Day 1 of Alleluia Conference

4 years ago, I decided to go to this conference that Baylor hosts called the Alleluia Conference. I chose it, because I could save my congregation a little money and stay with my parents. Day 1 of 4 years ago, as all the day 1s of each conference, started with worship. Within a few organ notes, I was in tears. I didn't realize how dry I was emotionally, spiritually, musically, until I got there. Every year that I have gone has been a spiritual, emotional and musical renewal for me.

Today was no different. Once again, God had a point that He has been pounding in my head. Do what you're supposed to do. Work hard, put in the time and effort. Don't skimp on doing your best job, as you have in the past. But.....take time to REST. The whole theme of the opening worship was......rest. My question that I want to discuss with folks this week, and try to obtain a good game plan on how to balance my life, family, ministry.....and what does God lead me to starting out? REST. YES!!! That is what I need. I have been running exhausted for the past 6 weeks or so. It's been a struggle to do my daily tasks. Why???? Easy answer. What time have I taken since April to rest? April 12th-14th was the last time I took time away from church, and focused on my family. Why? Because it was Ella's birthday and we went camping.

Then, a music reading session. One of the best things about getting church musicians together is the singing.....and one of the things that this conference does so well is provide opportunities to get hands on music. Then a session that I went to talking about the worship "leader" (musician, director of music, whatever the title) as curator or explorer. What a thought! Involving others.....guess what? ANOTHER point that God has been hammering into my head over the past few weeks. I have been trying to lead all by myself! Guess how far that gets you......yeah, not too far. And I've brought frustration upon myself by my own doing! So, how do I fix it? Simple! Let others be part of the process! Once again, reinforcement to the point! Then in the same session, the discussion came up to where my heart has been led for the past few years. How does the church/church music ministry reach out to those outside the church? YES, I think.....getting excited for some ideas.......answer? "I don't have the answers." Good!!! Me either!!! But I want to figure them out! And guess how best to do that? INVOLVE OTHER PEOPLE!!! Amazing!

Final learning session is about instrumental music. I'm so amazingly blessed to have the majority of the instrumentalists at my church (which is a whole bunch) be in high school and younger! What a great opportunity to encourage them!! But then.....the light bulb goes off. I haven't really been setting them up for success as much as I should! Have I given them enough lead time to prepare? Have I worked with them enough? Have I just thrown them out there by themselves? Wouldn't it be better to have duets, trios, quartets and other ensembles? The best news is that I have the musicians to do this.....so why don't I? Add another thing to the to-do list! But this is something I am extremely excited about, as I truly believe this can be a unique, signature aspect of the Music Ministry of King of Kings!

The day ended with an amazing music reading session. It's the reading session I always get the most excited about. Anthems with orchestration. Brass, strings, oboes, bassoons, percussion, you name it, it was pretty much there. OK, no harmonicas. I'll get to writing a piece. But wow.....words cannot describe the joy in my heart!

Tomorrow starts at 8 AM, so I have to get up bright and early to get my walk in! I am so thankful for this conference, and I ask you to please keep me in prayer as God shows me more and more insights, and I pray that I am able to decipher them and put them into practical use to best serve King of Kings, and be the best musician, husband, father and person that I can be!