Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 23 Home Page
September 25-28 marked the second annual GenXplosion, a worship conference designed for this generation (often called Gen X) at College Drive Community Church in Lethbridge, Alta. Craig Ginn, associate pastor of worship and the arts at College Drive, describes GenXplosion as "a unique `hands-on' conference of writing and recording worship music for Gen X". Last year, 23 musicians from five provinces representing 12 denominations collaborated to write and record 19 songs in one weekend. This year, 24 musicians and a painter participated to paint and to write and record 13 songs. Participants collaborated in a three-day, around-the-clock lock-in to answer the question: If our worship music was to speak to Gen X in our churches and in our culture, what would it sound like and what would it say? Participants ate and slept in the church. The conference is limited to 25 participants for logistical reasons.
High on the agenda was the belief that the Holy Spirit is alive and active. Within a few hours of arriving at the conference site, participants worshipped together, celebrated communion and then selected a theme for the weekend by lot. "Living" and "Mystery" were the themes selected. These two words were to guide all of the music writing. Craig Ginn said, "If we believe that God has a Spirit, then we expect Him to provide creativity which is at least as effective and interesting as secular artists'."
Participants formed three bands, and various members worked together to write lyrics and music. The writing process began Thursday night, and by Friday evening the first band was in a studio recording four songs. Individuals from the larger church community were drawn into the conference to provide three edits for each song: songs were evaluated and revised according to three criteria: Gen X appropriate lyrics, musicality and theology. All three bands wrote and rehearsed around the clock. Participants didn't attend a conference; they were the conference. Emotions ran high as songs came together and as some participants saw their songs dropped from the final roster.
By 11 pm. on Saturday night, 13 songs were ready for the "Jesus at Midnight" worship event which happens every month at a church in Lethbridge. From 11 pm. until 2 a.m. Sunday morning, 300 young adults and not-so-young adults worshipped the Lord through the leadership of three new bands and 13 new praise songs.
The sanctuary was galleried with large panels of Gen X art, created by the painter at the conference. The words "I want to believe" were emblazoned on huge panels painted with bull's-eyes and hung from the rafters of the sanctuary. A sponsoring multimedia company owned by church members produced video clips throughout the weekend, alongside the composing and painting.
"Jesus at Midnight" incorporated the music, art and video. The message was clear: The 10/30 window opens into a world of pain, a world yearning for integrity in relationships and a world that is desperately seeking a real experience with God.
GenXplosion participants led the worship service at College Drive Community Church Sunday morning and then worked through the day to finish recording and debriefing. While the conference ended Sunday evening, it is clear that the GenXplosion vision is much bigger than a weekend. Craig Ginn and the team of volunteers at College Drive have a vision to see GenXplosion take their music and tour across Canada in secular venues.
The interactive CD of GenXplosion '97 will be available shortly for $19.95 or $24.50.
David Balzer, English Producer, Family Life Network
Return to the M.B.Herald Vol. 36, No. 23 Home Page