Playing our part in the biblical story is like a jazz performance. Immersed in the biblical tradition, we play fresh improvisations on the tradition that make sense in the context in which God has placed us. The first, ongoing, step is to immerse ourselves in the Biblical tradition, getting it into our bones.
In this way, Christ followers are like jazz musicians who immerse themselves in the tradition of jazz.
We jazz musicians learn from the masters, those who hold the tradition. Immersion in the biblical tradition takes the same kind of devoted, intelligent, soul work. We get the Bible under our fingers, we become familiar with its characters, structure, intricacies, and paradoxes. The tradition inspires creativity. As we study Scripture, we recognize the ingenuity of the Biblical authors themselves, as they held out the word of life within their own diverse contexts. The Bible inspires in us fresh imagination as we re-express the tradition in our particular place.
This jazz-homily first unpacks the metaphor of improvising church. It then explores how churches can improvise upon one biblical motif: God’s maternal nurture. The motif of God’s maternal nurture in Scripture centers tenderness and protection, and a longing that Christ would be formed in believers. The jazz-homily explores how the churches can extend the maternal nurture of God within their local neighbourhoods.
Mark Glanville - Piano
Natalie Tweed - Drums
Samuel Pang - Viola