This month, Nik
and Emma Pears released a new album ‘People
of Faith’. Here ALOVE interviews the
couple to find out more about the inspiration
and purpose behind the CD and get the low
down on The Rattling – a team committed
to seeing people know more about God and
getting discipled ...
1.
Tell us about your new album People Of Faith. Is this
your first recording?
Nik and Emma:
Whilst we have both been involved in other people’s
recording projects over the years, ‘People of Faith’
is our first album and we have been blessed to be guided
through the whole process by those with more experience
than us! We have relied heavily on our producer, Nathan
Fellingham (Songwriter and performer with Phatfish and
The Stoneleigh Band) who has been incredibly gracious
and patient with us.
God spoke very clearly to us about doing the album and
although we were a little apprehensive, we were more nervous
about disobeying God! Our hope is that the album will
equip the church with new songs, being useful for both
corporate and personal times of worship. We have a passion
for singing new songs to the Lord, finding it refreshing
to express old truths in new ways. We believe that singing
new songs helps to awaken our, sometimes sleepy, spirits
and insists that our minds engage and focus on God.
2. Tell us about The Rattling.
What is it, and how is it linked to the new album?
Emma:
The Rattling is simply a team of people dedicated to seeing
people saved and discipled. We lead the team with two
very good friends, Rebecca and John-Marc Swansbury. The
Rattling serve churches by providing new songs for worship
and ministry, training in musicianship and leadership,
audio-visual ministry, teaching, speaking, leading worship
and running events.
Although The Rattling is embryonic in name, we have been
working together for over six years. We have felt for
a while that God was calling us to expand and develop
our ministry and so by ‘naming it’ we are
hoping that it will become more effective and people will
find it easier to identify and contact us. God has been
opening doors for us to serve him, particularly through
leading worship and bringing new songs to the church.
It is almost as if it has taken us six years to realise
what He has been evolving and now we’ve finally
clicked on we have to learn what to do with it!
The name itself is born out of Ezekiel 37 when it was
a rattling sound that signified the moment when the spirit
of God came and breathed new life. Ezekiel 37 kept popping
up wherever Nik and I would go, I think one summer we
heard it preached about 6 times! We had to ask whether
God was, in fact, showing us something! We believe God
loves the church, and wants to breathe new life into her
that she may become a vast army! We hope that God would
be gracious enough to use us to help breathe life and
bring renewal in and through the church.
3. How did you both get involved
in music and working together?
Nik:
I grew up in the Salvation Army, and since a young child,
the Army has played a significant part in my life and
spiritual growth. Growing up in a movement with such a
significant musical heritage, I guess it was no surprise
that I would get involved in music! I lived in Dublin
from the age of nine where my parents ran a Salvation
Army corps/church. This was a fantastic time for me, and
Dublin was a great place to grow up. I got really involved
in music; playing drums, learning the piano and starting
to write music.
On returning the UK, God began opening doors for me both
musically and spiritually. My eyes were being opened to
new things. I began playing drums for various bands, events
and worship leaders, including playing at Spring Harvest
for a couple of years, which was fun and also exciting
to see God on the move. I began leading worship and God
soon gave me opportunities to lead people in worship.
When I met Emma, she had been leading worship, playing
keyboards and writing songs for a number of years and
so when we got together it seemed only natural that we
should ‘work together’. Since then, Emma has
been largely responsible for the musical directorship
of the band, releasing me to engage with congregations
and be led by the Holy Spirit. It is a partnership that
works.
4. Is there a song on the album
that is particularly special to you?
Emma:
For me it would probably be Love Song. It is so simple
and yet expresses so much. I love Him. That’s what
this is all about. I simply love Him.
Nik:
The honesty of Emma’s writing in the song ‘This
thing I know’ I find incredibly refreshing and helpful.
It is a beautiful song that the Lord has used powerfully
to minister to people who are struggling in their faith.
5. How would you describe the
sound on the album? Are there any particular writers or
performers who have influenced your song writing?
Emma:
Well…I grew up listening to Keith Green and I always
wanted to play and sing like he did! It wasn’t so
much the style of his music that influenced me, more his
passion and honesty. I actually love the challenge of
writing in different styles and this is reflected in the
album. It is refreshing to stretch creatively and I think
God deserves that from me.
6. What do you hope will impact
listeners most when hearing People Of Faith?
Nik and Emma:
Our hope is that through this album people will find new
melodies and lyrics to express themselves to God. We hope
that God will use this album to speak to individuals and
groups, those that know Him and those that don’t
yet. We pray that God will use it to bring encouragement,
challenge and blessing.
7. What are your plans for
the coming year and beyond?
Nik and Emma:
The diary is filling up fast, with various engagements
around the country, with The Rattling. We will be leading
worship, teaching, training etc. We are basically looking
to see what God has in store and will seek to do what
he wants us to do.
Find out more about ‘People
of Faith’ and purchase CDs atwww.therattling.com
