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 july 15, 2002i never know how to start a journal entry after having gone this long without writing. i've been at a young life property in colorado for almost a month, so i've been fairly out of touch with everyone (not just you). sandra has been here providing 'special music' before the club talks each night, which has gone really well. as for me, my official title has been 'staff spouse,' with no real responsibilities. however, i have been reading and writing a good bit. as some of you already know, i am currently pursuing a solo record deal. i have a record written and have plans to begin recording this next month (contingent on settling into said record deal...). i have a lot of plans for the next year or so, all centering around this record. for those of you who have made it out to any of my solo shows over the last year or so, you probably know some of the issues that i have on my mind nowadays. i'm very concerned about the church. my album is focused on issues within the american church, and is specifically for the church. for this reason i have decided to get the support of a Christian record company to help me put the record out. this is a decision that i thought long and hard about. part of my general philosophy over the last some years has been fighting the idea of the Christian record industry and the sub-culture that this industry sometimes perpetuates, but after much consideration i determined that it would be pointless to try to get a record out to the church by way of the world. seemed kind of backwards to me. so i began meeting with some Christian record companies and was truly impressed with the response i got. it's encouraging to know that there are a few companies out there who are willing to risk their reputations on the true Gospel being preached. as some of you may also know, some of the material that i've been writing for the church is provocative at best and controversial at worst. while i don't seek to be controversial, i am willing to take that chance in order to preach the Gospel to the church (and i believe the church desperately needs it). i have already run into trouble with promoters at venues regarding the content of the new material, and expect that this is only the beginning. once the record comes out (if i can get the full support of a Christian label that has the power in the market place to push it out there) i will need tremendous support to accomplish what God has put on me to do. this is why i'm writing now. i am going to write a series of journals over the next month outlining some of the major issues that i intend on wrestling with in the culture this next year. my hope is that these will give you a glimpse into my mind and heart regarding these topics and equipping you with the tools to help defend me in your circles of influence. any true revolution is fought on the grassroots level, and that is where our battle is. it's in the conversations weeks after concerts and in your pews at your churches. it's in your local bible studies, and in your classrooms and your places of business. for me it may be in board rooms of labels and with heads of Christian distribution companies, or with presidents of Christian bookstore chains. wherever the battle is, i need you. i desperately need your support through this. i ask for your prayers and your honestly. i hope to talk to many of you in the coming months. i am hoping to spend my next year of touring not in theaters or clubs, but in homes. i hope to see 150 or 200 people a night in houses all of the country, playing this new material, speaking about my concerns regarding the church, and hearing your questions, concerns, and encouragement. please consider the ways that you might join with me over this next year, and check back often as i will be writing more specifically about all of this. thank you for how far you've already come in your support of caedmon's call, and thank you for your consideration in supporting me in these new endeavors. God bless- |
