#FridayFeature- ERIC SHANLEY
Welcome to Feature Friday! This is the section of our new site where we get to gather around, learn from one another, create together and get to know each other. For the next couple of months, we will be introducing you to a different person in our region who is involved in making worship happen.
Tell us about yourself!
Hi. I'm Eric Shanley. Husband of an amazing wife, Jenny and father of 2 amazing kids (Emmaline, 5 - Elias 2). Jesus saved my life (duh!). I wear many different hats at the moment, but I know that our family is right where God wants us to be right now. Music and songwriting/theory has been a passion of mine for a long time. Big sports fan (all things Boston) and have been a fan of the New England Patriots for a long time, so you can imagine I was losing my mind this past week!
What church do you serve at?
Lakes Region Vineyard Church in Laconia, NH
In what way do you serve the worship team?
I am currently the Worship Pastor at LRVC. I oversee the different rotation of teams we have. Sing / play guitar / taught myself how to play keys- play bass for those who are emerging into leading (which is always exciting!)
Who is a hero in your life?
Someone I look up to in my life is my Pastor (who also happens to be my father in law), Dick Aucoin. This guy has literally given his life so that others can encounter Jesus- both in our own community, and establishing communities of faith in other countries. The wisdom I glean from him on a day to day basis is something I thank God for regularly.
How did you first meet God?
I had grown up with exposure to God (if I can put it that way), but believe I can say that I first truly encountered God in a burning car on the run from the police (not a burning bush unfortunately). Through a series of events, God got my attention in some pretty extreme ways. Ask me sometime- we can chat over coffee or tea!
Do you write songs?
I have been writing songs off and on for a long time- some just for my own personal time, some that we have used in our own congregation. My primary influences for songwriting have been anything from older ones like Paul McCartney & Tom Petty, to current ones like Jon Foreman & John Mark McMillan
What is a worship song that your church is engaging with the most?
One song that's really taking off at LRVC right now is, To Know You by Sam Lane / Casey Corum / Stephen Lampert. I had heard it before, but when our Maine friends at Anchour Studio re-produced it, the arrangement just clicked with me, and I knew it would take off, and it did! Love it when that happens- it has become a regular in our rotation.
What is something that you like to do outside of your Church?
I love to spend time with my family- because honestly, I'm ridiculously busy with work and ministry otherwise! Summers are best because I love going to the beach.
What aspect of worship ministry gives you the most joy?
Seeing people encountering Jesus in ways they haven't before- it never gets old! My desire is that people experience a freedom to worship the Lord when we gather, that they truly do leave that place changed.
What is the best piece of advice or training event you have ever experienced?
Best advice I've ever received: being humble means seeing yourself as God sees you. Sometimes we think being humble means thinking less of ourselves, but in reality- God has uniquely fashioned us in such a way that we offer things to people that others could not. Learning the difference between confidence and arrogance / perfection and excellence, are things that have really helped me along the way in doing what I do.