Hello everyone!!!!!!!

How is everyone doing this fine day???? We are all just doing great down south. If ya'll don't mind I would like to share something with ya'll. The church I belong to is a new church. We are only 5 months old. Like a lot of other church's we broke off from a bigger church of a main denomination. Now, please don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem with mainstream denominations, but we decided not to claim one as part of our name.( to many non-biblical policies/procedures) Well, any way, back to where I was. Since we are new, we don't have alot of things, but God has been very faithful in providing everything we need so far. One of the things we were missing was a piano. We have some people that play guitar and they are great, but we are trying to start a praise band. Well, we need some more instuments other than guitars. We were looking for a keyboard, but found a piano. Some one from our church donated a piano. It is old and really needs to be tuned, but none the less it is a piano. Well, this is were I get to my point, some people acted like they didn't want a piano. Some said that old piano's have a twang when they are played, some said that you can't play praise/worship music on a piano, and some just didn't really have a reason. I talked to my Pastor and asked him what he wanted to do. You see, we can get so wrapped up in worrying about the peas and carrots and we tend to forget about the steak. Pianos, sound systems, suit and tie or no suit and tie...it is all just a bunch of peas and carrots. Don't get me wrong, peas and carrots are good and good for you, but it is the steak that makes you grow strong. It is the protein in the steak that gives you energy, keeps you alert, gives you the strength to carry on. I guess my point is, we should keep the main thing the main thing and let the rest worry about it self. Sorry if I got carried away, but God just placed this on my heart to share with ya'll. I guess some one needed to read this other than me. ya'll have a blessed day. Ken p.s. we have the piano

Thanks for sharing Ken! There's a church named New Life Christian Fellowship clsoe to my house and they use a piano and the praise and worship sounds AWESOME??!!! I'm not a member of that church but I have visited 3 times. Praying for the members at your church, Letty P.S. I feel that if you "really" want to praise HIM, you praise HIM with or without a piano! *smile*

Hi Ken, If you have the right piano player, a piano can be a wonderful part of the praise and worship music. The Lord blessed you all with a piano. I say when The Lord gives a gift, it should to be used. Just my opinion. God bless you all Annette

Hi Ken, I am on the worship team at my church, and your post kinda tugged at me a little. You see, for quite a few years, we did not have either a piano, electric piano, or even any kind of a keyboard...or even anyone that knew how to play it. So...we prayed and prayed. Only in the past couple of years have we been blessed with someone to play, and for the last few months, we have had two people occasionally. We do not have a "real piano", but we have an electric that sounds like one. This is no cheesy keyboard. Not that it would matter. We would praise God anyhow... Which brings me to my point...seems like some people at your church are...like you said...focused on the wrong things. They should be THANKFUL to have the piano...especially just starting out. We would have LOVED to have one...but we don't. And...there are plenty of pianos used during worship...Don Moen, John Tesh, etc. Um....it sounds like there needs to be some serious time of prayer to see where the church is going. Just my take on it. You guys need to make a joyful noise. God is not the author of confusion. He has supplied you with a way to worship....Hmmmmm.... I am so glad you shared. It must be frustrating for you. I know I would be... Take care, and God bless,, Stephanie

Hello Ken! Just read your post, and just had to answer!! It really put a smile on my face that is still therel I liked VERY much your use of the peas and carrots picture!! You see, I teach boys and girls in Sunday School, and couldn't help but think what a great lesson I could give based on that!! Do I have your permission?? So far as the piano goes, it makes me wonder about those who objected. Seems as tho Senior citizens would love to have the piano; they would have been raised on it, and appreciate it's versitility, and familiarity.Those brought up on so much praise worship and choruses, instead of hymns would be more likely to say NOT to the piano. Personally, I am a senior, and all the choruses up on the projector screen, and the guitar music almost drive me out of the building!! A matter of taste and upbringing. There is room for both in the proper spirit. Thanks for posting! Kathy B.

Ms Kt B, You can use anything I post if you think it can help someone learn about the Lord. Please, be my guest. Have a great day. Ken

Hi Ken. I loved your peas, carrots, and steak analogy. I also like the opinions everyone shared. Sounds like you all have some bugs to work out at your new church. I'm praying that whatever is decided, that God is in the middle of it all and is in control. God bless you for all you do, and I'm so glad that you post here. You always cut through things so beautifully. In Him, Peg

Hi Ken I read your post and I just have to respond. I really like your peas and carrots analogy. Of course it reminded me of the message our pastor presented prior to a business meeting to consider having two church services--a contemporary and a praise service. He told folks we were going to keep the main thing the main thing despite what music style people prefered. By the way, we have three services now 9:45 am traditional (sanctuary)and praise (gym) and 11:00 am praise (sanctuary). I have gone to both services. Personally, I really like the piano in our praise service and the traditional service. Our praise instruments consist of piano, keyboard, drums, electric guitar, bass guitar, clarinet ****asionally), trumpet, tamborine, bongo drums, another kind of guitar. Of course I am partial to the piano and drums since my son plays the drums and his best friend plays the piano. I will be praying for the music program at your church and the people responsible for it. It is such a big responsibility to lead worship for God's people. Proud mother of a Praise Band drum player, Kathy from MO