What Can the Church Learn from Jazz?

02/24/2025

I missed this when it first appeared in the Fall 2022 issue of the Vancouver School of Theology magazine, but had my attention drawn to it through a meeting recently with Julian Davis Reid's grandfather-in-law. I was gifted a copy of his solo piano CD, 'Rest Assured,' and am enjoying it immensely. Hoping we can touch base soon and generate some theological jamming over jazz.

https://vst.edu/blog/perspectives/notes-of-rest/

11/10/2024

The other book that offers rich wisdom on jazz and church is William G. Carter's 'Thriving on a Riff: Jazz and the Spiritual Life.' Here's the link to my review of that one - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/176186016-thriving-on-a-riff.

11/10/2024

Catching up on posting to this page with some recent reviews of wonderful books exploring fascinating dimensions of church and jazz. The first is by Mark Glanville - Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul. Here's the link to my review of it on Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/183155395-improvising-church. Love to see what gets provoked for you.

11/09/2024

Frank Barrett is a major mentor of mine in provoking new possibilities in thinking about the parallels between jazz and organizations. This article is a superb introduction to his life and approach.
https://case.edu/think/fall2024/the-music-is-the-message.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawGcEwJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHeeDnjwBqHYu7r0NAJm4Lk7eJFR0rMFMWozgehhGVdGlC-YXNsm7Jxakhg_aem_8bAEwsAivepvjK_6So5SaA

Frank Barrett, PhD, a jazz pianist and professor at Case Western Reserve University, uses jazz improvisation as a model for leadership and organizational change, demonstrating through music how adaptability and innovation can drive personal and organizational growth.

10/17/2024

I hope you can sense the joy in this group of amazing young women jazz musicians who have called Brentwood Presbyterian Church, Burnaby, BC their home for rehearsing and jamming for several years now. The pic was taken at Jazz Worshiping & Events with Brentwood Presbyterian Church last night. We're so honoured to have such partners in our expanding connections with the jazz community in Greater Vancouver and beyond.