Pastor's Message
December 2009
What Congregations Can Learn From Marching Bands
This past month my world has been plunged into the world of music. It has been particularly plunged into the world of marching bands. I am even wondering if Emmanuel needs to become a marching band in order to grow as a faith community.
On November 6 the Saline High School Marching Band (our daughter plays trombone in the band) hosted the Purdue University Marching Band. The performance of this marching band was simply remarkable. When they had finished their show they invited SHS Marching Band to participate with them in a wild closing experience. (They seldom aroused the crowd to movement when they played Purdue’s fight song. I believe that had something to do with a football game that was going to be played the next day.)
Our family hosted four bass drummers later that evening. We stayed up rather late talking with them and listening to them be young men studying to be engineers and aviators. They even gave us a drum cover used when Purdue beat that nameless university in Ohio. They told of the long, hard hours practicing and playing in the marching band. They did this because they loved to do it. They seldom received any accolades to do what they were doing.
A few weeks later the SHS Marching Band had their MB Banquet. The Band Director pointed something out as he thanked the band members and other volunteers. He noted that SHSMB had done a “job well done” which was not rooted in getting special awards or trophies. There would be no State Championship for them and few of them would receive scholarships in the future. They often had to be at practice and on the field by 6:45 AM in the heat, rain, fog and/or cold. When they were not there in the morning they were doing the same after school. This did not include the hours they put in practicing with their perspective sections. He reminded all of us of that cliché; a job worth doing is worth doing well.
Before the end of the night I believe I understood that there were several reasons things where well done. One of those reasons is the INTENTIONAL sense of communal pride the youth take in participating in the band. They work together for the good of the whole despite their differences and varied gifts. Each person becomes a part of something greater than they could be if they stood alone. (The fact that many of the musicians could stand alone because of their gifts is even more impressive that such gifted individuals join to promote the work of the entire band.)
They also work at developing a sense of community which helps them grow in their communal identity. They form small groups within their sections allowing them to encourage one another and learn their parts before entering into the practice of the larger band. They also intentionally gather together to eat and have fun.
Finally, the leadership of the band is aware that they need to model and live out this intentionality if the band is going to perform well. The attitude and behavior of the band directors, drum majors, and section leaders impact the entire Saline High School Marching Band.
This Thanksgiving and Christmas may be difficult for many people associated with this faith community. What can we learn from a marching band that might help lift up all of us at such times? What kind of intentional actions do we need to take for the building up of the entire body to promote the kingdom of God?
In closing I want to thank you for working to promote the well being of this entire faith community. (All the people of God are invited to play their part in the growing life of this community of faith.) The hours of preparation for the many events and worship services often reflect the love you have for God, for deepening the communal purpose of this community of faith and the world. God’s hope, love, joy and peace be with all of you.
One of Christ’s servants,
Pastor David A. Hendricks - Child of God