Q&A Session 2: Richard Maegraith

“Richard talks about his involvement with Muso Hang, personal principles of how he seeks God’s guidance, and effectiveness of Small Groups (having them alongside Church and being involved in them)”

[For the PDF version of this Q&A click HERE]

  

THE NOW

Leigh Lim: Can You Tell me about ‘Muso Hang’? Who are you aiming to reach?

Richard Maegraith: It’s a kind of, I suppose, ministry towards musicians, that I’m doing. In terms of it being Christ-Centred and for evangelism and artistic purposes. It is a mixture between a party, jam session, and a church service. Those are the three components. I, or someone else does some kind of Bible talk. What is different is that the Bible talk is focused on connecting with musicians, and trying to find things that will resonate with them. 

And so I’ll often, find a secular song with the lyrics shown (by reading them or giving people a copy of them), and do my best to find out the intention of the songwriter or the lyricist. Whether it is grief, loss, shame, anger or injustice --- whatever it might be. The kind of “heart’s cry” --- and find one passage in the Bible, usually something that Jesus has said, or how Jesus has dealt with those things, in the Bible and His ministry.

So, I’m trying to make these Bible talks as relevant and accessible to non-churchy people as possible. Basically Muso Hang is a parachurch, in which it focuses on a specific group of people, and works alongside the Church. Some missiologoists would call this the Homogenous Unit Principle. In contrasts and works as a servant to the church (which includes everyone rich, poor, old, young, different backgrounds,etc...).

LL: What other ministries are you involved with?

RM: I’m currently an assistant minister in an Anglican Church, so I preach, lead bible studies, meet with people, etc. Also I play music and sing at Church weekly, in the morning and in the evening services. Though the thing that is closest to my heart is my wife and family, so they are my first ministry.

WHAT HAS SHAPED HIM

LL: What was your Christian Journey like?

RM: I was actually brought up in a home where my mum was a Christian and dad wasn’t, so it was a semi-Christian setting. We went to church, but I always thought being a Christian was about trying to be a good person. Then when I was 19, I discovered that Jesus is Lord and that I should repent. Until then, not knowing it, I'd struggled with music and myself being my god, you know, as a musician, wanting myself to be known and things like that. 

After becoming a Christian, I didn’t know how to fit in the Church, largely because of the unspoken criticism of music in church leading to idolatry. So mediocrity reigned. It was a very confusing time for me Another thing that made it particularly challenging was the music that I played and loved was jazz. Not ‘worship’ music, which every other Christian seemed to love. It didn't resonate with me. (Still doesn't on a musical level at least). At the time, I had a number of friends from Pentecostal backgrounds and I was encouraged by their freedom to pursue music and the arts with excellence for the glory of God and building up of believers. 

I had a revelation in 2005 where I believe the Lord wanted me to remain a musician to glorify him, but in a secular context - to share the good news of Jesus with musos and others who wouldn’t come into a church building. That’s how the Muso Hang largely came about.

LL: Are there any particular books you’ve read, or people you’ve connected with ----- that has influenced your growth (personally and spiritually)?

RM: Mission to Islam and Beyond, Wrath of God's Love, Man of Dust, Man of Glory. For me, I’m not much of a book reader, so I’d say, people more than books. One particular person I’d mention is John Dunn, he mentored me for a number of years. He passed away suddenly last December.

LL: Sorry to hear that John has passed away. So in light of his memory and life, is there one thing that kept coming up during your time with him?

RM: One thing that he instilled in me was: “There is nothing we can do of ourselves, to win favour with God". And then he'd illustrate this by talking about our imaginary 'DIY Justification Kit’ that we all have. Because when you are led astray, or struggle with something, and incur guilt and shame Christ, you have two options: One would be to repent and believe that your sins are forgiven, and the other would be to try and justify yourself before God and others (hence the ‘DIY Justification Kit’).

We either walk in Christ's forgiveness or return to guilt living with the rest of the world. I think we as Christians can live much of our lives trying to justify ourselves, whilst still doctrinally holding to ‘justification by faith alone’.

CONNECTING

LL: Are you part of a small group?

RM: Yes, I lead a couple of groups, one with mixed ages and genders and a men’s group.

LL: What do you think are the benefits of being in a small group?

RM: When you are in a small group, people are more likely to share what’s going on in their lives. Small groups also are an opportunity to build friendships, and it gives more interaction. There are also some people that learn better in small groups, through discussion and sharing.

LL: Do you think small groups are an extension of Church?

RM: I actually think small groups are an expression of church, because two or 3 people gathered in Jesus’ name (Matthew 18:20) is the church meeting. I’d also say that small groups are vital to any church, anywhere.

LL: What’s your personal routine when seeking God’s guidance?

RM: No Routine.

I do have principles though:

• Read God’s Word expectantly
• Pray expectantly
• Talk to godly people
• Ask questions as to how this prospect/decision might glorify God
• Look at my current circumstances

“God hasn’t brought me this far to leave me” so says a song I like. Is God moving me in a new direction? New chapter or am I to perservere with the current circumstances? Keep praying.

• Make a decision in full faith for God’s glory

LL: What would your advice be to Artists who are trying to find out which ministry they should be involved in?

RM: I guess it is no different if you were any other person in Church, as ministry is about service. "Love God and do what you want", I guess.  When in ministry, it is about dying to yourself. Don’t go into ministry ‘to find yourself’. You come to Jesus to find yourself. You go into ministry to serve others with the life and hope you have found in Jesus.

My advice would be:

• Look at where God’s gifted you (what you love doing and asking others you trust where they think you’re gifted)
• Dedicate it to God and keep assessing it, asking godly people to help with feedback.

So, think about what you love to do. If you love to bake cakes, bake cakes; if you love to sing, get good at it, get some lessons. However, for upfront ministry (like singing), it has to be good and not distracting. No visitor is not going to come to church again just because a cake tastes a bit too sugary, but if someone’s poorly singing and leading, it may be the last time we see that visitor.

Another thing I’d like to mention is respecting people in authority. As Aussies, we have a tendency to prize egalitarian values. Whilst the bible has demonstrations of egalitarianism (Galatians 3:28), there are also clear instructions to respect elders and leaders in the church (Heb 13:17). So, we need to be ready to accept loving criticism and leadership that may reduce or qualify, or not give us the ministry we think we should be doing. Remember it's about service. Philippians 2.

LL: Well Richard, I really appreciate your time, and thank you for sharing. I was able to learn a lot more about you because of this chat.

RM: You’re welcome. And thank you for persisting [scheduling the Q&A], I know I’ve been very busy.

* Richard MaeGraith is a working musician (saxophonist) and a part-time pastor with Marrickville Rd Church and also runs with a team, the Muso Hang, approximately every 8 weeks. Richard is also featured in  Con Campbell's book: 'Outreach and the Artist'

Source Material and Notes: The material posted is based a phone conversation (June 2013) between Richard MaeGraith and Leigh Lim. Subsequent additions and corrections have been provided by Richard MaeGraith.  Content has been edited for length, and the final version has been reviewed and approved by the interviewee before being posted.