In these days following Katrina, our thoughts and prayers have been with our fellow church musicians representing local church and seminary teaching ministries in New Orleans. Many of you have inquired about tangible ways that the Baptist Church Music Conference members could show support and provide encouragement.

After talking with Dr. Becky Lombard, music professor at NOBTS, earlier in the week, I would suggest the following:

1. Contribute to the Music Student Travel Fund. The seminary is planning to conduct internet classes throughout this school year. The fund would provide assistance for students to travel to meet with their professors a few times during the year. To give to this fund, write a check to NOBTS and designate "Music Student Travel Fund".
Send to:
NOBTS Development Office
862 Columbia Drive
Decatur, GA 30030-4159

2. Gift cards are greatly appreciated.

3. Write a note of encouragement and support to a NOBTS music professor. [Contact information]

I hope you will take this opportunity to show support for our friends and colleagues, as well as future church musicians during this crisis. Your efforts will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Tom Willoughby

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR NOBTS FACULTY

Previous message, written prior to change in conference location:

Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege to serve as your President for 2005-2006. This is a great honor, one that I will take very seriously. The structure of our organization is broad, constantly seeking to represent and minister to all Baptist musicians. This is a challenging task, but one that we will accomplish if we work together. You have elected an outstanding Executive Council with hearts and minds set to accomplish the task. Please pray for us in the coming year. Share your ideas and your concerns with us. Your input is vital to our work together.

The purposes of the Baptist Church Music Conference will be at the forefront of our focus in the coming year.

Service! We are first and foremost a service organization. Our identity as a professional organization for Baptist musicians allows us to serve our membership.

Strengthening! We will seek to offer opportunities for fellowship, and musical and spiritual renewal. This will strengthen us as individual musicians, thereby strengthening the work that God has called us to do.

Influence! We desire to promote a positive influence on music ministry in our churches, college and seminary classrooms, and denominational offices. Let our identity be that of a “Barnabas group"–always providing encouragement in the context of our vocational service as well as to fellow members of BCMC.

I know that I speak for you when I say “thank you” to Becky Lombard for the wonderful work she accomplished as Conference President this past year. Becky worked with diligence and grace to prepare for our recent meeting. The Atlanta conference provided varied worship and concert opportunities, as well as moments of inspiration and reflection. Times of fellowship were numerous, and were genuinely appreciated by conferees.

Fall is just around the corner. New schedules, new opportunities, and new challenges lie ahead. As you plan for 2006, fill in the dates of June 3-6. Music Service of Lifeway Christian Resources will host Prelude on Saturday, June 3, just prior to the beginning of our conference. This music reading session will be immensely valuable and productive for your ministry.

Then, on Sunday afternoon, our conference will begin. The theme for 2006 is “Heritage and Hope…Passing the Baton.” We will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the conference in a grand way. Our theme is based on the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past.” The text of this great hymn will serve as a foundation for our celebration as we give thanks for our heritage and look with excitement to the future. Come to New Orleans and join us for these days of inspiration, fellowship and encouragement. Invite a friend or colleague to join you.

Feel free to contact me at any time. All of my contact information is below and I welcome your thoughts and input concerning our future in ministry together as an organization. May God richly bless your ministry and give you great joy in serving Him.

Tom Willoughby
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 1409
Lawton, OK 73502
580-353-1770 (office)
tomw@fbclawton.org

REFLECTIONS from Past-President, Becky Lombard

It has been such an honor to serve as President of the 2005 Southern Baptist Church Music Conference. A year ago, the task seemed daunting. The Executive Council kept it from being impossible as they effectively and sacrificially. Their service to you and this organization can never by overstated. Take every opportunity to thank them and to pray for them as they lead.

As I reflect on our 2005 meeting I’m overwhelmed by all that transpired. The music was amazing! It often left me breathless! The teaching was inspiring! I learned much to equip me to be a stronger minister and teacher. The fellowship was nurturing! Your touch in the lives of others is irreplaceable. The ministry that happened in Atlanta will continue for months to come!

On the first day of the conference I received a kind note from Ron Owens, a member of our organization who through the years has mentored countless musicians in ministry. It was accompanied by the book, “THEY COULD NOT STOP THE MUSIC.” Ron indicated that he sent it as a token of his appreciation for the conference and because it spoke to the theme of our meeting, “How Can I Keep From Singing.” The book is the story of the life and witness of Georgy Slesarey who was first violinist for the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra in Moscow in 1935 when he was arrested, held as prisoner, and eventually martyred for his witness. I read it during the week of the conference and was so moved by it amidst the music and the fellowship of the week. God is truly greater than any circumstance when He is the one leading and caring for His servant.

Let me encourage you to pray for Tom Willoughby and the Executive Council as they plan and take care of the myriad details of the conference in New Orleans. New Orleans is a wonderful place to visit with your family! Bring them and come be with us. Pray that God will do a mighty work in those days.

Know that my prayer for each of you is that nothing will be able to Keep You from Singing!

Blessings!
Becky

 

I am glad that I took the time to attend the Atlanta Conference.  I thank you and the planners for providing a variety of concerts, workshops and services… My favorite was the Atlanta Sacred Chorale.  I walked away from the concert inspired to continue as a Minister of Music.  I also ordered 8 new anthems for our library from that one concert! Thank you for a job well done.  I look forward to attending next year.

                                                            Glen Adkins
                                                            First Baptist -Greenville, SC

I was extremely pleased with the SBCMC in Atlanta.  It was well-planned and well-executed.  It also was varied and included material for everyone.
Thank you for the great time!  It has been my joy to be a member of this conference for many years.  I will continue to be there as long as possible. It is a true lifeline!

                                                            Ray Burdeshaw
                                                            Alabama Convention

I have chosen this conference as my annual training conference…  I believe I can get more from this conference for my annual planning of my own music program than any other conference anywhere.  Thank you for all you do in planning this conference.

                                                            Paul Boone
                                                            Western Hills Baptist – Oklahoma City

I thoroughly enjoyed the SBC Music Conference; it ministered to me on many levels.  The Saturday reading sessions helped me select most of the anthems my choir will sing this Fall… The concerts were wonderful and the break-out sessions gave me a chance to review and hone my music and ministry skills… It was good to see the conference ministering to others, as well

                                                            Wade Smith
                                                            First Baptist – Greenbrier, TN

Thank you for an excellently planned and implemented conference. I was especially pleased with the variety of groups and musical styles represented because that is who we are as Southern Baptist Musicians.

                                                            Keith Hibbs – Alabama Convention

What was presented each day was uplifting and very outstanding… I would have a difficult time trying to say that there was a part of the program that we could have done without.  The variety was good and surely, any kind of musical need could have found something enjoyable about the program.  I am looking forward to next year for sure.

                                                            David West, St. Louis

This was my first Baptist Church Music Conference and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I could not get over the high quality of all the performers and worship leaders.  I came back with some good ideas but that was not the best part of the conference for me.  I felt encouraged as I experienced the wide variety of ways worship was presented at the conference. 
                                                            Susan M. Poindexter
                                                            Calvary Baptist - Lynchburg, VA 

It is always great to have the opportunity to recharge and enjoy fellowship with fellow music ministers.  The worship times were great… The most memorable point of the conference was hearing the Atlanta Sacred Chorale. 

I am a member of this conference so that I can have an opportunity to refresh my musical skills, discover new ways to do music ministry and fellowship with other music ministers. I want to say thanks for your efforts.

                                                            Greg Brewton
                                                            Southern Seminary

I personally thank the officers for their hard work and dedication toward making this conference "quality"!  For that is exactly what it is… The fellowship with fellow musicians is great!  "Rubbing shoulders" with great arrangers and composers is awesome!  The hospitality of the host church was outstanding! I am glad that I am a member of this organization in that it continues to keep me up-dated and fresh - being able to hear all genres of church music in just three days! Keep up the great work you are doing!!

                                                            Gordon Welch
                                                            First Baptist - Selma, AL

This year's conference "line-up" compelled me to attend and I was NOT disappointed - everyday was a blessing - great conferences, great food, great fellowship and even greater PROGRAMMING - it was Fantastic and really the best BCMC I have ever attended. The wide range of "variety" of music we heard and were exposed too - I think every element of church music today was included... words fail to express what we heard and felt… Thank you, Thank you for this great conference of MUSIC, WORSHIP and PRAISE!

                                                             Jim Van Matre
                                                             Dauphin Way Baptist - Mobile, AL

Thanks for an absolutely phenomenal conference! It was a tremendous smorgasbord of rich worship, fellowship and networking, and a fresh and eclectic mix of concerts.
This was my first BCMC conference.

                                                            Cathy House
                                                            South Carolina Convention

A letter of gratitude:

Dear BCMC Members:

Please permit me to offer my most sincere gratitude for your generous giving to the BCMC Scholarship Program! The $500 was a tremendous assistance to my wife and me as we were able to attend this year’s conference. “How Can I Keep from Singing?”

                                                             Mark T. Burnett
                                                             Southwestern Seminary

Newsletter articles, information and comments should be sent to

R. G. Huff, Editor of the Newsletter

University Baptist Church - 100 S. Columbia St. – Chapel Hill, NC 27514

rg@WorshipRx.com