Focus of the day: The Gospel and Jazz

[KHADINE BECKFORD]

The Gospel and Jazz Monday April 27, 2009
Categories: Pastoring and Leading
Do you know about Robert Gelinas and his new book Finding the Groove: Composing a Jazz-Shaped Faith ? There are very few books like this one -- in fact, there is none. I really liked this book, and I will return to it over and over as the image shapes my own thinking.

I place this book alongside Kevin Vanhoozer's proposal of doctrine as drama; for Gelinas, Christianity itself is jazz and he is a jazz theologian. Though many may not use his terms, he is in the company of many other jazz theologians.

This book explains Christianity, the ministry, and Christian living through image of jazz -- that is, through syncopation, improvisation, and call-and-response.

Robert Gelinas is known in Denver as the teaching pastor of solid church, Colorado Community Church. I met Robert a few years back, and I was hoping someday to sit down with him for a long spell and get to know his heartbeat. It's in jazz:

Along the way we are introduced to the history of jazz and all kinds of jazz, including major jazz musicians -- John Coltrane -- and "jazz novelists" like Ralph Ellison and to a host of other African Americans who have shaped the soul of African American Christians. And along the way we are introduced to hermeneutics as jazz improvisation (came close to what I call "wiki" stories) and to jazz helping us to understand human paradox and tension. We learn what it is like to be in an "inter"denominational (not "non"denominational) church, and jazz explains it. To finding your voice -- in the big musical picture and doing your own solo in the midst of the community's music.

Surely the most potent chapter in this fine, and well-written book, was the chapter on singing the blues -- and he moves from Billy Holiday to the cross of Christ. Jazz theologians alone see the blues in the cross of Christ and the call to follow him.

[Pastor Trevor Ducreay]

Khadine may God bless you in this endeavor. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[KHADINE BECKFORD]

I found this article, and it made realize that God uses all things to conform the wise! take notes, i had many discussions about gospel and hip hop and i realize that this is a very touchy subject for christians today, I believe in individualism and i know that if God layed on my heart to do something as controversal as this, I know i would have to say Yes, maybe he has!!. Now as we grow in Christ Jesus let our minds grow as well and let all the posibilities come your way. www.lovininc.ning.com join and be blessed! for we have a God kind of love for people and we wish to extend an invitation to see never before videos, and more!

Khadine