When I think of a subject that I feel needs discussing in the church today, music would be pretty far up my list. Apparently it's been around a long time. Jubal  is identified in Gen 4-21 as " The father of all those who handle the harp and flute". The Psalms were mostly songs that David wrote, and that was still quite a few years B.C. I can't think of a single denomination that doesn't have some kind of worship music (OK, the Amish do it acapella) but at least it's music.         I myself have been drafted several times as a worship leader or church pianist. Now by drafted, I don't mean any disrespect for the ministry of worship leading. I just mean I'm bad at it. Some people can make the service go so smooth and keep everthing humming along, I'm just not that coordinated. I feel much more at home writing and arranging songs, it's just the way I'm made.        Which brings me to my main point. If we are so eager to have worship music, what about the other ministries of the church? What about fellowship music, or evangelism music. What's that? It's the type of music, in my case mostly wrote by me, that would be played for a concert evening, or coffehouse. Coffeehouses are my favorite. ( Strange, I really dislike coffee) But the concept is that you set up some tables. People can sit around them, have some refreshments, actually get to know one another, and maybe listen to some music. My wife and I often go to visit and hear other people when I'm not playing.. It's also the ideal sneaky way to get someone into Christian fellowship My brother started  precisely this way!!        Well, how much of a terrible responsibility would this be for a church to take on??                                                                                                         Here's the really cool part. It's extremely low maintenance!! All you need is a couple of people to open the door, set out some refreshments, and maybe introduce the music. All the musicians that I know who do this sort of thing work on a free will offering basis.    Concerts and coffeehouses provide fellowship, evangelism, and make the community aware of a church in a very cost efficient way.         Now here's the weird thing. Not very many chuches do either one on a regular basis. If you don't know where to find musicians. I and several other people I know can help. If you have questians, we could answer them. So think it over OK??????   Jim Rearick                                                      HOME