Becky Lombard,
Conference President
I'm convinced more and more with each passing year, and now, with
each passing day, that the secret ingredient to success in life and
ministry is prayer. We forget to tap into the source of all life as
we live out our lives and work out our ministry.
We struggle
to get everything done . . .
to find time . . . more hours in each day . . .
to keep up with successes in other churches
. . .
to try to stay "up" on the
latest innovation . . .
to deal with
conflict . . .
to build
relationships .. .
to disciple believers . . .
to win the lost to Christ . . .
to make ends meet . . .
And the list goes on and on and on and on and on . . . . . . . .
The demands on church musicians today are humanly impossible. They
are not impossible when the touch of our sovereign, divine, God
manages our coming and going. Granted, God can do way beyond what
we ask, hope, or understand. Yet, how much more would be
accomplished for the Kingdom of God if we turned more often to the
Lord and asked in prayer that He would do the work that is so past
our own ability?
Where am I going with all of this?
To the Baptist Church Music Conference!
In recent years, with changes in our convention and with changes in
church music, our Conference has seen some down times. At one point
we barely topped 100 in attendance. Lately, we've been on the
upswing. THAT IS A WONDERFUL THING! Much of that is due to the
great work of Joe Fitzpatrick and a very effective Executive
Council. But we must look to our higher power for the glory that
the upswing brings.
If we are going to continue to grow and be effective in ministry to
church musicians and to Baptist church music we must tap into the
resource of prayer. Much work has gone into the planning of a
program this year that will speak and minister to a variety of
church musicians. No one style will be predominant. We've sought to
build a program that speaks to who we are as Baptist church
musicians, a program that speaks to excellence in church music.
With all this said, I have several challenges for you today. Will
you do your part to grow our fellowship?
1. If you have not registered or made hotel reservations for the
conference, please do so in the next few days. It will help us to
get a clear picture of registration count and the extra funds will
help too!!
2. Would you e-mail friends, family, and friends in ministry
encouraging them to be a part of our conference this year? You
are our best marketing hope!!! If you need a copy of the
promotional e-mail that we sent out last fall or of the conference
brochure, let me know and we'll send it to you. TALK IT UP!!!
3. Would you covenant with me to pray for our conference:
-
For the Baptist Church Music Conference as an organization. Pray
that our upward and forward momentum will continue. Pray that the
purposes of our Conference will be realized in all that we do June
5-7.
-
For the artists, performers, etc. Pray that God will use them to
speak a word to folks who attend. Pray that God will use them to
minister to our members. Pray that they will be drawn in to our
group and receive encouragement and ministry themselves.
-
For the members, exhibitors, and guests who attend. Pray that
needs will be met. Pray that they will be challenged.
-
For the staff and members of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Pray
for them as they minister to us in time, energy, and details. Pray
for ministry in their life through members of the Baptist Church
Music Conference.
-
For the staff of the Northwest Marriott. Pray that they will see
the difference that Christ can make in lives lived out by those
who have been redeemed. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel
with each of them. Pray for the Spirit to begin, even now,
preparing their hearts to hear the Gospel
-
For the folks at Pinelake Music. Thank God for them and pray that
God will use them in exposing us to new materials for ministry.
-
For our Conference meeting in June. Pray that it will be all God
intends for it to be. Ask God to send us attendees, both old and
new members. It is through the gathered people that we receive
the most nurture.
We can each do our own part, but it is God who will grow us
musically, spiritually, and in knowledge into all that we can be as
a Conference and even more importantly, as a body of ministers
through music. Let's covenant to pray for our Conference and for one
another.
Directions to
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, Georgia 30068
From I-75:
Exit Delk Road going east. Travel straight ahead approximately 6.2
miles. The road changes names from Delk to Terrell Mill, then to
Lower Roswell. At the major intersection of Lower Roswell Road and
Johnson Ferry Road, turn left. The church will be approximately .5
miles on your left.
From I-285:
Exit Riverside Drive (located between GA 400 and I-75 going north).
At the major intersection of Riverside Drive and Johnson Ferry Road,
turn left. The church will approximately be 2 miles on your left.
Planned Program for Atlanta
June 5-7, 2005
SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2005
3:00 p Registration Opens – Atlanta Marriott Northwest
6:00 p Buses Depart from Hotel
Tonight’s Sessions at Mount Vernon Baptist Church
6:25 p Prelude – Andy Swanner, Jackson, MS
6:30 p Welcome
Hymn – “How Can I Keep From Singing”
6:40 p Rodrigo Rodriguez, Guitarist, Miami, FL
7:45 p Chris and Diane Machen, Vocal Artists, Plano, TX
8:45 p Reception
Buses Return to Hotel
MONDAY, June 6, 2005
All Remaining Sessions at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
8:25 a Preparation for Worship – David Carnes
8:30 a Worship – Rick Muchow, Saddleback Church
9:15 a Drama – Mark James, Birmingham, AL
9:25 a The Master’s Singers, (TX)
Lloyd Hawthorne, Director
10:10 a Exhibit Break
11:00 a Chuck Sullivan
11:30 a Medallion Ringers, Christine Anderson, Director
12:00 p. Lunch (Included in Registration Fee)
12:55 p Preparation for Worship – David Carnes
1:00 p Drama – Mark James
1:10 p New Vision, Charleston Southern University,
Jim Duvall, Director
1:40 p Tom Hazelton, Organ
2:25 p Reading Session
2:55 p Exhibit Break
3:45 p Breakout Sessions
Rick Muchow – Worship
Mark James – Drama
Christine Anderson – Medallion Ringers
Andy Swanner/Becky Lombard – Keyboard
Eric Nelson – Conducting
Gary Hallquist – Instrumental
Joe & Amy Crider - Missions
Pamela Vanderwalker, Children
4:45 p Breakout Sessions Repeated
5:45 p
Dinner (Included in Registration Fee)
Entertainment: Tom Hazelton, Silent Movies
6:40
p Preparation for Worship – Andy Swanner
6:45
p Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Music Ministry
Mark Cottingham, Host Minister of Music
7:45 p
Atlanta Sacred Chorale, Eric Nelson, Director
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
8:25 a Preparation for Worship – Andy Swanner
8:30 a Worship – Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
9:30 a Missionary Moment – Joe & Amy Crider
9:40 a Business Meeting
Presentation of Lifetime Achievement Award
10:00 a Exhibit Break
10:40 a Voices of Mobile, University of Mobile
Roger Breland, Director
11:20 a Seminarians, New Orleans Baptist Seminary
Ken Gabrielse, director
12:05 p Lunch (Included in Registration Fee)
Divisional Meetings
1:15 p Roger Breland – Praise Team Master Class
2:15 p Drama – Mark James
2:25 p Jazz Vespers, Rouxte 66
Gary Hallquist, director
2:55 p Exhibit Break
3:45 p Reading Session
4:30 p Milburn Price - “What I Have Learned” –
Favorite Anthems
5:30 p Presentation of the W. Hines Sims Award
5:45 p Banquet (Included in Registration Fee)
6:40 p Preparation for Worship – Andy Swanner
6:45 p Larry Dalton, Nashville, TN
7:45 p Sons of Jubal and Jubalheirs (GA)
Jon Duncan, Director
And a day of
CHORAL READING SESSIONS
with
Saturday, June 4, 2005,
9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - Cost: $10
Contact
Pine Lake to register:
800-241-3667
or go to
www.pinelakemusic.com
The following people have recently become Life Members of the
Baptist Church Music Conference:
o
Allen Mashburn
o
Tim Logan
o
R. G. Huff
Consider doing this yourself; perhaps your church would like to do
this for you? It’s a great way to show your support for the
organization!
Looking
Toward 2006 in New Orleans …Our 50th Anniversary!
Tom Willoughby,
President-elect
“Heritage and Hope…. Passing the Baton” is the theme for the
2006 Baptist Church Music Conference scheduled for June 4-6, 2006.
New Orleans will be our convention city. First Baptist Church, New
Orleans, and their minister of music, Carlos Icther, will be our
hosts.
The year 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of our
conference. Anniversary celebrations will include recognition of the
men and women who founded our conference, as well as retirees who
shaped our concepts and practices of church music through faithful
service in one of the divisions of the BCMC. A reunion of music
missionaries will be planned as we recognize the contribution that
music missions has played, and continues to play in spreading the
Gospel of Christ throughout the world.
We look back with thanksgiving as we look ahead with hope.
Components of this emphasis will be a meeting of church music
professors from our colleges and seminaries, along with their
students. Youth Choir ministry will be highlighted with the
appearance of the choir from First Baptist Church, Pensacola,
Florida, and their director, Bob Morrison.
Prelude is planned for Saturday, June 3, 2006. Mike Wilkins of
Lifeway Music Service is already at work with plans for this special
event.
Details about registration costs, convention hotel, and specific
conference leaders are forthcoming. Mark your calendars and don’t
miss the New Orleans conference. An outstanding, multi-faceted
program is being planned. The fellowship, inspiration and
encouragement that we all need in our lives will bless you.
I’m Going to
Atlanta This Summer!