In the interview portion, Jason talks about whether he sees himself more as a pastor/teacher first or as a musician/worship leader. Then he talks about what the difference is between leading worship in front of a band for a large audience versus a solo time of leading worship with a more intimate congregation.
“It’s impossible to be a follower of Jesus without being some form of an artist, because it requires too much faithful imagination.” Eugene Peterson
Not many guests can quote Wendell Berry on agriculture and Thomas Merton on mercy gifts being unpredictable in the same breath.
“Our need for certainty is poisoning us. A real farmer cares more about the soil than the product.” —Berry
“When I thought about the church, I thought ‘wow if there’s anything organic, it’s being followers of Jesus.’ We’ve become so organizational [rather than organic].”
“Jesus walks into deserted places, but the crowds follow him there. And in this deserted place, where the disciples say, ‘There’s no food here. Let’s send them back to the place where all the bread is.’ Jesus says, ‘No I’ve come to move you away from this anxiety-of-scarcity people into a God-of-abundance people. So let’s wait on the what the gift is that God’s going to give. We have this little gift over here, it’s this little boy. He’s got five loaves and two fishes…and even the disciples then are like ‘but Jesus, that’s not enough.’ What does Jesus say? ‘Alright, bring me what you say is not enough.’ That’s the thing about us artists, we always think what God has given to us isn’t enough. So we’re always looking for the more. Because we think that’s what’s going to satisfy. Jesus lifts what’s been given to the Father and says thank you. Because if this is what You’ve given, I already know it’s going to be enough.”
We also shared a message about one of our favorite NGO's with a transformative mission. For more information, visit araincollective.org
