Music And DiscipleshipSample

"Musical Conversation"

Recently, a surge in production has emerged in creating reality TV shows that relate to the creative arts. Some examples come to mind, such as the show for fashion buffs called Project Runway. The fascinating thing to watch in each one of these shows is the creative process. The most interesting thing I notice in viewing these programs, amidst all the intriguing dynamics of the creative activity, is that a moment arrives when eventually a judge or expert comes to edit and critique the artist’s work. 

It’s always telling of the judge and of the contestant’s character when this editing conversation begins. How will the person react when critiqued? Confronted? Praised?

This idea of editing and conversation has always been present in music as well. In Cuban music for example, the percussive relationship between certain drums known as the bata, is one of editing, conversation, and mutual support: a conversation with each drummer, with the singer and chorus, with the Orishas, and with Olofi (their idea of God).

Though these T.V. programs and drumming ideas are not direct discipleship tools for those who know and love Christ, there is something that the creative communication process can teach us about our discipleship as we grow to walk with and love the Savior in editing conversation.

It has been said that disciples worship God, serve God, and honor God in both gathering and scattering. It would seem, then, in our living out the truths of God, that conversation should impact both environments. First, in the gathering, disciples are to be shaped and crafted in how the congregation meets. The environment should be dialogical (conversational). God initiates the conversation and teaches us and we respond together.

In the scattering into the world, people are to be edited and called to repentance. God’s word speaks the call, and people’s lives should reflect the interaction.  Disciples taught by God edit their home, their workplace, their entertainment etc. to reflect the artistry, ethics, and enjoyment of God. When out-of-sync with the conversation of God, we should edit and repent, and where our lives are modeling the image and mission of God, we should innovate all the more in order to advance the kingdom. If disciples see everything as an opportunity to repent and create, then truly the tempo of discipleship should produce men and women who are influencing society at all levels.