Legacy

     I must confess, no teacher made a more profound impression or did I more highly respect than my high school band instructor Mr. Harvey Benstein. Without a doubt there are many others who share this sentiment about him. He was and continues to be a dynamic instructor and mentor. Truth be told, music was a high point in my rather lackluster high school educational career. I think back to various extra-curricular music rehearsals I couldn’t wait to attend. In some ways, I approach worship band rehearsals today with the same wide-eyed anticipation.
     I was reminded of those powerful memories recently watching a documentary about a former national award winning Texas high school jazz band. The documentary was about members from the late 60’s through the late 70’s gathering to form an alumni tribute band. The ultimate goal was to honor their former leader. Some hadn’t picked up an instrument in over thirty years. Amazingly, many couldn’t resist jumping in anyway. The documentary provided a moving and fitting tribute to a well deserving educator and mentor.
     Mentors hold a special place in all our hearts. Their patience and straight forward advice in pivotal moments have inspired confidence, insight and direction. Funny thing is, insight from the past can even be sensed in our present day circumstances, often outliving the one who gave it. I find that amazing. What a legacy of influence!
     Legacy is part of life… good or bad. What will ours be? Others will be the judge one day. For now, growing and challenging those around us is a necessary privilege. Ultimately, intersecting lives are occasions for God’s timeless principles to develop in and through us. May our purposes remain focused on His purposes as we step into the future prayerfully mentoring those God has placed in our care.

God is good,
Tim Covert

What Are We Facilitating?

     My wife and I recently spent a week of vacation with our two children, their spouses, and grandkids. What a great time! We enjoyed a variety of activities but one stands out in particular. Our daughters sat in chairs mounted inside an open capsule that rested in-between two truss towers. Each tower rose probably 80 feet from the ground and were 50 feet apart. Long bungee straps connected to a cable rose to each tower from each side of the capsule. A man turned on a motor that pulled the cables down through the towers stretching the bungee straps like a giant sling shot. A metal bar held the capsule back until the bungee straps were tight. As this process began, one of my son-in-laws asked my wife, “What does it feel like to have all your eggs in one basket?” My wife tried to smile. Then the operator hit a lever. In an instant my kids were launched far beyond the top of the towers. Then... they fell, only to reload the bungee straps and up they went again, twisting and turning. Microphones attached to their helmets provided up close and personal sound for everyone to hear— not that they were necessary. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard screaming like that… a strange mixture of petrified fear and hysterical laughter.
     When it’s all over it isn’t so much about the ride. It’s about whether they made it through. As worship leaders it’s easy to get caught up in the ride associated with our ministry function. There’s no doubt it can be exciting. But I like what Mark Roberts said recently in the July / August 2012 Worship Leader article titled “Walking the Fine Line of Worship Leading”. He began by quoting 1 Thess. 2:19-20 “For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”  Roberts went on to comment, “Paul’s true success in ministry, indeed, his glory, has to do not so much with what he did as with what he facilitated in the church God had entrusted to him.” That perspective must never be lost.

God is good,
Tim Covert

Unforced, Unshakeable Expectation

     Don Poythress and Tony Wood penned the lyrics, “Whether we come with words of praise and thankfulness. Whether we come with hearts of hurt and heaviness. Jesus, always as we enter this place, we come with expectation…"  Expectation in this expression is the sense of anticipating God’s presence in our current circumstances, wherever we find ourselves. God is very fond of rewarding this outlook.
     During a family fishing trip last July (2011) we lost an expensive pyramid shaped anchor. When the rope snapped and the anchor sunk, so did my heart. I remember praying as a few of us jumped in the water. After a considerable amount of searching we gave up. Off and on this spring I had the fleeting thought of searching while the weeds were not fully developed. There was still a glimmer of hope in my heart. Recently, we were fishing in a familiar stretch of water. At the time, I wasn’t even thinking about the lost anchor. Suddenly, something on the bottom caught my eye in five feet of water. It was our anchor. What a find! I think God smiled.
     When trouble strikes, finding an answer can be like searching for that hard to find anchor. God’s help is needed to see past the waves and glare on the surface. Thankfully, He’s provided a marvelous refocusing tool. It is corporate worship! The writer of the song “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” E.Y. “Yip” Harburg once said, “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.” When God’s presence is added to this powerful mixture the result is something insightful and life-changing for the true worshipper.
     Our churches are filled with people searching for answers. Their expectation in prayer probably involves the immediate. Give them something worth holding on to between the offering of prayer and God’s answer. Provide an atmosphere where feelings and thoughts can be refocused in worship! Whether we come with praise and thankfulness or hurts and heaviness, God is always there for those who approach Him expectantly. Who knows what would happen if the critical mass of an entire church were to gather in Godly, unforced, unshakeable expectation!

God is good,
Tim Covert

Distractions

     I recently read an article by Jason Chollar dealing with distractions during worship. His words were offered to those assisting in the realm of media. In his opinion the #1 most distracting thing about using media in worship is wrong words. But a very close #2 is “waiting to put up the words until we are already supposed to be singing them!” Jason titled his article “7 Reasons Music Techs are Late with the Words”. I’m sure you can relate to his observations. Here are his comments and suggestions.

1) Preoccupied.
     Concentrate on what is happening at the moment. Resist the urge to tinker.
2) Unfamiliar with the song.
     Get acquainted online beforehand if possible.
3) Knowing the song too well.
     Sing along but stay focused and notice what’s happening so you’re ready.
4) Thinking like a musician.
     Don’t hit the ”next slide” on the downbeat. By then it’s too late.
5) Playing it safe.
     Resist the urge to wait. Watch for signals.
6) Afraid of cueing people too early.
     Don’t worry about putting the words up “too soon”. The people will
     sing in the right spot.
7) The Worship Leader changes things on the fly.
     Yes, they do that. But be engaged in your churches offering of worship
     to God.

     Cooperation is critical. Worship leaders should do their best to create an environment where tech support thrives. And tech support must be knowledgeable and flexible enough to facilitate various leadership styles. Thanks for all you do Tech Ministry!

God is good,
Tim Covert

Music and Memory

     Everyone creates an at-home work environment in their own way. Some choose to listen to music on their balcony in the Bahamas. How nice. Others create a space in a warm room with a window that provides a view of three feet of snow (more likely). At home, I often listen to classical music in the man cave. The music without words eventually drops off into the background. For me, music with words creates a tension between what I’m trying to do and what my ears and brain so naturally attempt to process. So I opt for soft classical music without words.
     However a few weeks ago, while in the zone, I suddenly sensed the tension. It was as if my brain forced my ears to listen, all because my high school band had played what I was hearing. I won’t bore you with the details regarding how long ago that was. Let’s just say, this particular memory connecting with that piece of music made it through the dust. I was shocked how my brain recalled not only the music, but the great memories.
     The phenomenon I just described has obvious spiritual application. Ten years from now someone will hear music you selected during a particular time span of music ministry. It will trigger an incredible memory associated with a powerful spiritual encounter. People will remember the encouraging worship song that helped them through their darkest hour. I’ve heard a wide variety of reasons worship leaders give for selecting worship music. The song has a great groove, or the guitar solo rocks. There’s nothing wrong with any of that, but I am so encouraged by the dynamic of music, memory and spiritual encounters!
     What worship music are you currently selecting Music Pastor? Have you considered its far reaching effect? I know you love the ministry the Lord has allowed you to pursue. Praise God for your obedience and ability. Reach as many as possible in the local church with a future memory. Years from now, somebody will thank you for it!

God is good,
Tim Covert

Which Hat?

     I visited one of my daughters recently during lunch time. She’s an incredible stay at home mom raising three (so far) children and providing daycare for her nephew (another grandson) as well. When I arrived, the youngest was asleep and the other three were quietly eating. Nap time was on the horizon but for the next few minutes they played with Popa. My oldest grand daughter decided to give drinking straws to her brother and cousin. Suddenly those straws became magic wands, except for the youngest boy Luke. Naturally his straw was a sword. The two oldest pointed at me and named something. While I dodged the sword, the other two turned me into Batman, Spiderman, regular man… you get the idea. For a while Popa attempted to be whatever they wanted me to be. I left as they were headed for a nap.
     In the car, I thought how similar this is to ministry—sound man, light man, worship man, choir man, hospital man, preacher man. We get the tap and off we go. We have the distinct privilege of wearing a variety of hats. Hang in there if switching seems a little awkward at first. Don’t feel bad if there’s a particular hat you don’t like to put on. It may take a little while to feel comfortable going from one to the other. God is always there to help. Our lists may not be the same, but one thing is certain, God is always involved in the details. We’ve all wished for a very specific troubleshooting guide to help. Thankfully the Lord already provided what we needed. He told His disciples the last evening they were together, “Let not your heart be troubled...”. Then He said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” Jn.14:1,15-16.
     I’m sure the Holy Spirit hears a fair amount of requests for assistance from all of us. Let’s face it, we need help! But for those with a relationship with the Lord, help is always available. And thankfully, the Spirit of truth is never wrong. He knows exactly what we and those we’re attempting to minister to need. Praise God! Excuse me while I go play with the grand kids some more.

God is good,
Tim Covert

The Plastic Army Man

     Last month at Conference on the Ministry I was headed toward the platform where the worship team was preparing for sound check. As I approached I noticed a little girl quietly playing on the floor near one of the large screens. An empty Tupperware container was nearby and little figurines were spread around her on the floor as she sat near her father’s feet. Reminding me of one of my grandchildren, I made eye contact, smiled and began moving toward the worship team when she started explaining. One by one in lengthy detail she described each precious toy. I felt the need to stay on task but it seemed rude to walk away. “This one is just a fuzzy monster,” she explained. “But look at this!” she said with a smile, showing me how another little creature waddled forward when she set it on the carpet. Happiness seemed to gush with every detailed description. Just when I was about to explain I needed to go, she picked up a figurine that wasn’t like the others. It wasn’t fuzzy or cute and to me seemed out of place. In fact, it was a little plastic army man. I remembered playing with one like it as a child. She picked it up and with a smile said, “I like this one because green is my favorite color.” With that she sat the army man down and picked up a different toy resuming her lengthy detailed descriptions. Thoughts I didn’t express ran through my mind. “That army guy is a sharp shooter able to defend his position against unimaginable odds. He’s kneeling down like that with his weapon so he can do his job precisely.” But she saw it differently. He was her favorite color: green.
     We’ve all asked ourselves the question, “Lord why did you pick me to attempt the impossible?” I think part of the answer is found in this encounter. God simply sees His creation differently than we see ourselves. How could we argue His
perspective isn’t the most accurate? He knows how intricately He’s made us and for what purposes. But I’m a plastic army man in a sea of cute fuzzy animals. And God says something like, “Those comparisons don’t work with me. I love you
because of reasons that are very obvious to me. What I’ve placed within you in purpose and gift are more than adequate when you follow me and obediently sit at my feet.”
     The reason I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me is because of how and for what purpose He strengthens me. We are strengthened perfectly and forever thankful.

God is good,
Tim Covert