The Best Name Ever! Youth Take Leadership to a New Level

First Congregational Church in Riverside has long had a terrific music program, but a new addition is pushing it over the top!  Under the direction of the choir director, Griff Rollefson, our youth have formed a  band (recently dubbed “The Best Name Ever!”).   Not being satisfied to learn the usual Christian rock, they combine trombone, trumpet, saxophone, piano, drums, electric guitar and vocals in styles reminiscent of such artists as  U2, Weezer, and Bob Marley.   Though they have so far performed only during Youth Sundays, they will soon be able to share their gifts at other times of the year as well.

The youth of FCC are all showing themselves to be leaders, assisting in Sunday School, writing meditations for Youth Sunday worship and planning fellowship events.  With the band they take their leadership to another level.   In recent years they have participated with their Associate Pastor in a Bible study where they choose songs from their everyday play lists and analyze them using scripture.  Studying artists ranging from Ozzie Osborne to Melissa Etheridge, the students think theologically about this secular part of their lives.   In sharing their interpretation of some secular songs in worship, they are able to also share what they have learned about God in the world. 

Adults in the congregation are impressed not only with the youths’ musicality, but with the thought that lies behind the songs they share.   Griff Rollefson chooses and arranges the music, but each youth has given thought to the theology in the lyrics and the effect that the music has had on the world so far.  Without ever giving a sermon, our youth teach us to find God in the everyday.  The Best Name Ever! will present again in October, and we’re all looking forward to it!