Septebmer 2004 Table of Contents

A View From The Front Lines
Conferences? Should I or Shouldn't I?

By Kirk Lyons

We are slowly trudging through the dog days of summer here in lower Alabama and are finding it very hard to focus on the upcoming Christmas Season with daily temperatures exceeding the 100 degree mark. I pray that this edition of The Communicator magazine finds all of you well and prospering in the places of ministry God has called you to.

I asked two questions in our last issue concerning The Communicator magazine and our Worship America conferences that resulted in many great responses and suggestions. The kind words from many of you have carried me through many valleys these last three months.

I have had a particular response to our conferences that I have been unable to answer until traveling to our Gatlinburg event myself and would like to deal with that during my time with you. The question was asked, "Why should I come to a J&J Music conference? I am a member of many choral clubs that allow me to listen to new product here at my office and I'm having a hard time justifying travel expenditures simply for the fellowship aspect these conferences provide."

I have some customer responses to share about this year's event, but would like to start with my first experience at our Gatlinburg event. I really knew nothing about J&J other than they represented all major publishers of choral music and provided a "one stop shop" if you will, to their customer base. It was during one of the nightly premieres, the Spirit of God was so heavy in that convention center that people were standing with hands raised, tears were streaming down faces, folks were seated with their head in hands weeping and crying out to God. It was unbelievable. I distinctly remember looking at Jerry (Who was also crying and hacking as only Jerry can!) and asking him, "what is going on here? This is supposed to be a music conference!" Again I said "what is happening here, Jerry?" Jerry simply replied, "We are just trying to stay out of God's way and let Him be God." WOW!

I have been working at J∓J for four years now and have yet to be at an event where this scenario has not been repeated several times. So my answer to the above question is simply this, these events allow uninterrupted, individualized and corporate communion with God through worship that you can not always experience in the everyday walk, of our busy everyday lives.

Here are a few more reasons to attend:

I have not missed a Gatlinburg Conference since its inception. It is the highlight of my year both musically, professionally and spiritually.

I already automatically put the dates for the January conference down as soon as I hear them. The things that I find most valuable are the small group things like we did this past January. In fact I had Mark Goff come and do a clinic at my church in May. I am really looking forward to being at The Woodlands this next year. I benefit most from the spiritual renewal that takes place. I have to be in charge of things all year long and at the conference I can simply come enjoy great worship, teaching and being in God's presence.

I do appreciate the times that were available for us to worship together during the daily service times and some of those nightly premiers certainly turned into worship celebrations. There is something about getting together with other music and worship ministers for both worship and fellowship that you don't find anywhere else. The music and worship minister is a "strange breed" sometimes and it is good for us to be able to share ideas, both good and bad. Sometimes just talking with someone who is either going through what you are, or who has gone through it and "made it out alive" (ha-ha) is a great source of comfort and encouragement. Yes, you can listen to music samples in your office and trudge your way through preview pack after preview pack for a lot less than the cost of coming to a conference for a week. But, you can't put a price on the fellowship and worship with "others of like faith" as I talked about above. You certainly can't put a price on being out of your office and away from the "daily grind" and in a place where you are better positioned to hear from God regarding new music and new direction for your ministry. Sometimes that comes by the way of an anointed reading session, devotion or morning service, special time of worship or just a quiet time back in your hotel room.

I just wanted to say "Thanks" for the conference in Gatlinburg. It was really great! I was thoroughly blessed by the things that were presented. Thank you for the ideas and the work you put into the conference. The difference in a J&J conference and another music conference has always stuck with me. That is why I attend these conferences. It is a recharging and spiritual boost. That is such a necessity where I am at right now. God continues to give what is needed, and I am so very thankful. One of the ways he has given what I needed is through J&J.

To take a scene from a recent MasterCard commercial:

I hope these brief testimonials encourage those who have never experienced a J&J conference, to block time out of your busy schedules to do so in 2005.

Until next time, we will pray that God pours out His richest blessings on your lives and ministries. Thanks for allowing us to be a small part of what He is doing around the world through the ministry of music.

Until he shouts,

Kirk

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