Mark Scandrette

Earlier this month I flew to Nashville, Tennessee to help lead a retreat for a group of younger musicians and song-writers, organized by my friend Charlie Peacock, and funded through a foundation. In the 1990’s Charlie was a popular musician and song-writer who has become a successful music producer and author. He and his wife Andi bought an old church, which they converted into a home, retreat center and recording studio. I have admired Charlie and Andi for many years (1) because of Charlie’s music, and (2) because of their commitment to integrating art-making, thoughtful reflection, hospitality and Christian spirituality. So, it’s been quite an honor for me to collaborate with them on several projects over the past few years.

This retreat was designed to encourage and support up-and-coming artists who are people of faith working in mainstream entertainment. Many of these young musicians live in New York, L.A. or Nashville and are part of touring bands, write songs for Sony or EMI or have their music featured in films and television. It was such an interesting group of people to interact with. My role was to help them make connections between their life as artists and disciples of Jesus.

For people called to a life in the arts there are a variety of challenges. Many of these musicians struggle with how to measure success in an industry that has changed so dramatically in the past 10 years. You might put incredible energy into creating good music and touring the country, only to find yourself exhausted and broke in the end.  With success and money there are many temptations to compromise morally or artistically. During the retreat the group had the opportunity to hear from Amy Grant, David Wilcox and Derek Webb—and others who have succeeded as artists and wrestled with how to follow the way of Jesus. My friend Charlie is a wise sage and mentor for many younger artists—and this event was an embodiment of his legacy.

I’m new to posting videos online, this is only my second attempt–an intro. to my SOUL GRAFFITI course through Church Divinity School of the Pacific’s Center for Anglical Learning and Leadership.  I won’t be posting the rest of these publicly, but thought this clip would give a taste of what this online course is about. It is basically an online book club that you can get graduate continuing education credit for. Check out the video here.

I will be speaking in Birmingham the weekend of Oct. 18 & 19th (and will post details as they unfold). I’m flying out a day early to go to my 20 year Hale County high school reunion in Moundville, Alabama. Some of you know that when I was 16 my family moved from Minneapolis to rural Alabama– so I spent my senior year of high school and two years of college in the sweat tea and BBQ belly of the deep south. Its going to be a surreal and fabulous weekend!

On November 2, Preacher A.L. Withee, Big Brother Duke Arnold and Professor A.B. Hawthorne will reunite for a one night only revival at the National Youth Workers Convention in Pittsburgh, PA. Don’t miss the opportunity to see these living legends of the great American revivalist tradition. Their great-grandsons will also be speaking at the convention.

Earlier this week I did a series of lectures for Perspectives in Monterey, Sacramento and Hercules. For this course I teach on the kingdom of God and my lecture is entitled, Living in the Rhythm of God. As some of you know, the invitation to dance is one of my favorite metaphors for how we can participate in the good dreams of our Maker. (see excerpt from SG below)

FAT CHANCE BELLY DANCE
During National Dance Week one April, Lisa and I attended a showcase performance of modern dance companies. One of the featured troupes was curiously named Fat Chance Belly Dance. As the tribal drumming began, more than 40 women emerged from behind a curtain, moving their bodies in rhythm to the music. The women smiled broadly as they clanged hand cymbals and gyrated their bellies in unison to the beat. We were startled by their joy and exuberance and the variety of body shapes and skin colors— black bellies, brown bellies, tattooed bellies, taunt tan bellies, stark white bellies, bellies from fit and skinny to plus size pudgy. All of the women danced with such strength and confidence. Four dancers sashayed to the center of the stage for their solo performance while the other women continued to sway behind them. “These must be the best dancers,” I thought “and the other women are just here for background.” But I was wrong. Eventually every dancer had a chance to perform in the center of the stage. The older and heavier women danced with moxie equal to the young and fit. The women hooted and cheered for each other as each new set of soloists made their debut in the center of the stage. Their dancing was an unfettered celebration of life, with every woman having a place in the pageantry.

Tears came to my eyes and I was surprised by how deeply their performance moved me. Their choreography struck me as a fitting metaphor for the dance of the kingdom of God. People of all shapes and sizes, nations and tribes are invited to enter the greater wholeness of the kingdom of God.

When he spoke, Jesus proclaimed, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” The first people who heard these words most likely interpreted them nationalistically—a new political order was about to be established by God for the sake of Israel. They soon learned that Jesus was announcing the reality of something more universal and more personal—the potential for each of us to live in rhythm again with the genesis- vision of our creator. Jesus was announcing the power and potential for us to dance together in harmony with the divine aria of love.