The Gospel Music Legends Of Our Time

Over the past twenty years or so, gospel music has lost many legends from
Glenn Payne, GeorgeYounce, Vestal Goodman, Anthony Burger, Roger Bennett,
Jake Hess, J.D. Sumner and many others. These folks were really legends for my
parents and maybe yours. In this blog, I would like to have some input on who would
be considered legends of our day. I would suggest maybe Ivan Parker,
Brian Free, Tim Riley, Michael English, Derek Boyd, Gerald Wolf, Jeff Stice, Danny Funderburk,
Phil Cross, just to name a few,, who would be on your shortlist?
Blessings
Eric Stephens

Gays in Gospel Music

I have never been able to understand how a man can stand in a pulpit night after
night and sing, testify, and proclaim the gospel in song and yet be a homosexual.
How does one practice this lifestyle without condemnation and guilt?
In Romans 1:24-27 " Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their own hearts
to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, abandoning
them to the degrading power of sin. " Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie
and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever.
And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze with lust
for one another, men comitting shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies
and personalities the inevitable consequence and penalty of their wrong doing and going
astray, which was fitting retribution.
On many other Gospel Music sites, I have noticed everyone trying to diagnose whats wrong
with southern gospel music. This looks like a good place to start, if God is to revive our
industry, we must clean house. These quartets that hire homosexuals should step up to
the plate and be honest with the church. They deserve that much. Hey, I have a great idea
lets stop looking the other way, just because they may have some talent.
Blessings
Eric

The one thing in this business you can count on, “Change”

Hello,
We are excited about our new project and some of the places we are singing in the fall.
A special "thank you", to all the folks in Missouri who showed us great hospitality and
the meals were great! Please come see us at the Bell Buckle Craft Fair coming up in
July. I will post the exact date soon. Till next time,
Blessings
Eric

Clarification for previous post!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our former members,
Jym Howe and Allen Thompkins, for their efforts and contributions to
our quartet. We offer them prayers and blessings on any future endeavors.
In our previous post we mentioned that it was no easy task filling the
tenor position with someone who is committed, talented ,and ministry minded.
I interviewed many candidates that seem to be just looking for a paycheck
or group name in order to further their careers in gospel music. After much thought
and prayer and realizing that we are not what I would consider a traditional quartet,
because we have a female piano player, I then began to believe that a good
female alto could fill the position quite nicely. So, that's just what we did. We filled the
position with a gifted alto singer. However, I may be somewhat biased because after all,
she is my mother.
Till next time.
Blessings,
Eric Stephens

The Search is Over!!!!!

Well, I think we finally found a tenor that will do a great job for us.
We looked high and low for someone who would work cheap.
It seems that the tenor spot, is hardest position to keep filled these days
in southern gospel music. We are so glad to have a tenor who doesn't mind
giving us a long term commitment. This tenor is not looking for the next best
group to join. This tenor provides us with strong harmonies as well as the capabilities
of stepping out and doing a strong feature song. The next time The Tennesseans
are in your area, come see our new tenor. You"ll be so glad you did.
Blessings,
Eric

Maybe Next Year!

I just finished looking at all the nominations for the SGN awards this year. What a list!
I must say I'm disappointed that we didn't get the nod for horizon group of the year LOL.
I think we deserve it for sure. I'm so proud of our guys for doing such a great job. We have
had such awesome responses to our music everywhere we have been. I truly believe that
God knew what He was doing when He put this thing together. We are so looking forward
to this year, we have some exciting dates on the calender. FYI, if you are new here to our
sight, we welcome any invitations to minister, we work cheap LOL but hey we dont sound
cheap. Although we dont post references on the sight, they are available by email
at . We will be singing this Saturday night in Cookeville
Tenn, (they love us there) at the Double Springs Baptist Church, starts at 6.p.m.,
come and be with us.
Till next time.
Blessings,
Eric Stephens

IFBD Conclusion

There are many Independent Baptist churches in America who do not adhere to the
spiritual abusive ways discussed in previous blogs. We must also mention that the
IFB are not the only denomination utilizing scripture manipulation to control members.
Many pastors and preachers weekly indoctrinate their flocks with separation theology
using such doctrines as baptism, speaking in tongues, and the trinity just to name a few.
For many years these issues have divided God's churches, and the end result has been
mass confusion. If God is not the author of confusion, then one must assume He has nothing
to do with these issues that separate the church. Man created these divisive issues by
taking scriptures out of context, not studying to show themselves approved, but mainly
creating a doctrine or denomination based on One scripture in God's word.

What is God-Honoring Music?

The local IFBC advertises that they utilize "God honoring music" in their worship service.
What that really means is they utilize hymns only, and have no regard for any other
types of worship material. The message also has an under-tone of our music honors
God while all other denominations music does not. This is the same denomination that
suggests that drums should not be played in church. This theory denies that God is the
Creator and Maker of all things. The Bible also teaches us to write and sing unto the Lord
new songs. Was God really serious about that part? Music is another tool the Fundamental
Independent Baptist leadership use to control their congregations. How? It is taught from the
pulpit quite often in correlation to the separation doctrine which is mentioned by this particular
church's pastor every week.
But hey, don't take my word: always refer to God's Word and check it out for yourself.
Eric

Independent Fundamental Baptist Decepiton Part 4

The IFBD is meticulous to maintain an image of righteousness. The organizations history is
often misrepresented in the effort to demonstrate the organizations special relationship to God.
Impossibly high legalistic standards of thought and behavior are imposed on the congregation.
In one particular IFBC, the volunteer Sunday school woman teacher must sign a waiver that reads
she will not wear pants to church or away from the church at any time or she will be disqualified
from serving the church. All of the legal issues are pounded into the congregations on a regular
basis in order to make the congregation feel inferior and to create the attitude of submission the
pastor and church leadership. Many IFBC members will not visit other church functions and programs
because of fear of being called an outcast etc.. One particular singing group from a IFC was asked
to participate in a fund raising campaign for the poor, one of the group members replied that they do
not sing for other denominations. This specific person is a leader within the IFBC and is the chairman
at the "Sword of the Lord" a newspaper that often criticises other denominations especially the
Southern Baptist. This is an underlying theme for these churches, people are not allowed to be themselves
They are made to fit into a particular mold and if people don't conform they are shunned and rejected as outcasts.
When visiting a local IFBC I noticed the members were not friendly, they had the look of empty souls. The best word
I could use to describe the members is simply drones. I thought to myself they are definitely drinking the cool-aid.
Next lesson, we will cover, the "we-the-only-ones who have God-honoring music theories" from the IFBC.
Blessings
Eric Stephens

Independent Baptist Deception Part 3

Probably the most obvious characteristic of the IFBD is the legalistic mentality, and its focus on the law rather than grace.
The IFBD blends the ceremonial laws of the OT with the moral law and NT covenant. These laws become enmeshed and
are confused with Gods Design for the NT Church. Whats worse yet is that the IFBD picks and chooses which OT laws
it will follow making this characteristic much more confusing and abusive. For example IFB emphasis that women should
not wear pants. This is taken from the OT. However one must bear in mind that pants did not exist when the OT
was written, which would indicate the scripture has a completely different meaning. Performance of the law is a way to gain
favor with God and a way to make God like us more. Those who are successful are put on a pedestal and those who cant
measure up are considered rebellious and outcasts. Grace is never spoken of except as it relates to salvation. Rules, laws,
and standards are the litmus to gage a good Christian in the IFBD. It is spiritual abuse to take a verse of scripture out of
context and apply it to a topic in order to support a specific belief.
Our next study will be on the "Image of Righteousness".

Independent Fundamental Baptist Deception Part 2

One of the biggest problems with spiritual abuse is hat it is very subtle. Think of the abuser as a con-artist.
Pastors and other spiritual leaders become adept at using scripture to back up their subtle manipulation and control.
Leaders often find ways to control, not only what happens in their churches also what happens in Your personal life.
For example, leaders in the IFB would frequently communicate the need for us to consult with them before making
decisions. Leadership brings guilt on members for going on vacation especially of that person
or family that hasn't paid the correct amount of tithe. Fraternizing with people who have left the church is strictly forbidden.
People who have left the IFB denomination were perceived as sinful., and his or her salvation was questionable.
IFB portray themselves to their congregations as having a monopoly on the gospel message and if one is saved
in another denomination, the conversion often not recognized especially if the sinner was lead to Christ with an NIV.
Churches that abuse promote extra-biblical rules and standards and equate them as doctrine or at least coming
from God, havee nothing to do salvation or ones commitment to Christ. Many trivial matters are repeated from the pulpit's
with regularity, and the issues are always the same, dress, hair length, music one listens to and going to movies. Whats the
message do? Victims often feel that they aren't good enough and not able to live up to the expectations. What the IFB have
done is backwards, Instead of learing from the Bible through proper exegesis and interpretation, they develop
their beliefs and then find scripture to support the theories.
This concludes Part 2
Blessings
Eric

Teaching Series Exposing the Fundamental Independent Baptist

Spiritual abuse is similar to emotional abuse and occurs when the leaders of a church or religious
organization use their power and position to manipulate, control and or coerce their
Congregation, followers, members, whether on purpose or with good intentions. Spiritual abuse often
very subtly for seemingly the right reasons, but it can also be biatant for outright selfish financial, emotional and physical gain.
Spiritual abuse includes, but is not limited to mind-control, thought reform, coercion, manipulation,
deception, legalism, authoritarianism, basically the attitude that we are right and everyone else is wrong.
Spiritual abuse is often done in the name of proclaiming the truth. The trouble with spiritual abuse is the perpetrator
often has been deceived him or herself into thinking that they are helping when in actuality they are
doing more harm than good. Spiritual abuse has turned Christianity into Churchianity where the church and its particular traditions
become more important than or at least equal to, the Word.

Stay tuned for more of this teaching...
Eric

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Hello, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks to all the guys and their families for a great first year! The Tennesseans have been welcomed into gospel music with open arms by the fans, churches, and pastors. We are so thankful for the many folks we have met along the way over the past year. Next year is shaping up quite nicely with many dates already on the books. I never imagined the sucess we would have in our first year. We absolutely give God all the praise and glory for putting this"thang" together. Over the holidays, we will be working on our new recording for next year, and we a truly excited about all of the material we have. Hopefully our online store will be up and running in a few weeks. Please continue to pray for us and our families as we move through the holidays and we of course will be praying for you.
Blessings
Eric

November 12, 2007

Hello!
We had another great weekend in Cookville Tennessee! Want to say a special thank you to the pastor and folks
at Cookville Freewill Baptist Church, for allowing us to share in your homecoming service. Also to Friendship Church of God
for a great service on Sunday night, it just doesnt get any better...This week we hope to have new pics up in the gallery.
Our new tenor is coming on quite well, we are just plum proud of the job he is doing. Hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving
and we hope to see you at our next service.
Eric

October 25, 2007 what a weekend!!!!

Hello Folks!
Wow, what a great weekend on the road we had. We met lots of new folks and was apart of some great services. And guess what, we had one of the highest compliments given to us Saturday down in Columbia by another group. I think they are called the Spiritualism's. We sung first and then they got up and sung and during their set, the emcee of the group said" Were not here for competition or to put on a show". I was floored to say the least, if thats not a sign of pure jealousy, then I don't know what is. There is no way to make that statement without it being directed to the other groups. We took it as a compliment.
I will say this to all the local groups.... Please rehearse your songs, don't preach during your set, Don't do so songs that you really don't know. This is offensive to those of us who work really hard at creating an atmosphere of worship at our concerts. Un-prepared local groups, disrupt the flow of service and in most cases quench the spirit. This is unfair to the listeners. Remember God expects us to do our best!!!!
Just a schedule note, we are heading back to Cookville this weekend for a fall festival with Hampton Creek Baptist Church, come out and see us and enjoy all the food, games, and good gospel music.
Blessings
Eric