Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday December 4, 2007

I read a very interesting article by Greg Howlett, (www.greghowlett.com) a music man from Georgia who is gifted to say the least. I am not a music man unless singing in the shower counts. I do have many years of experience in this part of the music field. On many an early morning just after a shower, I have remarked, "Pavarotti, eat your heart out."

Greg's article on music and musicians in the church is a very good one and demonstrates not only his skill, but courage as well. I assure you that over 45 years I have learned that hell hath no fury as an organist scorned! Or pianist, soloist or God forbid, THE music minster.

Greg talks straight about church instrumentalist overreaching their skills in an effort to impress folks and suggest that while they continue to improve their skills they concentrate on the beauty of the music, they must also keep Christian humility. (This is a good idea for preachers). Greg knows the difference between impressing people and affecting them deeply for God's glory.

Only God knows the agony congregations suffer when a soloist has heard a talented artist perform in concert and then the soloist buys an accompaniment tape, practices 10 minutes and gets up to hold a captive congregation enthralled for what seems an eternity. (The same principle applies to the preacher who plagiarizes Billy's latest sermon and thinks he is lifting the saints very near to the gates of celestial glory). For the last sixty years I have heard coaches, coaches from baseball, football, golf, you name it instruct the players, "stay within yourself" in other words play at your best and leave the super duper moves to those who can do them. Good coaches detest a sidearm throw from deep in the hole at shortstop because you will not be able to make that throw very long or accurate. Over the top is the word. By that same token I am always amazed at a man trying to sing like Sandy Patti. Without years of practice Sandi Patti could not sing like Sandi Patti. And keep in mind Lombardi's instruction:

"Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect."

Mr. Lombardi meant that even professionals need mentors to keep them executing the fundamentals correctly. Writers understand this brutal truth each time their literary gift comes back from the editor.

The church I pastor is currently blessed with the talent and élan of Richard Harland. Rich is 87 years of age, has trouble getting up once he sits, and on occasion forgets his place as he leads the congregational singing. Every Sunday he sincerely offers to let a younger person assume the duties. Truth be known Rich has a spirit that most people half his age do not have, and Rich has that certain something that some people have, others do not. Simple. Would you believe that at 87 with a lifetime of experience in the music field, Mr. Harland is still taking music lessons? He plays several instruments more than well and is to this day working on improving his skills and even more amazing he has patience with those with very little or in the rough talent who want to sing for God's glory and always has a word of encouragement for them.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2007 Use with credit.

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