So says the great hymn writer Isaac Watts.

I don’t really want to say much more than that, except that I’m going to try and write a lot more congregational songs in 2012 (keep up to date with them here). Will other gospel ministers join me?

It’s not complicated. If you’re daunted by the idea, find a familiar hymn tune, and a bible passage you’re going to be preaching on and start writing… Perhaps use your sermon points as themes for each verse, with a chorus that has the overall point as its content. If you want any help/input please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

And here’s the blurb I’ve put on youtube.

As a songwriter you always want to tell a story, give a message. But sometimes its tempting to run away from the messages closest to your heart because of the controversy it might cause. 

I’ve tried not to run away in this song. 

This is about a very difficult, complicated and painful issue – abortion. No one song can tell the whole story, and I do not attempt to. I’m only telling one side, one story – but I think it’s an important one to tell, because the story is of those who have literally no voice.

This song is not meant to condemn anyone – condemnation is inappropriate and unhelpful in this whole area.

But I do hope this song provokes discussion – discussion that is so desperately needed in this country, but is so often avoided.

Please click here and help us over this last hurdle.

If this is the first you’re reading about the album you can find out more here.

The album will feature BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominee Katriona Gilmore on fiddle and mandolin, hammond-organ and piano extraordinaire John Ellis, the Incredible Washboard Pete II and Geth Griffiths who has played alongside the likes of James Morrison and Kathryn Jenkins. Also involved will be legendary producer Bill Leader who has worked with the Dubliners, Mike Harding, Ewan MacColl and many more.

Don’t worry – this isn’t leading up to the launch of an appeal to ‘save the tinker children’. In fact I think these stats say a lot more about materialism and what our society thinks are basic living standards and rights than it does true poverty.

Sure, we don’t have two cars, we don’t watch tv, eat out much or go to the cinema. But I don’t feel like this is poverty. I hope that’s in part to God gradually teaching me the secret of contentment – Jesus. He is enough – and by that I mean he is everything I need – really enough.

By no means have I fully learned this, but maybe all this talk of poverty is an opportunity to ponder the one who entered poverty so we could be rich.

Oh, and if you really want to help those in poverty, go here.

I have now launched by campaign to raise money to record a new album in early 2012.
It’s simple really – you pledge money (£8 min) and you get the download of the album when it’s done, plus a bonus track. There are other goodies on offer too. Click here to find out more.

The album will feature BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Nominee Katriona Gilmore, the fabulous John Ellis on piano/hammond organ, Geth Griffiths on double bass and, of course, the Incredible Washboard Pete on percussion. The legendary Bill Leader will be producing and the whole thing will be recorded at Lime Field Studios in Manchester.

I’m really excited about this project, and have been waiting a while to lay down some particular tracks, so I’d love it if you could help make this possible.

Thanks for checking it out.

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/michaeljtinker

or www.michaeljtinker.com/album

Advance tickets are now just £6. Bargain really given the door price is £10…

Ring 01142554363 to book to see BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award finalist Lucy Ward.

Check out samples at www.michaeljtinker.com/folkclub

Every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the Month
The Lounge (23 Montgomery Road, S7 1LN)
Shows start at 8pm 

We’ve got a very exciting line-up.

Kicking off will be BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award finalist Lucy Ward.
We’ve also got Ian Stephenson, Luke Hirst and Sarah Smout, Broken Ground, my own trio ‘Tinker’s Three‘ and rounding off before Christmas with the fantastic Ewan McLennan.

Details of all the shows, tickets etc can be found here.

Heyup. Just wanted to let you know about a new song I’ve written… well its an old hymn with a new tune – The Old Rugged Cross. You’ll find a version Elvis did, but mine’s a bit more folky…

http://michaeljtinker.com/2011/09/07/demo-the-old-rugged-cross/

Recently I was asked to describe what I would do differently if I were to start again, knowing what I know now. Here was my response.

First, I would begin in the harvest and start small. Don’t start with a team of already-saved Christians. We think that having a bigger and better team will accelerate the work, but it doesn’t. In fact, it has the opposite effect. It is better to have a team of two, since the right two makes the work even better: an apostle and prophet together will lay the foundation of a movement. The churches birthed out of transformed lives are healthier, reproductive, and growing faster. It is about this: a life changed, not about the model. Never forget that.

Second, I would allow God to build around others. Don’t start in your own home; find a person of peace and start in that home. Read Matthew 10 and Luke 10, and do it.

Third, I would empower others from the start. Don’t lead too much. Let the new believers do the work of the ministry without your imposed control. Let the excitement of a new life carry the movement rather than your intelligence and persuasiveness.

Fourth, I would let Scripture, not my assumptions, lead. Question all your ministry assumptions in light of Scripture, with courage and faith. There is nothing sacred but God’s Word and Spirit in us; let them lead rather than your own experience, teachings, and tradition.

Fifth, I would rethink leadership. The Christian life is a process. There is not a ceiling of maturity that people need to break through to lead. Set them loose immediately, and walk with them through the process for a while. Leadership recruitment is a dead end. We are all recruiting from the same pond, and it is getting shallower and shallower. Leadership farming is what is needed. Any leadership development system that doesn’t start with the lost is starting in the wrong place. Start at the beginning, and begin with the end in mind. Mentor life on life and walk with them through their growth in being, doing, and knowing. The end is not accumulated knowledge but a life of obedience that will be willing to die for Jesus. The process isn’t over until there is a flat line on the screen next to the bed.

Sixth, I would create immediate obedience in baptism. Baptize quickly and publicly and let the one doing the evangelizing do the baptizing. The Bible doesn’t command us to be baptized, but to be baptizers. It is absolutely foolish the way we hold the Great Commission over our people and then exclude them from obeying it at the same time. We need to let the new convert imprint on the Lord for protection, provision, training, and leading, rather than on other humans.

Seventh and last, I would settle my ownership issues. Stop being concerned about whether ‘your’ church plant will succeed or not. It isn’t yours in the first place. Your reputation is not the one on the line; Jesus’ is. He will do a good job if we let him. If we have our own identity and reputation at stake in the work, we will tend to take command. Big mistake. Let Jesus get the glory and put his reputation on the line; He can take care of Himself without your help.

It is time for faith that fears inaction, not failure. It is time to stand up high, boldly announce, ‘To infinity and beyond!’ … and then take the leap. You will either fly or fall with style – and both are worth it.