Vineyard East Worship

You have just purchased a new guitar or better yet, your grandma gave you her old one and it turns out that it’s a collector’s item and worth two grand. You are dazed and amazed by all that has happened and are wondering what to do with this instrument besides playing it. Here are some tips on how to take care of your guitar and keep it in tip-top shape.

First, guitars are made of wood. (I know, this information is right on the cutting edge.) Because of this feature, the guitar is affected by environmental changes, primarily humidity. The best way to protect against humidity changes is to keep the guitar in its case whenever you are not playing it. I can hear your complaints already, “That’s a pain in the neck.” “I like to look at it.” “I will forget I have it and never play it.”

Second, during the winter months place a small humidifier in the case to keep the guitar from drying out. These can be purchased very inexpensively at a well-equipped guitar shop. The simplest kinds are made of plastic with a small hole in the top and a sponge on the inside. Keep the sponge moist and your guitar will live happily through the winter months.

Third, wipe the neck and strings after each use. The acid and perspiration from your hands will coat the strings and in a matter of weeks they will go dead. The problem then becomes that you get used to this dull, lifeless sound and think your guitar sounds great when it really sounds terrible.

Fourth, keep the finish clean and polished. You know the feeling, the light is glistening off the spruce top, you take a deep breath and smile at the beauty of your instrument, inwardly congratulating yourself on such a fine choice. You tilt your head to the side to see it at another angle and suddenly you see dried fingerprint stains all over the top. You immediately look around to see who could have done this and then sheepishly realize that no one else has ever played your guitar. Buy a high quality guitar polish from your favorite guitar store and give that little wooden beauty a good shine.

We have the fun opportunity ahead to host an Integrity worship conference at the Greater Boston Vineyard, featuring Brian Doerksen, Kathryn Scott, and Paul Baloche. The conference takes place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 29 & 30, culminating in a worship concert featuring these three in tandem with a really deft band. I went to such an event last year, and they’re a complementary trio with a lot of breadth, depth, and spiritual authority. And they’re impressively supported with top quality technology. (The fact that AudioEthics will be taking over our sanctuary, installing their own lights, sound and projection systems means it’s a rare opportunity for behind the scenes training on every level.)

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So time is moving forward, as it tends to do. It’s now 2010 (yikes, whenever I hear Prince’s 1999, I have to pinch myself that already happened over a decade ago!). And while the world around us still loves classic formulas for music, art & expression, it’s also embracing new styles, the young who are experimenting with it, the process by which they’re working out expression and (almost secondarily) the final result.

The iPad DJ video from @ranajune is case in point. Gimmicky? Without question. But allowing access to creative expression to a whole bunch of bored kids (or unemployed or really dedicated older people) in your town? At least in theory.

To what degree are you (worship & creative leaders) harnessing & encouraging that kind of energy into your church communities? I know I’m barely scratching the surface.

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