"Minstrel," Literary Debut of Darren E. Butler, Sr., Examines Church Music Ministry

The idyllic perception of what a church congregation sees on Sunday mornings does not always reflect what happens behind the scenes. Such is the opening premise of Pastor Darren E. Butler, Sr.'s eye-opening literary debut, To Be a Minstrel: A Biblically-Based Perspective of the Church Musician, Volume I.

New York (PRWEB) September 14, 2007 -- The idyllic perception of what a church congregation sees on Sunday mornings does not always reflect what happens behind the scenes. Such is the opening premise of Pastor Darren E. Butler, Sr.'s eye-opening literary debut, To Be a Minstrel: A Biblically-Based Perspective of the Church Musician, Volume I.

As a congregant, pastor, and musical artist, Pastor Butler says he has encountered numerous frustrations and disappointments associated with creative arts operations that fall short of expectations. His perceptions are vital, he says, because most complaints emanate from pastors, creative artists, and churchgoers themselves.

"Certainly To Be a Minstrel does not seek to bear only bad news without offering sound solutions," Pastor Butler says. The book's ultimate aim is to build a greater platform of understanding, cooperation, and enjoyment of the music ministry experience between pastors, ministers of music, and congregations by exploring scriptures about what God has to say, what He intended, and what He expects for church music ministry.

"The most important thing is there is a divinely ordained solution to this pervasive problem, and that answer is very realistic, relevant, and rewarding. The explanation is waiting to be found in this book," says Pastor Butler.

By confronting a controversial, almost taboo issue that is too often avoided, To Be a Minstrel will strike a chord with a wide-reaching audience seeking greater enjoyment from the church's creative arts operations, which includes instrumentalists, vocalists, actors, rappers, dancers, and visual artists.

Pastor Butler, an ordained minister, is the founding pastor of The International Good News Fellowship, Inc. He has more than 28 years of experience in music ministry with seven of those years serving concurrently as a pastor. He is an accomplished arranger, producer, songwriter, vocalist and instrumentalist with a catalogue of more than 175 songs. He is married to Patricia, and they have four children. Pastor Butler's personal web site address is http://web.mac.com/pastordebsr, where more information, a useable image of the book cover, and a useable photo of Pastor Butler are available.

Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,200 titles published to date.

The book is available nationwide through most major Booksellers (in-store and online) including Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Target. Retailers may order To Be a Minstrel through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The public also may order the book via Xulon Press at the web links below or by calling 866-909-2665. Churches, bookstores and organizations may order at 866-381-2665, ext 107. ISBN numbers: For hardcover, 978-1-60266-146-2; http://www.xulonpress.com/book_detail.php?id=4179. For paperback, 978-1-60266-145-5 http://www.xulonpress.com/book_detail.php?id=4180.

To hire Pastor Butler for speaking engagements, contact Nichell Taylor Bryant (information listed at top of release).

Contact: Nichell Taylor Bryant, Publicist
SoulSource Communications
Office: 516-623-0404
Cell: 917-407-3852
SoulSourceMedia @ aol.com

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