fw-blog

Please help me grapple with a question!

Administrator — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 15:49:50 +0000

When we started the FW site, about 10 years ago, one of the first (and easiest) decisions we made was to make all of the songs available for download for free. This included MP3 files, backing tracks, lyrics, guitar chords and sheet music. As a small, relatively unknown, non-profit ministry, it seemed to me to be a very effective way to get the songs out, and it has been an exciting journey ever since, seeing where the songs have ended up.

Of course we do also record and sell CD’s of the songs (7 so far), and we have been assisted in that process by long-term partner, ICC Records, who act as our publisher and distributor. As we plan for the next FW recording, ICC have made a request that we stop making the FW songs freely available, as they feel that it detracts from selling CD’s, and songbooks/sheet music. They also suggest that with CD sales down in general, in the secular and christian “markets”, making the songs and albums available on iTunes is a better approach than making them available for free.

In other words, if you wanted to get hold of one of our songs in future, you may need to pay 79p (or 99 cents) for the song, and maybe £1.49 for the sheet music. My worry is that while some people may be happy to pay that, and so support the FW ministry (which I stress again is a non-profit ministry), and also support ICC who are themselves a charitable company, others may be put off and not get to hear or use the songs.

So, before making a decision on their request, I wanted to get some feedback from visitors to this site, and if you have a moment to send me an email with your frank thoughts, comments and suggestions on this tricky subject, then I would be very grateful.

Thank you!
Mike

iPraise - work beginning…

Administrator — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:36:32 +0000

We’re starting to get serious about planning for the 3rd in the “Nuts and Bolts” series of CD’s, provisionally titled “iPraise” (well, I say provisionally, but it seems such an obvious follow on to iPray!)

Details will appear here from time to time of progress, and in the meanwhile, here are the lyrics for a new song written recently and tried out to good effect at Revive this year.

I praise you for who you are
I praise you for what you’ve done
You are the Risen Lord, God’s own Son
I praise you for all you’ve made
I praise you because you save
Jesus, the only name I praise

I will praise you in the morning
I will praise you through the day
I will praise you in the night time
Giving thanks you keep me safe
I will praise you through the good times
Praise you through the pain
Yours is the name I love, the name I praise

Popcorn at Revive

Administrator — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:31:43 +0000

We’re just back from a really good week with the Ichthus Bible Week, “Revive”, where we were leading the children’s work for the 5 to 10 age group. A fuller report will be coming soon, but in the meanwhile, here is a picture of the amazing team we were working with - stars one and all!

Didcot Baptist Church, 17/18 May 2008

Administrator — Sat, 24 May 2008 13:18:24 +0000

We were invited to join Didcot Baptist Church for their “Weekend at home”, to run the children’s programme for the Saturday, and during the Sunday service, while the adults had some great teaching from Paul Griffiths

The theme for the adults was “Tell your story”, so we took a similar theme for the children of “The greatest story”, and as well as looking at the stories of David & Goliath and Samuel from the Old Testament, we talked about the gospel story, and how the children’s own stories as their lives unfold can become part of the same great story of God’s kingdom.

The children made booklets - click the picture below for a Sildeshow of some of the booklet covers
Note: we take your privacy very seriously, so if your child’s image appears in the pictures below and you would prefer that it didn’t, please email and we will remove it immediately - thank you

Didcot Baptist Church

Pray for Ishmael

Administrator — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:34:17 +0000

For anyone who aspires to write songs for children, and to lead all-age worship, there is one trail-blazing pioneer in the UK who towers above all others, and that is Ishmael. I have met him on a number of occasions, and had the privilege of playing keys and bass for him on a number of his visits to Ichthus in years gone by. I check his website from time to time, for news of what he is up to, and have followed with great interest his recent ordination into the Anglican church in Chichester.

So, logging on to his site today, I was devastated to read the news that he has been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. There is no doubt that because of the impact Ishmael has had on countless thousands of people in the UK and the world over, there will be countless thousands praying for him, so I simply encourage you to join with them in prayer.

Visit www.ishmael.org.uk for news and updates.

Sportrelief - Leona Lewis song - “Footprints in the sand”

Administrator — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 19:25:09 +0000

We received a request from the promotion company for Sportrelief to add a link to the video for this year’s charity single.

I remember hearing Leona’s single “Bleeding in love” on the radio last year, without knowing who she was (I didn’t watch Pop Idol!) and was struck by the strength & beauty of her voice, and the power of the song itself, and I wondered about her beliefs at the time.

So, when the request came in to link to her single, I was curious, and discovered that the song chosen as the Sportrelief single is based on the most downloaded poem on the web - “Footprints in the sand”, and the video contains images of Africa, which is always on my heart and mind, so I am really pleased to link to the video, and warmly invite you to check it out for yourself.

View the video on Leona Lewis’ site here

Chris and Hannah get married!

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:14:13 +0000

Jan 12 was a wonderful day when FW Writer and colleague (and the designer of this website), Chris Juby, got married to Hannah Brown.

I love weddings, and this was a brilliant one - full of life, joy, hope, colour, warmth, and two people clearly head over heels in love. Marvelous.

Many congratulations to Chris & Hannah, and every blessing and happiness for the future.

CCI Conference, 14-16 Jan 2008

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:07:11 +0000

I have been involved with charity CCI for a couple of years now, primarily in the context of hosting their website through Solidrock where I am involved as a Director. CCI does a great work, linking conference centres, holiday organisations, youth and children’s ministries, and so on, through their association and network, and so I was delighted to be invited to lead the worship for their conference. Held at the Pioneer Centre in the beautiful (if somewhat wet) Shropshire countryside, it was a great 3 days.

In the UK, where church attendance has been in decline over recent decades, many people, especially young people, come to faith through holidays, conferences, outdoor activities, and other similar events, so the work CCI does is a vital and valuable part of keeping the gospel alive and relevant in our nation.

Vineyard, Loughton, 6 Jan 2008

Administrator — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 15:00:57 +0000

Old friend (well, not that old), Ian King, who was pastor of our home church, Ichthus Downham, for many years, and a key encourager for me in getting the FW series of songs and recordings off the ground, has been associate pastor for the past several years at Vineyard, Loughton. Wes Sutton, the founder of the church and senior pastor, has recently accepted a new role working with Steve Chalke and church.co.uk, so on 6 Jan, there was a “handover” service at Vineyard. We were invited to go for the morning to lead a celebration for the children while the main service was happening, which was great fun.

Many congratulations to Ian and Chris King on their new appointment, and to Wes and Mary in their exciting new role too.

Happy New Year!

Administrator — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 21:36:27 +0000

Well, 2008 is here, and the chance to dream and make plans. We were hoping for snow in London today, but in vain. I love snow - I’m due to visit Moscow at the end of the month, so perhaps should be careful what I wish for!

We spent New Year’s Eve in central London, visiting the Star Wars exhibition (OK OK - sad or cool depending on your point of view), seeing a film and then watching the fireworks over the London Eye, which get better every year. Still not quite up to Sydney’s standard perhaps, but getting there…

The month starts with a Roadshow visit on Jan 6 to Vineyard Loughton, where our friend Ian King is taking over as senior pastor from FW Writer and friend Wes Sutton, who is moving on to lead church.co.uk

The following weekend is one we are really looking forward to, where FW Writer and friend Chris Juby is marrying the wonderful Hannah Brown

Then it’s on to lead worship at the CCI conference which I greatly enjoyed last year.

Whatever your hopes and dreams are we pray that 2008 will be an exciting and fulfilling year for you.