1. 5/27/14 Testimony
Sittingbehindthe electronicdrumsonthe red-carpetedaltarinfrontof the communionrail,Ilookout
at the congregationseatedforthe 10:30a.m. New Dimensionsservice atTrinityLutheranChurchin
Hicksville,NY,andprepare tocount off the firstsongonce ourpastor finisheshisannouncements.It
occurs to me that many have come to hearthe bandplay,and withthatrecognitioncomesahumble
thankfulnessanda motivatingfearthatthe bandwill not soundgoodenough.Althoughmypathtothe
church bandwas not straight,or expected,ithasbecome ajoy andan importantpart of mypersonal
ministryandlife.
I grewup idolizingthe rockand roll of the 70s and 80s, bandsthat coupledthe excitementandenergyof
popularmusicwithwildandoftenoutlandishstage shows thatdrew millionsof fans.Iwenttomany
concertsas a youngfan,and didmybestto emulate the drummersfrommyfavorite bandsbyair
drummingalongtothe showsandtryingto learnwhattheywere doingbywatchingand copyingthem.
Fast forwardthroughthe yearsand manycover bandslater,andI was on the verge of becomingburned
out performinginbarsandVFW Hallsandvenuesthroughoutthe tri-state areaformoney.Irationalized
that, beingabouttohit a milestonebirthday(40), itwastime tohang up my performinglife onthe
weekendsandgoback to attendingchurchservicesatTrinity.Little didIknow that I wouldcome to
understandandcherishthese wordsfromJamesChapter3: “If you are wise andunderstandGod’s
ways,prove itby livinganhonorable life,doinggoodworkswiththe humilitythatcomesfromwisdom.”
My pastor,noticingmyre-emergence inservicesandknowingthatIhad beenplayinginbandsfrommy
folks,calledtoaskme downto jam withthe church bandhe wasputtingtogether.
I wentto that firstrehearsal andfoundacaring groupof fellow Christianseagertoaccept me intothe
fold.Itwas a wonderful welcome.Ialsodiscoveredalove of thiscontemporaryChristianmusic,andI
founda similarityinthese songstomanyof the popularsongsI had playedforyearsincoverbands.I
rediscoveredajoyinplayingthatIhad beenmissingwhile performingasa secondjobinthe barsat
nightand onthe weekends,andtenyearslater Iam still playingwithahuge smile onmyface every
otherweek,humble andthankfulthatthe Lord hasgivenme a talentto share for Hisglory!
Paul Viole
56 SpielmanAvenue
Farmingdale,NY11735
516-451-1572
