After returning from a weekend with 25,000 of my newest and close-est (sometimes too close, if you know what I mean) friends, I feel the need to make a couple statements about the world of a Christian Music Festival...
1. There is a difficult balance when you're trying to drink enough water to remain properly hydrated in the 90+ heat, but when you also don't want to use the porta-potties because they passed the level of disgusting about three hours into the first day.
2. Do atheists go to Christian Music festivals and pass out tracks that say "Are you sure that there REALLY is a place to go when you die?"
3. What makes techno music CHRISTIAN techno music? I heard this weird techno band (I'm not even sure what they were called) and they claimed to play Christian techno, but as with all good techno, there were no words (or even instruments other than computers!). Weird.
4. I met gypsies at the Festival...Real, live gypsies who sing gypsy music and drive around in a van that is fueled by vegetable oil. No joke.
5. Students make me laugh...In the midst of a difficult, stressful week, I was reminded that God has called me to Jessamine County and, more specifically, to Nicholasville UMC even when I don't necessarily feel called to be at Asbury Seminary at this point in my journey.
6. Students make me proud...The kid who "bought a kid!" from the Compassion table with his own $32 per month and couldn't stop talking about Ali the rest of the weekend. He wanted me to wish him happy Father's Day because "I adopted a kid!" The best part is that the guy is a Senior in High School and really was that excited.
7. The Chik-Fil-A cows that wandered through the festival and danced to Toby Mac were scary, although I have a picture of one giving me a hug. Cows were not made to walk on two feet, that's for sure!
8. Toby Mac is old...Looks like an old man. This is, of course, because he was rocking out with DC Talk when I was 13! Still can dance, though I'm not sure his moves warrant as much Jumbotron experience....I am the expert after all!
9. If you've never heard Shane Claiborne or read his book, you should. It really screwed with my students head...In a good way.
10. Should we be discussing solidarity with the poor when we paid a lot of money to get in? Seriously? How many of the bands who pushed for care of the poor do the same? How many just stole it from Bono?
11. With all due respect to Randy, what exactly is Christian metal? Seems like they sing whatever they want ( that I can't understand!) and at the end just say "We want to thank Jesus! Good night!" Does that make them Christian?
12. David Crowder Band puts on a terrific show! They even play a Guitar Hero guitar! They really understood how to maintain a balance between performing and leading worship. If you haven't heard them, you should...Great band!
13. Concerts that start past 11:00 PM are WAY too late at night!
14. It's good to have "Roger moments" with students...Named after my Dad's deep pastoral heart, conflict management, and his ability to express discipline and love at the same time. I'm learning to facilitate "Roger Moments," and I've got a great model! Happy Father's Day, especially to my Dad who is heading to the river for Canoe Camp with his Jr. High students!! May they avoid Roger moments, unless they need 'em!!
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4 comments:
Matt...I can hook you up with some awesome Christ-centered heavy metal. E-mail your address and I'll send you a disk of my favs.
come now was it that stressful :-)
It sounds like it was great time!!!
Your recovery of such an event so close after Annual Conference is a prayer of mine and remember you are not alone.
Shalom!!!
LOVE Claiborne's stuff...he's got it right...and I'd love to get him as our guest speaker at Conference.
SO HAPPY you're heading the delegation...God is good!
Matt - I helped out with Icthus when I was a student there, but we were at the old campgrounds out past the railroad tracks (and only had 17,000 people attending!)
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