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running_and_jumping.jpgThinkJump Journal

The blog of Kim Gentes. A place where you will find articles on worship, family, technology, church, music, and art.  We promise nothing. But try to never deliver.

kinda cool!

Our very own ThinkJump Journal was just named the "Best of the Best" in online blogs from Worship Leader Magazine. Got our little patch of niceness from the good folks at WL Mag sitting right here.

Of course, check out the site yourself and find something useful before giving us your approval. But if you dig anything your find around here, be sure to leave a comment (good or negative!). It's your feedback and comments that make our site rich!


Entries by Kim Gentes (120)

Why Should My Modern Church Add a Choir? by Dave Williamson (ThinkJump Journal #50 with Kim Gentes)

In the last 2 years I have met a number of wonderful artists, worship leaders, musicians and various music professionals, living in the Nashville and surrounding area.  One of the most delightful new friends I have made here is a man named Dave Williamson.  Many of you who are familiar with choral music in churches in the last 20 years will recognize Dave's name from his extensive work with a number of companies and projects. I knew of Dave for over 10 years, since the company I co-founded (WorshipMusic.com) sold dozens of different resources in which the liner notes read "Arrangements by Dave Williamson".

This last year, a friend gave me a copy of the newly released book "God's Singers" by Dave Williamson and he encouraged me to read it.  I picked it up and quickly found myself enjoying not only the book, but entering into the world of the writer.  Dave wasn't just a dry writer, expounding to choir experts and enthusiasts.  His warm stories, keen attention to the scriptures and clear passion for worship in the midst of the Body of Christ fills the book.  But his topic is clearly the element of choirs.  As I read, I realized that I wanted to meet Dave and learn more about his journey.  This last week, Dave graciously consented to my request and offered to be videod for a series of questions, the results of which are here below.

If you are an old hand at choirs and the vitality they can stir up in the worship life of a church, this conversation may seem mute to you.  But I would encourage you to consider listening and watching as Dave explores some of the underpinings of both his belief that the choir is God's idea and how he encourages churches without choirs to reconsider their choices.

Especially if you are like me, playing and leading in a "modern" or non-traditional church, you might not have had a church culture that included a choir.  Dave speaks to all of us, but even more profoundly to the young churches who have left choirs behind.

The interview is in three parts, allowing you to watch short segments as you have time.

 

Part 1 - Why Should My Church Add a Choir?

 

Part 2 - How Do I Start a Choir in My Church?

 

Part 3 - An Inspirational Story & How to Contact Dave..

 

I would highly encourage you to consider Dave's great new book, God's Singers.  It is a brilliant and warm invitation to the whole church to embrace the worshiping community group of the choir.

Dave has his book for sale online at the CBD link below:

God's Singers

 

In God's choir with you,

Kim Gentes


NOTE: I have written a full and complete review of the book God's Singers in the book reviews section. You can see the review here.