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God at Work
If you are struggling to see God at work at your place of work, then, hopefully, this will encourage you.
Earlier this year in June I invited Mark Sunderland and Ben McAvoy to come into the school where I teach and play during the assembly. Being an
Independent
School there is a tradition of singing hymns in assembly, but not much else. I thought a bit of variety would broaden the student’s appreciation of ‘religious music’.
The day before the band came in I taught the songs they were planning to use to all the students and the instant reaction was positive, which was very encouraging. Later in the day, I heard that the whole school – including the primary school on site – would attend the assembly on the following day, which was also great.
Mark, Ben and the band came in on the following day, did their stuff and blew the minds of teachers and students alike! They sang ‘Great is our God’, ‘Faithful One’, ‘Our God is an awesome God’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and a few others. Here is some of the fruit:
- Later that morning during break, several teachers said they thought the band and the music were fantastic; two teachers asked me for CDs, one teacher who was moving on asked for an email address so she would invite the band to her new school and another teacher simply exclaimed, “Jesus rocks!” None of these teachers, as far as I know, would describe themselves as Christians.
- Before lunch on the same day, I taught a group of Year 8 students. They came into class, sat down and then spontaneously burst into song: “Great is our God, sing with me…”
- My Year 10 GCSE group came to class and we had a great discussion about Christian music – it turns out that one student had just started going to church in
York
and the assembly gave her a great opportunity to talk to her friends about her experience and the Christian music she enjoys listening to.
- A group of international students from the school went on a trip on the next day. Whilst in the mini-bus they started singing, ‘Faithful One’. They didn’t understand all the words so asked the teachers what the words and phrases mean. We then had the teachers, who aren’t Christians, explaining Christian worship songs, words and phrases to the students – not a bad evangelism model!
- One year 7 girl who has no or minimal church background told me that she loved the song, ‘Great is our God’ because it made her feel “very emotional” when she sang it.
- Earlier this week, a sixth form student who again has minimal church experience, asked me when we are going to do some decent songs in assembly. She then sang me an example: “Great is our God, sing with me…” At first I thought this was amazing as she had only sung this song twice in her life and the last time was in June this year. However, then I thought maybe she has sung this many times since June, maybe she sings this song regularly?
- Earlier this week I taught the school the old classic (!), ‘Be still and know that I am God’. Later in the same day one of my colleagues told me he couldn’t get the words or the tune out of his head for most of the morning. Do you think God may have been speaking to him?
We are so blessed to sing the worship songs that we do. We love them, God loves them, but when we unleash them on the world, we discover that non-Christians love them too! I am just arranging for the band to come in again – and praying that God develops this work further and raises up a new generation of people who love to worship the God who loves them.
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Tim Farnhill, 06/11/2006 |
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| | | Nigel Tapp | 07/11/2006 19:21 | That is fantastic, any suggestions on how I can approach Henry and Bethany's schools to take up the new worship songs?
| | | | Tim Farnhill | 07/11/2006 21:25 | Hmm..difficult one. It depends largely on the person in charge of music - particular for assemblies. Fortunately for me, that's me! Anyway, here are some suggestions/observations:
I ask the students often for their feedback on songs we use and it's usually helpful (except for the repeated requests for 'If I were a butterfly'!), so the students themselves can apply a bit of pressure by asking for specific songs.
We use 'Hymns ancient and modern' usually - but the newer version does have some modern songs in ('Refiner's Fire is in there for example) so Henry and Bethany could check the book and start making suggestions.
Offering some CDs of more modern material to use when people come in and out of assembly might spark some interest.
The direct approach is to the person in charge though. You never know, they may be grateful for the feedback - I'm sure many teachers struggle to choose appropriate material for corporate singing.
My observation is that even if children don't believe what they're singing (and many don't), they will probably sing if they like the tune and the feel of a song, hence the fantastic feedback concerning 'Great is our God', which has some wonderfully poetic and spiritual lyrics, but also a thumping good tune that people enjoy belting out!
| | | | Kate Newman | 08/11/2006 19:21 | This is so exciting to hear... keep us informed of the next installment
Another way of getting other schools involved is by approaching a member of staff there who you know follows Jesus and asking them to put forward the suggestion of inviting bands in. If you don't know any then approach the R.E co-ordinator and ask them what they think.
Sam's school has just started singing 'Great Big God' in assembly which went down brilliantly so I'm going to go in to the school I teach at, with my Great Big God CD, and approach the Head and music co-ordinators pointing out that as this is happening in another local school, let's do it too.
| | | | Phil Dore (Guest) | 09/11/2006 12:02 | Hi Tim,
Wow! I am working so hard not too over enthuse trying to be 'chilled' and all that, but I am thrilled, bowled over, positively beaming -(within) and so deeply impressed at having discovered this site and learning of the work.. His work! And your testimony! Wow! (Again). Now I have 'expressed' vented my pleasure so…Calm... Music provides a bridge connecting many realms and therefore opportunities both good and bad depending on where they lead. There are extremes and middle territories. There are many Christian’s bands musicians who are pushing pack the boundaries within this ‘middle’ place. I have for many years had a notion that the enemy forces expend a colossal effort in trying to control this territory. A possible consequence is the all too frequent generalised claim that Christian music is ‘cheesy’, a criticism part based on truth, some is! But the sly deception ‘stimulates’ a blanket view to distract or even worse offend most non believers and even a good few who do follow Jesus. Of course it is subjective, but it’s always a difficult battle confronting the ‘non Christians’ criticisms, towards much of what samplings of Christian music filters out. We must also consider that the enemy is working on them to enhance there negative emotions/feelings (two dangerous words).
It is therefore so good to learn of your work (service) proving to be so fruitful. I have a thing about the arts and the corruption thereof… A subject that is too huge to touch on here. However I did ponder that it may be worth considering a strategy to introduce some stuff from the Christian musicians/bands who are established’ their music already ‘known’ and ‘appreciated’, they dare to confront the enemies within this mid zone…called ‘secular’. There could be some surprises there’s a classic reversal of prejudice when the music is measured as ‘cool’ prior to discovering that ‘so and so’ is/are Christians…
If they can be?
Ground to be taken! Bless you Tim. Phil Dore
| | | | David Wallace | 09/11/2006 13:11 | If the school is against explicitly Christian lyrics, I can recommend http://www.fischy.com/ Our kids have loved his songs on emotional intelligence and the underlying values are Christian.
| | | | Tim Farnhill | 09/11/2006 21:18 | Heartily agree with DW's comment re fischy ministries - excellent resource, he will also come into school and do workshops on bullying and other related topics.
| | | | Tim Farnhill | 09/11/2006 21:27 | Thanks Phil for taking the time to write. Church and the arts is a big topic for sure. There is definitely a need for Christians in the music industry who simply earn an honest living writing, performing and recording songs and pieces on any subject they want to. I guess there is another role for Christians who write, perform and record distinctly music on Christian themes - including worship. The more the merrier.
My feeling is that the times are changing - the advent of web based marketing and distribution of music offers an opportunity to Christian musicians to 'get their material out there'.
One aspect we can't get away from, however, is the need for prayer - for musicians, artists, potters, mime artists, actors etc that God will demonstrate His love through all of the arts. I love the desire you have expressed and hope it inspires us all to pray and support Christian artists.
Tim
| | | | Ian Dowling | 11/11/2006 21:37 | I am really excited by the way that the band has affected the atmosphere in your school. My sister's partner teaches in the same school and I know he had a lot of church contact when he was a teenager. It is things like this that can remind people of the things they used to know. We never know the impact of what God is doing but the good thing is that he does.
Christian music in schools had a big impact when I was at school in York and it is exciting that the same impact atill occurs quite a few years later.
Ian
| | | | Shirley Twissell | 24/11/2006 19:20 | This is so brill Tim. Keep up the good work and may the Lord go before you alongside you and behind you to reach all His children.....pupils and staff alike.
Bless you.I look forward to hearing more.....
keep the faith
Shirley
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