June 2002 Table of Contents

From The Editor
Where to begin...

By Gary Morris

This whole issue is packed with good stuff (pardon the colloquialism). You’ve got everything from top issues facing Ministers of Music (Ministry Insights with Don McMinn—all about relationships and getting along with others) to top music releases (New Music Preview, New Instrumental Music Review, Musical Insight, Just A Little Talk With…).

We seem to have struck a big nerve in the continuing pursuit of why-we-do-what-we-do and how-to-do-it-more-effectively, for the glory of God. Pressing on with the theme of reaching a visually stimulated or "visual-centric" society, we have the good privilege of delivering to you the Cover Story by Jeff Brockelman, First Baptist Church, Bentonville, Arkansas, "Reality TV…Coming to a church near you." I know you will find this piece enlightening—as Jeff shares the vision God has given to him; and challenging—as he offers up ideas for churches of ALL sizes to be able to more effectively communicate the Gospel. That is, after all, the main thing.

Take a look at David Winkler’s article, Copyright: The Spirit and the Letter of the Law. David wrote this as an updated, revised version of his original article in the December 1996 issue of The Communicator, which has been our most requested article for reprint. It wouldn’t surprise me if it continues to be our most requested as well, given the amount of misinformation and misunderstanding of copyright issues that abound in the church.

Speaking of copyright issues, you know that The Communicator is copyrighted as well, right? Meaning that, in order for you to copy any articles, you must first call to obtain permission. This is usually not a problem, although out of respect to the writers we obtain permission from them first, which can sometimes take a few days. I don’t recall any writer denying permission, and a lot of them give "blanket" permission, which makes it easier for both you and me!

I need to stop here and say a big "Thank You" to John Gage for coming out of New Instrumental Music Review "retirement." (In other words, thanks, John for bailing me out again!) John does an excellent job of reviewing and editing new instrumental music and even makes deadline on time! John graciously gives of his time and talent to make it happen for us.

Also, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you, the readers, for making The Communicator magazine the flagship publication of the music ministry. We at J&J Music and The Communicator would not be here if it not for you and your loyalty, your patronage of us and the merchants appearing in these pages, and at times, your forgiveness. We are forever grateful to you and to God for you.

Most importantly, we thank God for His grace and mercy, and the blessing of allowing us to do what we have been called by Him to do: Serve the Servants. Hopefully, in some way, this magazine helps to carry out that mission as well, and somewhere along the way you are blessed, and the Gospel is projected on a little farther. That is, after all, the main thing.

Luke 10: 41, 42 "And as they went, it happened that He entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she came to Him and said, QLord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.’ And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. But one thing is needful, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.’"

Under Construction,
Gary

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