Marc Proctor

[MarcProctor]

Hey all!

I'm a worship songwriter and worship leader; I'm serving at New Hope Church Evangelical in Bend Oregon. For 10 years I seved as the worship leader for the youth group and just this past year I've taken a step back from that to allow the youth more opportunity to lead.

I'm not sure what is next for me with this thing called musical worship. Part of me wants to "just go for it" and pursue music with 100% of my ability and resources, but part of me feels that is unwise. So, currently I hold a 8-5 job at a local staffing firm. I'm thankful for a job, but wonder about the future. Pursuing a career in graphic design seems a good option, and that is currently plan A.

Currently on my agenda is to record a indie worship album, I've done hobby projects in the past but I want this to be something a bit more marketable.

I'm married without kids... except for my guitars, I play an Epiphone DR-500R (aka, Rosie), a PRS SE soapbar (AKA Big Tobacco), a Gretsch G6114 (AKA The General)... the guitar I leanred on was a Art and Lutherie guitar (AKA Ole' Blue).

Looking forward to being involved in the forum!

[improvise88]

Hey Marc, welcome to the forums! Good to see someone from New Hope on here. I was the Worship Pastor at Bend Nazerene from 2004-2007 before moving out here to Connecticut. I have to say, I had a bit of envy for New Hope's setup and versatility. :-)

[MarcProctor]

Thank you! Odd how small the world can be! End of the day, New Hope is still just a church, trying its best to do a good job!

[Trent]

I candidated there 6 years ago....God led us to Paradise, CA instead.

Nice to meet you!

Trent Smith

[yod1948]

I'm a worship songwriter and worship leader;

Part of me wants to "just go for it" and pursue music with 100% of my ability and resources,

What is it that you want to "go for" and what is stopping you?


In other words, what would that look like on a daily basis, and why not just start doing it?

[InHisName]

Welcome to TWC! I'm a worship leader and song writer in California. I had to comment because you expressed my thoughts almost exactly. God has STRONGLY called me to song writing, and to a lesser extent, an album (although I NEVER saw myself doing such a thing!) But I'm not sure how much time and resources to give to it. I know He'll lead me in what is best...

Do you have songs we can listen to? We use SoundCloud here. Blessings!

[Trent]

This is especially to Kim and Marc. First--how exciting that God has placed this passion/burden in your heart to write! There is SO much to say about this, but specifically you both stated that you have a vision and aren't sure how to get there.

I'm not going to take the time to tell you my entire life story, but let me strongly encourage you to put effort into forming relationships. I strongly believe that good music happens in community. This site is a good place to start, but you have to act locally, too. Look for ways to serve musicians around you--not with an agenda. Be an encourager.

I've tried both ways--gone out and hired a producer...spent lots of money and walked away with an album. Really didn't get me anywhere.

Last year, a few close musical friends and I made an album for a FIFTH of the cost--no fancy studios and that album has made MUCH more headway. I live in a town of 25,000. The musical well isn't very deep. But they're out there!
Invite HONEST critique as often as possible. Don't take yourself too seriously. Hone your craft relentlessly and other good artists will be drawn to you. Write and re-write. Take your favorite song that you have written, throw away all but the best hook and then write a new song that tops it. Most importantly, realize that your ultimate approval comes from God and isn't based on the commercial appeal of your songs...so don't get emotionally attached to them.

I'm not a guru--I'm just telling you things that I have learned--mostly through heartache and insecurity!

I could go on and on! But I won't.

May God open doors for you that cannot be shut!

[Smitty]

Welcome to the WC, Marc!

I'm in Harrisburg...you need a guitar player...give me a shout.

Smitty

[yod1948]

There is reality and then there is perception.

Often a great songwriter can be perceived as less-than-great only because they haven't "made it" yet (whatever "it" is) but that isn't necessarily reality. They are already great but not enough people know about them yet. That will change with time if they persevere.

"Faith" (strong trust) is being prepared for the future you believe is coming, so if I could advise any ambitious singer/songwriter, I'd tell them to be an excellent singer/songwriter on a daily basis right now. A songwriter writes because they can't stop writing; and as Sting once said, "music is it's own reward"

If you are this excellent person over a period of time, the world around you will eventually find out because there really aren't that many people willing to persevere. It's a matter of direction and determination.

We simply have to go straight to where we want to be.

[InHisName]

Trent and Yod1948...

Your words are coming to me at a time in my life when I really need to hear them. Thank you. It touches me that people that I've never even met face to face would take the time to give a word of encouragement or experience to people (me, Mark and others) that are trusting Him and following His lead...sometimes without knowing where we're going.

God speaks through us and to us in so many ways...I'm so thankful for the people I've met here at TWC...

BTW, my intro. post only got like, one response. What's up with that? Lol! Kidding, kidding....