Are You Called to Concert Ministry?

Hey music friends! I just finished a call-in interview on the House of Praise WTIS 1110AM where I shared what I regarded as highly valuable nuggets gained from The Next Level songwriter workshop  hosted by veteran and may I say icon, Babbie Mason.

I’ve been to a lot of secular songwriting workshops with veteran and new hit songwriters in the past, and I’d like to say to the youth and others who are new to songwriting or looking to advance, veteran songwriters are still writing and co-writing “current hits” sung by your favorite current artists regardless of genre. ALWAYS take the opportunity to learn from them! Babbie’s Next Level workshop was catered to a small group in an intimate setting, where she and co-host Kenn Mann (also a hit songwriter) would be up close and personal in getting to know us. Babbie took us through an academic course in songwriting and concert ministry. We sat in a roundtable setting where Babbie took the time to hear everyone’s story and goals, and she made sure that every student got up to sing at least a verse and chorus, and she appreciated and made suggestions to each one based on her invaluable knowledge and lifetime experience.

Babbie and Kenn gave a song writing assignment to us students in groups, and then reviewed our results, humbly and encouraging they critiqued and suggested changes, Babbie even getting on her keyboard to work it out with each group. She got involved personally with every person in the room, giving her attention to and focus upon each individual, also sharing her stories and experiences.   I’m still amazed that she accomplished all of this in 8 hours with 15 people in the room, included a call in from Donna Douglas (another Christian and Secular hit songwriter), and a video from current CCM artist Jonny Diaz. What Babbie did was form a relationship with each person. The word humble does not describe how humble Babbie is.

Here’s more… it didn’t cost the hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars that it costs to have this kind of appointment with a veteran songwriter. What she cared about most is to make sure that we left there knowing this: We are not in our current place as music ministers by accident… we are not seeking to grow in our passion and hone our gifts merely for the sake of learning… somewhere, someone is in need of our gift, so it is important to say yes every time we receive the opportunity to sing in ministry, regardless of the venue, equipment, time or place… because that somebody who needs you, could be right there in that opportunity. When God calls you to it “GO”! To hear a veteran share that she does whatever it takes, even if it means taking an old boom-box or kareoke machine into a jail cell so that she has background music while she ministers to incarcerated women “as she has done”, was massive validation for me!

If you are a worship leader, christian artist, or even if you only lead or participate on a worship team, someday you may be out in a public place where someone recognizes you and asks you to sing… if so, do it! Even if it’s just one chorus, as your doing so it could be the Spirit reaching out to that person, answering a question or need… perhaps it’s someone standing next to you. Whatever it is, just be available at all times to use your gift for God! This also means you need to be prepared at all times, in vocal shape, knowing your songs, their parts, warmed up and ready to go, for God!

Thank you Babbie Mason and Kenn Mann

Brandee Nielsen-Smith

Founder, The BICF

Who Is Jesus Christ?

Jesus The Man

Jesus was born approximately 2000 years ago in a town called Bethlehem, which was and still is a Palestinian city located on the West Bank south of Jerusalem. His mother Mary was a young, Israelite Jewish woman of Nazareth in Galilee, and his custodial father was Joseph, husband of Mary, also from Nazareth in Galilee. You can find many books and articles that offer details about the birth of Jesus and his parents. To start we recommend the book of Luke (Luke 2:1-38), and the book of Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14, 15). There are also wonderful video dramatizations that offer a visual portrayal. We recommend Jesus of Nazareth (starring Robert Powell), and The JESUS Film (which can be viewed as a free, online movie translated in many world languages).

Jesus The Teacher

Jesus is by words and deeds the greatest example for how to live a purposeful, fulfilling life in harmony with others. To the people of his time he taught new concepts for living life that historically changed the world. His life on Earth marked the beginning of our current calendar in the year of 2013 AD (Anno Domini). His teachings are arguably more necessary now than before, as Jesus’s teachings gave us specific tools for managing our lives in today’s society, and for generations to come. Among them are:

• Power:  In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. In politics and social science, power is the ability to influence the behavior of people. We agree also with the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology on the definition of Power, which includes excerpts in the book of 2nd Peter 1:3-9 “utilizes the concept of power in life as an empowerment from God, giving us everything we need for life… is the foundation and motivation to pursue a circle of virtues that produce and evidence productive living. Our favorite description of power is found in the book of Isaiah (ISA 40:29) referenced as “giving strength to the weary.”

• Hope: Promotes the belief in a good outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Another definition of hope is “to desire with expectation of obtainment”; or “to expect with confidence”. And as with the word power, we agree also with the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology which references hope as “leading to joy, boldness, faith, love… and that hope leads to comfort.” All of which is taught in the books of Romans (ROM 12:12), 2^nd Corinthians (2 COR 3:12), Colossians (COL 1:4-5) and 1^st Thessalonians (1 TH 4:18). One of our favorite notions of hope is found in the book of Proverbs (PRO 23:18) whereby it states that: “hope will not be cut off.”

• Purpose: We are born with a specific purpose for living life. We have been given special and unique talents that are necessary for all human beings to succeed. The word purpose is defined as; the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. Jesus taught us in the book of Romans (ROM 12:4-18) about purpose in action; “just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function… we have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us… if your gift is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Makes perfect sense! A current example is the purpose of the BICF, which is to use the specific gifts we were given to help others succeed. When we use our gifts as they are intended, our lives are rich in meaning, fulfillment, managed with a sense of ease, and of course—are lived on purpose! Life just feels better when we do what we are meant to do.

Jesus The Healer

Jesus is a healer. The definition of the word heal means to; make sound or whole <heal a wound> to restore to health; to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome; to mend: <the troubles … had not been forgotten, but they had been healed — William Power>; to patch up (a breach or division) <heal a breach between friends>; to restore to original purity or integrity <healed of sin>. This definition ascribes to Jesus as a healer. We learn from the book of Luke (LUKE 5:17-26) that “it came to pass on a certain day, as he (Jesus) was teaching, that there were Pharisees (a political party; or, ancient Jewish sect) and doctors of the law sitting by, which came out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.”  The full account in the book of Luke gives details of the ailments healed by Jesus. A first hand account in a current day life written in a true story by BICF Founder, Brandee Nielsen titled Unforgotten, bears witness and gives testimony to the healing power of Jesus.

Jesus The Savior

Jesus is the Savior of mankind. We read in the book of John (John 3:16) that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, whose purpose is to provide the only way to come before the Father (God, who is the creator of Heaven, Earth and the Universe). As the Son of God, Jesus sacrificed His own life and was crucified on Earth to pay the price of sin committed by every human being that has, does and will ever live on planet Earth. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Sin can be described as an immoral act; wrongdoing; crime; bad thinking and bad actions applied upon oneself and/or others; breaking the laws of land and/or of God, etc. The acts of sin are many. Among them are deception, stealing, cheating, kidnapping, rape, murder; causing others to stumble, bullying, lusting, etc. Imagine the price that must be paid for these type of sins, then imagine all the people that ever lived and will ever live. Committing the act of Sin, separates us from our creator, God.

So, why do we need a savior? To deliver us from sin and allow us to come before God. Paying the price for sins while living on earth is experienced every day. Consider for example a person who is trapped in alcoholism, which is a sin or transgression against oneself (sin of the flesh). The price of alcoholism charged against one’s life is devastating to that person and others around them. Through repentance, which involves a commitment to personal change and resolving to live a more responsible and humane life, deliverance from the sin of alcoholism lifts the devastating bonds and grants a new start, a chance to repair damages, a clean slate upon which to build a life without sin—free to flourish. This allows one to get back into the good graces of their loved ones, especially, God.

Consider also when a person commits a sin against you, wrongs you, hurts you. When the person realizes their wrongdoing, and turns to you with sincere apologies, and perhaps commits an act of retribution for what they have done wrong, you generally forgive that person, and in your act of forgiveness, you are both set free from the suffering of the wrongdoing. We read in the book of Ephesians (EPH 2:1-3) that in sin we are dead, but we are made alive in Christ, the Savior.

Don’t Miss “Women of Purpose!” January 4th and 5th 2013

The BICF is excited to announce that Brandee Nielsen-Smith will join the Strive for Greatness, Women of Purpose conference  leading Praise and Worship on January 4th at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Hotel on Rocky Point, Florida!

Men, still need to find that perfect gift for your wife, mother or sister? Look no further! Send your special lady to kick off the new year by attending this inspiring weekend retreat! Ladies will be among peers to get refreshed and encouraged to live free being all they were created to be in 2013 and forward!

Don’t miss this 2 day opportunity in beautiful Tampa Florida to experience an enthusiastic line up of women speakers including celebrity actress and author LISA WHELCHEL (best known for her role as wealthy Blair Warner on the 80’s sitcom “Facts of Life”, currently on the hit T.V. series “Survivor”).

Act now and receive an early bird savings through December 15th! Only $79.00 for 2 full days of inspiration and praise to ignite change and purpose!

Date: Jan 4th and 5th 2012

Time: Doors open at 9:00am, 1st session starts at 10:00am sharp!

To register click here=> Strive For Greatness

Hope to see you there! More details below:

You were born with a gift. Do you know what it is and why you were born with it? I found out the hard way…

Imagine a man who works all day as a telemarketer selling publications while dreaming about traveling to communicate with people around the world in different cultures. He wishes to learn about other nations and their customs, as he believes the knowledge will provide awareness and bridge gaps that may otherwise divide people and cause undue hate. He’s had this dream his whole life, but hasn’t put forth an effort to make it a reality.

This dream reveals that the man’s talents include a passion to communicate with a willingness to learn and make a positive difference. His occupation as a telemarketer requires him to use his ability to communicate with a willingness to learn, but does it fulfill the purpose of his talents and dream?

If we do not use our gift according to its intended purpose, our dream and its purpose remains unfulfilled. But if we put forth effort to use our gift according to its purpose, the purpose and our dreams are fulfilled.

Do you know what your *talents are, and are you using them on purpose?
(*ROM 11:29 &12:6-8)

Discovering the purpose for my talents included repercussions when I decided to use them for my own purpose. I was six years old when I learned that I had an ability to sing and write songs—a time when I marveled at the stories my mother told me about Jesus Christ. Back then I spent a lot of time daydreaming about helping children who were less fortunate in circumstances that I learned from watching TV commercials about feeding starving children around the world. It touched me deeply. I remember telling myself how I wanted to sing for God like an angel on earth to help save His children. My dream would not die from that moment on, as dreams never do, however – a tragic turn of events took away what I knew as a structured childhood foundation, when my mother lost her life in alcohol.

I attempted my first escape to live on my own as early as age twelve, which was only the first time, and kept on running until I achieved stable ground as a young adult. Through these challenges I endured unspeakable things that humans sometimes face, but I was fortunate to be saved through my distant faith in God (remember the mustard seed parable?).

A day came when I felt it was time to make good on my childhood promise to God, but in doing so, I made a pivotal decision resulting in a grave mistake. During my planning to record a Spiritual CD to help others in need, I decided to leave the name of Jesus out of my songs. I did this because I believed the songs would reach more people who might otherwise hear His name in the song and turn it off. When I put this thought into action, my life changed drastically. Not only did I omit the name of Jesus from my songs, I began to omit Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit from all aspects of my life. I found myself  exposed, without guard and thrust into a plethora of addictions including control, alcohol, co-dependency, body image disorder, anorexia, exercise bulimia and whole host of other emotional issues including several failed, destructive and violent relationships that held me captive for more than a decade.

While this went on, I was somehow able to hide my pain and self-destruction behind a mask of achievement as I excelled in the corporate and secular music world, using my talents void of God’s purpose. At this point I was living as a self-declared agnostic standing at the edge of atheism and the possibility of losing my life to addictions until I met a new friend in December of 2010. He was very kind, respectful and peaceful, which peaked my curiosity. He invited me to attend his church, a place I hadn’t been for many years, but agreed to go. When I entered the Church, I saw a worship leader for the first time in my life. He was singing out praises to God while the congregation shined with God’s glory – as they sang along with him. In a flash I was struck by guilt. Guilt because I realized this is what I said I wanted to do when I was six years old.  I told my new friend what had just happened and he replied asking, “so what are you going to do about that”?  At that moment I felt as if the Spirit of the Lord was upon me, asking me to come back, telling me that Jesus would take away my addictions, granting me the opportunity to live out my childhood dream, and I agreed. I immediately went back and wrote His name into my songs, and I released a CD titled “Believe” eleven months later. It’s now available digitally all over the world.  He also inspired me to write a book about my life and everything that happened up until then and title it, “Unforgotten”, now published worldwide through WestBow Press.

With this came another inspiration, one that I could never imagine on my own. God’s plan for my life to establish The Believe In Christ Foundation, and through it, to use my talents to help His children. The BICF and my lifelong dream is now a reality, because I am using my talents for God’s purpose.  Thanks be to God!

~Brandee Nielsen-Smith