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 3333
Beverly Drive - Klamath Falls, OR 97603
- 541.883.3158 - FAX 541.883.8849
Dear Fellow Pastor:
You and I receive many inquiries
from Christian musicians offering to
minister in our churches. I don't know
about you, but I say "no"
a lot. It's really difficult to figure
out which performers would really "connect"
with our audience - short of personally
attending a concert on my own. It's
just too time-intensive to obtain the
information I need regarding musical
styles, quality of performance, spiritual
depth, cost, etc.
So I know how it is.
But when Chris and Phyllis Tempest
contact you, do yourself (and your congregation/
group) a favor - think about booking
them. Here's some information that will
help you decide (in four minutes or
less).
Chris Tempest, 38, is a song-writer
in the mode of Michael Card and Michael
W. Smith. I would call him a balladeer
because most of his songs tell stories.
This characteristic is reflected in
the titles of the albums he has produced
thus far: "The Journey" (1999),
"The Path" (2001), and "The
Odyssey" (2004). To say that his
music emerges out of his walk with God
is a profound grasp of the obvious.
As a song-writer, Chris composes
the lyrics, writes the music, and arranges
the orchestrations. In concert and on
the albums, he is the vocalist. He plays
guitar(s), keyboard, and computer (!).
His wife Phyllis is a gifted pianist
who accompanies Chris on keyboard and
electric bass. They have been in full-time
music ministry since 2002, performing
concerts from Washington State to Florida.
With respect to musical style, Chris's
music is mostly on the "mellow"
end of "Christian contemporary"
music. If your group prefers styles
that are loud, raucous, and unintelligible,
you don't want Chris and Phyllis. On
the other hand, a Tempest concert reflects
considerable variety. One aspect of
Chris's gifting is a versatility that
artfully marries lyrics and musical
genre - the whole is always greater
than the sum of its parts. The benefit
to the audience is an engaging concert
wherein the music is not all the same.
The good news is that you can hear
a sampling of Chris's music on their
web page: www.christempest.com.
What that won't give you, though, is
the "feel" of the live concert.
I only use the word "concert"
out of necessity; the drawback in that
term is the static picture of active
performers and passive listeners. With
Chris and Phyllis, the audience is more
intimately connected. It's an intangible
that is hard to explain. Part of it
has to do with the fact that Chris's
songs tell stories; but he interweaves
those sub-plots into The Story that
is being told throughout the concert.
Another part is personality and focus.
For while the music is intensely personal
and experiential, Chris and Phyllis
are remarkably unselfconscious. The
attention of the listener is drawn not
so much to the performers as to the
One who is the subject of their testimony
and worship. What the audience gains
is an experience in which they have
been participants, from which they leave
with uplifted spirits.
And this connection is made with
audiences of all ages. Youth enjoy the
Tempests because they are relevant and
they play the right kinds of instruments.
Peers and Boomers appreciate the artistry
and the lyrical content - and the fact
that you can understand the words! Seniors
want to adopt them because they're so
adorable (I kid you not).
And while all musicians enjoy performing
before a large audience, Chris and Phyllis
have a special love for small churches.
Also, they are self-contained - if you
provide the electricity, they have all
the equipment they need to bring their
ministry to you. That translates into
a high-impact ministry opportunity with
a low investment in time and energy.
I personally think that the best
scenario for the Tempests and your church
is one in which Chris and Phyllis present
a couple of songs in your Sunday morning
service, then return for a Sunday evening
concert. Another option is to have them
lead your Sunday morning worship, then
conduct a concert in the evening. If
your folks have a chance to hear them
live, most will return for more. A third
alternative is pulpit supply. If you
have to be away for a Sunday, your congregation
would likely enjoy the change of pace
provided by a Tempest concert. The drawback
to this option, of course, is that you
would miss out on it yourself.
That's it. I'm hoping this longish
letter will actually save you time.
Listening to a couple of excerpts on
the web page will give you a sense of
quality and style. If you like what
you hear, then it's just a matter of
finding a suitable time slot. My assurance
to you is that the gain will be greater
than the cost.
You can thank me later.
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