http://tastyfresh.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=293&Itemid=31

irony is ironic.

yes... it is.

I think part of the lack of motivation in various Christian music scenes is that it is so many people's second choice.  The Christian x music scene is always percieved as the homely step-sister of the mainstream scene where everybody wants to be, even if they have good reasons for not being there (need to be away from alcohol, etc.). 

Everybody looks up to artists who have crossed over, even if they criticize them for selling out. 

I know a lot of people see it that way, but I don't. I believe that God will use a Christian's music regardless of what scene they are in. Personally, I have no desire to cross over. I'm happy to be known as a DJ for Christ. I just wish those who consider themselves to be a Christian to support others who consider themselves to be a Christian.

Admitedly, this article came from my own frustration of years of trying ideas for networking, promotions, etc and getting very little response. I have come to the conclusion that we don't care about our fellow brothers and sisters efforts unless it is already getting a BIG spotlight from the secular scene. It's just not fair. People who are working hard to get thier music played out or thier events well attended are being ignored because they don't have some coveted name recognition. I'm not saying guys like Shiloh, Andy Hunter, Kubiks, etc don't deserve it. They absolutely do. They have gone the extra mile, put in the effort, "paid the cost" and it is showing now. I'm saying to also give equal attention to the guys who are just starting out. Even if you think thier music/ideas/website needs work, let them know that you are paying attention and you hope to see great things from them.

That's all I am saying.

I know I probably hold an unpopular viewpoint here. I just remember all the times I just felt like giving up because it seemed that nobody cared.

I was nodding my head in somewhat agreement until you said "It's not fair". It's not about being fair!

I guess it depends on what your definition of "support" is. I will gladly support Christian artists (film/music/whatever) if it's good. I will not support them to just support them. But I also won't berate them either.

It also comes down to just people being people. Personally, I'm not good at giving compliments. To anyone. And I don't know why! It's just me. So a lot of times, I might not say anything when in my head I'm thinking "Wow, that's really cool".

I don't know if it's possible to give equal attention to someone, such as myself, and to Andy Hunter. I'd like to think I have something to offer but I can't expect people to get equally excited about my next release and Andy Hunter's current release etc.

It's just not realistic. I realized awhile ago that my creative talents have to make me (and hopefully God) happy first. If people enjoy what I do, in whatever medium, that's great and it will normally give me extra incentive to keep doing it etc. but bottom line, my need to be creative is not beholden to the success that it may or may not bring me.

I'm not saying that I've never been frustrated, trust me, I've gone through what you're feeling. But once I realized that I'd rather be happy than successful (on a grand scale), it was pretty liberating. And personally, by realizing that about myself, it's allowed me to be even more creative and more open to things.

I think part of the ho-hum attitude is to make up for the CCM/church expectation that we should enthusiastically support this or that because it is "ours" by virtue of having the word "Christian" attached to it.  When I started going to church in 1986 I was given a lot of really bad Christian rock tapes by well meaning people who wanted to get me onto a more wholesome musical diet.  They genuinely liked it because they liked the message and liked that the music was "thiers" and not The World's.

I know others have had this experience and seen that phenomenon.  Those of us who have tasted the real thing and really care about music, in and of itself, need to make sure we are not over-compensating.

My thoughts:

1. Christian music shouldn't be allowed to be inferior to other music. As mention in posts scattered throughout the TF forums, we're to be doing music for the glory of God. If we're willing to settle for producing second-rate music, that says something about our attitude towards God. It also shouldn't be seen as a fall-back position or second chance for those that tried to make it in the secular world and failed.

2. Christian music shouldn't be assumed to be inferior to other music. I've had quite a few Christian friends who have scoffed at the idea of listening to Christian music and have turned up their noses because they feel that, if it's Christian, it can't be any good. While sometimes true (moreso in the past in my opinion), that's an unfair and inaccurate generality to make.

I totally agree, but I think it is worth looking at how it ever came to be true at all that Christian-labled music tended to be second rate.  I think it comes from fans and producers giving second rate material a bye becasue
     1. It is "thiers" because it is labled Christian
     2. They like the message
     3. or percieved "ministry value"

A guy I used to go to church with told me once his favorite band was Skillet.  I'd known him for some time and this just didn't fit.  I said, with more attitude that I probably should have, "I've heard Skillet.  They are not YOUR favorite band."  He said "Well, they have a great ministry." 

I'm not saying ministry is not important.  I'm saying is doesn't make the music better.  I'm also not dissing Skillet, but since he is much more the Phil Keagy type I would argue he had no idea whether Skillet was any good or not.  This kind of attitude allows for poor music.

hmmmm... I don't get it either. Outside of the money that the BIG 5 labels funnel through their Christian CCM sublabels, I can't think of one good reason why most of the bands today are popular. When you look at groups/artists like the 77s, Phi Keaggy and so on, there isn't any other reason for them to be so "unpopular" outside of larger labels stating crap must be the standard for CCM.

there's only so many no-show gigs (and no sale CDs) you can do before you think it's not worth it. or rather, that you're better off ministering in a different way.  someone a long time ago asked the question "what if this ministry is not needed at all?"

what if it's not? what if it can only sustain DJing to your youth group after service & throwing a 50 person praise party?  is that 'enough'?

that being said,methinks the scene lacks consistency more than it lacks support...or maybe that's saying the egg came before the chicken?


club worship hammers on through every month whether last month's turnout is good or not.

many artists do the same thing.

the big question for everyone is "is it worth it"? 

=======================

PS: i think christian rock has made HUGE strides in the last few years. i see all the promo only comps that DJs buy every month,and it never fails that a few christian bands make it onto the mainstream compilations.

the same will happen with christiam EDM if we keep raising the bar and getting out into the world with our music...

oh yes, this is something Ive kept up with since I started checking the christian music scene.  it is more widely accepted too to some degree.



yes, definitely, thats something I definitely want to see, cause God only deserves our best.

I'm gonna say this once.

My article has nothing to do with no other Christian "scene" other than Tastyfresh. WE don't support each other. WE only give kudos to those who are already "big". WE have become apethetic about each others projects. WE are not getting any better unless someone steps up and leads the example by showing our support for our own people's projects regardless of how good or bad it we think it is. The problem is the fact that WE are looking for some invisible standard and that if it isn't there WE will not support it.

I am NOT saying to ENDORSE something that is bad, I am simply saying a simple email or phone call of enouragement and GUIDANCE is a great way to overcome our apathy and to show each other support. We need to let each other know that we care and are here for each other.

Or maybe... there isn't really a scene. That's the Fusion approach. If you look at the secular scene, we keep finding more and more of our brothers and sisters there. Maybe our focus of building a purely xian scene is flat out the wrong way to go.

Isolated events are fine, but what are we REALLY trying to do with all of this? I've been TRYING to get people to think about that with the Unity series. I'm probably going to take it up a notch with the next article, but the basic theory is we don't have a common goal for us to all work toward. We don't know what to support because we have NEVER defined what it is that we are doing.

In many ways this goes beyond apathy toward the scene and goes straight to apathy toward even thinking about anything. If nobody's really interested in all of this... why are we doing it?

Or... is it that many of us are just totally burned out from being burned for so long?

What makes sense to me is this:
1) Figuring out what the HECK we are doing this for in a broad sense
2) meeting in small 10-30 ppl groups for house parties aka groove fellowships
3) where more people are interested... through a larger party
4) figure out why we're throughing parties ;)
5) keep EVERYTHING low-cost, but high-quality. Labels should be ALL digital. DJs and producers should buy good gear, but not go into debt. promoters should focus on word of mouth and electronic promotions over spending half their budget on flyers that make their show seem better than it really will be. I could go on.

Nobody is learning from others mistakes who is complaining today. We constantly are reinventing the wheel rather than building the front axel and transmission. Until we start doing that, we'll be stuck in this rut. Look at who has "made" it. What have they done? They found a solid vision for what they were supposed to do, set goals and pushed toward them without faltering and ignoring their doubt.

Why aren't the rest of us doing the same and why don't we know what our purpose is after 14 years?

Last I checked... this has been happening for a LONG time now for xians. Just look at the history of the  clover line-up and the others we know about who couldn't make it there.

Got it. 

To the extent that this is true of the TF community I think it is a symptom of a general cultural disfunction surrounding North American (and other) Christians and music. 

To follow up on what Dave said, and maybe tie this together a bit, this same disfuction leads to Christian musicians not knowing what we are trying to do or why.  While one individual may have a vission, the Christian culture he or she tries to express that vission in is so confused that it is hard to project it very far.  Ministry/quality/motive confusion is a big part of the enveloping fog.  ...and then are all the other fears, confusions and misunderstandings that undercut people working together or supporting eachother. 

It's easier to just hold back your enthusiasm, effort, support just like keeping somebody at a distance when a relationship goes bad rather than wading in and getting hurt trying to fix things.

--Neil-- Junior Minister of Simile and Metaphor

I thought this was a great article.

Everyone should read 'The Final Quest' by Rick Joyner to heal you of your 'apathy'.  <-(this will clarify everything)

Also walk down the street and spend one day helping the homeless or someone clearly in need and you will understand WHY we need to do these things.  <-(and why not reach out help someone EVERY day? it will change your life, 10 min a day, c'mon, just do it)

I don't look at 'what is my purpose in music' anymore, just 'what is my purpose in life' including everything, that means Loving God and Loving People. <-(everywhere I go, with or without the music)

Knowing Christ and walking with Christ, lately I have compared Jesus Christ, and Mother Theresa in my mind as possibly the most Christlike person in our generation, if we have a true understanding of who Jesus is (if you read the gospels, over and over) you will see that there is a certain lifestyle that Jesus lived, and if you do that....... all you have to do is 'show up' and things will happen for the Kingdom.  I mean life is a journey of learning and growing and we need to learn and grow with God and be a part of our community and reach out and touch other people no matter which way we do that.  I really don't care if I'm some rock star or a total nobody, it's the 'well done good and faithful servant' that I want to hear on that day when I see Jesus.  everything else is wasting time.

^Good point

Wake up every morning and ask yourself. How can a be a blessing to others today?

Luke 9
23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.

Let's loose it all for Jesus.

It's just not realistic. I realized awhile ago that my creative talents have to make me (and hopefully God) happy first. If people enjoy what I do, in whatever medium, that's great and it will normally give me extra incentive to keep doing it etc. but bottom line, my need to be creative is not beholden to the success that it may or may not bring me.  That is a good deal, so many of you made really great points.  I myself find that their are times I feel that I can play for youth groups.  Then I think that my wife and 2 kids should come first after God.  I really like dance music, I like it better when it has a lifting message.  So for me from the time I started posting on tasty back when the first boards were up it seemed like this was for the most part a small group of friends hanging out online.  I think we have come  a bit father from that.  It's hard not to just get apathic about live.  I really dont have the money to get the set up that I want, then it's a choce of what music to play.  I may have to just wait till my boys get older for me to take this seriously.  For now it's just kinda a hoby/ misnistry.  I dont personaly need to be Shilo.  Somtimes I wander if God wants me to minister with music or just witness while I'm out skating.  If anything  I just want to thank all the people who have put mixes and made music, it has made a differnece in my life.  Mabye we need to think about the lives that we are touching, evern if thier is not a huge sceen.

Tom, I think yer missing the point ;) You don't have to be shiloh. You just need to do what God is leading you to. Doing that isn't being apathetic.

Do you think making yourself happy is more important?

I don't think he ment it EXACTLY like that though D.

Sorry, it sounded like if music makes me happy, who cares what God thinks. :)

Actually, he was quoting me from my posting earlier in the thread. And what I meant is; making God happy makes me happy. I thought that was kind of obvious but by the quote being taken out of context, I can see why it might not be. And I may not have been clear originally but that's what I meant!

I am at my most creative point when I'm happy. Some people are most creative when they're going through something horrible. I'm not making a value judgment there, that's just the way it is. I've realized after many years that being happy is more important than being successful. Being successful does not necessarily bring happiness. But I can be happy whether I'm successful (and by "successful" I mean in my career/creative endeavors) or not.

My life revolves around God, my family, my friends and my church. That's what makes me happy. I've had many non-successful creative ventures that although they were disappointing, did not take away from the happiness I have in my life/the things that God has given me, i.e. wife and kid etc.

Making music makes me happy. Making music that God can use to further his kingdom really makes me happy. God may choose to use it to touch 1 to 1 million people. It's out of my hands at that point. That was my original point, in response to 404's frustration. I was just saying that my frustration is nowhere near what it used to be because I now view "success" in different terms.

Ok...I'm starting to ramble. I'll stop now.

No I did not mean it that way.

Monkeypunk quote- Actually, he was quoting me from my posting earlier in the thread. And what I meant is; making God happy makes me happy. 

That is all I was trying to get at.

I dont know their are days I would love to dj for the kids in the youth group, then thier are days I just seem to get selfish and from time to time think that God cant use me.  I have to come to the conculsion that that is a lie from the Devil himself.  It's just a fight for me, my wife is not the most supportive of the dj ministry.  She is worried about the girls and the way they dress and all that.  So I go back and forth, trying to think of a way God can use me.  Just need to keep praying that the right time and ops. come around and stay focused on the Lord.

Thanks for clearing it up. Internet can be confusing.  ;)

just a few thots real quick

I find some of the music that has the deepest meaning can't possibly be commercial... yet it has the most profound impact on me... there is a place for every kind of music.  to me, it is more important to honestly and truthfully express yourself in a way that would impact others positively, than it is how many records you sold or how much money you made.  because you can make money by working some part time job.  but if you write music that impacts people's lives, it has a far-reaching impact on their lives, possibly for eternity, and maybe even their friends as well.  no amount of money can buy that.

also re industry: I too find that some areas I just don't have the desire to do at all right now despite my original intentions e.g. secular DJ gigs... a lot of clubs/venues/places I like to avoid in fact, at the moment I am not DJing at all really but more interested in producing because I want to impact the world with my own voice and not be in constant danger due to crime/drugs/etc that Djing here in my own city exposes me to.  I think some people need to do that, but I don't feel that is my place right now.  I do want to produce for the international industry tho, and let the other DJs play out my original tracks.  maybe through relationships and my example and my music I can have a greater impact that way anyway, and money I've decided is not an issue, because for now I prefer to live in Canada, and here, I'm best working other jobs to balance the lack of money in our industry here.  (so I won't be forced to work jobs I don't want to, like DJing secular clubs.  it is just as easy to work part time, in fact, easier.)  I no longer limit myself as to where my money might come in and not afraid to find satisfying work outside the music industry that can also impact the world positively in big or little ways.  and I don't know the future but God provides each and every day so I don't worry about where I might be 3 or 5 years from now, I work on what I can today, and lead into directions that I believe are important for me, and that have a future, and that I feel God has his blessing on.  Paul said that our struggles are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.  so the sacrifices in our journey for what we will attain are worth it.  and true happiness often means more about depending on God than it does a financial payoff because all that is is a number.  money is relative.  who cares as long as your needs are met day by day? :)

-> I also feel that, every problem has a solution, like every question has an answer(s).  you have to ask questions to get to the root of the problem, the why, the how, so you can find solutions and answers, and this process makes up the journey, of life, learning, and art.  if you seek, you will find.

Gsynth, I was impressed and convicted by what you said. As much as I know and say that I should be doing things for their eternal value, I rarely find myself actually living my life that way. Material things--and my ego--tend to have far more control over my daily life than I really like to acknowledge.

God has brought me through a lot in the last year to show me exactly that about myself... like I often have tried to live my life like God is a part of it, not the One who is truly in control of everything.  I am happier dependent on God, than I am struggling for my independence of Him, and the solution to surrendering to Him is simple... spending time with Him... (my blog is here http://www.gsynth.com/photo/blog.html (http://www.gsynth.com/photo/blog.html))...  I think that we will all struggle with that until our last day, as Paul said "I die every day", to his own nature, and sometimes it takes a "Job" experience to realize that God truly is all powerful, like my life this last year.  because the glory really is all God's.  and maybe God was really testing me, do I really trust Him?  because many times in the past I have fallen short of that and tried my own paths and failed.  I do want Him to be my Lord, my God, rather than myself being my own 'god' which is the status quo in modern culture.  surrender is a place where not only God can use us, but God holds us very close to His own heartbeat.  and it is a daily choice, to put Him first, and spend time with Him, love Him, obey Him.  it takes total surrender and as we die to ourselves we live with His power in us.  this is the place God wants to hold me, close to His own heartbeat... it is worth it to 'struggle' with God and lose to Him every day if you catch my meaning.  I guarantee 10 min from now I will again struggle for my independence and again fail to God's grace... that is my nature.

I remember when I was young I specifically asked God to imprint his eternal values in my heart and He did that.

Read your October blog entries. The entries are concise, poignant, and thought-provoking. Fancy words to say that you say a lot of good stuff that I need to apply more to my lfe. I'll be reading backwards through the rest of it and looking forward to what you have to say in the future. Thanks for pointing me to it.

hey thanks :) feedback like this motivates me to write more... it's about honesty, I think, in my journey, I'll never be perfect, but I learn every day... God is good. :)

There is no christian problem.  Its the human problem.  Christians aren't the only ones suffering from apathy.

No thanks, i'm very cautious of mr. Joyner's teachings.
And for getting rid of apathy i have God to wake me up.

Anyhoo, i seem somewhat apathetic with the christian edm scene because of things i don't approve with and the mentality that one has to sound like the mainstream[i also mean being pushed to format everything like the secular pros would, therefore killing creativity].
On the other hand i did buy the whole Osmotic series, partly to stimulate the scene and i'd welcome more talent bursting forth.

I produce myself and i want to contribute occasionally.
Occasionally because i have a job and a life to live and while my music will impact people, i doubt it's God's plan to make it my ministry.
To the DJs and producers and other people who find a ministry in music, keep on going, God has a plan for you there.

I think one of the reasons for apathy might be spiritual uncleanness and being blind to it, not unlike what Jesus warned Laodicea of, i've read Effectively Bringing Unity to Our Scene: Part IV – A Tale of Two Laodiceas (http://www.tastyfresh.com/content/view/312/27/) and it does adress apathy and it's causes.
I'm pointing to myself too, i sin and make mistakes all over the day, the fool i am.
Luckily Christ Jesus is the answer to sin and mistakes and if i keep confessing and purifying in Him, i will walk more pure.
Ask yourself why you are apathetic if you are.
Most times it involves a lack of faith and self-satisfaction.

Let's get out of the rut and ask God to clean and purify us.

I think you missed the point of what is being said by the mainstream push. It has nothing to do with looking like and imitating the mainstream. It has EVERYTHING to do with pushing toward higher standards in audio production and composing. If your music can't stand up to the same scrutiny that secular music gets before it is signed by a label or selected to be played out by DJs, then you have work to do. This doesn't mean that you should sound like producer X.

If everyone sounded the same, then you are right creativity would most definitely be dead. That would be a bad thing. The problem is, if you truly want to be creative you have to train yourself to be a good producer first. Only when you truly understand how a genre works or how to mix down audio properly are you going to be freed up to produce what you really want to produce be it symphonic anime soundtracks or bangin' house music. In fact, if you are doing symphonic works, I would have to say that your production and composition skills have to be far above the average house producers in order to be truly "successful." After all, your competitors include Bach, Mozart, Chopin and a host of others.

If you just want to play around and have fun, then ignore what I just said. If you are going to try to write professional quality music though, you gotta learn how and you have to do it to the current standards. Who would you hire? The person who only uses a computer once a month and has a hard time with just email or the person who knows his computer inside and out and knows exactly how to work efficiently and can render exactly what is in his mind with the tools provided? I know which one I'd want.

No probs with trying to get better qualitatively, i mean, that's one of the things to be pushed here, of course.
But hearing secular trance tracks and trying to be at the same level while being original is what i strive for.
I admit that i still have a lot to learn and that i'd like to produce great tracks, but i know i don't have the means to go full throttle.

I do take advice into account, but on my terms and in my time.
My latest track i'm working on is quite nice, albeit deviating from the current trance i like to listen to.

On of the things i was miffed about last time i got criticism is the push to use the general "EDM structure", one which i understand but find boring to use myself, because i have unpublished tracks using it and i want to do different stuff.
Anyway, we should strive to be better, but sometimes it's great to hear some encouragement alongside with harsh criticism instead of relentless criticism from different people, like with my last track.
I'm known to being a source of harsh criticism myself, but i try to make amends after i find out that i was too harsh.

But let us strive forward to contributing to the community as much as is possible and as much as God asks us.

1) Don't ever let yourself get upset by criticism. It doesn't do any good. You end up getting defensive and don't listen to see what valid points the criticism are.
2) Taking criticism on your terms and time means that you should never ask for it. As soon as you ask for feedback, you need to be prepared to get what you don't want to hear.
3) Accept criticism even if you don't like it. The truth is that if it is important enough for someone to mention to you, it probably has some validity. If you don't know how to solve the problem, ask. If you aren't 100% sure what the problem is... ask. Don't simply say thanks but no thanks, but don't feel like you have to implement the changes either. You do need to understand the problems.

Wow... this thread is now jacked.

But if you get upset, take your time, one day you'll appreciate the valid points the more.


Nah, i meant taking it on your terms and time as meaning that if you can't accept the criticism right now, just wait.
If you're openminded and the criticism is valid, you will eventually accept it and that is on your terms and time.


In these things there are many guidlines and rules, but not everything is absolutely right or wrong.
And again, see point 2.


I agree.

But on the other hand i can see that not all criticism is right, see one of my posts for that. :P


Orly? :o

Nope. Yer only kidding yourself. I went through 8 years of art school... you don't. You only get bitter about it. Once you let that go, you just feel stupid. The value of the lesson is wasted on harboring anger.


Again... fooling yourself. For one thing, all criticism is valid, but it may not be the right comment or the right thing to do. Criticism is simply an opinion. It's an expression of freedom of speech that is supposed to help someone else improve their efforts. You have to respect it from the start or you never will.


Welll... I am saying that you are ;)

I disagree with you Reds, but i don't have the time or will to argue ad infinitum.
Let's just agree on not agreeing.

Well... if your theory is correct, a few years down the road from now you'll look back and appreciate my valid points here ;)

404,

I really liked "Deep Inside". I am a "small-guy" in the producing realm too(Omnos).
I have no commercial success but have recorded maybe 4-5 "albums" of self-released material.
I've played churches and clubs. Music is therapy for me and I love to play and sing. I began writing music as a way to express my deep grief and trauma with mental illness. Churches never really understood why I played in minor keys and was an emotional wreck. Goth clubs accepted me and loved me for my "guts" (I believe) and just being who I am. I don't play live often anymore but am planning a single release (hopefully soon) of the song "Fight for Me".
Hang in there bro. I'm not the "Xian" Sisters of Mercy and you may not be the next "Shiloh" but we do make a difference somewhere. We matter to God and we matter to our little "scene".
I'm sorry you're not getting the support you need from us. I'll do my best and I hope others will too.
It's not about worldly success or "churchly" success but Grace and taking risks for God.

God bless you man and keep going. Your real rewards will come from Jesus. Nothing else matters, nothing else lasts.

Love ya,

Craig

...and you were under NO pressure to prove to them you were a good Christian and thus deserved to play.

I just needed to chime in about my pet issue--spiritual/moral litmus tests.  I think that alone is reason enough for Christian artists to persue work in The World.

Being who you are is your most important job as an artist and a human.  Kudos for persisting!  thankfully SOMEBODY supported you in it.

Agreed. It's amazing how hard KNOWING who you REALLY are is though. It's so easy to tie what you do to who you are when that couldn't be further from the truth. For example, I am a web designer by trade, but that in no way reflects anything about who I really am, just want I do.

...long, slow, painful process.


No wonder you know more about WiKi's than I do!

My wife and I used to attend a church that served a very poor part of Waterloo.  A huge portion of the congregation was unemployed, and in many cases, unemployable--or nearly so.  The only people who knew what our jobs were were the handful of people who knew us before we came there.  Nobody ever asked what your job was in conversation.  That comes right after names when middle class men are introduced.  It was refreshing to have people size me up based on the way I acted.  I usually dress down for church so I don't think my clothes gave much away.  When we left I think there were still only about four people who knew Kerri had a PhD.

The other thing was that when people did learn what I did they didn't care.  There was a class distinction between people with and without jobs, but nobody was ever impressed by anybody else's job, or, for that matter, looked down on them.  It was a very interesting experience and helped me understand the role of my job in my life and distance my SELF from it a little bit.

my church is a bit like that, but it's still a middle class church and ppl still want to know what you job is. I'm like... that's the boring part of my life. The exciting part... you wouldn't understand. ;)

Speaking of identity issues... we've moved into Steve Jeffrey's article (http://www.tastyfresh.com/content/view/314/31/) now.

during my trips to kenya i noticed something that i didnt fully appriciate until now. something that im going to try to start doing. when local Christians would introduce themselves, they would say something like "hello. my name is... and i am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ/saved by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ"
one guy introduced himself in april. he was a pastor at a masi megachurch. his congregation was huge and he still introduced himself as a disciple of Christ and it took forever to find out he was a pastor.
im just gonna start telling people that im a follower of Christ.