Playing Outside the Camp
http://www.called2music.com/articles/34/1/Playing-Outside-the-Camp/Page1.html
John Gillard
Johnny Gillard | Freelance Session Bassist | Email him Johnny has been playing bass in churches and studios across the GTA for 10 years. He can currently be heard playing for events such as Tehillah Toronto and Taste of the Danforth as well as various Cafe's. He attends Hillstreams Christian Fellowship Church in Markham, Ont.
By John Gillard
Published on 02/10/2007
Being a musician means you are an INFLUENCER. People can hear what you
“say” through your instrument and think different thoughts and even
begin to change perceptions. Do you see why our enemy wants us to
remain INSIDE the church?
Being Free as a Christian Musician
Hebrews: 13:12-13
I was recently at a concert with some very prominent jazz musicians in the Toronto community. They performed very well technically---but to me something was missing. I could not put my finger on it! It drove me nuts! So I said to myself and God “Lord what is it? Why does it frustrate me?” Then I met the musicians after the performance during the break and realized something very important: THEY WERE NOT FREE PEOPLE! I don’t say this in a judgmental way at all, but I could see by the way they conducted themselves and talked that they had no hope and this was just a gig or a stepping stone to better paying gigs for them. I was discouraged!
As a Christian I live for something higher than good music or intense creativity. I find myself in Christ secure, standing and wanting to make a difference in this world for Truth. It is not enough to be a “Rock Star” for me. We live for the one who made us. It is an honor to play for the one who loves us and who gave himself for us.
Being a Christian Musician in this world is not easy. Trying to live to a higher standard in the darkness this industry poses can be quite a task. From my experience I am grateful for the handful of special people who have seen the desire of this musician to glorify God in the music industry and encourage it.
There is a stigma attached to Christians playing in bars or clubs or lounges. Sometimes you feel there is an unspoken rule that Christians should never play music outside of the Church service structure. Read: Num.11:24-29 .When the God clearly says “…sing to the Lord a new song, Sing to the Lord all the earth”.
We need to take notice and see our responsibility to the culture and generation we are living in to say “God is God here in this place and is still speaking---through US!” Through our instrument and voices we are declaring with our spirits Jesus Christ is Lord.
Now the trick is…How to do we do this “outside the camp”? Did God intend this declaration to remain in the church walls and structure? NO! He did not. In fact, I believe there is more opposition to someone being a Christian OUTSIDE the church than to keep people IN the church!!! Selah.
Having Influence.
Being a musician means you are an INFLUENCER. People can hear what you “say” through your instrument and think different thoughts and even begin to change perceptions. Do you see why our enemy wants us to remain INSIDE the church?
Being an influencer means you want the share who you are with others. You have something of great value to share with others that can help and bring good change for people living in darkness. Your music can make a difference. I go often to bars and clubs where non-believers are and you see and hear the things that do not bring glory to God.
But PEOPLE are more valuable than music. I will say it again as you may not have heard me right: PEOPLE are more VALUABLE than MUSIC. Sounds like heresy? But THIS is the big picture of our calling. Being a part of other people’s lives for change.
The Presence of God
Did you know that God in his presence can travel with you wherever you go? The Israelites experienced this in a pillar of fire and cloud and their enemies took notice of this I can assure you! Would you bother a people whose God followed them in a pillar of Fire? I sure wouldn’t!
You don’t have to say Christian phrases every sentence to show everyone you are a Christian with the Presence of God. The way you conduct your business, your character shows your commitment to God. The way you speak to people shows what you believe a lot of the time. People take note of someone who is committed to something with passion. People are attracted to passion and commitment and want to ask questions. Without them, you feel lost and wandering. In the presence of God we have this and look forward to the future he has planned for us.
Being a Free Musician
This is something so dear to my heart. Being a creative person can be difficult. Often we spend the majority of our time sharpening our skills to technically do what we want. Unfortunately, by the time we get where we have some proficiency at the instrument, we think everybody has to worship us! LOL!
This is not the case obviously and is a part of growing as a person who plays music. Being in touch with God who gave you the gift of music to honor him with it is the essence of true freedom. Most people do not identify God with music unless it is worship music. But I will make a bold statement: God wants to be involved in all creativity and music.
There is NO area of life or reality where God is not interested. Being a free musician means being a free person who understands this and you are walking in relationship with God wherever you go. You are a team. You are empowered to walk with God in wisdom anywhere to do his will.
This means OUTSIDE the church to be a channel of freedom for others. If you are spiritually free, you will inspire others to seek the same. This is the greatest honor any creative person can have. The favor to influence and inspire others to change. God does this through people who know who they are in Christ and what he has done for them.
When you understand that God is for you not against you as a son of God you walk differently. You talk differently. You are not driven by the same values and motives as the secular world. It makes people think about what you have that is different. You are free to be filled with God’s spirit and be under his leadership! What an AWESOME thing!
You think you are a good musician? Try letting God take over and play! You will never be the same. This is the ultimate freedom—letting God express his thoughts and words and notes through your body. Sounds strange? It is a beautiful thing! Ask God to show you what that means for you and he will.
I was recently at a concert with some very prominent jazz musicians in the Toronto community. They performed very well technically---but to me something was missing. I could not put my finger on it! It drove me nuts! So I said to myself and God “Lord what is it? Why does it frustrate me?” Then I met the musicians after the performance during the break and realized something very important: THEY WERE NOT FREE PEOPLE! I don’t say this in a judgmental way at all, but I could see by the way they conducted themselves and talked that they had no hope and this was just a gig or a stepping stone to better paying gigs for them. I was discouraged!
As a Christian I live for something higher than good music or intense creativity. I find myself in Christ secure, standing and wanting to make a difference in this world for Truth. It is not enough to be a “Rock Star” for me. We live for the one who made us. It is an honor to play for the one who loves us and who gave himself for us.
Being a Christian Musician in this world is not easy. Trying to live to a higher standard in the darkness this industry poses can be quite a task. From my experience I am grateful for the handful of special people who have seen the desire of this musician to glorify God in the music industry and encourage it.
There is a stigma attached to Christians playing in bars or clubs or lounges. Sometimes you feel there is an unspoken rule that Christians should never play music outside of the Church service structure. Read: Num.11:24-29 .When the God clearly says “…sing to the Lord a new song, Sing to the Lord all the earth”.
We need to take notice and see our responsibility to the culture and generation we are living in to say “God is God here in this place and is still speaking---through US!” Through our instrument and voices we are declaring with our spirits Jesus Christ is Lord.
Now the trick is…How to do we do this “outside the camp”? Did God intend this declaration to remain in the church walls and structure? NO! He did not. In fact, I believe there is more opposition to someone being a Christian OUTSIDE the church than to keep people IN the church!!! Selah.
Having Influence.
Being a musician means you are an INFLUENCER. People can hear what you “say” through your instrument and think different thoughts and even begin to change perceptions. Do you see why our enemy wants us to remain INSIDE the church?
Being an influencer means you want the share who you are with others. You have something of great value to share with others that can help and bring good change for people living in darkness. Your music can make a difference. I go often to bars and clubs where non-believers are and you see and hear the things that do not bring glory to God.
But PEOPLE are more valuable than music. I will say it again as you may not have heard me right: PEOPLE are more VALUABLE than MUSIC. Sounds like heresy? But THIS is the big picture of our calling. Being a part of other people’s lives for change.
The Presence of God
Did you know that God in his presence can travel with you wherever you go? The Israelites experienced this in a pillar of fire and cloud and their enemies took notice of this I can assure you! Would you bother a people whose God followed them in a pillar of Fire? I sure wouldn’t!
You don’t have to say Christian phrases every sentence to show everyone you are a Christian with the Presence of God. The way you conduct your business, your character shows your commitment to God. The way you speak to people shows what you believe a lot of the time. People take note of someone who is committed to something with passion. People are attracted to passion and commitment and want to ask questions. Without them, you feel lost and wandering. In the presence of God we have this and look forward to the future he has planned for us.
Being a Free Musician
This is something so dear to my heart. Being a creative person can be difficult. Often we spend the majority of our time sharpening our skills to technically do what we want. Unfortunately, by the time we get where we have some proficiency at the instrument, we think everybody has to worship us! LOL!
This is not the case obviously and is a part of growing as a person who plays music. Being in touch with God who gave you the gift of music to honor him with it is the essence of true freedom. Most people do not identify God with music unless it is worship music. But I will make a bold statement: God wants to be involved in all creativity and music.
There is NO area of life or reality where God is not interested. Being a free musician means being a free person who understands this and you are walking in relationship with God wherever you go. You are a team. You are empowered to walk with God in wisdom anywhere to do his will.
This means OUTSIDE the church to be a channel of freedom for others. If you are spiritually free, you will inspire others to seek the same. This is the greatest honor any creative person can have. The favor to influence and inspire others to change. God does this through people who know who they are in Christ and what he has done for them.
When you understand that God is for you not against you as a son of God you walk differently. You talk differently. You are not driven by the same values and motives as the secular world. It makes people think about what you have that is different. You are free to be filled with God’s spirit and be under his leadership! What an AWESOME thing!
You think you are a good musician? Try letting God take over and play! You will never be the same. This is the ultimate freedom—letting God express his thoughts and words and notes through your body. Sounds strange? It is a beautiful thing! Ask God to show you what that means for you and he will.