Hello friends,
I’m writing this note to let you know about some changes in my personal and work life.
Over the past few months I have been in discussion with the leadership of Riverview Church as we have endeavoured to balance my personal needs and the needs of a growing church. Together we have concluded that the way forward for both Riverview and myself at this time is for me to move out of the key leadership role of the Riverview Worship Team.
For the health of the team, for my own health and that of my family, it’s time for some changes. I’m not leaving Riverview, but will have a change of responsibilities. I will take an extended break of 2-3 months beginning in August and return to a part time Music Director role.
A combination of things have brought me to this point:
• I feel that my battery is flat to the point it doesn’t charge properly and drains very quickly. I need to recharge it fully.
• I need to create space in my life to consider my direction and dreams for the future.
• I have personal goals and direction that have, over time, begun to compete for the energy and attention that my role at Riverview has required.
• The growing and changing requirements of the Worship Pastor role have increasingly moved away from alignment with my gift mix and the things that energise me.
• I’m looking forward to fulfilling further ministry opportunities both locally and around the globe.
None of this changes what it’s all about!
I still believe I’m to lead others in their love for God.
I’ll continue to use my gifts to help others express their worship.
I still want to discover God and bring that discovery to others.
I don’t believe my calling is changing, just my role at Riverview.The worship team will undergo a restructuring of leadership at the staff level.
The key leadership role of Worship Pastor will be taken on by Paul Morrison. Lisa Gageler will manage most of the day to day running of the team as Worship Director. I will fill the role of Music Director. David Smith and Andrew Hadfield will continue in their roles as interns.
Thank you all for your support over the years. Let’s continue to build the Kingdom of God and build people’s hearts, making His praise glorious! God is Great!
Keep shining!
Mark
This is East Perth Power Station early in the evening...
...and from the other side...
Perth with angry skies. This is NOT our usual weather, but it makes for an expressive picture!
And something dreamy and soft to finish up. Someone very kindly gave a beautiful bunch of roses to Ali recently (unfortunately it wasn't me!).
Well, the Sunday Sesh went well. Thanks to Jess who took a few photos on the night, but the light wasn't very helpful.
Hello friends,
Well after 9 weeks in The Rock Across Australia (TRAA) top 30 chart, Falling At Your Feet is at number 16. Not bad I reckon considering all the great music out there at the moment. I'd love to see it go higher though, so if you're in Australia or NZ, call your local Christian radio station and ask to hear Falling At Your Feet! (Yes, even in Perth - visit http://www.sonshinefm.ws/ and fill in a homerun request form)
It's becoming pretty common to produce CDROM version music books (Planetshakers, United live, Hillsong, etc). Some people prefer the hard copy paper book and some like the CDROM. I'd love to know what you prefer and this will help me decide which to produce, or if I should make both.
Hillsong was amazing! What an incredible line-up of speakers and guest artists - awesome! I was encouraged, stretched and challenged once again. Highlights for me were Delirious on Tuesday night, Louie Giglio anytime he opens his mouth, and the closing night went off too. Got a few pics...
Last week Mark Cullen was the 11th most played Australasian artist played on Australasian radio. This is good - movement in the right direction!
Here's what Brad Evans said about the song, On The Wing, from my album mercy-kissed:
By the way, my website is coming along nicely and will be up very soon. Check it out at markcullen.com.au. If you have any feedback for me, or any comments (or compliments!), don't forget to leave comments here or in the shout out box at right. Thanks!
Here's some great music (from my biased guitar player point of view!). David Gilmour has been making sublime music for a long, long time. He's just turned 60! Remember Pink Floyd? Gilmour is the guitarist from that sensational group and one of the lead vocalists. This new album is very "Floyd". Some brilliantly tasteful guitar playing and very melancholy tunes. If you like good guitar and you liked anything about Pink Floyd, you'll like this! He may be old but he's still "got it". I guess real talent is always the real thing. He was voted No. 1 in Fender's Greatest Players poll in the February 2006 poll. Wow!!!
Also, I'm very excited about this one. I heard/saw the single, Is It Any Wonder? on Rage this morning and loved it. I will definitely buy this album the moment it comes out. Their last album, Hopes And Fears, was fantastic. No guitars - I couldn't believe it!
But you wouldn't know it because all the keyboard stuff is played very guitar like and effected like a guitar would be. Very cool. And nice songs too.
Last week Mark Cullen was the 17th most played Australasian artist played on Australasian radio, with the single, Falling At Your Feet, getting some airplay. Cool! The single has been designated as a Chart Bubbler, which means it is not in the Top 30 just yet, but it's not far off! 