|
| Magellan |
By
|
 |
As I begin 2010, I look back to see how God has
brought me to where I am now. I always enjoy
telling the story of how I initially began produc-
ing electronic worship music. The beginning was
when I obeyed God somewhat begrudgingly and
relocated to Helsinki, Finland for a year. After being
there only two weeks I saw God’s purpose in this
relocation when I was asked to produce a record
for a Christian singing group that wanted to make a
record that sounded like the music they were hear-
ing in the dance clubs of Europe and Scandinavia.
Their intent was to bring their music into the clubs
and reach out in ministry. They subsequently locked
me in a small room where I began my indoctrina-
tion to electronic worship music with a bunch of
keyboards and synthesizers. The album that we
produced eventually helped to launch the Club
DreamLab record label several years later. It was
our first release, entitled fittingly (considering the
intent of the group), Club Revival.
What is electronic worship music (or “worship elec-
tronica” – a phrase by Eric Nordhoff, a partner at
Club DreamLab)? It is any type of worship music
or music for the church that is produced under the
Electronic genre. There are several sub-categories
under the Electronic genre: Trance, Club, House,
Drum and Bass, Ambient, Techno, etc. Beats and
sounds that are primarily generated using electronic
keyboards, synthesizers, and drum machines iden-
tify this genre. Typically there is not a real drummer,
bass player, or acoustic/electric guitarist present at
the creation of these productions.
People are accustomed to having a live a band
on the church stage each Sunday morning to
lead worship singing. Imagine, not too long ago
the thought of a “rock” band leading the singing
at church would have seemed, at the very least,
unnerving and, at the very worst, sacrilegious. I
like to think that electronic music is on the same
path. I mean, what is that guy doing up there turn-
ing all those knobs, and what is with the flashing
lights and the big driving kick drum?! Oh, and on
top of all that, I guess we are supposed to join in
some form of communal dance.
Sometimes I wonder why God chose me to be the
guy crazy enough to be on stage trying to break
in and encourage a new movement in worship
music. I’m not sure I want to swim upstream when
it’s so much easier to go with the flow. Imagine the
confusion at some of the first meetings Eric and I
had with industry folks – trying to explain our vision
of people worshiping God to electronic music. For
sure, we had a lot of explaining to do to try to bridge
the gap and create a confidence that this music was
viable. Well, I guess I just answered my own ques-
tion. I guess I am crazy enough to believe that God
wants to do something new, fresh, and way out of
the box. I believe He wants to do it in your church
and with your youth.
The electronic instruments that are now readily
available are contributing greatly to the popular-
ity and exposure of current electronic music. The
days of having to feel like a mad scientist dealing
with intimidating chord progressions, buttons, and
bulky synthesizers are long gone. Actually, you may
be surprised to learn that most new synthesizers
reside only on your computer, so all you need is
mouse and a MIDI keyboard controller. Who would
have thought ten years ago that every new Mac
computer would now come with a virtual recording
studio on it – a program called GarageBand? These
new technologies are here to stay and will only
encourage more young people to have their hand at
music production in the electronic genre. Let’s not
forget that these young people will need outlets for
their creations. I have seen an incredible increase
in the number of young aspiring DJ’s and electronic
artists doing “remixes” of their favorite worship
songs as well as writing and producing their own
compositions. This is extremely encouraging for the
future of the genre – a future that’s bright!
I’m a big believer in a diversity of expression in the
church. God is honored and worshiped in so many
different ways. He only asks that we worship Him
in spirit and in truth. Jesus didn’t dictate what body
position, time of day, or genre of music should be
employed in worship. He didn’t tell us whether or not
we should stand still, sit, raise our hands, bow our
heads, sing in a choir, or hum quietly. God doesn’t
impose Himself upon us in that way. We are encour-
aged to be sincere in our worship. I love how He
gives us this freedom of expression. And, just as
diverse as all His children are, their expressions of
worship will vary just as much.
One of the greatest thrills for me last year was when
I was spinning an electronic worship music set
at a large Christian festival. I looked out and saw
hundreds of young people dancing and moving in
a celebration of worshipping God – who gave them
the legs, bodies, arms, and freedom to do so. It was
all done with the purest of intentions. This absolutely
brought me full circle in seeing the hand of God in
my life personally. How, through my tentative obedi-
ence, He brought me from a little room in Helsinki
to a big stage in America to lead thousands of His
children in the newest form and expression of wor-
ship on the planet!
We are His creation. He is pleased when we wor-
ship Him with all our hearts, minds, and bodies.
Plus, it’s good exercise. J Hope to see you out on
the dance floor very soon!
In His peace and love,
Magellan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
