www.Acappella.org The Acappella Company, Worship Ministry and Life
View Article  Scared of Me?

Over a decade ago, a publication touted a list of the “greatest threats to the church.”  What would you guess would be on that list?  Satan?  Sin?  Apathy?  Shockingly, in that writer’s estimation, the top three threats to the church were (in the following order):

1.  Acappella 

2.  Jeff Walling  

3.  Rubel Shelley

 

Today is Halloween and it seems everyone is trying to scare someone.  After getting into blogging, I started making more of an effort to keep up with discussions taking place within the on-line community.  I came across a posting from a young Christian girl who shared a humorous article entitled, “You know you are a church of Christ if…”  The lengthy list contained 200 items, but number eleven jumped out at me:  “Keith Lancaster doesn’t scare you anymore.” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scared of me?  Why would someone be scared of me?

 

  1. Would it be because Acappella makes sounds like musical instruments?  If anything, the unbelievable demonstration of the human voice as a superior “instrument of music” only highlights the beauty of all-vocal music.  We are champions of a cappella music.
  2. Maybe it’s because I introduce contemporary songs into worship? I enjoyed reading Gary Kirkendall’s blog on this subject.    I love contemporary songs and am dedicated to helping ease the friction of including these songs in traditional settings.  Yes, I have written quite a few songs, many of which are taken directly from Scripture.
  3. Is it because Acappella sings for people outside our “normal fellowship?”  Would they really?  -- Guilty as charged!  If :guilt by association: is a weighty argument, Jesus’ example will have to be re-examined.   
  4. Because we are praying and working toward unity with the Christian Church? The time has come to acknowledge our brothers and commit to a loving, healthy dialogue in order to bridge our fellowship”s”.
  5. Perhaps some people question why I lead traditional songs with the same gusto as contemporary songs and that scares them?  Yes, I love old hymns, four-part harmony and even teach shape notes.  I know THAT scares some people.  

Guilt by association?  There is no one I enjoy hearing preach more than Jeff Walling.  In fact, we’ll get to be with him this week in Monroe, Louisiana.  Jeff has harnessed his talents and focused them on building up the Body of Christ.  I see no reason for anyone to be afraid of him, except if they fear being deeply convicted by the Word he preaches!

 

Rubel Shelley?  Shortly after that article ("greatest threats") was published, I talked with Rubel.  He jokingly said he was upset because he was only “number three” on the misguided writer’s list.  Years ago, I was appalled by how one of our colleges “crucified” him for how he was dedicated to unashamedly re-stating the simple restoration plea of “Christians only, not the only Christians.”  Thanks, Rubel for all you have done and are doing in Jesus' name.

 

 

 

Does my family look afraid of me?    

 

A lot of things scare me.  Thinking about who could potentially be elected (next week) to govern and ascend to influential office scares me!  But Jeff, Rubel and Acappella?  Just the opposite -- Gentle men of God who are representing Jesus and seeking to be humble disciples . . .   so, don’t be scared.

 

I'm Keith Lancaster and I approve this message.

View Article  Alton Howard

Yesterday, Alton Howard went to be with the Lord.  He was known for his hymnal, "Songs of Faith and Praise" widely used in countless churches.  Having founded Howard Publishing and being involved in various ministries (especially at the White's Ferry Road Church in West Monroe, Louisiana), he was known as a champion of singing and worship.

I enjoyed getting to stay in his home and one memory comes to mind . . . It was during one of the editions of his hymnal when they were seeking song submissions.  Being a songwriter and having written a number of songs, I thought I'd submit several of my songs.  I also included ONE of my Dad's songs, "While The Ages Roll On."  I received the answer from Howard Publishing that they picked one song to be in the hymnal of all the songs I submitted - my Dad's song!  Alton always had fun giving me a hard time, saying "If Keith would write a good song, maybe we'd include it too."   

In some ways, Alton reminded me of my Dad.  Now, they are both singing harmony in the heavenly choir.

View Article  Worship Poll: Participation in Singing

This week’s survey has to do with congregational singing.

 

 

We have been discussing what a difference is made in the congegational singing when the participation level is high.  In spite of our best efforts of encouragement, it is not uncommon to see people not involved.

 

The question for this week (thanks to Phil Ware for his assistance) is this: When observing people who are not singing in the worship assembly, what do you think is the most common reason they don't join in?   Pick up to three answers, ranking your top answer as number one and so on.

 

___  They don't know the song (different groups in the church know different songs)

___  They are coerced into attending and don't really want to be there

___  They’re from a background where they don't feel they have to sing to actively participate
___  They want to listen and be blessed while praising God in their hearts
___  They're visitors and are just observing
___  They don't like the song and won't sing
___  They want to rest and enjoy the feel of the event

___  They don't like the sound of their singing voice, and don't want to be a hindrance to people around them.

 

What do you think?

 

View Article  Praise Teams and Worship -- Worship Discussion

Since this week’s Worship Survey did not involve statistics, Jonathan gets a break on commenting this time.  However, tomorrow’s poll will involve calculations of your answers.  Thanks to all of you for taking part!  The more people involved – the bigger picture we’ll see.  I'll try to post a new worship survey every Sunday morning and we'll review the results the following Saturday.

 

Praise Teams may not be for everybody.  I appreciate Andrew’s comments about tailoring everything for each individual congregation’s personality.  It always bothered me when I traveled overseas and found missionaries trying to “Americanize” foreign churches, instead of applying the Gospel’s eternal truth to their unique cultures.  Maybe that was a poor analogy, but the point is this - we should always be sensitive to the best approach for each church and for each type of setting.

 

Julie, I have also found singing to be better with a praise team than without.  And as Corey pointed out, it helps people to learn the parts and provides an overall support.  It is a blessing for the praise teams to go “off site” and minister to the elderly, the sick and also be used in evangelistic settings.

 

Shane, your summary provides a platform for further discussion.  If you will indulge me, I will post some additional articles on the praise team subject in the near future.

 

Yes, there is a difference, as Todd pointed out, in the model of “leading” versus “supporting.”  Again, the setting should dictate what is appropriate.  I have seen situations that called for a more direct “leadership” role, and I have also enjoyed the praise team providing a much needed “supporting” role as well.

 

Amen, Brad!  You are preaching to the, ahem, “choir,” (I mean praise team) when you say that music deserves top priority in our assemblies.  Yes, we found out a long time ago that music will touch some people when preaching and other methods don’t.  Preparing a church for this process is of ultimate importance and can make all the difference in how well it is received.  It was very thoughtful that you were polling visitors as well!  It is great to hear a success story of how "uninspiring singing" was transformed into the opposite through praise team ministry and worship renewal.  I like the idea of establishing a larger singing group and also providing other “venues” for singing ministries, realizing that not everyone is gifted enough to handle the responsibility of being amplified.  It’s too bad that some have perceived praise teams as a tool of evil, when they are probably more afraid of change or of anything outside their comfort zone.  (Here is where I should insert the mistaken prediction that the computer would not be widely used; and, how the early Trademark and Patent Office Director predicted that we would quickly run out of new ideas to register.)

 

Jerome, you shared a beautiful comparison of how most churches have “virtual” praise teams, recognizing there are individuals who are gifted “section leaders,” (although most of them would humbly loathe the idea of being referred to as an influential singer, or as being recognized for adding to the overall beauty of the congregational mix.)  You also made some outstanding points that go along with our “participation” dilemma. How do we convince everyone to be fully engaged, even if they believe they “can’t sing well” or “don’t have a good voice?”  (Actually, this will be part of tomorrow’s Worship Survey.)

 

Rick, you are blessed in that the congregation already went through the “process” before you arrived.  When I began full-time worship ministry, I prayed for a place that was already “there,” but that was not to be.  When the praise team concept was first introduced at our congregation, one leader said, “Take away the praise team and pretty much all our worship disagreements will go away.”  His prediction was totally inaccurate.  I don’t want to go into the resulting, ugly worship war, but it was not fun at all.  (I think we need another topic just to discuss the psychology of transitions and analyze the process.)  Rick, I agree that God can make something special out of our “loaves and fishes,” but I’m also aware of problems that occur when we hand a microphone to someone who has a lot more desire than talent.  Thanks for bringing that up.  (We keep thinking of additional things for future discussions that might be helpful for others who are launching praise team ministries.)

 

Chuck, thanks for challenging us to move beyond our “logic-based faith” and accept the worship revival that is sweeping the Body of Christ.  We should allow the Spirit to shape us and take us where God intends.  Far be it from us to find ourselves becoming the Pharisees who judge others, restrict spiritual growth, and even as Gamaliel warned, find ourselves “fighting against God.”

View Article  Four Seasons

I enjoy the four seasons.  I’m not referring to the singing group.  Actually, I enjoy them too.  But I’m talking about living in beautiful Tennessee.  I have visited many places in the world, but there is nothing like being at home to experience all the seasons.  Fall’s beauty is here. 

 

 

I’m showing my age when I tell you how I remember hearing Frankie Vallie and The Four Seasons on the radio when I was a child in Chicago.  They must have done something outstanding to sell over 100 million records, including “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” and other hits.  One thing I’m still confused about though. . .  How can a guy sing “Walk Like a Man, Talk Like a Man,” when his voice is soaring 1/2 octave higher than most women?

View Article  Acappella Video Shoot

Tuesday Night, Acappella taped the final shots for the music video, "Lord Save Me."  Ryan Smith will be finishing the editing process soon and we'll post it.

Special thanks to Todd Hibbs for taking these photos at the video shoot.  Also, thanks to all the volunteers who came to take part in the taping.  The participation was intense!  May people be brought closer to God through this effort.

Requests for Acappella concerts are coming in from all corners of the globe.  If you'd like to book Acappella for your event, contact Keith Reid.   keith@kareid.com     Office 254-662-0994

View Article  Praise Team Thoughts: Volume Levels

It's sad to see a good idea handled poorly.  I envision the Praise Team Ministry as a “support” to encourage involvement in congregational worship.  You will hear me say repeatedly, the worship minister’s job is to do everything possible to elicit the most participation from the entire congregation.

 

 

It is amazing how much influence the sound engineer has in this process.  In fact, in many circumstances, the decisions made by the sound engineer can ultimately “make or break” the level of participation of the church singing.  Here’s what I mean.  If the volume level of the praise team is extremely loud and much higher than the congregation, people are more prone to simply listen and not to participate.  They tend to become spectators rather than active participants in the “congregational” singing.  If the volume level is appropriate and the blend of the team flows seamlessly with the rest of the congregation, the overall experience is greatly enhanced and participation is contagious.

 

Since I travel quite a bit and deal with many different sound engineers, I have found it to be very important to communicate this concept with the technical team and leaders of the event.  In order to clarify what I’m trying to communicate, I use my hands as visuals.  If the congregation is singing at “9”, I’d like to hear the praise team level mixed at “8”.

 

CONGREGATION:        PRAISE TEAM: 8

 

However, if the congregation is barely singing at a level “3”, and if the praise team is cranked up to a high level “9”, the praise team may quickly become a hindrance to participation and a potential distraction.

 

CONGREGATION: 3        PRAISE TEAM: 9

 

Here’s an interesting application of this principle.  On Wednesday nights at our “Prayer & Praise” at Madison, our starting time is 6:30 P.M.   On any given evening, there may be only 50% to 65% of the ultimate number who arrive “on time” from their work, homes, etc. (No other church has a late problem, do you?)   By 6:45 P.M., we’ll have close to 100% of the people who will be attending that evening.  As you can imagine, the volume level of the congregational singing is much lower (as much as 50%) at 6:30 P.M., than it will be just 15 minutes later when the room is full.

 

Many well-intentioned sound engineers would set the team at a level used the previous week (when the room was full) and forget about it.  Thus the problem comes when the room is half full and the praise team is “blowing them away” in volume.  This unbalanced level discourages the congregation from actively joining the singing and finds them listening instead.

 

On the other hand, when monitored closely and handled wisely, the praise team becomes a supporting factor that seamlessly flows into the worship experience, bringing out the absolute best of the congregation!

 

At Madison, we have visitors commenting on how much they love our congregational singing.  When I mention that we have a praise team (for support, hearing parts, etc.), most often they are surprised.  “Praise Team?  Really?”  The reason they are perplexed is a result of how the volume of the praise team blends seamlessly with the entire church (and the fact that our team is seated.)  I guarantee you that our singing is MUCH better as a result of the praise team, even though most visitors don’t realize we have one.

 

I strongly believe in the praise team ministry concept.  I am saddened to see how the “mishandling” of the volume levels has produced a negative experience for some churches who might otherwise have achieved new heights.

View Article  Mid-Atlantic Fellowship

I am looking forward to joining Dr. Jerry Rushford, professor at Pepperdine University for the Mid-Atlantic Fellowship in Falls Church, Virginia.  This Fellowship has been meeting for almost fifty years in the Washington D.C. area.

 

For more information, see the attached Mid-Atlantic Fellowship flyer.

 

The theme this year is “Hymns That Have Shaped Our Faith.”  Jerry conducts “Hymn Pilgrimage to England and Scotlandtours.  I will be leading the worship for the Mid-Atlantic Fellowship while Jerry presents these intriguing stories and hymn backgrounds.

 

Which is your favorite hymn background?

1 Attachments
View Article  Abba Father

As I was checking out some of my favorite blogs, I saw that Bobby Valentine's Stoned-Campbell Disciple blog had posted this video yesterday.  I have not seen it in awhile and it brought back memories of how Acappella's tour to China had made such an impact on them.

Yes, the Creator of the universe allows us to call Him, "Daddy."

 

Acappella is recording a new video of  "Lord Save Me" that will be posted soon.  I'd love for you to sign up for Acappella's free electronic newsletter (see the right column of my blog.)

View Article  By the Time I Got to Phoenix

It was a strange feeling going back into the former home of the North West Church in Phoenix.  We spent a few months assisting them with launching their praise team ministry before I assumed the worship minister role at Madison.  The North West Church is now meeting in a school building and are planning their future facility.  It is always good to see these wonderful people.

North West and the current occupants of that building, Church For The Nations, co-sponsored the Acappella concert in Phoenix.  The guys get better and better every time I hear them and they blew me away!

While I'm talking about important things, I must urge you to visit Los Compadres near I-17 and Northern Avenue in Phoenix.  Their green chili beef chili rellenos are superb!

I'm a volunteer, self-appointed, marketing evangelist for Los Compadres.  When in Phoenix, add this place to your itinerary.

View Article  Worship Survey -- Praise Teams and Worship

Praise Teams.   They’re popping up everywhere. 

Fasten your seat belts as we delve into this week’s timely and sometimes controversial topic.

 

 

What is the purpose of praise teams?

How can praise teams improve worship? 

How can praise teams impede worship?

Is it more effective to have the team standing with the worship leader or seated with the rest of the congregation?

What is the best way to prepare a congregation for the addition of praise teams?  (What have others learned from going through this process?)

Other comments?

View Article  Poll Results for Four-Part Harmony Congregational Singing
There were a lot of non-"Yes/No" answers to the poll this week.  That's okay, it was generating some very lively discussion!

So all I did this week was deduce the yes's and no's from the comments, and simply tally them up.
-JP

Total number of votes: 19

Yes: 14
No: 5
View Article  Sedona, Arizona

Acappella sang in Sedona, Arizona this week.  Have you ever been there?  The beauty is stunning.

In fact, it is so beautiful, it attracts hordes of visitors who worship the "creation" instead of the Creator.  Yes, its beauty is so unique, it attracts the kooks of the world who worship rocks.  In spite of all the weirdness it attracts, the scenery around Sedona is breath-taking!  Click here to view a photo I took earlier this year that is now in my "Favorites" photo album of a Sedona Cathedral.  You can also go to the photo albums in the right column to view the entire Sedona Photo Album.

Sharon and I flew in to visit with our friends, Matt & Amber Straughn.  Matt has been helping Acappella Ministries with his diverse abilities.  If you enjoy the Acappella.org website, it is thanks to Matt assembling volunteers to put the web site together.  He is coordinating people around the country who want to contribute their talents to the various non-musical necessities that allow Acappella Ministries to operate.  If you'd like to get involved in this effort, contact Matt Straughn (matt.s.straughn@gmail.com). Thanks so much Matt and friends!  

We also got to visit with Carson and Betty Lou Patterson, who hosted the concert in Sedona, where Carson preaches.  We first became aquainted through an Acappella cruise and are very blessed to know such devoted servants of the Lord.  We congratulate them on the recent celebration of their fiftieth anniversary!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Appreciating the Creator behind the creation!

View Article  Radiance Bible Study

We want to provide Bible studies for churches, home groups, youth classes and individual study that serve as a companion to Acappella's latest CD, Radiance.

 

 

Radiance Bible Studies

Lesson One   “To Whom Shall We Go?”:

Opting Out of Limits

:

TO WHOM SHALL WE GO?

Words & Music by Keith Lancaster

©2005 Anthony K. Music ASCAP

 

To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life

Which way shall we go? You are the Way to eternal life

We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God

You are the Way 

You are the Truth 

You are the Life

We trust in You

Scripture Source:  John 6:68-69

 

Scripture is a multi-layered treasure mine of insight and information. To enter and gain access to that mine, we’ll look at the passage on which today’s song is based. 

 

Level One: The Context

“Limits Versus Words of Eternal Life”

Context means the events and details that surround the specific passage we’re studying.  Our context today is the 6th chapter of John. Throughout the lesson, one point will become evident. It is this: When people set or operate on limits, those limits have a source – a mind that is overly-dependent upon its own material environment.  Read aloud John chapter 6. As you read, notice the emphasis that people put on the elements of their physical environment; or what they thought was “possible” or “reasonable.” In their thinking, they set limits, using their own experience, of what couldn’t – or shouldn’t happen.

 

Where did those limits come from? Out of their own experience. Because they’d seen situations in the past that were only “solveable” by natural or “typical” means, they assumed that those were the only ways such situations could be handled. Here’s how we know where those mental limits were for the people in John 6. Scripture says that “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Matthew12:34.) So, let’s look -- What did people say about what they thought was “possible” in each of the following situations:

 

• How to feed thousands of people with little food

• How a human can walk on water

• How someone could get across a lake to the other side

• How can a person be “true bread”

• How is it possible to eat the flesh and drink the blood of Jesus

 

Now that you’ve noted what they said, what does that reveal about their thinking about the power of those “limits” they talked about?  Contrast Jesus’ actions and words in John 6 to the built-in limits of thinking that His listeners demonstrated.  What do verses 60-66 tell you about what happens when someone reaches the limits of what they’re willing to think or to do?  In verses 67-68, how does Peter show that he believes that Jesus’ words go beyond those limits that had caused others to leave?

 

Consider this statement: “His words can help us ‘go beyond’ the mental and physical limits we set.” Would you choose another phrase instead of “go beyond”?  Be honest – do you have “limits” on what you think God can or will do, based on your own experience? Look at each of the bullet point events above. Do you know of any modern-day situations that are similar? Where do you put “limits” on these situations?

 

Level Two: Digging Deeper

The Two Advantages of Words of Eternal Life

 

For the rest of the study of To Whom Shall We Go? Click here.

 

 

Special thanks to Mike Strawn and Latayne Scott for writing these studies for us.

For deeper study, go to Representational Resources.

View Article  Pop Quiz #1

Solfege       Do  Re  Mi  Fa  Sol  La  Ti  Do. 

How many of you speak Solfege?

 

 

Identify these songs:

1.  Sol  Mi  Mi  Re  Mi  Sol  Sol

2.  Mi  Re  Do  Re  Mi  Mi  Mi

3.  Do  Do  Do  Re  Mi  Sol  Mi

 

Click “comments” for the correct answers. 

View Article  Song Leader Revolution

Hearing Voices -

 

Some of you may not know that we secured the domain www.KeithLancaster.com for Hearing Voices, making it easier to remember and find.  Many of you have signed up to receive e-mail notification as articles are posted.  One convenient way to receive e-mail is by going to the bottom of the right column on the blog for a simple way to sign up. Thanks so much for taking time to post comments!  I’m thankful for the stimulating dialogue that is taking place on important topics and  I appreciate being challenged in my thinking.

 

Lest we become too serious on this blog, we will always be looking for humor to share.  I’ll bet you didn’t know that the “Song Leader Revolution” spoof video lifted the songs “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Hold To God’s Unchanging Hand,” and “We Praise Thee O God” from our worship CD entitled Praise Service.   

 

Click the play button to view this video:

 

To sign up for e-mail notifications for Hearing Voices, subscribe here:

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View Article  300 Million

I'm writing this at the EXACT moment the census bureau claims the United States just crossed the 300 million mark in population.  300 million people who need to learn to sing harmony.      (Of course, they need the Good News first!)

There are about 2.5 million members of the non-instrumental Churches of Christ and the independent Christian Churches.  Coming from the same restoration movement, both groups teach baptism for the remission of sins and celebrate communion weekly.                                                                                       

 

Truth has nothing to hide.  Healthy dialogue can be very helpful.  It is troubling to witness universities, preacher-training schools, congregations and individual Christians “boycotting” special events simply because a person from the “other side” has been invited to speak.  Why run from the dialogue?  Here’s another report on the continuing discussion on the unity movement.

 

News – Unity Discussion  

 

The Guitar and the Pitch Pipe

 

Instrumental Music Division?

 

 

View Article  Tea Cup Chihuahuas

First there was Jack.

Now there's Jill.

View Article  Four- Part Harmony Congregational Singing

This topic is close to my heart, but we welcome all opinions.  The first century did not have four-part harmony, yet congregational singing that incorporates this form of music can be very moving and beautiful.  When a large percentage of a church knows this music language, the experience can be amazing. Is four-part harmony required for worshiping God?  I think not.

 

 

The question for this week is:  Do you think the church should teach four-part harmony singing skills to its members?  

 

___  Yes, the church should provide music education

___  No, it's not important enough to be a church priority

 

If yes, why is the practice waning?

. . .  and what are the best ways to go about educating?

View Article  Poll Results for Well-Balanced Worship Ministers
So here come the poll results for this week!  This one was simply averaging the percentages to come up with a composite of everyone's votes.  There were 14 votes altogether.
-JP

1. Spiritual Growth and Development
Average: 50.29%
Most Popular: 40%

2. Musical and Directing Skills
Average: 27.36%
Most Popular: 35%

3. Administrative and Team-Building Skills
Average: 23.79%
Most Popular: 25%
View Article  Misheard Lyrics

This morning, I received an e-mail from my friend, David Creek who wrote,

"We were singing 'I Exalt Thee' the other day and I closed my eyes and was singing the chorus; I couldn't stop smiling.  As we sang, I remembered the words of the Strongs' little granddaughter who once mistook the words for:

'I am salty . . . I am salty . . . I am salty . . .' "

That is hilarious.  What are some of your favoirte misheard lyrics?

View Article  Wedding Bells

It has started.  With four children (three daughers and a son), I knew the day would come.  Allen Brantley took Sharon and me to one of our favorite restaurants.  After enjoying a marinated, rosemary olive oil infused New York strip, he asked for permission to marry Kimberly (“Kim” to most people, but still “Kimberly” to her Dad).

 

 

 

We always prayed that our children would find dedicated Christian mates and God is answering our prayers.  Allen is an outstanding young man from a wonderful family.  We recruited Allen from Oklahoma Christian University because of his wonderful bass voice to join Acappella.  Little did we know we'd be gaining our first son-in-law.

 

Years ago, my friend, Larry Sparks was with us in Saint Petersburg, Russia, when he received a similar call.  Larry was on the other side of the world when he was contacted about his daughter's marriage plans (Norman Zuercher, another outstanding man who was working with Acappella at the time.)  Allen's Dad preaches for the Cross Bridge Church in Birmingham, Alabama and we have been blessed by getting to know his folks.

 

I remember one of Kimberly's first words to speak was "light."  Years later, she informed me that photography is the study of light.  Kimberly sings in Durant and is a professional photographer -- shooting album covers, artist press shots and magazine covers.  Yesterday she was shooting the Martins.  Her work includes magazine covers with Bill Gaither, The Crabb Family, feature articles with Mark Lowry among many others.

 

Does this mean I'm getting old?

View Article  Instrumental Music Division?

100 years ago, the split between Christian Churches and Churches of Christ was officially recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau.  I always heard that the division was over instrumental music.  My question for today is this:

 

How did cultural and sociological issues influence the split?

View Article  Scripture Songs

I received a message this morning that I had to share with you about Acappella's new album, Radiance:

Keith and Acappella,

I am sitting in my office with tears in my eyes listening AGAIN to Radiance.  I am a pastor in Rochester, NY and haven’t listened to Acappella in years (probably close to ten years).  I don’t know why I stopped purchasing your CDs (perhaps because they aren’t mass marketed).  But on a whim a couple of weeks ago, I happened upon your website and purchased RADIANCE.

I am SO blown away.  THANK YOU for:

* Filling the CD with songs that are SO Scripture-based

* Filling the CD with catchy melody lines

* Filling the CD with awesome blends and harmonies

I believe this is the most Scripture-based CD I may have ever purchased (that was enjoyable to listen to).

We are a church with a strong emphasis on teaching the Bible, but we also are sensitive to the culture.  We want to make sure if lost people are turned off, they are turned off for the right things…  Since Eastman School of Music is right here in Rochester, we have several incredible vocalists in our church.  I purchased the book and hope to have some of the guys sing a song or two during my series through the book of Colossians.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you!!  I first came across ACAPPELLA when I was in college (from 1987-1991).  It’s been too long!!

Make sure you “Keep your spiritual fervor… serving the Lord!”

By His Grace and For His Glory,

David Whiting

NorthBaptistChurch

Rochester, NY

 

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