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Hope 2012 is off to a good start for you.  The last four months seem to have flown by for me.  But, time over the holidays went in slow motion which was very refreshing.  During the two weeks, as a family, we had a relaxing Christmas at home; went to San Francisco visiting the De Young Museum; saw two action-packed movies (Mission Impossible and Sherlock Holmes); and spent the day in Carmel for my birthday.  I thank God for my family, the deep care and love we daily share and enjoy.  I can’t tell you how much the laughter and hugs encourage us all.

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I want 2012 to be a growth year for me as well as an investment year.  Already I’m engaged in peoples lives in a way that is investing both my life experience and the life of Christ in them.  And there are those who are investing in my life as well.  I meet regularly with a few men who hold me accountable, ask important questions, and give me helpful insights in dealing with difficult issues.  I’m continuing to read the Bible daily, but I’m adding daily Scripture memorization to my routine.  Having the thoughts of God on my mind is what is meant by Colossians 3:16, “Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you…”  Today’s verse is, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

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Life has it’s ups and downs and we are not exempt from them.  We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to uphold us in your prayers throughout 2012.

We wish you a very…

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

…and a…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Teaching music at Valley Christian Schools, leading worship at Redwood Chapel Community Church, and teaching private guitar through Heartfelt Music Ministry has been such a blessing this fall.   I prayed at the end of last summer that God would place me in “high impact” ministries to continue to train and encourage His people and build His kingdom.  He answered my prayer!  I feel so fortunate to do what I enjoy and see others use their gifts for God’s glory.

November had some added ministry with leading music for Mount Hermon’s Family Thanksgiving Retreat.  December culminated with a beautiful evening at Redwood Chapel called Festival of Carols (I played guitar), a series of concerts with Valley Christian School’s Conservatory of the Arts groups at the California Theater downtown San Jose, and completed my first semester at VCS just yesterday.  2012 will have some nice things to look forward to:  Performing a series of concerts in January & February (more info to come); leading workshops at the BASS convention in March;  in April, I’ll be joining Bob Bennett for a concert in Atascadero as well as lead workshops for M0unt Hermon’s Christian Songwriter’s Conference.

I hope you get a break to relax over Christmas and New Years.  May God’s incarnation make a significant impact on you this year as you make room for Jesus in your heart like never before.  2012 is almost here!  ~ Reggie & the HMM Board

I hope you are doing well and leaning on God’s deep love for you.  This month has been filled with coaching, teaching, and leading for me.  I’m also thankful that the ministry goes beyond who I see day to day.  Here’s some encouraging quotes:

“I just wanted to thank you for singing my girls to sleep every night.  Truly you have come full circle, Matthew and I grew up with your music and now so are our girls.  They love your music and during nap time I heard Ches singing “Ain’t Nobody”.  Thanks for sharing your gift, this family truly appreciates it.”  ~ Corrie

“Hi Reggie.  It’s so exciting to see all that you’re doing for the Kingdom.  I listened to a few of your videos and your voice has not changed, but boy do you ever rock that guitar even better than you did at 16 (and you were fabulous then!).  I’m so pleased to say I know you, Reggie.”  ~ Rebecca

Last Sunday, the Upreach Worship Night with me and the band Cede went very well.  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede joined together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and encouraging stories.   The next event begins Thanksgiving day at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center:

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.  Hope you have a meaningful Thanksgiving weekend!

Truly Thankful, 

Reggie Coates
Executive Director,
Heartfelt Music Ministry

One word that describes how my family and I are doing is “thriving.”  We’re at a good place and thank God for His working in and through us at this time.  Sherri is working as the Guest Accommodations Specialist at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center which is a good fit with her background and experience.  The boys are doing well and are really into drawing and art (Animation & Illustration).  They are both heading today to a special class by Dreamworks at San Jose State University.  Sometimes, we combine family time with ministry time and get in things like paintball.

Recently, our family has been enjoying seeing old videos of our wedding and the birth and the early years of our boys.  Lots of laughter!  I sold our Hi8 camera years ago which prevented us from seeing these videos.  Finally, I purchased a used camera last week and now we’re strolling down memory lane.

My plate has been very full working three ministries – teaching at Valley Christian Schools, leading worship at Redwood Chapel, and teaching private students and workshops with Heartfelt Music Ministry.  They use my gifting in wonderful ways and compliment each other.  I feel very blessed to train youth to worship fully and use their music to glorify the Lord; lead worship regularly with a great church; and regularly mentor individuals and worship leaders.  Daily Scripture reading, exercise, and continual prayer has been keeping me balanced with the energy needed for each day.  Please, continue to pray for me and my family!

October Update

Fall is well underway and there has been significant transitions for me.  I concluded my Interim Worship Leader position at Open Door Church Mountain View at the end of August after a wonderful 8 months of ministry.  Yet, Heartfelt Music Ministry continues full speed ahead.  Last month, my boys and I led worship for Silver Spur Christian Conference Center’s Men’s Retreat and had a blast.  Great to see so many men’s lives changed in Christ!

Tomorrow, I’ll be teaching a guitar workshop on Alternate Tunings at Guitar Showcase in San Jose.  Next Saturday, I’ll be leading the Worship Infusion Conference with talented friends in Keyboard, Voice, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, and Audio training.  In November, Cede and I will be in concert in Castro Valley at Redwood Chapel’s Family Worship Night.  Thanksgiving weekend, I’ll be leading worship for Mount Hermon’s Family Retreat.   Plus, I continue to teach private lessons to 23 students in Los Altos, San Jose, Mount Hermon and Castro Valley.

I am now teaching music and worship in San Jose at the Conservatory of the Arts with Valley Christian Schools.  Most of my classes are at the High School (Worship Band, Music Technology, Private Guitar Lessons, and Worship Advisor), but I also teach the Cadet Band at the Middle School and a Fun Guitar Class at the Elementary School.  What an opportunity to mentor and nurture these young leaders.

I’m excited to start ministering at Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley as their Director of Worship Ministries.  They have a rich history of good music and I’m glad to be a part of that.  Continuing in a weekly ministry will keep my worship leading skills honed and keep me accountable to folks who see me on a regular basis.  Their Sunday morning gathering is now called New Community with an emphasis on being Christ centered:  Reaching up, reaching in, and reaching out, because He reached down to us.

Here’s what’s coming up:

Guitar Workshop on Alternate Tunings

October 9 (Sun), 2:00pm-3:00pm, Guitar Showcase in San Jose (3090 S. Bascom Ave., 95124).  I will be teaching a workshop on guitar alternate tunings.  We’ll cover Dropped-D, Double Dropped-D, Open G, DADGAD, and even look at DADDAD with a wild song I wrote called Morning Come Lately. The cost is only $10.00 which includes handouts (free for SMI students).

Worship Infusion Conference & Concert with Reggie

October 15 (Sat), 1:00pm-7:45pm, First Presbyterian Church in Richmond (3415 Barrett Ave., Richmond, CA 94805).  I will be leading workshops and teaching at the general sessions at this half day worship conference with First Presbyterian Church in Richmond.  I’ll open at 1:00pm with a General Session on Worship Infusion and there will be two breakout sessions with classes listed below.  Dinner is provided from 5:30pm-6:30pm, and I’ll be doing a concert at the end of the conference at 6:30pm.  The cost for the day is only $15.00 (go to http://heartfeltmusic.org/academy/workshops/ to register).  The classes will be:

• Intro to Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Experienced Keyboard/Piano in Worship – Nancy Groeneveld
• Intro to Guitar in Worship – Austin Coates
• Experienced Guitar in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Drums in Worship – Joe Pacheco
• Singing in Worship – Reggie Coates
• Bass Guitar in Worship – Nils Johnson
• Audio Engineering in Worship – Greg Kopchinski

Family Worship Night with Reggie and Cede

November 20 (Sun), 6:00pm-7:15pm, Redwood Chapel in Castro Valley (19300 Redwood Rd., Castro Valley, CA  94546).  Heartfelt Music, Redwood Chapel, and the band Cede are joining together to offer a night of praise and worship to God with fun music and stories to encourage you in your faith.  The night will center around the joy we experience in Christ.  Since the release of their new CD called New Beginnings, Cede continues to hold the #1 position at Reverb Nation.  Check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.

Mount Hermon Thanksgiving Family Conference

November 24-27 (Thu-Sun), Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  I will be leading worship for their Thanksgiving Family Conference.  It begins with Thursday evening’s abundant traditional Thanksgiving buffet dinner of moist, succulent turkey and a cornucopia of delights.  It concludes Sunday with an equally mouth-watering brunch.  The celebration is stuffed with specially designed activities for all ages and for the whole family.  Pastor Mark Spurlock from Twin Lakes Church will teaching for the evenings, and Pastor Steve Hopper, a pastor and instructor for Walk Thru the Bible, will be teaching morning sessions plus leading two additional breakout sessions.  Find more information at http://mounthermon.org/family/specialty/thanksgiving-family-camp.

Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive through the power of the Spirit to lead others toward intimacy with God.

This is a summary of the fourth part in Bob Kauflin’s book called Worship Matters.  Part 1 of the book gives practical insights into the life of a worship leader.  Part 2 gives a helpful focus as to what is the goal of our worship leading.  Part 3 reveals 9 healthy tensions we face in church worship.  Now, Part 4 describes how important it is to have good relationships in worship ministry:  Right relationships with the church (the people you see every week in your congregation), with your team (musicians, technicians, ushers, etc.), and with your pastor (or pastors if you have more than one pastor you work with).

Always People
It is very important to keep in mind at all times that people are most important!  God is all about relationships.  Because of His deep love for us, God sent His Son to die for people, to heal relationships, and draw us all closer to Him.  Relationships are messy and there are so many variables which make it hard to have a “cookie cutter” answer in solving problems.  “But I know this,” says Bob, “the church doesn’t need leaders who love to lead people in worship but don’t love the people they’re serving.”  It’s not just selecting the right songs that pleases God, but God is more interested in how we treat others.  Take stock of your relationships.  Who are you regularly coming in contact with?  Do you value these relationships?  As leaders, we must realize we can’t do ministry alone.  For one thing, sin is deceptive and we all need a degree of accountability and transparency with each other.  Sometimes we develop “blind spots” that only others can see.  Confront problem issues instead of avoiding them.  Plus, we need the contribution of others.  To be a one-man-band is ridiculous and will lead to arrogance and burn out.  Allow others to use their gifts and exercise a huge amount of appreciation as you relate to them.  A relevant prayer of Paul applies to us:

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another,  in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).

Your Church
The feedback we get from the congregation isn’t always glowing.  Sometimes there are very good comments of critique and other comments are just whining or destructive.  Instead of writing them off, we should care for them and serve them.  This takes more time, thought and energy…and it takes God!  We need God to intervene and guide us through some of these relationships.  Make prayer a priority!  Pray for the church as your planning the service or practicing the songs.  Prayer will humble you.  Prayer will open your eyes to God’s purpose.  Prayer cultivates care for others and gets your eyes off yourself.  There will be those who love you and those who don’t so be ready for both encouragement and correction.  Receiving compliments may be awkward, but learn to graciously receive them.  Thank the person for taking the time to encourage you.  Express gratefulness for the opportunity to serve.  Draw attention to the contribution of others.  Also, internally and intentionally transfer the glory to God.  Receiving criticism is not easy, but God wants us to be open to it.  “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1).  Pray for correction.  Expect correction.  Be proactive.  Thank people who correct you. Thank God for correction.  There are other leadership challenges when it comes to the church like handling song suggestions, teaching new songs, and leading through changes.  Each church has unique challenges when it comes to change.  It would help to make sure the leaders are in agreement, regularly teach the church what biblical worship is, lead theologically, and lead humbly but confidently.  Remember that God sees people as treasures and precious in His sight.

Your Team
No two worship teams are exactly alike.  They may play the same instruments as another church, but musicians are a rather varied lot with different backgrounds, experiences, strengths and weaknesses.  Here are five categories that will help you and your team create a way of relating that honors God.

1. Establishing Your Team – The Bible doesn’t define what a worship team should look like.   It depends on your church’s size, your pastor’s vision, your gifts, how much time you have, your church’s schedule, and who’s available.  You can be a super close group or not, depending on the structure that best fits your present goals and resources.  You may want to include your sound technicians and other media.  Think through the different roles you have as worship leader such as overseer (spiritually), music director, and coordinator (even if you assign others to do these tasks).  Create standards for you team to spell out responsibilities and expectations.  Worship isn’t a gig.  It’s the overflow of a life devoted to the glory of Jesus Christ.  Also, clarity the level of commitment.  This may vary per person as some may have children or serve with other ministries.
2. Encouraging Your Team – Cultivate a culture of gratefulness through things like gifts, thank you cards, random appreciative conversations, or a Christmas party.  Provide environments where people intentionally encourage evidences of grace they see in others rather than self-righteously criticizing their weaknesses.  Pray for each other one on one and as a group.  you can even do things together that are non-musical like miniature golf or going to see a movie.  Celebrate those who do extra things like organizing music, practicing extra hard, coming early to rehearsal, etc.  Giving thanks goes a long way.
3. Equipping Your Team – Create a culture of growth.  Provide training for your team.  This lets them know you value them and are willing to invest in their character and skill development.  Provide an avenue for theological growth.  They do hear the Word preached every week, but we can help them understand worship better.  There are great books that can be used to learn more about God’s holiness, His grace, His greatness, etc.  Provide an avenue for musical growth.  Encourage the “chart” readers to learn more about music theory.  Help vocalists understand more about singing harmony.  You can suggest private lessons, watch a training video together, or attend a conference on music or worship.  Committing a portion of rehearsals to training will help build this culture of growth.
4. Evaluating Your Team – One of the best ways to motivate your team to continued growth is to offer consistent and thoughtful evaluation.  Assessing your group’s progress in different areas will also help develop a culture of humility.    We need to start with ourselves and ask questions like, “How did I do leading this morning?” “Are there any ways I can run rehearsals more effectively?” “Was I clear?”  Take time to evaluate each musical presentation.  Listen to others during the presentation and let them know what you heard (or saw) afterwards.  It is good to evaluate character.  If you care about your team, hold them accountable to pursue godly character and help them grow.  Evaluate their gifting and skills.  Help them fit in where they can thrive.
5. Enjoying Your Team – As you lead your team, try to create a culture of joy.  Seeking to enjoy each other makes the challenging times more bearable.  Experience the fruit of God’s grace together and watch him work through us to glorify the Savior.  Leading a team isn’t always joyful.  Rehearsals can get tense or boring.   We can lose people to church plants, season-of-life changes, job transfers, or even sin.  So appreciate those you have.  You may not have the biggest and best worship team in your city, but have fun with who you have and “let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Your Pastor
Pastors come in all shapes and sizes with different likes/dislikes, music tastes, and managerial styles.  However, the pastor and worship leader are a very important duo.  Pastor’s are gifts from God to teach and equip the church.  It’s our responsibility to support our pastor and not set our own agenda.  Serve your pastor.  You can do your job better by knowing your pastors priorities.  He probably doesn’t know music like you do, but serve him joyfully and humbly.  Listen to your pastor.  This may take time to understand what he means.  Sometimes you need to define words.  Pastors and worship leaders don’t always speak the same language, especially when it comes to music. What he calls “simple” you may call “dull.”  His “frantic” could be your “jubilant.”  “Wordy” to him means “thoughtful” to you.  When he says start with something “upbeat” to get people “going,” may seem to you like he doesn’t care about truth and wants to musically manipulate the congregation.  But, maybe you pick too many slow songs and the people are nodding off.  Communicate well and often.  Initiate creativity.  Use whatever freedom you have to be creative and offer meaningful ideas to enhance each service.  Ask for input from your pastor and implement it as often as you can.  Let your pastor assist you in your spiritual growth.  What can you do when you disagree?  First, make sure you’ve rightly identified the issues.  Beware of selfish ambition.  Second, exhaust every avenue of resolution.  Pray and talk things out.  Third, stay or move on in faith.  Take time to grow, learning more about technical issues, spiritual issues, people issues.  The last chapter of the book addresses the pastors role in supporting the worship of the church and the worship leader.  Bob gives good suggestions:

• Pastors should recognize their own role in leading worship.
• Pastors should know what to look for in a worship leader (humility, godly character, love for good theology, leadership gifting, and musical skill).
• Pastors should equip and encourage their worship leaders.
• Pastors should be faithful to plan and evaluate.
• Pastors should resolve conflicts biblically.

Last week, I had the privileged of leading the pre-schoolers in worship for Open Door Church Mountain View’s Vacation Bible School.  Every morning, about 40 of them would rotate through to get a story and “sing-a-long with Reggie.”  It was a blast and they were very sweet.

National Anthem at Infineon Raceway

Sunday, July 24th, proved to be a tremendous opportunity to encourage some of the Christians at the Infineon Raceway.  I led worship for the three Chapels in the morning and then played the National Anthem for the opening ceremonies.  Racers for Christ is an organization that any of the racers can join to show that they are Christians.  Their race cars bear a sticker that says “Racers for Christ.”  Chaplains who are a part of Racers for Christ realize these racers don’t get a regular Sunday morning church experience.

Reggie with Chaplains Bob and Jim

The chapels are very encouraging and the chaplains walk around all day praying for the racers and lifting them up.  It was such a blast to see individuals at the chapels and then see them in their racing gear getting into their cool cars.   Playing the National Anthem was a blast!  Being in the booth with the announcers and a curious little boy listening on, I did a kind of “Jimmy Hendrix” style of the Star Spangled Banner on electric guitar.

Matt Redman at NWLC

The 2011 National Worship Leader Conference in Kansas was a rich time of learning and worship.  Over 1500 worship leaders from all over the world gathered together to “fill their cup” with helpful lessons on music, worship, voice, guitar, theology, organizing & planning, and many other workshops over the five day event.  I attended some guitar classes and one on leading a Student Choir.  I had the privileged of teaching two workshops on Playing Bass Guitar in a Worship Band.  Each evening provided a variety of artists leading in song and worship such as Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Rebecca St. James, Brenton Brown, Kari Jobe,  Gungor and Tim Hughes.  There was relevant teaching each morning in the general sessions.  I was surprised to see some attendees who were old friends…had some good fellowship!

Student Choir workshop

Matt Redman at NWLC

Rebecca St. James at NWLC

Kari Jobe at NWLC

Reflecting on the Fourth of July, we can be thankful to God for freedom!  With less than two months left for summer, it’s good to plan it out and make sure the important things don’t slip by.  The following events are ones you will not want to miss.  Thank you for your encouragement and continued support through Heartfelt Music Ministry as we strive in God’s strength to lead others toward intimacy with God.

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Cede and Reggie in Concert This Friday, July 8, at 6:30pm

Cede is holding its second concert since the release of the new CD called New Beginnings.  It will be at Christ Community Church, 1000 S Park Victoria Dr Milpitas, CA 95035, at 6:30pm.  I will open up the concert with a 45 minute set, then the band will be playing hot tunes off the CD and some kickin’ praise songs like Trading My Sorrows and Ain’t Nobody.  I’m playing acoustic guitar with these 8 other skillful musicians.  Listen to the songs and check us out at http://www.reverbnation.com/cedewest.  Come join us Friday, July 8^th at 6:30pm (in the Coffee Shop venue).

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Guitar Camps Begin Saturday, July 9th

I will be holding four one day Guitar Camps this summer in my home, limited to a five participants for each session.  It is more of an intimate setting with personal interaction and attention.  They are held on Saturdays from 9:00am to 1:00pm.  Because they are limited, make sure you get in the Application Form right away.  The curriculum is more intensive  in order to get a lot in, but the camps are intentionally divided up to benefit certain age groups and skill levels.  The camps are held in beautiful Mount Hermon.  They include three hours of instruction, a delicious brunch, a challenging training/resource book (The Complete Guitar Manual, with DVD, 2011), a notebook, and relevant handouts.  All the information is at our website under courses/camps.

• July 9 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 13-Adult)
• July 16 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• July 23 – Beginning Guitar Camp (Ages 9-12)
• August 13 – Intermediate Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
• August 20 – Advanced Guitar Camp (13-Adult)
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Christian Guitarist Fellowship

The Christian Guitarist Fellowship is back.  Everyone is invited from beginners to advanced players, from rockers to alternative players, from acoustic to electric players, from teenagers to the ageless.  Come and meet guitarists from all over the Bay Area. Heartfelt Music Ministry is holding the Christian Guitarist Fellowship to help motivate you in your guitar playing and encourage you in Christ. There will be a short lesson for all levels; we will have breakout “jam” sessions where you pair off with those in their your skill level; we will play some worship songs together; a few will perform in front of everyone; we’ll pray together; and we’ll discuss resources for guitarists in the Bay Area. It will be a fun fellowship and it’s free! Even those who have never played before, but want to learn to play the guitar are welcome. It will be at Open Door Church Mountain View, 1667 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View, CA 94040, on Sunday, July 10^th, from 2:30pm-4:30pm.

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National Anthem at the Infineon Raceway

I’ll be playing the National Anthem on electric guitar on Sunday, July 24, to start the races.  Racers For Christ will also be holding three Chapels that morning in which I will be leading worship for.  It’s a very exciting event with dragsters, funny cars, and motorcycles racing throughout the day.  Christian racers are so grateful for the chapel fellowship and teaching during these events.  For more information, contact one of the Racers for Christ chaplains, Bob Hadidian, at (805) 801-7579.

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National Worship Leader Conference

I’ll be teaching some workshops at the National Worship Leader Conference, July 18-21, in Kansas.  Their emphasis this year is Engaging With God.  If any of you would like to go, you can get a 10% discount by using the discount code COATES.  It is a wonderful time for renewal and inspiration with some of the world’s leading artists, teachers and worship leaders (Jack Hayford, Matt Redman, Casting Crowns, Tim Hughes, Tommy Walker, Rebecca St. James, to name a few). Go to the National Worship Leader Conference website for more details.