Secular Music In God’s House
The Bluegrass Gospel Jams are structured so that musicians and audience are all encouraged to come and participate. The same is true of different levels of musical experience. Beginner musicians, intermediate musicians, and performer quality musicians, are all invited to mingle and socialize together. To become part of the jam, there is no “audition” required. A Bluegrass Gospel Jam can be simply described as a big continual encouragement invitation. We simply share the gospel through the medium of music. When we gather together, something miraculous occurs every time: “Harmony through participation.”
We attract and welcome new believers, fringe believers, and non-believers. It’s a very simple concept, really. We are a welcoming “Outpost Ministry.” Before each Jam, I say a prayer asking that God will send the people (musicians and audience) whom God wants to come. I do the inviting, coordination, and encouraging. God supplies the attendees.
Our foundation principle:
“These are not my Jams. These are God’s Jams.”
Here is the essence of an email I received from one of the performer musicians.
Subject: Jam
Ron, missed you at Princetowne yesterday. It was a good jam, very crowded, I almost left the jam before it started, but ran into Don and Carrie on the way out, whom I had invited at church that morning. Funny how God works sometimes.
The last hour was country music. It reminded me of Newcastle. I have nothing against most country music. I sing it every Wed at the Wharton Senior Center. However, it reminded me of the jam at the Harmony Church. Key word, Church. Secular music doesn’t belong in God’s house. And towards the end some folks ran out of Gospel songs. If you are the leader, would you talk to the Pastor at the Harmony Church to say something about his church being the house of God and this is just a Gospel jam to praise the Lord. I would hate for this to turn out like the jam in Newcastle and Princetowne, which is OK for them, No churches being used there. He may lose a couple of musicians but he will keep a few too. Thank You.
Ron’s Response
Hi Brad,
I appreciate your input on the Jams. We do need a word of explanation here. Since the Princetowne Jam started, it has never been an official “Bluegrass Gospel Jam.” Several years ago, the person organizing the Princetowne Jam actually did not want any connection with the “Bluegrass Gospel Jam.” She wanted it to be separate.
However, when I started going to Princetowne, so I could improve my guitar playing skills, I noticed that the majority of the musicians had originally attended the Gospel Jams. I did get to meet new musicians and invited them to our regular gospel jams. In fact a lot of those new musicians are now regular participants in the gospel jams. I do advertise the Princetowne Jams because I have been asked. You will notice that I don’t advertise them as a “Gospel Jam.”
The Newcastle Jam, also separate from the official Bluegrass Gospel Jam arena, was started up by some “secular folks” who started becoming regular gospel jam participant supporters. In fact, until they were exposed to the gospel jam concept, they played and sang in bars. Their lives have turned around in a now positive and rewarding atmosphere.
I am the leader, originator, and organizer, and head encourager for the “Bluegrass Gospel Jams.”
Contrary to your belief, I believe the Bluegrass Gospel Jams encourage participation from musicians who might never have been to a church before, or they might not even be Christians. My goal is to attract those folks into a welcoming environment and to rub shoulders with practicing Christians. The Bluegrass Gospel Jams are an “Outpost Ministry… with no walls.”
Yes, I do allow country and western songs if those songs get new musicians and spectators to participate and join in. I believe this is an extended part of praising the Lord. So I roll some with each person so that they continue to return and play and sing gospel songs.
The Gospel Jams are not designed to be an internal clique of Christian musicians. In my opinion, we are not performers but volunteer musicians who get to share. We make it easy for someone to get involved with practical everyday Christianity. I love to see unsaved people come in because a musician they know has invited them to come. So… I respectfully disagree with your statement, “Secular music does not belong in God’s house.”
This is the hardest part of the Jams… to convince the musicians, both performer and participants, that this is a good way to invite people into church. I feel the same way towards beginner musicians of all age levels and experience.
As I said, I do appreciate your input. I just needed to clarify for you what my goals and aspirations are for the Bluegrass Gospel Jams. I appreciate your understanding and I appreciate your concern. I enjoy getting feedback. Sometimes the Jam leadership gets very lonely. Maybe some day, we can get together for coffee, if you would like.
Thanks,
Ron
Reply from Brad
Thank you and forgive me for being so narrow minded. You point is well taken and I believe you are right. Exposing all musicians to the Gospel is a good thing, especially when a testimony is given, I don’t know what I was thinking, perhaps being selfish to only want to play Gospel. Thanks for your reply, it was well written and received, Coffee would be great. Brad