wow...

[chris]

can't we just let Petra break up and not worry about "what's next for the band members?" I would be perfectly happy to never hear about John or Bob, just so long as they're home with their families, being fathers and husbands, ministering at their church and relaxing. Many bands break up and go about normal 9 to 5 days, never even thinking about touring again (check out White Heart... Rick Florian went into real estate after the band broke up).

[crossways]

pours a new bowl of cheerios for Chris

When you have spent the last 10, 15, 20, and some folks 30+ years listening to this powerful music and eagerly anticipating each release and tour, it becomes very hard to imagine that "the new Petra cd" won't be coming out next year.

However, if I had announced my retirement because my band wasn't getting the tour support I needed in order to pay the bills....and my fans showed major support and continued to tell me that they wish it wasn't all ending.....I think I would be bery flattered and relieved to know that there was still so much love for me.

If you want to forget about Bob and John, go ahead. This Pethead will NEVER forget what Petra has meant to his life!

[Pethead1]

Well said crossways I feal exlatly the same way. My husband most likley would have never came to the Lord without Never Say Die. He thought he would have to give up his rock. There are hundreds if not thousands of people who probabaly would have NEVER have herd about Jesus and never though someone like them could even come to the Lord as they are. You do not here that in church.

OK Im done.

[Shell]

Don't get uptight here guys, it's just his opinion. He's entitled to it, this is a discussion board, discussion boards are for discussion. God will be using them no matter what they're doing.

[Pethead1]

Shell, it just a little to soon to through in the towell. We were just getting wormed up.

[chris]

When you have spent the last 10, 15, 20, and some folks 30+ years listening to this powerful music and eagerly anticipating each release and tour, it becomes very hard to imagine that "the new Petra cd" won't be coming out next year.

Mark me down for 18 years...

However, if I had announced my retirement because my band wasn't getting the tour support I needed in order to pay the bills....and my fans showed major support and continued to tell me that they wish it wasn't all ending.....I think I would be bery flattered and relieved to know that there was still so much love for me.

Jeez, I'm not saying don't be a fan and quit showing support... the major part of it is praying that they're continually used by God in whatever they do, and not assuming it's going to be anything musical...

[chris]

Well said crossways I feal exlatly the same way. My husband most likley would have never came to the Lord without Never Say Die. He thought he would have to give up his rock. There are hundreds if not thousands of people who probabaly would have NEVER have herd about Jesus and never though someone like them could even come to the Lord as they are.

Everyone's got a powerful story about how they came to know Christ. Mine is very identical to those on this board. Petra's music was a <i>huge</i> influence in my spiritual walk and I'm also devistated they're breaking up. I'm simply exploring the possibility that God is calling them to a life much different than what they've been doing, and it's up to Him, not up to the amount of encouragement that comes from this board. Hundreds of thousands of people who are lost or angry with God will turn to Him, through redemption, and through His mercy. Hearing a Petra song or going to a Petra concert is not a prerequisite for everyone, though it was in many people's case.

You do not here that in church.

If you don't hear the gospel preached at your church every Sunday, you might think about finding a new church.

[crossways]

so Chris, why is it that you think they are retiring?

If they came out with a statement that said, "guys, we have had a good time with Petra, and now we are just tired of doing it." Then ok, you might have a point.

But I don't think John or Bob either one really wants Petra to be over. So I hope we do get some more music from them.

[Michael]

We were just getting wormed up.

Ew, that sounds VERY painful!

[chris]

so Chris, why is it that you think they are retiring?

God said so.

If they came out with a statement that said, "guys, we have had a good time with Petra, and now we are just tired of doing it." Then ok, you might have a point.

But I don't think John or Bob either one really wants Petra to be over. So I hope we do get some more music from them.

Of course not... no one wants a great thing to end. They're not tired of it. But they have accepted it as God's will. Perhaps I'm just putting myself in their shoes. Hanging it up after 33 years is tough, and I would have trouble doing it. But given the situation Petra has been in in for the past few years, I would consider it an opportunity to do something new... musically or not.

[brent]

Actually, you guys are half right. John didn't want it to end yet. Bob was tired of the fight with radio, the whole system, etc.

But, who cares about all of this? The demand is not large enough to sustain the band. Why not let it be?

Personally, I hope Bob writes P n' W music or something. I sent him an email the other day about it. He said that three people had told him that in two days.

[Jonathan]

can't we just let Petra break up and not worry about "what's next for the band members?" I would be perfectly happy to never hear about John or Bob, just so long as they're home with their families, being fathers and husbands, ministering at their church and relaxing. Many bands break up and go about normal 9 to 5 days, never even thinking about touring again (check out White Heart... Rick Florian went into real estate after the band broke up).

Were you in a huge band and people bugged you after you retired?

Is this Chris Christian?

[Shell]

Were you in a huge band and people bugged you after you retired?

Is this Chris Christian? (copied from Jonathan's post)


Jonathan, you come up with the funniest stuff.

Hahahahahahahahaha

[BForm]

I think Brent has been dead on in this whole argument about Petra retiring, the reason for their decline, etc. Has it ever occured to anyone that the reason they are getting so many shows and such good turnout is nostalgia? People who have been big Petra fans in the past but are no longer concert goers are coming out because of what the band has meant to them in the past. They've come out to cherish the memories and God bless them for doing it. Promoters were willing to take more risks because they figured this would be the case. What I saw in Peachtree City seemed to be just that.

I think we should all be thankful that we've had a Petra for all these years rather than lament that they are retiring. We should also be thankful that God has seen fit to give them an exciting conclusion. They are truly going out with style.

All you sports fans know how ugly it can be to watch an old player trying to milk out a few extra seasons when they can no longer play at a professional level. Although I believe the boys haven't lost anything when it comes to ability, the lack of support has made the last three or four years look pretty ugly as they struggled to get by. It looked as if it was going to be an ugly ending. To the contrary, there is a confidence, even a joyful swagger in John and Bob's voices when you hear them in interviews recently. I'm happy for them that they are able to go out with such joy. I'm happy for me that I've had Petra to listen to all these years. It's time for them to move on to the next phase.

[BForm]

As far as Bob doing P&W music, I would be all for it. I think Bob can bring something that is lacking in most modern P&W, namely depth. What we need is more P&W that has the attitude of reverence and awe that some of today's praise music has, but with the spiritual and theological depth of some of the old hymns.

Think of this. Many of the old hymn writers specifically used hymns to attack theological errors that would plague the church. Today's church is full of them but we can all sing the same happy clappy, theologically empty worship music because there is no depth to it. As RC Sproul once said, if you can substitute the name July for Jesus and the song still makes sense, it doesn't do much to lift up and proclaim the Glory of God.

I think Bob would be a master at writing P&W music that was worshipful in tone but lift up the greatness and Glory of God in a way that either taught or reminded us of important theological truths. Look at God's songbook, the Psalms, and look at the themes and the depth in them. Then compare them to today's worship music. Woeful!