Revival in Southern Gospel
I've been putting a lot of thought into something lately - and I know many people would consider that pretty dangerous. However, after having a couple of really good conversations at the National Quartet Convention last September this thought hasn't left me. We need REVIVAL in Southern Gospel.
Now before you think I'm getting all "super-spiritual" on you - if you ask anyone who knows me - I'm as anti-super spiritual as one can be. Insincerity with ones spiritual life drives me bonkers, and I never try to be anything that I'm not. I try not to wear my spiritual emotions on my sleeve - and many of my close friends will tell you that it's a major fault in my personality. So, with that said - let me get to my point.
We can talk all day long about how radio is at fault or bad business practices are at fault or lack of real talent and musical education is at fault - but to me - the big thing hurting this industry is a lack of personal revival going on. I'm not saying that the individuals in Southern Gospel need personal revival in their lives (though that may be the case) - I'm saying that our personal concerts and experiences with the fans are lacking that spiritual punch that was so prevalent in the Golden Age of this genre.
When's the last time that an altar call was given at the National Quartet Convention? When's the last time that an artist decided to stop worrying about a time schedule and started worrying about who needed a touch of God in the audience. All of this got me thinking - and then praying for God to move in this industry like he has never done before.
However, the longer I prayed about it - the more I got convicted. I was praying for what I saw was wrong with the industry that I worked in - yet noticed that I wasn't necessarily doing my part either. So - at that point I asked that God would move in me, in my ministry, and my company like he has never done before. Let ME experience the move of God in my life like i have never felt before. Let me do my part in helping the industry. Let revival start in ME.
I just wanted to post this as an encouragement to everyone out there. Before a revival can spark in an entire industry - it has to start individually. I hope you'll join me this year in making a personal effort to be more spiritually minded in all we say in do. God will take care of the rest.
Posted on Jan 26, 2007 - 02:09 AM | [12]
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Chris, last Sunday night I was at a Kingsmen concert in a local church. They had done a couple of songs on the second round and Tony just stopped, he said he believed they had done all the Lord wanted them to do. He asked a man they had met in Augusta to come up and sing a song. This guy had been severely burned and gone through a lot over the last several years.
Just as the song says, "Revival can happen"...and you're right Chris, it starts with me. I appreciate your honesty and sincerity in this blog. I pray that revival moves like a wildfire in this industry, and I pray it starts with individuals like me and you and everyone else who reads this.
Great column, Chris. We definitely need revival... otherwise, what's the point in singing gospel music. OUR music is supposed to make a difference in people's hearts, minds, and lives, not because we have the lowest basses, the highest tenors, and the prettiest altos and sopranos, not because we have matching suits and the Bill Gaither Seal of Approval... but because we have the ANSWER and that answer is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Paul Jackson/Prophets Qt.
http://www.prophetsquartet.com
http://www.pauljacksongroup.com
Paul Jackson / The Prophets
http://www.pauljacksongroup.com/blog