About Michael

This assumes that anyone actually cares, but here's some information on my background and an overview of my philosophy of church music. I have another page that is much more exhaustive with regard to philosophy, but if you're looking for basic personal information, you're already at the right place.

I. Conversion experience

I was saved at the age of seven when my mother led me to the Lord. My mother heard me use a mild by-word in frustration; she explained to me why what I had said was wrong. This conversation led to a discussion of right and wrong, where I was in my spiritual life, and where I needed to be. She led me through the Sinner's Prayer; I was baptized a week later.

II. Family background

My mother was the initial influence in my musical education (she is a piano player and thought her children should be exposed to an instrument as well), but it was my father who got me "started" in vocal music. He was an itinerate evangelist, and often called on me to sing songs appropriate to his message.

III. Personal Information

I was born in Chattanooga, TN on January 11, 1972. My father was a policeman, and my mother was (and still is) a homemaker. They both still reside in Chattanooga. I am the oldest of five. When my father answered the call to preach as a layman, he often had me sing before his sermons (old habits die hard). I attended private Christian school from kindergarten to fifth and ninth to twelfth grades (graduating in May 1990), and home-schooled six through eighth. I attended Tennessee Temple University my freshman year of college in 1990-91, and finished my Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 1995 at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1995.

My wife, Joy, and I met in 1996 when I was asked to supply "mood music" at a Valentine's Day dinner one of my uncles was hosting. I was in desparate need of a pianist and, after having exhausted all of my piano contacts in the tri-state area, finally heard back from Joy's choir teacher at Temple. The rest, as they say, is history. We felt that God had brought us together to minister together, and followed his leading to Fort Worth, TX for me to attend Southwestern Seminary. In December of 2002 God blessed us with our firstborn son, Jacob Michael.

IV. Spiritual development

God has given me many opportunities to use music in many church-related aspects: choir participation and directing; music composing and arranging; worship service programming. I used to think I knew exactly what God wanted me to do with my music skills and talents; but the more I have worked in "ministry" situations, the more I have realized that God's intentions for meat least for this stage of my lifehave been to continue in church music.

V. Call to ministry

While participation in church music programs throughout my life has had an obvious impact, it was a recent health issue in my life that caused me to look at my calling with a bit more seriousness. In April 2000 I had a brain aneurysm removed; the commensurate introspection caused me to conclude that the direction I was going in my life had more to do with what I wanted to do and less with what God wanted me to do. Obviously, I have since reconsidered my priorities and am more interested in doing what God has given me my gifts to do rather than doing what I wanted to do.

VI. Ministry goals

As is apparent by now, I believe God has called me to music ministry, specifically to a church position as a staffed musician or minister of music. My underlying goal as a participant (or leader) in a music ministry is to lead a body of people to worship God and prepare hearts and minds for the preaching of His Word. I also believe God has given me education opportunities that have honed my musical skills, improved my craft, and ignited in me a desire to teach others how to better use their musical skills to worship God. My philosophy has become this: that worship need not be a "professional," or overly-studied a thing, but it must be done to the best of one's ability and for the right reasons.

I feel a need to explain the last comment. I have encountered too many fellow laypeople who participate in a music ministry "to get a blessing" or "because [they] enjoy it." These are not bad motivations, unless they are the only motivations. I do not believe God's Word provides ministry opportunities to his people for their own gratification, and any "ministry" that exists for the purpose of entertaining the participants and/or the audience is not a ministry at all--it's a show. Does this mean only professionals are allowed to participate in leading worship? No, but it does mean that people coming into any facet of ministry must do so with a professional attitude: the express intention of giving God their best effort. I believe this is missing in many church music ministries, which seem to be geared at entertaining the congregation and giving the participants "something to do," rather than teaching a group of musicians to effectively lead a congregation in the right spirit to worship. I have heard it said that lackluster performance by the pastor is not tolerated by a church, but lackluster performance by the music ministry is. This is why I feel God has given me the talents, training and attitudes He has.

VII. Doctrinal Beliefs

1. The Nature of God

I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. He existed uncreated, and is not confined to the limitations of time or space. He is omniscient (he knows all things, from every specific of creation to the thoughts and motives of men's hearts), omnipotent (nothing happens that is beyond his power and ability to cause or deter), and is omnipresent (he is in all locations at once, ubiquitous and active in his creation). He is incapable of sinning, and it is complete anathema to Him.

2. The Nature of Christ

I believe in Jesus Christ, the One and only Son of God, God of very God, Light of very Light. He was conceived of the Holy Ghost, bourn of the Virgin Mary, wife of Joseph and mother of other children. He lived a sinless life and performed many miracles on the authority of His own deity, though He always maintained His obedience to God the Father. He was accused by the Pharisees and Sanhedrin, betrayed by Judas Iscariot, and given over to Roman authorities as an enemy of the state. He suffered many trials and tortures at the hands of the Romans, under the authority of Pontius Pilate was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the realm of the dead, where He preached hope to captivity. The third day He rose from the dead, and appeared to many witnesses. He ascended into heaven to sit on the right hand of God the Father, Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. He alone is the Way of salvation (John 14:6).

3. The Nature of the Holy Spirit

I believe in the Holy Spirit of God, active in the creation of the world, the voice and presence of God in the hearts of His believers in this present age, and the distinct Third Person of the Holy Trinity. He moved across the face of the waters as the Word of creation was spoken. He descended as a dove upon the Savior at his baptism by John, was proclaimed by the Savior to Nicodemus as the wind of new life, came as a fire upon the believers at Pentecost, and exists as the Comforter in the hearts of those who have accepted Jesus as Lord.

4. The Nature of the Word of God

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is useful for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped to do every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16). The Word of God has been preserved by the Holy Spirit to this very day, and is pertinent and relevant to current issues. It is inerrant in subject, concise and direct in teaching, self-contained for all necessary knowledge to live the Christian life, and is complete in the canonical sixty-six books of the normal Protestant Bible. It has stood the test of time in its relevance, accuracy, and self-accredidation.

The printed Word of God cannot be limited to the King James Version of the Bible, because

the King James Version is not written in the original languages used by the writers, and
that the Word by definition must be available to all those who do not know English;

nor is its earliest or most perfect translation the Textus Receptus (TR) as collated by Desiderius Erasmus. The TR (and, by extension, the KJV) is, however, one of several equally accurate and reliable translations of the best biblical texts available, including the NASB, NIV, and NKJV Bibles, all of which are Spirit-guided translations of the Spirit-inspired Word of God.

6. The Nature of Sin

Sin is the act or attitude by which we defy the Person, Will and Word of God. It was first conceived in the mind of the angel Lucifer, who presumed himself equal to God and attempted to arrogate himself to God's throne. After his eviction from heaven, he tempted Eve into tasting the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, who invited Adam to taste (Genesis 2). The penalty for sin is death and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). Every person is born into a state of sinfulness, regardless of race, birth, gender, or any other circumstance, and without the intervention of the blood of Christ will die the same.

7. The Nature of Heaven and Hell

The Word of God is clear that there are specific destinations for the soul after physical death. Those who are in Christ are assured a place in his mansion (John 14), while those who denied His Lordship and redeeming work on their behalf are suffering in utter torment, in a place "where the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:46, 48), "where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 13:42, 50). The Bible speaks clearly as to the literal existence of both places, and is clear that those who remain in their trespasses and sins remain spiritually dead and are bound to a Christless eternity in the place "prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41), while those who have received new life will spend eternity with Him (John 14:1-4).

8. The Nature of Salvation

Salvation is the free gift of God to all who confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ and believe in their hearts that God has raised Him from the dead (1 John 1:9). It is provided by the grace of God, through faith in Christ and His redeeming work on the cross, plus nothing and minus nothing. It is not a result of works, regardless of intention or hopes or the works of some other agent--this is so that no one can claim credit for their relationship with God (Eph. 2:8, 9). The shedding of His blood was practical and necessary to pay the debt of sin (Heb. 9:22b), and alone makes us presentable to God and fit to inherit His kingdom.

The Bible teaches that God foreknew who would receive him (to whom He would give the power to become His sons and daughters, Acts 1:8), but there is no clear teaching on the issue of "election" (whereby God chose before time those who would believe--see this page for an in-depth study of this issue). It does teach that, while God knew in advance all things (including who would believe in the course of time), He extends His gift freely to all. These seem to be largely semantic arguments, but the concept of a particular atonement is less supported by Scripture than a general one. It may be easier to understand and intellectually digest than the idea that a God who can be in control of all things would not exercise His sovereignty in this most important respect, but the concept of election flies in the face of a free-will surrender. Additionally, the Scriptures assert that it is our relationship with Christ (by whom we are made holy and presentable to God) that determines our admission into heaven. If a person was not "elected," how can he be held accountable for his decision against Christ? And what sin cannot be overcome by a work? I contend that, while in fact we cannot atone for any of our sins, it is still simply the choice for or against Christ that determines our eternal destiny. If this decision was made for us beforehand (as opposed to merely "foreknown") then we have no real responsibility to the work of Jesus.

As a free gift, salvation cannot be lost. The expression "once saved, always saved" is supported throughout Scripture, and any seemingly contrary passage is clearly pointing to those who never received it in the first place. It is important to understand that salvation is simple, but it is not easy, especially for adults. It involves complete surrender to the Will of God and acknowledgement of Him as absolute Lord. Those who have made this surrender have Christ's already-performed work on the cross for them "credited to their account" (so to speak), and cannot ever lose it. As long as we live in the flesh we will struggle with sin, but the flesh has not been redeemed yet (and will not until Christ's promised and expected return). The sinning agent is in question. If it is a product of spiritual deadness, the sin will be held against us (Ezekiel 18:20a). For those who have placed their trust in Christ, the sin is merely the natural tendency of the flesh demonstrating itself in a time of spiritual weakness. This does not grant the believer license, for those who have received Christ will no longer have a desire to sin; to commit one brings shame in the heart by the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which unbelievers do not experience.

9. The Nature of the Lordship of Christ

I believe the Bible teaches that the way of salvation lies in the utter surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. Indeed, in His earthly ministry, we have no indication that He accepted any followers who were not prepared to abondon everything for His cause, excepting (of course) Judas Iscariot. Although some erroneously believe this "lordship salvation" (their derrogatory term) is not scriptural in that it seems to make salvation and effort of works, the Bible teaches that only those who have completely surrendered to Christ in all areas--possessions, attitudes, beliefs and opinions, even familial obligations--are those fit to inherit His kingdom. This has nothing to do directly with works; it is a heart attitude. It will affect our lives as the New Man, or redeemed soul, begins replacing the Old Man, or sin nature (salvation is a one-time event; becoming Christ-like is an ongoing process); it will effect in us works that demonstrate the growth of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Works are a result of salvation, the working of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. They are not the cause of salvation (though it may be said that they are a good indicator).

10. The Nature of the Church

The Church as defined by the Scriptures is the body of those living and dead who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord. It is more than simply the body of those who organize in church buildings, for some who "attend" church are no more sons and daughters of God than any other sinner; and it is certainly more than some building. It is spoken of in the Bible as the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 12:11-27), allegorically as the Bride of Christ (John 3:29), New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2), and others. It is not (or ought not be) characterized by the sanctuary or meeting hall; even in the days of ancient Israel it was the presence of God that sanctified the temple, and the New Testament clearly states that the heart of the believer is the new sanctuary (1 Cor. 3:16, 6:19; 2 Cor. 2:16) and is to be kept pure.

11. The Nature of Worship