Christian Survival Guide: From a Worship Drummer's Perspective

By Lawrence Mintz

Christian Survival Guide: From a Worship Drummer's Perspective - This book is about learning, and growing and in some cases, surviving in a very rough world. I don't mean surviving in terms of barely getting by, or crawling our way through life. These survival skills are meant to be used as steppingstones and pillars to build you up for the next step, or the next challenge, or the next year. Surviving is about making everyday life and situations better. You will read practical skills that you can use in your everyday life experiences. These skills will strengthen your relationships with others and will enrich your life in God. The ideas that Lawrence expresses are not original to him. They are concepts and thoughts that are talked about in the Bible, which is our ultimate survival guide. The Bible has God's answers, not just man's opinions and traditions. He gives us real answers for real life.

Think about what you often hear and see from leadership in the church, in business and in government.

• Are they for real or is this just a show?
• Why do they make something that's simple so complicated?
• What does this message have to do with real life?
• Do I have anything to offer?
• How do I hang on to hope in this crazy world?

Lawrence has asked these questions and more. He has been a worship drummer in large venues and churches for over 35 years. Lawrence comes from a Jewish heritage and became a Christian in college. He has vast experience in the business world as well as in the church.

Christian Survival Guide: From a Worship Drummer's Perspective is dedicated to those who love and serve churches, businesses, and communities with impactful gifts, but have voices which are seldom heard.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lawrence Mintz
• Release date: Oct 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201589615

Book preview

COPYRIGHT

CHRISTIAN SURVIVAL GUIDE: FROM A WORSHIP DRUMMER’S PERSPECTIVE by Lawrence Mintz

With: Tammy J. Endres

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, Scripture quotations marked AMP are from the Amplified Bible. Old Testament copyright © 1965, 1987 by the Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright © 1954, 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., publishers. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission.

Cover design by:  Angela R. Garrett

Drummer Hand Art by: Emily Mintz & Miriam Lobaugh

A person sitting on a drum set Description automatically generated with medium confidence

INTRODUCTION

Make no mistake: we live in a crazy world! From the time we are young we’re taught how to live our lives. But in this, people rarely agree, which leaves us with more questions than answers. Should we be left or right? Should we be loud or soft? Should we live with more or less? Should we always state our opinion or say nothing at all? If you think about it, it’s amazing that humanity has survived all these mixed messages. Differences of opinion have escalated to wars, and new technologies have turned our world upside down, for better and for worse. I once heard a teacher say, Sometimes we are so open-minded that our brains are falling out. It’s good to have definition and boundaries to live our lives by.

In this Christian Survival Guide, you will read practical skills that you can use in your everyday life experiences. These skills will strengthen your relationships with others and will enrich your life in God. The ideas I express are not original to me. They are concepts and thoughts that are talked about in the Bible, which is our ultimate survival guide. The Bible has God’s answers, not just man’s opinions and traditions. He gives us real answers for real life.

I have pulled out some key thoughts which I hope will make your everyday life fuller and easier as you interact with others at work, church, and home. Some of the Bible verses I reference are not easy to swallow or understand. I hope you find them useful and challenging. Jesus didn’t sugarcoat truth so that it would go down easy, and neither will I. He was, and is, a master straight shooter about mindsets that need to change while at the same time communicating how deeply He loves humanity. He desires the absolute best for us. He wants us to do what is right, to enjoy our lives, and to be satisfied.

I am not a psychologist, an academic, or a Doctor of Divinity. I’m just a Christian worship drummer who has a very unique perspective. I have been drumming for the past 35 years and have been on worship teams at 3 very large churches. I have made observations about how people interact in the church from backstage, on stage, and from the seats facing the stage. I certainly haven’t seen it all, but I’ve seen a lot! The funny thing about drumming is that you are on stage but not the most visible member of the band. Drummers are up front and in the background all at the same time. I like that. 

I graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in education. In my professional life I have been in the US Coast Guard, a 5th grade teacher in the public school system, and a salesman and business owner. I’m happy to say that I’ve been married for over 40 years and have 3 great kids who are all grown up now. I have learned as much about life outside of the church walls as I have learned inside the church walls, maybe even more.

I have written this book for workers, staff members, and volunteers who have given their love, time, and precious resources to leaders. Some of you may feel that your leaders don’t connect with you or hear your voice. Before you read on, let me make a few things crystal clear. There is no such thing as a perfect government, or a perfect business, or a perfect church. There is no such thing as a perfect politician, or a perfect CEO, or a perfect pastor. I’m not pointing a finger. I know better than to expect perfection from anyone. There is only one who is perfect... He is the ultimate one, Jesus. The good news is that there are skills that make us better people for Him, for each other, and for ourselves.

This book is about learning, and growing and in some cases, surviving in a very rough world. I don’t mean surviving in terms of barely getting by or crawling our way through life. These survival skills are meant to be used as steppingstones, and pillars, to build you up for the next step, or the next challenge, or the next year. Surviving is about making everyday life and situations better. My goal is to help you have a sense of self-confidence, self-direction and self-contentment. I want you to see that these qualities come from inside of your own heart with Christ at the center. We do not gain our sense of self, our identities, from the outside through church, or business, or government. We need to have our own relationships with God and have Him define our responsibilities. We should not move through life living