Make Music

Scott Kerlin writes about themes such as: what the Lord is teaching him, worship, music, ministry, and life's experiences.

The Gift of Christmas
October 04, 2011

We have big plans for our Christmas musical, "The Gift of Christmas." We are partnering with First Baptist of Centerville for this event to share the message of hope with as many people as possible in our area. We expect 100+ choir, 25+ orchestra, children, students, drama, and even a few other creative elements. How incredible to spread the Christmas message in such a powerful way?! And here's the real kicker... You can be a part!    From children to students to adults, this is an opportunity for you to sing! Our two oldest children's choirs will take part in the m ... read more
Matt Redman and 10,000 Reasons
July 26, 2011

There are many reasons why Matt Redman has been my favorite songwriter and worship leader since his music hit the shelves at the same time as the classic single, “Whoomp! There It Is.” He is one of those writers that has more than impressive ability and artistic creativity. I believe he has been called by God and equipped by the Holy Spirit to write songs that believers all around the world can sing to the glory of God. Apart from writing amazing songs, Matt has a humble spirit that exudes from his music and heart. While on stage, it is so obvious that Matt is only performing fo ... read more
National Worship Leader Conference
July 21, 2011

     It's been an incredible week at the National Worship Leader Conference in Kansas. There's no way to properly describe every aspect of the conference, other than to say we worshipped God through some powerful and creative means each day. The workshops were very educational and insightful, and I'm so excited to get home and prayerfully brainstorm what God wants to do in and through our worship at Shirley Hills.      In this post, I won't share lots of facts or quotes from this week, but I will share some personal reflections. I may share more logistical or tec ... read more
Catch Up
June 23, 2011

It's been awhile since I've blogged, so here's an attempt to catch up on the last few weeks. Summer is in full swing, which means life is either crazy busy or as relaxed as can be. I've experienced both of those extremes recently. Sunday, June 5th was as busy a Sunday as I've experienced, but it was such an amazing day! Apart from the normal Sunday morning services, we had a special Sunday evening hymn service followed by our brand new gathering for college students, singles, and young professionals. It was interesting to do a very traditional hymn service with hymnals, pi ... read more
Memorial Day Video
May 30, 2011

I am so thankful to all the men and women who serve our country and have served in years past. On this day we reflect and remember the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. May God bless those who serve, their families, and the families of the fallen.

Here's a great video from The Skit Guys for Memorial Day:

College Ministry & The Edge
May 17, 2011

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin ... read more
Album Review: Derek Webb’s "Feedback"
May 02, 2011

Derek Webb, singer-songwriter formerly of Caedmon’s Call, released an album titled Feedback on April 5, 2011. This is a worship album unlike anything I have heard or, for that matter, seen. Derek Webb collaborated with artist Scott Erickson and photographer Jeremy Cowart to produce an audio-visual project communicating the meaning and depth of the Lord’s Prayer. Musically, this is an instrumental album that has been described as both “electronic” and “classical.” Though electronic instruments are used at times, there is a variety of acoustic or stringed instruments heard in each track ... read more
Reflections from Prison Ministry & Easter Musical
April 23, 2011

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-a ... read more
Love Is Alive
April 13, 2011

It is the best season of the year to be a follower of Christ. I love Christmas as much as anyone: the music, lights, family, food, movies, giving and receiving, and cold weather… it’s so much fun. The message that the Messiah has come to earth is crucial in the story of redemption. However, it doesn’t compare to the celebration of what Jesus did for you and me through the death, burial, and resurrection. I believe the church struggles with these two great seasons of the Christian calendar, particularly the less liturgical denominations (such as the one I am a part). That may s ... read more
Beautiful Things
April 07, 2011

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-a ... read more
Reflections from Music City and the Smokies
March 24, 2011

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-a ... read more
Songwriting: Stand Firm
March 16, 2011

Songwriting has been one of my greatest ambitions since I was in high school. No other hobby brings me as much joy and frustration at the same time. Some of the songs I have written were quite horrible, but the idea of writing a song that allows the church to worship keeps me coming back to the drawing board. One of my constant prayers is that God will allow me to develop this gift of songwriting. So I’m working at it, and I’m trying to do my part to grow as a lyricist and composer. Last summer I attended the National Worship Leader Conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Apart from e ... read more
The Christian Atheist
March 08, 2011

Book Review: The Christian Atheist, by Craig Groeschel I've never been much of a reader. I’m not proud of that fact, but it’s definitely been a reality throughout my life thus far. Cliff’s Notes and Spark Notes helped me through high school, and then there was the family vacation where a friend and I had to read “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” It was apparent to our mothers that we were not interested in reading on vacation, so our mothers read to us all the way to San Antonio and back. To be honest, I still don’t know why the caged bird sings. It’s even a running joke w ... read more
Befriended by the King
March 03, 2011

There are several songs that speak of friendship with God (hymns and contemporary songs), so this is not a new concept. It is, however, an incredible concept to grasp. The Creator of everything, the King and Lord of all, the Beginning and the End… yes, He desires friendship with His creation. Though I don’t deserve this friendship (and certainly don’t bring anything of worth to this relationship), He faithfully and graciously covers my life with love and grace. Is this not an astonishing mystery? I constantly fail Him, and yet He remains faithful. My favorite songwriter for some tim ... read more
A New Hallelujah
February 24, 2011

It’s been an interesting week, as “the crud” finally reached our home in Warner Robins. Fortunately, I was the sole recipient of such sickness at the Kerlin household, and I was able to voluntarily quarantine myself in the upstairs portion of the house. The sickness ran it’s course after a day or so, and I was able to make it to Shirley Hills for rehearsals last night. The choir has been working on the song “A New Hallelujah” for several weeks, and this song will be the choir’s call to worship Sunday morning. I thought it would be good to share a few thoughts about this song, a ... read more
Out of the Mouth of Babes
February 18, 2011

I haven’t been a father for very long. In fact, my journey into fatherhood began one month ago today. Happy Birthday, Addie! So, I’m no expert on being a dad, and I’m certainly not a prophet. But I’m here to tell you that Addie is fulfilling Scripture day by day… and even more so night by night. In Matthew 21, Jesus is conversing with the chief priests and scribes who are not overjoyed at His following, particularly when the children began to worship Him in the temple. Jesus refers to Psalm 8 and says, “Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have p ... read more
What in the Word?
February 16, 2011

Often times worship is seen as simply a matter of the heart, so many conclude that one’s actions and speech are not particularly important in worship. Perhaps this is why so many people in worship at any given church look like they would rather be at the dentist office. You can almost hear people say, “Don’t view my actions or expect me to sing… my heart is right with the Lord.” While I will acknowledge that worship stems from the heart, should it not overflow into the expression of one’s face, the posture of the worshiper, and the voice of every believer? Is it possible that we have le ... read more
The blog begins... Make Music!
February 14, 2011

Make music? Sounds like a strange title for a blog, but it’s in reference to Ephesians 5:19. This is one of the few references to music or singing in the New Testament. In this chapter, Paul is giving instruction to the church, and in a portion of Scripture dealing with BIG issues he communicates the importance of worship through song. How cool is that? Interestingly, he doesn’t specify that musicians or singers alone should make music. The implication is that all believers should “make music from your heart to the Lord.” What should this “music” or “melody” consist of? The many Psal ... read more