Carolyn Arends
http://www.carolynarends.com/
by Trisha Bleau

CS: What is your main purpose for performing? For the rush of the performance? Ministry? Praise?

Carolyn: Well, I've always said I write songs and sing them for people because I can't help myself. Writing songs is a form of prayer for me, and a way of sorting through what I'm learning about God and the world. Singing those songs for people is something I just love to do, and I'm so thankful that I get to do it. I do try to perform as a kind of praise, because we're told to do whatever we do for the glory of God. And I pray before every performance that God will chose to use what I do to minister in people's lives. It's always so amazing when He does!

CS: What is the main focus in your ministry? Teens? The lost? The hurting? Why did you decide up on this as a focus?

Carolyn: I just try to sing to whoever will listen. I learned a long time ago to just express honestly what was going on in my own life, and then trust that the authenticity of that would connect with other people. But I'm always surprised by how many different kinds of people do connect with the songs. Different age groups, different backgrounds, people who have already made a decision to follow Christ, people who haven't. We all have so much in common because we all need God.

CS: How does your music affect your home life? Do you take your family with you when you travel?

Carolyn: Well, my husband is a middle school counselor, so he can travel with me in the summers and during spring break and on some weekends. We also have a 2 and a half year old (Benjamin) and I try to bring him with me as much as a possibly can. He's a great traveler! When I do have to travel without my family, I try to limit it to 1 or 2 nights at the absolute most. It's something we're constantly praying about -- trying to not be apart as much as possible. Fortunately, we've always found that God's grace is sufficient ....

CS: What kind of relationship do you maintain with your audiences? Do you fellowship with them? Or do you remain distant as the performer?

Carolyn: I've always tried to think of the church or hall that I'm performing in as a living room ... the performance is a chance to hang out and make some new friends.

CS: What is the message you are trying to get across with your music?

Carolyn: At the heart of everything I do, I think, is just trying to grasp how much God loves us. I think I also explore a lot the mystery of God .... just letting Him be as big and awesome as He really is. I actually wrote a book this past year about that. It's called LIVING THE QUESTIONS -- MAKING SENSE OF THE MESS AND MYSTERY OF LIFE.

CS: Where do you get ideas for your music? Where do you get the ideas for other writings (books, poems, etc)?

Carolyn: Mostly just from life. I think one of the big themes in my music is the idea that everything is sacred ... even the seemingly mundane details of our lives are important. The story of each of our lives is so important because it is a living, breathing, document of the way God interacts with humans. So I try to pay attention to the little stuff ... which is really a challenge sometimes!

I also get a lot of inspiration from books ... writers like C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle, Frederick Buechner, Malcolm Muggeridge.

CS: How would you describe your music style?

Carolyn: Basically, I'm a singer/songwriter. There's an acoustic/folks sensibility to what I do -- on some albums it goes in more of a pop direction, others more of a rock direction. But at the end of the day I'm basically a girl singing some songs!

CS: Do you ever get criticized for your lyrics?

Carolyn: Every once in a rare while someone will ask me to explain something ... usually it's just a clarification. I'm sure there are people out there that don't like what I do, but they've been kind enough to not let me know about it too much! :)

CS: Are you involved in any other ministries?

Carolyn: I'm really honored to work with World Vision. I also have a heart for Crisis Pregnancy Centers. I was the director of one when I first got out of college, and I still try to do what I can to help a really amazing cause.

CS: What is your musical background? Did you take lessons to gain the musical skills you have now?

Carolyn: I took piano lessons and a few guitar lessons. I tried voice lessons but never could get it right! :)

CS: Do you have an accountability partner or prayer partner to keep you encouraged and uplifted?

Carolyn: I have a couple of friends who are really straight with me and will let me know if they think I'm losing it. :) My husband is probably my biggest accountability/prayer partner. We also are trying to put deeper and deeper roots down in our church -- which can be tricky when you travel a lot.

CS: Do you sing anywhere else just for fun? Like maybe in the shower or while cleaning or driving, etc. And if you do, do you sing your own music or someone else's?

Carolyn: I sing pretty much everywhere ... either a song I'm working on someone else's song. My little boy likes to have my music on in the car, which always makes me feel a little silly, but hey -- it's nice that he's a fan! :)

CS: Do you find it strange to hear yourself singing on the radio or to see yourself in a video?

Carolyn: Yep. But it's kind of fun too.

CS: What is the latest news? Any new CD's to be released soon?

Carolyn: Well, 2000 was a busy year. I released my book as well as my fourth album (Seize the Day and Other Stories). I'm going to try to take the first part of 2001 just to write and to try to get quiet and listen to what God wants to say to me and -- hopefully -- through me. I'll be doing a small amount of touring through the spring. Then, Lord willing, we should have a new record out either the end of this year or the early part of next year.

CS: Do you have any advice to give to the youth of our world?

Carolyn: Seize the day. Know you're part of a grand design and as such are infinitely valuable. Know that if what you do today counts for God, it counts forever. John 10:10.