I am first of all a Christian then Husband, father and Minister. Then comes talents.
From 1972 until 1999 I both served as a Minister of Instrumental Music and as then a side job played professionally.
You can see from my list of gigs that I was busy.
The
Lord has been growing me up at the speed I allow Him, and sometimes I
am a slow learner. Many years were spent placing the trumpet first in
my life, and that is a mistake. My Church suffered, my kids suffered.
My ego was as big as Alaska, and I thought I was God's gift to the
Church Orchestra.
Using simple adversity, God has molded me, and
taught me to boast in nothing but Him. What I do with playing now is
for His Glory and in fact, this web site began as a ministry to church
musicians.
In days to come I want to share my testimonies of His faithfulness here and allow other Christian players to do the same.
I have been so impressed at the number of church trumpet players visiting the site, and also that visit and contribute to TPIN.
There are tough questions we face:
1. To play for pay in church
2. Maintaining a clear testimony while "in the world."
3. Being kind and helpful to amateur players at church.
4. Understanding the different abilities and types of music chosen for worship.
We want to discuss these here.
Thanks - drop me and email and I'll post your thoughts here.
gR |  I am concerned that young players
may be suspect to fall into the same traps
I did in church musicianship.
Here are a few:
1. Playing for the sake of playing alone
2. Feeling as if you are doing the ministry a favor by playing
3. Not learning the words to the songs, because you are so focused on the trumpet parts you don't actually worship in the song.
4. The only reason you go to that church is because they have a good band or orchestra
5. Leaving the service after you do your playing and never hear a sermon.
6. Skip the Sunday School class because you have to warm up.
7. Choosing to play out in the world rather than play for the church special program
8. Not placing the priority for church playing as number one
9. Playing louder than the group so you can hear yourself.
10. Not tuning to the strange organ pitch because it's "wrong"
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