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June 2003 Table of Contents
Off The Top Of My Head
New Endings
By Jerry Evans
 "The End of the Beginning" was only read in our San Antonio Conference in January yet it out sold any octavo that we have ever introduced. I'm not sure that has anything to do with the rest of this article, but since I'm writing about endings, (not first or second endings, nor even one with a sign and a coda) I just wanted to say it. If you are not familiar with it, call us today.
There is an old adage that most of our parents taught us that goes, "All good things must eventually come to an end." It seems to always be my job to bring the sad news as they relate to J& J Music. After this conference, July 17-20, the J&J Music Worship America in the Big Apple conference will cease to be. As I have shared this with a few of you the first question is always, "Why?" I'm not sure I can answer that question but as with the sad news bit I think it is my duty to try.
The major part of the answer boils down to declining attendance. We could all speculate on the reasons for this, but probably none of us would be able to express it completely. Maybe the world events of the past couple of years play a part. The economy certainly can figure into it. A large factor in beginning the conference in the first place was to expose Music Ministers to the uniqueness of the Brooklyn Tabernacle and maybe after several exposures to this, the newness has worn off. I really don't have the answer. I just know that as a company we can no longer afford to take the losses that have become a norm with trying to do something in one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Maybe we were trying to reinvent the wheel. Maybe after 9/11 people just don't want to chance going to New York. I probably have no more answers than you. I just firmly believe that God spoke to us to start the conference and He gave us a number of great meetings and for that we stand grateful before Him.
With this decision made, we as a company are praying about a venue for possibly another summer conference. We are in no hurry but we are open to suggestions. We ask your prayers as we seek His will in this regard.
Jackie and I had the chance to hear our dear friend and one of the best preachers ever, Ron Mehl, speak back in March in his church in Beaverton Oregon. Ron is fighting a battle with leukemia and is such an inspiration to us. He made a statement that made me back up and look afresh at most things in my life. Now I'm not saying that this is a new statement, I'm just saying it is new to me and kind of put me on my back side. He said "God loves you just the way you are. In fact He loves you too much to leave you that way." As my pastor used to say, "that'll preach."
Jerry
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