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BCMC JOURNAL
2008
Presentation of W. Hines Sims Award to Mark Blankenship by Jere Adams
Retired editor for LifeWay Publications, Jere Adams, made these remarks prior to the presentation of the W. Hines Sims Award to Mark Blankenship, June 16, 2008.
It is my privilege to share with you some things about my friend, and former co-worker, Mark Blankenship.
First, let’s set the record straight. Many people have the false assumption that Mark Blankenship wrote “Worthy of Worship.” I spoke with Terry York last week, and he emphatically said that Mark did not write that hymn; that he himself had written it. And he says that Mark composes by walking around his studio shouting, whispering, and speaking the text until he begins to hear a melody. For “Worthy of Worship,” all he wrote was “da, da, da, da, da.”
BTW, Mark, Terry said to tell you “hello” and that he is truly sorry that he could not be here.
Beyond the historical footnote with which I began my remarks, Mark’s life and ministry has been well documented. On page 43 of your Program, you will find a brief biography.
What you may not be as familiar with… is that Mark is a man of many talents. He is an expert carpenter and has an eye for the artistic. One only has to visit in his home to be aware of that fact. Beyond that, he is an accomplished artist with numerous paintings coming from his brush and palette. For Mark, this is a way to relax and meditate.
Mark has also had years of experience as an actor, to which many of you involved in denominational music work can attest. For many years, the BSSB (now LifeWay) sponsored annual denominational worker meetings for training and product promotion. Mark was involved in many zany productions. One particular skit comes to mind – Mark as “Joe Isuzu,” an adaptation of a familiar TV commercial at that time. Mark, as for several others in the “cast,” was somewhat out of his comfort zone. But despite these many credits, and numerous years of screen time with “At Home with the Bible,” Hollywood never called.
While Mark is a great friend to many people, and primarily is known as a musician, a love for people has always motivated his ministry. Bill Anderson, former editor of The Church Musician, relates a conversation that he had with a lady while visiting North Phoenix Baptist Church, the church that Mark had served before coming to the Baptist Sunday School Board. The thing that she remembered most about Mark was not his musical abilities and accomplishments, but rather “how Mark helped my daughter get her head on straight.”
When Dr. Grady Cothen was president of the BSSB, he and Mark frequently played racquetball together at the YMCA. One day, Mark accidentally hit Dr. Cothen on the “backside.” Complete silence followed. The story goes that Mark saw his career flash before his eyes. After a pregnant pause, Dr. Cothen said, “The last time that anybody did that to me was my daddy,” and then he laughed. And Mark’s career was saved!
Many people perceive Mark as being a very serious person. Though unintentional, that image was shattered one year at Glorieta Music Week. Christine Anderson, the internationally acclaimed handbell soloist, was onstage during a worship service, and had just completed a handbell solo. The audience applauded enthusiastically. Mark and other worship leaders were seated behind her table. As Mark approached the podium, and the applause subsided, he said, “if you think it was good from your side, you should have seen it from the backside.”
Sorry Mark, but too many people reminded me of that when I was preparing these remarks. We can only hope that this won’t become your legacy.
Though he is an extremely busy person - think multitasking – Mark has always maintained an acute sense of priorities, including bible study, personal accountability, and family. For example, when he and Terry York worked together, they met each Monday morning for prayer and bible study. And whenever he was in a conference or meeting, whereas most of us would not be available for phone calls, Mark always left word with his administrative assistant that if Judy called, he was available. Another strong trait of Mark’s is that whenever he is engaged in conversation with someone, he totally focuses his attention on that person.
There are certain foods that Mark really loves: cheesecake for his softer side, and Mexican food, for which Mark has always said that if the first bite didn’t make his forehead breakout in a sweat, it was no good.
Earlier in my remarks, I alluded to the fact that Mark is family-oriented…his dad was his hero. Several years ago, in Church Musician Today, he wrote a tribute to his dad. He began that article by saying, “Much of my personality, my personal values, my Christian life, and my own family life are a result of the guidance and care they (his parents) gave me in those formative years.” His dad was a pastor and, in his retirement years, wrote hundreds of poetic lyrics, which Mark has sometimes tried to set to music.
Because of his life, his witness, his ministry…Mark Blankenship joins an illustrious group of other church musicians today as the Baptist Church Music Conference honors him with the 2008 Hines Sims Award for meritorious service and contributions to the field of church music.
Mark and Judy, please join me on the platform as Dr. Tom Bolton joins us.
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