Some of you who've been keeping up with imagine/Northampton or this blog know one of our missional strategies is to connect with the artistic community in and around Northampton. Jim LaMontagne (a bass player) and I (a drummer) have been talking about playing with musicians in town. I and we have played with a number of Christian musicians in the area, but we really wanted to hang with players who'd not call themselves Jesus-followers.
Well, lo and behold, we are on our way! We've been rehearsing together for about a month, learning the songs and getting used to playing with the other guys. The key players are brothers: Mike and Steve Dubuque. We're geezers and 30+ years older than they, but it works. They are veterans of the scene in the area and have been for a number of years. They play guitar and sing. Mike writes most of the songs, although we heard a new one by Steve the other night. Mike comes to imagine and I've known both him and Steve for awhile.
The experience has been copacetic so far. We get along and the music is coming together. We even have gigs lined up in August and beyond. I haven't played regularly in clubs in decades so it will be both a little weird, and interesting to do so again. We're even playing in Northampton at the Iron Horse, and NYC in the fall!
Our goal is to serve the music with skill in the style appropriate to the songs. We want to comport ourselves in the clubs with professionalism and integrity. We also want to get to know folks and let them get to know us. In the long run, we want to love and serve the people we meet, and maybe be able to share the hope that's in us because of Jesus. Doing the music is a platform for the mission (although very indirectly).
So the adventure begins and I'm excited. At 61, I didn't think I would be in a rock band, but here I am. I haven't been in one since my late 20's. God keeps life interesting. I honestly hope not only will it lead to making good music, but Kingdom relationships will result - the reason I am here in the first place.
I would be woefully remiss if I didn't add I'm profoundly grateful to still be playing, and with passion and intelligence. Playing the instrument at all has always been a joy and a privilege.
Thanks God.
9 comments:
So good to read your blog. It is a wonderful thing when one responds to God's leading in opportunities such as these. It is a great opportunity for ministry. Thanks for being obedient to the call of God on your life.
Great blog post. This missional stuff is quite interesting. Never know where it is going to take you. Glad that God has put this on your heart and Jim's, as well. It certainly a great opprotunity for ministry.
i hear that Mike Dubuque is quite a song-writer, haha
W0w, there's an interesting idea - old guys, planting churches, playing in rock bands... I like it!
If the weather holds. we're playing at a beach in Ct. on Sunday afternoon.
p.s. Be careful, old guys don't like staying up late to load the truck...
I love that you are playing in a rock band, hope to hear you live one day!
I agree with you that responding to God's summons to mission leads to activities none of us imagined we'd be doing. When we go, the adventure opens us to new experiences which deepen our faith and sometimes return us to what we thought we'd left behind.
Being a Jesus-follower is not for the timid or comfortable!
Hah, Mike! He is indeed? You know him?
Hey WhaDif. The experience overall has been interesting and surprisingly fresh. Parts of it are daunting and very stretching. The playing part is fun and promising, especially for mission.
I hear you loud and clear on the staying up late and loading gear stuff. The thrill is way gone on that!
Hey Annonymous. I hope you get to hear us play too. If you do, come up and say hello. Oh yeah, I'm the old guy playing the drums!!!
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