Shepherd's Heart 10/11/24
Good Shepherd Family,
What went through Michaelangelo’s mind when he finished his last brush stroke while painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? With the paint still wet, did he climb down from the scaffolding and look up and immediately know that this work would be featured in almost every art book ever printed, and that people would still marvel at his skill today?
When George Martin and the Beatles finished that final mix of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ and faded that last epic chord on ‘A Day in the Life,’ did they know they had just created a work of art that would still be analyzed 57 years later for its masterful song-writing, musicianship, production, concept, structure, and execution?
I’m purely speculating, but my guess to the answer of these questions is ‘no.’ I don’t necessarily think that the timelessness of each of these works of creative art was considered at the time of their completion. I tend to think there was a newness, a freshness, and an excitement of taking their art and pushing it beyond its previous bounds by creating something out of nothing.
Here’s the mind-blowing thing to consider, at some point in time, what is now considered ‘classic,’ was brand new.
That means that when Walt Disney and his animators finished the last ink and paint cell on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ they had just completed the first ever feature-length color animated film. A creative animated work of that magnitude had never been done before.
That also means that when Martin Luther penned those final words of his hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” no one had sung that richly deep lyric ‘a Bulwark never failing.’ Yet it’s a line that has helped build faith and trust in our never-failing God centuries after it was freshly penned.
What would’ve happened if those innovators stopped creating because they thought they couldn’t build upon the past? What if their mindset had been that everything had already been written, painted, or constructed?
Throughout the history of the global Church, there has often been a tension between leaning into the past and traditions vs. creating something new. The holy liturgies, hymns, and elements found within worship services have stood the test of time for a reason. They are deep and rich and they help form us into robust Jesus followers. When we recite the words of the Apostles Creed, or speak common words of confession, or lift the lofty melody of “How Great Thou Art,” we’re able to join our voices with the generations before that have spoken and sung those same words. Consider it a continuing echo from Christ-followers that have gone before. I love imagining the current Church standing on the shoulders of the ancient Church to form this unshakably-strong foundation of brothers and sisters in Christ.
But even what is considered one of the oldest, if not the oldest hymn, ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten,’ was brand new at one point in time (granted that was around the first century, but who’s counting?)
So what shall we take from all of this? Well, I suppose it’s that we shall cherish and marvel at all that has come before but still keep striving to create and innovate. When I was in 7th grade, my family started attending the 9:30 am Traditional service at Good Shepherd. I found such beauty in the melodies and words being lifted by the Festival Singer Choir, and the sound of the majestic organ painted such a vivid picture of our majestic God. I loved hearing the united sound of the congregation participating in the call to worship together, and I felt a deep connection with the historical church when the Pastor would serve as the Canter to begin ‘This is the Feast.’ I love traditional expressions of worship.
But I also love it when new creative expressions of worship emerge. All throughout the Psalms we hear the command of God to sing a new song to the Lord (Psalm 96:1). In the mid-90’s, I can remember hearing a new song titled ‘Shout to the Lord’ by Darlene Zschech. The chord structures, the instrumentation, the vocal arrangement, and oh man…those lyrics! The lyrics and instrumentation expressed ancient truths in exciting fresh ways, and not just because it daringly used drums within a house of worship. But even now, that song is coming up on its 30th birthday. It’s considered a classic.
Every day, every moment, there are new songs, new art, and new ways of expressing worship to God being birthed. The words and styles that connected and brought voice to past generations aren’t being replaced, they’re evolving into something new that’ll help reach people who haven’t experienced the Good News yet.
Did you know that that is happening at Good Shepherd in both Traditional and Contemporary spaces? My dear friend and co-worker, Craig Parsons, is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. He is constantly writing new liturgies and new music to edify the Church. And I’ve had the privilege of writing songs with some passionate Jesus-lovers who are also extremely talented! There’s nothing quite like the jolt of creativity that hits when God pours out divine inspiration and a new piece of art is born. We are inspired to create because we worship a Creator God!
Worship expressions might change, song styles might change, building designs might change, and all of that is ok because we worship a God who never changes. He is the same as He’s always been, and always will be (Hebrews 13:8). Take heart, friends.
The story of Good Shepherd has always been one of innovating and leaning into new territory. We’ve seen this at 1310 through the original building project, the growth of our original worship services, the 1999-2000 renovation which added the Activity Center, the creation of the 11:11 service, and the 2009 renovation which added the cafe and Worship Center. People of Good Shepherd, you’ve always embraced the new things God has done.
One thing I appreciate so much about our church is that we offer, and will continue to offer, multiple expressions of worship. Whether you attend the Traditional services or the Contemporary services, we’re united in our worship of the same God. We don’t view different or older or newer expressions of worship as ‘less than’ or ‘a threat,’ or ‘not real worship.’ Instead we honor traditions and also understand that what is brand-new now just might be considered ‘timeless’ in 800 hundred years—give or take a century or two. So we’ll keep creating, keep innovating, and keep leaning into the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit which is blowing so strongly here at Good Shepherd. And may God receive all the honor, glory, and praise!
--Ryan Hammer
Creative Arts Executive Minister
What went through Michaelangelo’s mind when he finished his last brush stroke while painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? With the paint still wet, did he climb down from the scaffolding and look up and immediately know that this work would be featured in almost every art book ever printed, and that people would still marvel at his skill today?
When George Martin and the Beatles finished that final mix of ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ and faded that last epic chord on ‘A Day in the Life,’ did they know they had just created a work of art that would still be analyzed 57 years later for its masterful song-writing, musicianship, production, concept, structure, and execution?
I’m purely speculating, but my guess to the answer of these questions is ‘no.’ I don’t necessarily think that the timelessness of each of these works of creative art was considered at the time of their completion. I tend to think there was a newness, a freshness, and an excitement of taking their art and pushing it beyond its previous bounds by creating something out of nothing.
Here’s the mind-blowing thing to consider, at some point in time, what is now considered ‘classic,’ was brand new.
That means that when Walt Disney and his animators finished the last ink and paint cell on “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ they had just completed the first ever feature-length color animated film. A creative animated work of that magnitude had never been done before.
That also means that when Martin Luther penned those final words of his hymn “A Mighty Fortress,” no one had sung that richly deep lyric ‘a Bulwark never failing.’ Yet it’s a line that has helped build faith and trust in our never-failing God centuries after it was freshly penned.
What would’ve happened if those innovators stopped creating because they thought they couldn’t build upon the past? What if their mindset had been that everything had already been written, painted, or constructed?
Throughout the history of the global Church, there has often been a tension between leaning into the past and traditions vs. creating something new. The holy liturgies, hymns, and elements found within worship services have stood the test of time for a reason. They are deep and rich and they help form us into robust Jesus followers. When we recite the words of the Apostles Creed, or speak common words of confession, or lift the lofty melody of “How Great Thou Art,” we’re able to join our voices with the generations before that have spoken and sung those same words. Consider it a continuing echo from Christ-followers that have gone before. I love imagining the current Church standing on the shoulders of the ancient Church to form this unshakably-strong foundation of brothers and sisters in Christ.
But even what is considered one of the oldest, if not the oldest hymn, ‘Of the Father’s Love Begotten,’ was brand new at one point in time (granted that was around the first century, but who’s counting?)
So what shall we take from all of this? Well, I suppose it’s that we shall cherish and marvel at all that has come before but still keep striving to create and innovate. When I was in 7th grade, my family started attending the 9:30 am Traditional service at Good Shepherd. I found such beauty in the melodies and words being lifted by the Festival Singer Choir, and the sound of the majestic organ painted such a vivid picture of our majestic God. I loved hearing the united sound of the congregation participating in the call to worship together, and I felt a deep connection with the historical church when the Pastor would serve as the Canter to begin ‘This is the Feast.’ I love traditional expressions of worship.
But I also love it when new creative expressions of worship emerge. All throughout the Psalms we hear the command of God to sing a new song to the Lord (Psalm 96:1). In the mid-90’s, I can remember hearing a new song titled ‘Shout to the Lord’ by Darlene Zschech. The chord structures, the instrumentation, the vocal arrangement, and oh man…those lyrics! The lyrics and instrumentation expressed ancient truths in exciting fresh ways, and not just because it daringly used drums within a house of worship. But even now, that song is coming up on its 30th birthday. It’s considered a classic.
Every day, every moment, there are new songs, new art, and new ways of expressing worship to God being birthed. The words and styles that connected and brought voice to past generations aren’t being replaced, they’re evolving into something new that’ll help reach people who haven’t experienced the Good News yet.
Did you know that that is happening at Good Shepherd in both Traditional and Contemporary spaces? My dear friend and co-worker, Craig Parsons, is one of the most creative people I’ve ever met. He is constantly writing new liturgies and new music to edify the Church. And I’ve had the privilege of writing songs with some passionate Jesus-lovers who are also extremely talented! There’s nothing quite like the jolt of creativity that hits when God pours out divine inspiration and a new piece of art is born. We are inspired to create because we worship a Creator God!
Worship expressions might change, song styles might change, building designs might change, and all of that is ok because we worship a God who never changes. He is the same as He’s always been, and always will be (Hebrews 13:8). Take heart, friends.
The story of Good Shepherd has always been one of innovating and leaning into new territory. We’ve seen this at 1310 through the original building project, the growth of our original worship services, the 1999-2000 renovation which added the Activity Center, the creation of the 11:11 service, and the 2009 renovation which added the cafe and Worship Center. People of Good Shepherd, you’ve always embraced the new things God has done.
One thing I appreciate so much about our church is that we offer, and will continue to offer, multiple expressions of worship. Whether you attend the Traditional services or the Contemporary services, we’re united in our worship of the same God. We don’t view different or older or newer expressions of worship as ‘less than’ or ‘a threat,’ or ‘not real worship.’ Instead we honor traditions and also understand that what is brand-new now just might be considered ‘timeless’ in 800 hundred years—give or take a century or two. So we’ll keep creating, keep innovating, and keep leaning into the fresh wind of the Holy Spirit which is blowing so strongly here at Good Shepherd. And may God receive all the honor, glory, and praise!
--Ryan Hammer
Creative Arts Executive Minister