I’m a GarageBand Dad
If you want to minister with our family, get some rest, and bring earplugs.
In my stint as a WriteGroup member of interlínc I’ve had the privilege of working with scores of musicians of integrity, and of introducing their songs to teenagers – music that encourages and strengthens their faith. Staying engaged with the creative edge of the contemporary Christian music scene has become all-consuming.
And that’s my problem. I very easily forget about everyone else.
My own kid jolted me back to reality. He and his buddies perform around the northwest and have a pretty cool thing going on with their friends in the Seattle music scene. He often reminds me that most of his musician friends are out there playing mainstream gigs and mixing it up in the clubs. They’re not playing worship sets or opening for a touring CCM band. My wife and I have made an effort to “stake out” this world and have a few observations for families who want to represent Christ well – outside of church.
Susan and I have noticed a vacuum of Christian influence and involvement among the mainstream and all-age venues in which the vast majority of young musicians play regularly. Christian artists who choose to offer their creativity in the mainstream sense this lack of presence intensely and are hungry for our support. This void, and the wide range of opportunities for involvement, represents an overlooked field for family ministry – the mainstream music community.
We have found that musicians, promoters, and venue hosts are glad to have us hanging around. With the rise of all-age music venues around the northwest, there is a growing need for adult involvement and sponsorship. We love the music and the creativity, but we are there to connect with musicians and their fans – who initially seem amazed by our presence. Often, we are the only people in attendance over thirty-years-old. Being there builds immediate credibility and the opportunity to pursue relationships.
A most challenging step in establishing relationships of influence with musicians is overcoming my own sense of awkwardness and self-awareness. I have learned to simply pray for help, put on a crazy t-shirt, and dive in. Every artist begins a concert with a set list, and I have my own. Typically, I’ve determined whom I want to meet, where they will be hanging out, and I’ve thought through what I’ll say when the awkward first moments show up.
The ways to get involved are endless; provide food, transport gear, bring special drinks for the artists, load and unload gear, tune instruments, take tickets, set up the seating, run the sound, hang around for clean up, sell merch, re-string a guitar that has blown a string mid-show, put up posters, create a myspace or facebook event promo. This all can be done as a family!