Tuesday, April 28, 2015

SUPPORTING THE ARTS AT METRON




There is nothing so secular that it cannot be sacred, 
and that is one of the deepest messages of the Incarnation.”

― Madeleine L'Engle


One of the things that I love most about METRON is that we are able to make an investment in young artists who are a part of the Atlanta music scene...of course, every month we give to a different ministry or charity...last month it was Church on the Street...themonth before that it was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital...for May our outreach will be an orphanage in Haiti that feeds and care for children who lost their families in the earthquake...and all of that is important, but I also love that we can make an investment into what is happening in The Arts here in our community...

Not everyone that we have as 'Artist of the Month' is a gospel singer or worship leader or even someone who sings Christian songs...I personally do not believe that there is a gulf between the secular and the sacred, and that all art is spiritual and valid, at least on some level, and originates in the heart of God...

I have loved every person who has performed at METRON since we started...some of them have led worship and ministered what we would call in church "anointed" songs, and others have performed completely secular music, and it's all been awesome...and then someone like Chandra Currelley (our very first Artist of the Month) effortlessly flows between ministry songs and the type of stuff she does professionally...the truth is that it's ALL been outstanding...

But I do have a special affection in my heart for young artists like the ones pictured here who have appeared at METRON over the last several months, who have been able to perform their own stuff, most of which could never be played in a typical church...I'm working on getting the legendary Sammy Blue for June, and I had scheduled the inimitable @Paulette Washington for this coming month, but she had a couple of calendar conflicts, so we're going to reschedule (Paulette has already performed for us, and no one can belt out a gospel tune like her!)

But I'm happy to announce that Marshall Ruffin is returning to METRON for all Sundays in May, and I couldn't be happier about it!

I love that those of you who are a part of what I'm doing now really get it...I founded and pastored a church for 30 years that had the finest worship, worship leaders, choirs, praise teams and bands that you could find anywhere...I'm sure I'm partial, but I honestly believe nobody did it better than CITN did, and that includes everyone who ever walked across that stage...

But my head and my heart are in a very different place now...I have nothing against worship...I have nothing against the "move of the Spirit"...I have nothing against music ministry...and if that's what you're looking for, it's easy to find...Atlanta has some of the best churches in the world, with some of the most amazing music...

But METRON is something different, and if I have to explain it to you, then it's not for you...

But I am very committed to the 'Artist of the Month' concept, including secular artists...

It's all very cool

4 comments:

  1. Chelsea Shag said...

    I miss you guys!! When can I perform again?? :-)

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    Replies
    1. You rock, Chelsea...we just scheduled Marshall for May, but we'll definitely be in touch soon...everyone loved you and has asked when you are returning!

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  2. Patti L Cook said...

    It is incredibly cool...it's a movement to the next level...let the river run and let the dreamers wake the nations!

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