Category: Kingdom Impact Theater

College, Ministry and Stress

5/9/2019

Research papers, media use, lack of sleep can all add to mental weariness. -- Photo by Victoria Heath on Unsplash

by Michael Edgar Myers, Founding Director

Though not a music major, Cami's passion for choir has been an emotional outlet.

Cami is part of Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries, the Next Generation, though she’s been with us awhile.

Maybe you've seen her greeting people at shows at our hospitality table, or sitting in singing with the ladies’ worship ensemble, Chos3n. She’s also behind the scenes (or out front) photographing our performances, such as those she did for “Freedom Song” promotions.

All of those activities she began as a high school intern. She’s now preparing for her senior year of college, studying psychology and creative writing, wondering how to use them in the "adulting" world to come.

While those disciplines are her major and minor studies, Cami's passion is music.. That passion has brought amazing tranquility -- grace -- to her transitions. Music has been her salve amid 8 A.M. classes, mid-terms, scrambling for transportation to jobs that help her tuition and social responsibilities. Then there’s those sorority things she does – like rush, and parties, and musical competitions – just because, well, hey, she’s in college.

Cami was accepted into the university’s concert choir as a freshman, a rarity; and has since expanded her passion into regional and international tours, on-campus ensembles, opera dalliances, cabaret musicale, and a vocal quartet formed with three girlfriends. Although her school is not a Christian college, it does have Protestant foundations and community church links. The university choir repertoire often includes songs of faith -- such as Negro spirituals and classical compositions based in Biblical scriptures. On occasion, Cami's colleagues have turned to her for further insight into the lyrics.

As with many college students away from home for the first time, things of church life took a back seat once freed from the weekly family obligation of Sunday morning attendance.

College is, among other things, a time for church kids to explore and, as John writes, "test every spirit," as the students interact with peers from other regions, beliefs, faiths. College is a test, as Paul says, to "work out your faith," which in church kids' lexicon is, "make it my own." College is a parental test. It's the first gauge of Old Testament Proverb to "train up a child in the way he should go," while reverting to early parenthood lessons of letting go: "How is my kid going to ride when I take off the training wheels?"

VIDEO INTERLUDE: "God Is a Rock in a Weary Land"

The Search for Self

With two years of college life secured, this year she resumed singing in worship ensembles, both on campus and as an element of an off-campus student ministry leader job she secured.

Through these experiences, Cami has been making personal discoveries known in earlier generations as, “Finding herself.," a journey one of her grandfathers contended could be done less expensively. When a collegiate son was explaining his less-than-zealous academic performance while away at school, Cami's Grampy told him, “Find yourself on your own dime.”

However, the cost of this self-exploration cannot be measured in coinage, but in dollars and sense. It's a reason two of Cami's guides for post-graduation decision ("To College, or not To College?") were her youth pastor and an older cousin who each took off a year and worked before continuing education. The Gap Year, as it's known, is often suggested for talented students who sometimes have so many choices they are overwhelmed and lose focus on why they're going to college.

Cami, however, knew why she was going, and that going right away was to obtain discipline to balance her self-reliance. She also knew she wanted to study psychology. Part was to understand her own independent streaks, but mostly to grasp why she, and so many of her contemporaries going back to middle school, respond as they do, battling a bevy of emotion issues to seemingly mundane matters. Not just to understand why, but do something about it.

That quest has led her to compose a series of essays for her peers and their families with suggestions about how to manage the emotional challenges that affect this phase of their lives. Cami has been posting the essays in social media in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness Month, and we have edited four of them into a compilation called, “A Collegian’s Guide to Mental Health.” We were intrigued by how many "collegiate" scenarios we'd personally experienced in ministry.

#HolySpiritMoments

We have been awed by God’s timing of when these writings came to our attention at Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries in relation recent work we're doing on the topic, and previous information we had.

In the last year, KIT Ministries has been engaged with civic agencies, medical professions, schools and interfaith ministries in our community to see how our work as Christ-following artists may help address growing emotional stress around us.

Hardly a week passes without similar issues coming up in our face-to-face or social media interactions with pastors and leaders of worship

Then, in the process of spring cleaning our offices after Easter, we were stunned by the amount of faith-related teachings on mental health we already had saved over the years: long-lost sermon recordings, notes from Bible studies, business cards from Christian counselors.

Because we do not believe in “coincidence,” we call such collective timing #holyspiritmoments.

While the tips in Cami's four missives are not directly “Christian,” meaning they don’t offer Biblical solutions verbatim, we see scriptural influence behind many. Therefore, we’re making the essays accessible not only to provide a checklist of things to do in the face of mental health matters. We make them accessible to re-emphasize how scripture and its artistic expression should not be overlooked in the spiritual warfare for mind and soul, as well as body, especially among younger generations. For the weapons of our warfare are not of this world.

Early Cami

James Dean withstands parents' bickering in classic "Rebel" scene.

Cami grew up attending and serving in the church. At age 15, she chose to be baptized. At the same time, she and her BFFs dealt with traditional teen-aged angsts of puberty. “Most of my experience is with anxiety and depression,” she writes.

In some ways, these feelings and responses are not terribly different from previous generations of teen-agers since James Dean was the first “Rebel Without a Cause." But James Dean’s duress was not intensified by endless electronic communication, decreased human conversation, relentless scholarship applications, or personal pronoun declarations. James Dean was bullied; he wasn’t cyberbullied.

The angst of teens in our era is chronicled in headlines about suicides, social media bickering, and vengeful violence. It’s reflected in escapist behaviors as drinking, cutting and, most recently, vaping (e-cigarette smoking).

That these were not Cami’s challenges made her moods more confusing. Were her swings natural emotions perhaps inherited or environmental (nature v. nurture)? Were they misunderstood or dismissed (“It’s puberty. You’ll grow out of it.”) But such questions piqued her interest in psychology, desiring to returning to high school as counselor. She hopes to be better equipped to help teens manage the kind of issues she encountered but felt neither herself, her parents, nor her church was skilled enough to articulate at the time.

Ministry Stressors

That her church family had difficulty responding to students’ stress is telling, and not unique. While teens often bend the ears of youth pastors or college-aged interns, the range of issues and number of people can overwhelm young theologians, who are equipped to teach the gospel, yet feel under-equipped to ride such emotional rollercoasters. Student stress plays a role in youth pastor burnout.

At the same time, well-intended ministry leaders and older congregants can add to teen tension. While the power of Scripture and prayer are undeniable in thwarting enemies, in today’s environment of extracurricular scholastic activities, emphasis on serving, memorizing verses and “praying more” may not be received as an antidote, but added obligation.

Indirect behaviors of church personnel such as conflict between leaders (especially worship ministries), overheard comments about members (clue: bathroom stalls are not cones of silence), and judgmental social media “sass” on Christian group pages or individual pages (how much complaining is on your threads?) create confusion among individuals looking to churches for grace, mercy and guidance.

Nevertheless, healthy participation in ministry is a strong foundation for combating societal stress.

Raise Up a Child

On a rare Sunday morning when we didn't have to go to a morning Service of Worship, God sent us a message, anyway. Not through a streamed church sermon but through a "prophet" with whom we seldom communicated: a Sunday morning TV news magazine. We watched because we were flipping through the remote in a hotel room in Cami's college town where the KIT Ensemble spent the night after attending her choir concert the night before.

The show was background noise until we heard the reporter's "stay-tuned" tease:

“Religious upbringing linked to better health and well-being during early adulthood.”

The story gave details about a recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health that pointed out the positive influence of worship, prayer and spirituality – whatever the faith – on children’s development. Seeing as how the choir concert included a powerful post-Civil War acapella selection, we considered calling this a #holyspiritualmoment.

And As We Close

Although Cami did not specifically state them, we discovered several biblical themes running through the four essays.

10 Ways to Support Someone in a Rough Mental Spot
12 Ways of Coping on Bad Mental Health Days
17 Mental Health Problem Signs
15 Things to Remember about Mental Health and Mental Illness

Therefore, we framed these practical steps with Biblical examples for non-church readers. It's similar to what Dr. Gary Chapman has done with making “The Five Love Languages” applicable to schools and corporate individuals as well as church folk.

Our hope is that this combination may strengthen a church’s efforts strengthen adolescent mental health and faith scriptural foundation that may be used in Sunday schools, small groups or student ministries. You'll read those connections in the next edition.

Until then, keep too blessed to be stressed.

0 Comments

Music of "Freedom Song"

2/4/2019

0 Comments

All music that tells the story of redemption through Jesus Christ is gospel music. Yet in some circles "gospel music" is confined to a niche -- a certain style of music; a style of music associated with African-Americans.

In that sense, components of "gospel music" are symbolized by two easily identifiable symbols: a choir and robes. These symbols come from a powerful aesthetic in African-American heritage; yet there are dangers in defining gospel music and African-Americans by these two symbols alone.

One danger is that of co-opting the sound of gospel music for other messages. Think, for instance, how often you have heard "gospel music" in a film, television program or commercial, none of which is associated with the gospel of Christ? Enjoyable as the sound may be, the listener must discern the context.

The other danger is underestimating the impact of other styles of music upon liberating Africans in America. That liberation developed as the robed-choirs connected the music of the times with the lyrics from which they were rooted: the Hebrew and New Testament scriptures those that professed good news gospel music of Jesus Christ as He intended -- to link man and God.

Hear "Free Indeed" based on John 8:36.

Exploring that link, and telling the story of how gospel music has developed in the United States is the purpose of "Freedom Song," one of the ensemble plays from the Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries history cycle. The script was created in 2011 as reader's theater presentation in response to a request for a church's African-American History month program. Since then, "Freedom Song" has been presented annually as part of church and corporate commemorations in February. Because of those performances, "Freedom Song" has received subsequent off-season productions - not just during African-American history month. The themes extend beyond just February and beyond the topic of physical slavery in the U.S. The weaving of Scripture, song history and musical genres create a tale of liberation through Christ from an assortment of enslaving circumstances and behaviors.

Over 30 songs from America's colonial slavery to millennial technology bondage are sampled, dramatized and in the program that is staged as an abbreviated one-act or movie-length outreach complete with a post-performance talk-back. In the course of the evening, the audience receives new insight into traditional, beloved gospel music, and is introduced to newer selections that don't have the gospel music sound, but deliver the gospel of Christ message.

Researching the songs that inspired the script provided more insight than performance times allow. Nevertheless, the insights and sounds are too important to NOT share. And so, we compiled most of the songs that inspired the script's creation into a playlist, assembled on our KIT Ministries YouTube Channel, and have written short essays about each song or song sequence. We will post those essays and the songs on these pages and our social media pages in coming days as our commemoration of how Scriptures have shaped African-America.

For starters, we present the entire playlist here along with a brief introduction to the show. By listening to the playlist, you'll find unlikely musical connections between Czechoslovakian classical composer Anton Dvorak and American folk icon Paul Robeson; poet James Weldon Johnson and rappers Doughboy the Midwest Maestro and DJ Kool Rod; Peter, Paul & Mary, and Mavis Staples. You'll also see rare performances by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson and Richie Havens, and provocative movie clips the voice of African-Americans and gospel music in film.

Visit our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages for daily posts on individual songs. Most of the songs will be posted during African-American History Month. However, don't be surprised if posting continues into the days after Feb. 28. Just as African-American history occurs beyond the end of February, the gospel of Christ cannot be contained to just 28 days.

Please consider adding the entire "Freedom Song" playlist to your YouTube channel.

A History of Gospel Music

For those who wish to learn about the genre of "gospel music," we recommend, "Make a Joyful Noise! A Brief History of Gospel Music Ministry in America," available in print or audiobook. The book was written by Kathryn B. Kemp and is narrated by KIT Ministries Founding Director Michael Edgar Myers and award-winning audiobook actor Barbara Ann Martin.

Dr. Kemp gives great detail and colorful anecdotes about how many gospel songs in the U.S. developed through painstaking adaptation and recording from their roots among African Tribes and maintained throughout despite the efforts to disassociate the slaves from those roots on these shores.

Kemp also relates the development of those songs on record, mostly through the efforts of Rev. James Cleveland, founder of the Gospel Music Workshop of America.

LEARN MORE

Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries is a department of Artists in Christian Testimony Intl, a fully registered 501(c)(3) organization since 1973. Please partner with us presenting the gospel by making a donation. Your donation is completely tax-deductible, and you will receive a receipt for all your contributions for tax purposes.

Donate

0 Comments

Carol Story: Anniversary of a Silent Night

12/12/2018

0 Comments

Mahalia Jackson, Queen of Gospel, with classic rendition of "Silent Night."

This carol is one of 61 on the playlist of “Carol Story,” a 10-minute play that tells the story of Christ solely through lyrics of Christmas songs as dialogue. Learn More.

"Silent Night" is the quintessential Christmas song. It's virtually impossible for any artist to record a Christmas album and not have a rendition. In this 200th anniversary of the song's creation, we thought it fun to expand the variety of recordings of the song to show its durability and to underscore the need to not let musicality overshadow the message of the lyrics.

Sis. Vanetta Pinn, who curated our Carol Story YouTube Playlist, included versions by Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber and Boyz II Men for our re-posting consideration. We've linked these videos to give a glimpse of vocal variations, musical arranging and technical production growth through the years.

LEARN MORE: "Silent Night" 200th anniversary observations

We've also included a medley by KIT Ministries co-founder Vikki J. Myers as a sample of how Christmas music can be merged with non-seasonal worship selections to give a sense of how the Christmas message lasts beyond the holidays.

However, for the purposes of our #CarolStory live presentation, the renditions that best reflect the backstory nuances are by Andrea Bocelli and Mahalia Jackson .

In the context of #CarolStory, the 10-minute worship play, “Silent Night" is woven with five other standard carols — “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "O Holy Night,” “Hark! The Herald,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “The Hallelujah Chorus” to establish the atmosphere of fear, awe and respect that the shepherds experienced when the Heavenly Host appeared on “The Night” when Christ was born. (The Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, verses 8-15)

LEARN MORE: "Carol Story" The Script

Bocelli, singing in Italian, brings to mind the European feel of the original German carol written by Franz Gruber. We wonder how Gruber may respond to the variety of arrangements of the song, especially considering the urgent and somewhat controversial circumstances under which he wrote the piece for Christmas Eve 1818.

LEARN MORE: History of "Silent Night"

There's a nostalgic prejudice for Mahalia Jackson's version. It was among the first "church" Christmas songs Michael heard and was a family favorite. His mother, not a singer, would sing along whenever the record (as in vinyl) played , or when the Spirit moved her to burst into song while baking cookies thinking she was alone in the kitchen in the middle of the night.

As with other selections in this piece, the lyrics of "Silent Night" are woven throughout the play to move the story along and work effectively as scene exposition transitioning between scenes.

LEARN MORE: "Carol Story" Live

The Singers

Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli is an Italian singer, songwriter, and record producer. Celin Dion, with whom he recorded "The Prayer," has said that "if God would have a singing voice, he must sound a lot like Andrea Bocelli."

Bocelli has recorded 15 solo studio albums of both pop and classical music, three greatest hits albums, and nine complete operas, selling over 90 million records worldwide. He has had success as a crossover performer, bringing classical music to the top of international pop charts.

He was born with poor eyesight and became completely blind at age 12, following a football accident.
"The Prayer," his duet with Celine Dion for the animated film Quest for Camelot , won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999. -- Source: Wikipedia

LEARN MORE: Andre Bocelli Today

Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson was an American gospel singer. Possessing a powerful contralto voice, she was referred to as "The Queen of Gospel." She became one of the most influential gospel singers in the world and was heralded internationally as a singer and civil rights activist. She was described by entertainer Harry Belafonte as "the single most powerful black woman in the United States". She recorded about 30 albums (mostly for Columbia Records) during her career, and her 45 rpm records included a dozen "golds"—million-sellers.

"I sing God's music because it makes me feel free," Jackson once said about her choice of gospel, adding, "It gives me hope. With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues." -- Source: Wikipedia.

Mahalia Jackson is also one of the individuals whose story is included in the Kingdom Impact Theater production, "Faith, Hope & Love: History-Making Women of Faith," a one-woman performance by Vikki J. Myers

LEARN MORE: Mahalia Jackson Biography

0 Comments

Oh, What a Beautiful...

9/17/2018

0 Comments

Vikki is in the last 30 days of training for her second successive Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7. She is chronicling those last days by reflecting on the music playlist she has compiled to encourage her while she runs which we call Chicago Marathon ( VikkiThon) on our YouTube Channel .

The banks of the Fox River, North Aurora, IL, 5:31 AM, September 16, 2018

It was a Francis Scott Key kind of morning: "Oh, say...by the dawn's early light?"

This particular Sunday was not just another long-distance training day.
They had spent Saturday mapping out the plan for Sunday; a more intricate collaboration than had occurred in previous planning sessions. There's something to be said for Experience being a teacher.

Their phone call was about an hour, going over and again the start time, the drive time, the water stops, the energy shots, the traffic flow.

Distance had its own importance. Vikki had not completed any of her previous double-digit goals. Today's 16-mile run was admirable; however, she was struggling, lamenting that it should be 20. Twenty is the optimum number of miles a marathon runner should run in a training session before race day, and three, the optimum number of weeks that 20 should be run. Twenty miles were what Jules ran on the same day three years ago when she was getting ready for the Chicago Marathon . That same day, Vikki ran her first 26.2-miler. The Fox Valley Marathon. Today was the third anniversary of that sub-five-hour hoof.

Vikki stretches in the open lot at 5:30 AM after a short night.

Preparing to greet Coach Jules (no the car didn't hit the tree).

Flashback...

Jules & Vikki: Marathon Sisters

The Vikki-Jules running partnership began that year, 2015, in the midst of recoiling from personal and professional setbacks. Starting Fox Valley that Sunday was a family triumph, coming as it did at the end of three successive years when Vikki buried her father, her mother and a sister; and lost her job of over a decade. It was on that job that Vikki met Jules, hiring her as a freelance producer for video projects Vikki coordinated at the corporation.

When Vikki was laid off because of budget cuts, Jules -- a passionate marathoner -- returned the employment favor. She hired Vikki as field producer for a documentary Jules was producing on marathon runners. Interviewing the runners as they finished, Vikki resonated with repeated comments about the spiritual nature of running. Coupled with her own Scripture studies and dormant competitive streak, it didn't take much of Jules' prodding (ok, encouragement) , for Vikki to begin training for a half-marathon (13.1 miles). Why stop there, said the Prodding Producer. Run the full monty. Besides, without the 9-to-5, there was plenty of time to train, running along the south bank of the Fox River where the marathon would be held, during the week.

Because his staff position at church had flexible hours, for fun Michael could come for support which generally came in the form of popping up in planned and unexpected places on the course anywhere between downtown St. Charles, IL, and Interstate 88. The route on the shores of the Fox River was awash with artistic parks, fishing posts and running trails. There were also a few wooded areas that seemed to have been considered locations for "Deliverance." These backlots not only tweaked Michael's photo safari instincts, they also tapped his latent caveman protector radar. He saw things, and people, on the trail, Vikki did not. Would not. That's all right, he thought, you just run. I'll watch. Thus, the camera lens through which he viewed his wife in the race surroundings was not just peculiar paparazzism.

Training for Fox Valley was as cathartic as was it was grueling. There was triumph in the midst of losses. Countering the loss of life was the loss of weight. Michael and Vikki each lost over 50 pounds during their marathon dates -- a combination of regular running and Weightwatchers meetings. Race day was a family affair, as all residents of the Myers household and some friends scattered around the course, shouting "hurrahs" and "hosannas!" Hosanna means, "The Lord Saves," which was definitely the case for Vikki the last three miles when -- in marathon lingo -- the runners hit the wall.

Those last three miles toward the finish were Vikki's most grueling.

When the family last saw her at mile 22, Vikki waved. When they saw her again, she was wavering. Running, she wasn't sure if she'd make it to the finish line. Waiting at the line, her posse wavered, too. Michael, knowing she was woefully behind her pace, went "There" -- that place they always so don't go: she's pulled up lame, or is crumpled in the woods. Those prayers he intoned, circled with Vikki and Jules before each training session, were improvised and singular. "Lord, just let her finish," he muttered. The cry was soon answered.

LEARN MORE: Donate to Vikki's run for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

Though she had finished much earlier -- having run her 20 miles in preparation for HER Chicago Marathon in a few weeks -- Jules ran back on to the course a couple of miles. No one is sure if she donned a cape, for there are no phone booths in downtown St. Charles, but when Jules was seen again, she was flying across the finish line again, this time with Vikki in tow (or toe), having run with and encouraging Vikki in word and deed across the finish line. This collective triumph was cemented not only by Vikki finishing, and finishing under five hours, but also by Jules giving the medal she'd received, gift-wrapped, to Michael at their celebration dinner later that night.

It was Jules, knowing the affect of cancer on Vikki's family, as it had touched hers, who introduced Vikki to the face that by running the Chicago Marathon she could raise support for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, as she herself was doing, so that the 26.2 miles had a deeper purpose.

And so, when Jules gives instructions, Michael and Vikki listen.

Vikki crosses the finish line, Fox Valley Marathon 2015, in 4:56 (Photo: CamiMyersPhotography)

Meanwhile, this morning...

The fact that the same race was occurring on the same day as this training run was further complicated by the fact that neither Jules nor Vikki was competing in Fox Valley, but had chosen the same course to train. They had to finish before the bulk of the runners got going on the same course. Thus, Saturday's pow-wow. Jules, the master producer as well as track coach, made a point of texting that the success of their day hinged on being SHARP to their 5:30 AM rendezvous. Any variation could create a logistical logjam, potentially tripping over hordes of runners from the opposite direction; or worse, getting caught up in a swarm and off course. A "Rawhide" without ramrod Clint Eastwood. There could be something worse than encountering actual marathon runners, however.

As Vikki repeatedly reminded Michael throughout training, time didn't just mean the distance run. There was the mindset to be dealt with. Her repetition of the emotional element channeled baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, the poet laureate of malaprops whose observations include., "Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical." On days like this, Yogi was Yoda as orated by James Earl Jones. Or in their case, Jules. In short, tardiness would create a more detrimental mental drain for the Type-A and A-minus women before they got out of their cars.

And so, Saturday Jules followed her text with a three-way phone call. Vikki and Michael had their responsibilities. Vikki running 16. Jules running 11. Michael driving to rendezvous points on the trail, hoping to navigate roads blocked off for the marathon.

Saturday ended at 9:30 for Vikki. Mike pushed the envelope until Sunday, 12:30 AM, to meet a deadline. Church was not on the docket. but early communion with God was. The wakeup call was 4:30. Departure was set for 5:30. Vikki pulled out of the lot at 5:40, in stony simmering spousal silence -- the silent count to ten; enacting James' "be slow to speak" as Michael set his hot coffee cup on the dashboard, to both buckle in and to gauge the temperature, outside inside the car.

They were not LATE, they were just behind, he wanted to say; but didn't. Plus, she'd just gone out herself, to start the car, to drive, because driving gave her the reassurance of control. Seeing as how the day could go, Vikki needed to start the day in control. Besides, it was enough that he was in the car before The Tardiness Window closed. Both were confident the drive wouldn't take as long as it could. Especially since Vikki was already behind the wheel. They'd still be on time, depending on which way they went. It was not a time of debate about directions.

(There was that little thing about whether to take the interstate all the way even though that road without lights took them three miles father south before swinging back north; OR, should they take the take a fast local which was more direct to the destination, and had almost interstate speeds...but how may traffic lights? Michael played Kenny Rogers, knowing when to fold his lips, letting Vikki brainstorm the route on which she felt most comfortable ("in control?"). He only offered verbal assistance when they got off the interstate and he became Scarecrow to Vikki's Dorothy. "Which way do I turn?" she said.

Because they both saw the arrow and spoke at the same time, the relationship was saved.

Suffice to say, they arrived at the appointed time, on time...even a few seconds ahead of Jules, and proceeded into the appointed pre-race routine. Stretch, drive to bathroom, drive to starting location, review Michael's timings and locations , pray and run. All of which happened as scheduled, and at 6 AM, both ladies began their jaunt at the eight-mile mark of the Fox Valley course, a full hour and 10 degrees cooler than when the marathon began at 7 AM when Michael was scheduled to meet Vikki again. Five miles down the road.

Order My Steps

Though not a song by which to run, nor one on the ChicagoMarathon VikkiThon playlist, "Order My Steps" is an essential preparation song. A prayer for packing materials before the race. A prayer for safety and travel during the run.
Written by acclaimed author Glenn Burleigh, the song came to our attention through the live recording by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The selection here is a powerful rendition by the GMWA Women of Worship.
Attend the lyrics.

Order my steps in Your word dear Lord
Lead me, guide me everyday
Send Your anointing, Father I pray;
Order my steps in Your word
Please, order my steps in Your word
--
I want to walk worthy
According to Thy will
Please order my steps Lord
And I'll do Your blessed will
The world is ever changing
But You are still the same;
Please order my steps, Lord I'll praise Your name

The best way to continue is to minimize the narrative and let you see and hear what transpired with a nod to Sgt. Joe Friday. The story you're about to read is true. No names are changed, and Michael maintains his innocence.

NEXT: "Knees on Fire" -- What running on Sunday morning to beat competitive runners actually feels like.

0 Comments

Church Music on The Run

9/11/2018

0 Comments

Vikki is starting the last 30 days of training for her second successive Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 7. She is chronicling those last days by reflecting on the music playlist she has compiled to encourage her while she runs which we call Chicago Marathon ( VikkiThon) on our YouTube Channel .

Sunday was a day of rest. Sort of. An imposed Sabbath. Weekends are when I schedule long training runs in double-digit miles. Saturday was a middle-distance, eight miles, because I needed to prepare for Sunday's long run of 18. The most I'll do before the marathon is 20, and I need to get in four days a week from here out.

It's difficult to say what's harder about running the distances at this point: the distance themselves, or scheduling the day. Both Saturday and Sunday present unique personal problems.

Saturday is the catch-up domestic day -- cleaning, planning the next week's shopping, working with Michael to outline the family budget -- plus fine-tuning business affairs (read: rehearsal) with Kingdom Impact Theater and social media consultations. For good measure, I'll toss in the laundry (you can only run in the same clothes so many days before they start to run you), and my kick-back girlfriend Facetime with our stressed-out college junior.

She's Every Woman

Michael says this schedule, coming at the end of my 9-to-after-5 work week, explains the subliminal reason why my VikkiThon Playlist includes Whitney Houston's classic anthem: "I'm Every Woman." I disagree. I've always loved the song, found Whitney and inspiration in my own music, and, frankly, find myself sad whenever I think about how her life transpired. Of how her talent was misused.

Provided I get in my early morning run on Saturday, the question becomes do I have the energy thereafter to do all of the above afterwards.

So, sometimes, looking at the domestic agenda I consider moving the long run to Sunday. Not my preference. One, if I delay to Sunday, what if it rains? Then the weekend training is a wash (I think that's a latent Michael pun). Second, if it rains or not, running Sunday creates elaborate church plans.

Many of the churches we visit or perform have early services -- in the 9-10 AM hour. To make one that starts at 11 means scheduling the morning so that I finish 12-18 miles with enough time to clean up, change clothes and get me to the church on time without being offensive. I know Jesus says, "Come as you are," but I have a personal problem with fallin' up into church just as I am with three or four hours of perspiration oozing from me. The people might take me "Just As I Am," but I have a problems not imagining sitting next to someone who breaks into "Get the Funk Out My Face" when "Friend of God" is the greet-one another song.

Cleaned or not, sometimes we don't make it to church; and if we do, even having cleaned up after a three-hour tour, a comfortable pew and a silent prayer are clear and present dangers. I pray for a preacher who is not sonorous, I and a prompting from the Holy Spirit, or Michael's elbow, to stay alert.

Music helps, too.

Please pray for Vikki to remain healthy during the final weeks of training. Intercede for healing and comfort as knee and hip ailments recur.

TELL VIKKI YOU'RE PRAYING

Scripture in the Lyrics

Looking over the Vikkithon Playlist, and reviewing previous posts I know I've chosen many songs that are not traditional church songs. The truth is, many are difficult to run to. Most would be cool down and stretch tunes.

At the same time, I adore the traditional church songs -- meaning the ones Michael, Garlan or I grew up hearing, or that were taught to us by the old people at church -- with a new bent. New funk. Or, in the words of one of my favorite gospel rappers, T-Bone, songs with some "stank."

When the "stanky" old school songs come up, I can "have church" no matter what day of the week, or how tired I am during the run or after the run.

The beat and the rhythm, naturally, help...even after the run, like when I recuperated after the 10K Gospel Run in June when blocks of South Shore Beach in Chicago became a Saturday morning concert propelling the runners and walkers on shore and into Lake Michigan.

But, as a songwriter myself, I'm most moved by the words, especially words from Scripture.

Pastor Mike Neal and wife Dee of Glorious Light Church, Chicago; and Pastor Darryl Jenkins and wife LaDawne of Faith Community Church, Itasca, IL, are couple whose churches we visit and with whom Vikki runs, as in Gospel Run (video).

Please pray Vikki reaches her Chicago Marathon goal of $2900 in donations to contribute to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Pray for your resources to donate now.

donate to vikki's st. jude fund

For me, "The best script is Scripture" motto of Kingdom Impact Theater is best applicable to music. What best distinguishes a spiritual song (using Paul's "psalms, hymns and spiritual songs" encouragement is when I can find a direct link between a lyric and Scripture. I am drawn into the theology of a song when sharing a word of Scripture that's used in the song, inspires the song, or is creates something on which to meditate.

When I'm at church in the congregation, or leading musical worship, I often appreciate the access to hymnals that point out specific Bible passages that may be heard or referenced. I've heard many critiques of modern worship music (and some old beloveds) that lament not the style of music, but errant depth of theology in the lyric. I've found it helpful to mention Scripture or even including the Scripture citation on the screen with projected lyrics because it helps counter theological criticism, and also informs new and long-time church goers that God's hand is on the lyrics, not just a gifted human wordsmith.

Strong and Mighty

So, for musical and theological reasons, I am inspired by Eddie James' "Strong and Mighty." I was first introduced to the song by the Bellevue Baptist Church choir, which Garlan directs. I've sung the tune with Bellevue, as part of the choir, and congregation.

I didn't connect that it was based in the King James Version of Psalm 24 and employs verses 4-7 in the lyrics until I saw the video with the words (the idea of music videos with lyrics is wonderful, and corrects lots of misinterpretations). Use them to introduce a song when you can. We'll write about that later.

No matter what the rest of the soundtracks include, or no matter how badly the weekend has gone, old school church music like this have a special place and let's me remember The Lord Is Running with me no matter what day of the week.

Kingdom Impact Theater musical director Garlan Garner in his role leading the choir at Bellevue Baptist Church, Chicago.

0 Comments

Dangerous Prayer No. 20

12/18/2017

0 Comments

As an end-of-the-year study, our worship leader Vikki J. Myers engaged in the devotional "21 Dangerous Prayers," written by Gary Rohrmayer, executive minister of Converge MidAmerica. Several of Vikki's reflections related to her role as worship leader with Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries. Here is one or her reflections as a missionary artist.

Day #20 of #21DangerousPrayers is from Acts 9:10 - Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
---
This morning we're privileged to be engaged in theater ministry at Waukegan Community Church. Each time God gives us an opportunity it is fun, frightening, exhilarating and intense all at the same time. Our scripts are full of scripture in keeping with our motto "The Best script is Scripture. (TM)"

Our music is selected to minister to the heart and we do our best to either choose or create music that is sound in scripture and pleasing to the ear. And we pray both during rehearsal and prior to the ministry performance that we've done as God has asked when He first called us. It is a heavy responsibility.

Bottom line, hearing and obeying the call of God is what Gary Rohrmayer calls a "dangerous proposition." In the story of Ananias, it involved navigating the waters of "Saul's notorious reputation," which from a human perspective seemed to spell out certain peril. For me, it's the "head games" that begin bouncing around as I doubt the strength of my own performance and the ability to entertain. Alas, the actor's nightmare.

But as I bow my head in prayer, taking my crisis of faith to the Lord, He reminds me of my purpose and that his grace is sufficient for me. His power is made perfect in my weaknesses - on and off the platform (2 Corinthians 12:9). And I KNOW, God can be trusted.

And something else grips me, keeps me focused on what God's dangerous proposition is about that far outweighs my anxiety or enemy-spun thoughts of encroaching doubt. I know God can be trusted, because I have a relationship with him through Jesus Christ. For others, I pour over this anecdote, which frames each opportunity:

One cannot trust a God you don't know,
One cannot know a God you don't invite in,
One don't invite in a God you can't see,
One can't see a God you're not introduced to,
One won't be introduced to a God you aren't led to
And one won't be led to God without someone being on mission...
Someone who says "Here I am, Lord" use me.

READ MORE OF VIKKI'S #21DangerousPrayers Reflections

This song by worship leader Ron Kenoly became the theme of our first theater missionary trip to Tijuana, Mexico in 1995. It has new resonance as we move closer to full-time performance missions. We're thankful for this subtitled offering by Bauch Visuales.

Support Our Mission

0 Comments

Big, Big God

7/15/2017

0 Comments

The church we have attended for a quarter century -- where Kingdom Impact Theater Ministries was birthed -- is going through changes. In the last two years there has been a change in the leadership structure, including, in recent months, the pastoral staff on which Mike served for 13 years.

As part of those changes, Mike and Vikki are embarking upon a new season of ministry service apart from their home church. It's a frightening and exhilarating time for both our ministry and that of our church. The transition is reminding us many things about God, and more about our faith IN God through Christ.

In his farewell address to the congregation, Mike expressed new-found trust in Jesus' admonition, "Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34)." Subsequent months gave practicality to these words by creating an urgency to each 24 hours that had become hard to embody in recent years. Indeed, a change in seasons is often The Lord's way of invigorating even the most veteran Christ-follower (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). We must confess, in the Psalm 51 mode, that two great Christian sins are complacency and protectionism. So, God stirs the eagle's nest.

Our church family has been making similar discoveries throughout their search for a new lead pastor. That perspective, noted the elder board chairman leading the search, is more akin to the Old Testament Jesus -- Joshua.

LEARN MORE: Jesus or Yeshua?

Suburbs of the Promised Land

The pastoral search neared its climax in mid-summer. In the midst of a new hope with a new pastor, the Elder Chair reminded the members (that still includes us) of the expectant hope of the children of Israel knock, knock, knocking on the Promised Land's door.

"What has struck me lately," he wrote speaking of Joshua chapter 1, "is that they did not know what we know. As the people stood on the banks of the Jordan (River) looking into the Promised Land all of that was part of an unknown future for them. "

This bolt of insight struck a chord with us as KIT Ministries. So did what followed.

"We, too, as a church are on the banks of a new and promising future," he continued. "The promise of the future is just that -- future and unknown. Like the children of Israel we must also step out in faith that God will go before us and lead us into a bright new day."

Those steps of faith, we have been discovering, are each day. Steps of faith each day as the ensemble of KIT Ministries pursue the grunt tasks before us : knock, knock, knocking on employers' doors; filling out applications; updating resumes; making calls; reviewing our statements of faith; tightening finances; recognizing and facing financial errors; defining and unifying our organizational structure, improving interpersonal communication.

As we have been taking these detailed baby steps in this transitional season, we have been experiencing many promises of Scripture. Experiencing these promises have made the passages we read and the songs we sing more personal. More meaningful. We have been learning anew that the abundant life Jesus promised is not about lots of material "stuff."

LEARN MORE: John 10:1-10

Ministry Pursuits

In the months since Michael's staff position ended, we have seen God's hand moving us to find creative solutions to day-to-day problems, even when that "creative" solution was accepting that the answer to the prayer request was, "No."

Accepting the rejections rather than wallowing in disappointment is a dose of humility. Humility tells us that we're not as ready as we thought; makes us recognize the reality there is more work to do. Such humility is an impetus to, like Paul, "press on toward the goal."

In the months since, we have seen God introduce us to people, training, opportunities and performance possibilities that have been "more than we can ask or imagine."

At the same time, putting these observations together -- the work-to-do and the possibilities -- have left us speechless. This happened at the first ensemble planning meeting of our new ministry calendar year.

For two hours, Garlan, Vikki and Mike penciled in dates for performance possibilities in the next 12 months. We juggled rehearsal schedules with day-job hours. We looked at the nuts-and-bolts of touring, preparing budgets for things like transportation, hotel stays, meals, and honoraria. We reviewed applications to present at conferences and marketing outlines. We mapped out our workshops that need updated handouts, scripts that need rewriting, study guides than must be edited, music that needs remixing. We the sobering bottom-line figures, and reviewed positive responses to our pitch for a 2018 tour.

At the meeting's conclusion, we sat back in their seats and sat in silence the weight of the promise. We rested like an athlete having finished a gym workout, or regular guy after a 30-minute DVD. We rested, trying to catch our collective breath. After several moments, Vikki sighed. All she could say was, "It's big." In such a moment, there is nothing to do by bask in the bigness of God. So, we rested in His rest.

An Ephesian Revelation

Sadly, the longer people follow Christ -- period; or serve Him in the same place -- we can lose sight of His Bigness. As faithful as our attendance can be, as proficiently we can memorize Scripture, as comfortably we bellow our favorite songs Service of Worship, we have to admit that our passion and awe of God can wane. Whatever the reason -- busyness, predictability, fatigue -- there are times we have "forgotten our first love," as Jesus told John to write to the church at Ephesus in the book of Revelation. So, He stirs His nest (Deuteronony 32:1-10).

LEARN MORE: Letter to the Church at Ephesus

Stirring the nest, looking at human realities, also evokes fear. Despite our faith and belief in the numerous times Scriptures tell us to "fear not."Individually, the KIT ensemble knows each of our needs as parents, family leaders, homeowners, employees. We experience concerns about bills, physical ailments; while we intuitively know "tomorrow will worry about itself," we struggle with worrying about tomorrow's provision today. We admit on any given day we are afraid of phone calls or the mailbox or other people. Even Jesus had His Gethsemane moment.

Yet, as we think about the bigness of what rests before us -- the promised land of a theatrical mission field -- we stand back and gaze: awestruck that God has invited little ol' us toward the pursuits ahead; that we are part of something bigger than ourselves; and we are humbled.

We take heart in the words of Joshua, as we prepare to call others -- you -- into the journey before us. We take heart in the reminder of our Elder Chairman, who wrote to our church family -- meaning us:

Courageously, we began the work KIT has to do that will involve others.

Each of us contributed a list of specific prayer desires -- for the ministry, for our families -- that became our new webpage, The Prayer KIT, where will chart our progress as well as our needs.
We outlined basic operational expenses -- what is needed to move forward; what is needed to eliminate the past -- and began steps to underwrite the ministry.
We began reconnecting with Friends of KIT from past performances and preparing invitations for those who wish to become Friends of KIT in days to come.

Between typing and standing up from the keyboard, we're learning the 21st Century meaning of grunt work.

"Some day," our Elder Chair concluded, "we may look back on how far we have come and praise God for the privilege and opportunity to join God on such a great adventure."

We pray you go with us. #AndAmen

0 Comments

College, Ministry and Stress

The Search for Self

#HolySpiritMoments

Early Cami

Ministry Stressors

Raise Up a Child

And As We Close

Music of "Freedom Song"

A History of Gospel Music

Carol Story: Anniversary of a Silent Night

The Singers

Andrea Bocelli

Mahalia Jackson

Oh, What a Beautiful...

Flashback...

Meanwhile, this morning...

Order My Steps

Church Music on The Run

She's Every Woman

Scripture in the Lyrics

Strong and Mighty

Dangerous Prayer No. 20

Big, Big God

The KIT 'n' KABOODLE

Archives

Categories