Friday, November 8, 2013

35th Annual Covenant Awards

This year was the first time I took in The Covenant Awards in Burlington.  The awards recognize the best in Canadian Christian Music.  There were lots of great performances including up and coming bands like Anthem For Today and Mat & Nicole Crisp.   It is always nice to see more established artists too like Tim Neufeld and country superstar Paul Brandt.

I know some argue that Christians should not be handing out and receiving awards because they are, "doing it for the Lord."  I think I get what they are trying to say, but after seeing the look on the faces of the nominees and winners, I see their perspective too.

The Canadian Christian music industry is a small one.  Not many of them are "rich" like so many other entertainers. In fact, many of them have full time jobs on the side.  Others are full time and work very hard to book gigs, spend a lot of time on the road away from their families, and are certainly not millionaires.

I realized that the Covenant Awards are less about bragging rights, but exist to encourage.  It is not easy to be away from your family every weekend, to play in front of 50 people for a love offering (which is likely less than you think it is).  By receiving an award, these artists are given some much needed encouragement for following the call that God has put on their lives.  We all need that.

A special congratulations to all of the nominees.  It is a cliche to say that, "just to be nominated is an honour." Thank you to all of the artists for following God's call on your lives so they rest of us can be encouraged and challenged by your gifts.


  

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