Comments on: Write About Jesus redux http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:22:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: mac http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-26503 mac Sat, 26 May 2007 05:15:50 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-26503 I attended WAJ a couple of years ago. While I can see how some might think the name could stand a rewrite, I've always thought it to be clever in a quirky sort of way. Also, the majority of songwriters tend to have quirky, out-of-the box personalities anyway and since they're the target market, they can appreciate the little double entendre. Oh, BTW- My style tends to be more Bohemian than Hanes T-Shirt , but I do wear the WAJ tee from time to time here in Nashville. Even my country writer friends think it's sweet. I attended WAJ a couple of years ago. While I can see how some might think the name could stand a rewrite, I’ve always thought it to be clever in a quirky sort of way. Also, the majority of songwriters tend to have quirky, out-of-the box personalities anyway and since they’re the target market, they can appreciate the little double entendre.

Oh, BTW- My style tends to be more Bohemian than Hanes T-Shirt , but I do wear the WAJ tee from time to time here in Nashville. Even my country writer friends think it’s sweet.

]]> By: Wendy http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-26346 Wendy Fri, 25 May 2007 23:44:47 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-26346 I have to say you bring up a lot of important points in your questions. One of the things I love most about the WAJ acronym being yes, as you correctly point out, cumbersome, is that it prods me to speak out the ENTIRE name in sentence form, generally with an explanation attached. That removes the exclusive insiders-only air that is attached to the monikers of so many other groups. It inadvertantly provides lots of great opportunities for informing others that might be interested in the event, as well as, you guessed it: witnessing! Inconvenient? Maybe sometimes. Your point? You also talk about "less cleverness being more" with respect to the name choice. That seems like an odd comment to me. I find the name of your column, in particular, a nice mix of simplicity and cleverness. However, I don't believe Sue was trying to be clever when she chose the name "Write About Jesus". I personally can't imagine it being any more simple and to the point. I think its beauty is its simplicity. And directness. As much as I'd love to continue addressing the other questions you raised, this is your column, not mine. But as a fellow Christian who lives to write about Jesus, please consider joining us in St. Louis/St. Charles at the 2007 WAJ. In fact, consider this a challenge as well as an invitation. You're clearly a very passionate person who's not afraid to express your point of view, and I think we'd all have a great time together! Until then- Wendy I have to say you bring up a lot of important points in your questions. One of the things I love most about the WAJ acronym being yes, as you correctly point out, cumbersome, is that it prods me to speak out the ENTIRE name in sentence form, generally with an explanation attached. That removes the exclusive insiders-only air that is attached to the monikers of so many other groups. It inadvertantly provides lots of great opportunities for informing others that might be interested in the event, as well as, you guessed it: witnessing! Inconvenient? Maybe sometimes. Your point?

You also talk about “less cleverness being more” with respect to the name choice. That seems like an odd comment to me. I find the name of your column, in particular, a nice mix of simplicity and cleverness. However, I don’t believe Sue was trying to be clever when she chose the name “Write About Jesus”. I personally can’t imagine it being any more simple and to the point. I think its beauty is its simplicity. And directness.

As much as I’d love to continue addressing the other questions you raised, this is your column, not mine. But as a fellow Christian who lives to write about Jesus, please consider joining us in St. Louis/St. Charles at the 2007 WAJ. In fact, consider this a challenge as well as an invitation. You’re clearly a very passionate person who’s not afraid to express your point of view, and I think we’d all have a great time together!

Until then-
Wendy

]]> By: Gina http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24306 Gina Wed, 23 May 2007 13:58:03 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24306 I attended WAJ aka Write About Jeus for the first time last year. I have worn my t-shirt probably 500 times, because I'm very proud to have been a part of the conference. When I wear it in public, I'm asked what it means, which gives me the opportunity to share. To share about Christian songwriting, and to share about Christ. A win-win situation. Sue Smith gives pros as well as nobodys like me the opportunity to develop the craft of songwriting at every level. What's confusing about Write About Jesus since that's exactly what we're doing? I attended WAJ aka Write About Jeus for the first time last year. I have worn my t-shirt probably 500 times, because I’m very proud to have been a part of the conference. When I wear it in public, I’m asked what it means, which gives me the opportunity to share. To share about Christian songwriting, and to share about Christ. A win-win situation. Sue Smith gives pros as well as nobodys like me the opportunity to develop the craft of songwriting at every level. What’s confusing about Write About Jesus since that’s exactly what we’re doing?

]]> By: Nick http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24275 Nick Wed, 23 May 2007 13:20:53 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24275 Mr Fineline -- I am a WAJ alumn, or more affectionately known as a WAJonian. I'd like to state here for the record that I have, on more than one occasion, worn my 2005 WAJ T-Shirt ("I Need Structure"), through America's finest airports. There is something strangely satisfying about standing in the TSA line with that shirt on. And when traveling on Southwest almost always guarantees you an empty neighboring passenger seat. It has undoubtedly drawn second glances, but it has also allowed me an opportunity to share something I'm very excited about. Namely, Writing About Jesus. Mr Fineline –

I am a WAJ alumn, or more affectionately known as a WAJonian. I’d like to state here for the record that I have, on more than one occasion, worn my 2005 WAJ T-Shirt (”I Need Structure”), through America’s finest airports.

There is something strangely satisfying about standing in the TSA line with that shirt on. And when traveling on Southwest almost always guarantees you an empty neighboring passenger seat.

It has undoubtedly drawn second glances, but it has also allowed me an opportunity to share something I’m very excited about. Namely, Writing About Jesus.

]]> By: Tiffany http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24008 Tiffany Wed, 23 May 2007 04:26:22 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-24008 I'm an alum of WAJ. I have to say that I love the t-shirts and do wear them afterwards. They have fun sayings on the front, for ex. "I'm Not Listening (I'm writing a song in my head)." Another one says "I Need Structure." They're great! I like the name of the workshop, however when I'm telling people the name I do feel the need to explain it is "Write About Jesus" instead of "Right About Jesus." Other then that I think it's great. Sue is a brilliant writer and the staff is just as talented. I've learned so much about the craft of songwriting from her workshop and I can't wait to go back! I’m an alum of WAJ. I have to say that I love the t-shirts and do wear them afterwards. They have fun sayings on the front, for ex. “I’m Not Listening (I’m writing a song in my head).” Another one says “I Need Structure.” They’re great!

I like the name of the workshop, however when I’m telling people the name I do feel the need to explain it is “Write About Jesus” instead of “Right About Jesus.” Other then that I think it’s great. Sue is a brilliant writer and the staff is just as talented. I’ve learned so much about the craft of songwriting from her workshop and I can’t wait to go back!

]]> By: Leebob http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-21692 Leebob Fri, 18 May 2007 11:04:03 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/05/17/write-about-jesus-redux/#comment-21692 May I say something here about the desire for new and interesting ideas. There IS nothing new under the sun. Unless you are ready to start altering theology you are going to have to accept the fact that there are not any new life changing ideas out there. We seek innovative ways to say things, but when it comes right down to it, it's still the cross (Oh yeah, that's been taken). I understand the need for consistency in songs and the people that sing them. Like the little 10 year old that tells me she started out travelling for the Lord MANY years ago....PUHLEASE!!! At the very least, try to understand what you are singing about. Parents, give direction to your kids and you think about what they are singing and the message they are trying to convey because they aren't going to. They just think it's a fun song. With that having been said, when it comes to the words of a song, I am hoping that these experts are simply trying to avoid hokiness in the song writing part of things. We have to be real and careful in our effort to come up with something new we don't come up with something NEW in the way of faulty theology. May I say something here about the desire for new and interesting ideas. There IS nothing new under the sun. Unless you are ready to start altering theology you are going to have to accept the fact that there are not any new life changing ideas out there. We seek innovative ways to say things, but when it comes right down to it, it’s still the cross (Oh yeah, that’s been taken).
I understand the need for consistency in songs and the people that sing them. Like the little 10 year old that tells me she started out travelling for the Lord MANY years ago….PUHLEASE!!! At the very least, try to understand what you are singing about. Parents, give direction to your kids and you think about what they are singing and the message they are trying to convey because they aren’t going to. They just think it’s a fun song.
With that having been said, when it comes to the words of a song, I am hoping that these experts are simply trying to avoid hokiness in the song writing part of things. We have to be real and careful in our effort to come up with something new we don’t come up with something NEW in the way of faulty theology.

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