Kirk Talley - Clear to See, Feature Article

Sep

2004

Kirk Talley - Clear to See

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Clear For All To See

You could feel it when you got there, the excitement was in the air. Everyone was looking forward to hearing some tremendous music and there was curiosity there too. Kirk Talley would be there, how was he? What would he say? What would he sing? Some even wondered how would this crowd react?

The concert started a few minutes early because Joy Promotions had a surprise for us. Cystal River would open up the concert. What harmony those guys had! This is an up and coming group you want to watch for. They sang the old songs and the new songs and the crowd loved them all.

Then Hope's Call took the stage. The family harmony that is so much a part of SGM found an audience that truly appreciated their talent. What wonderful talent and their smiling faces made you believe they truly knew what they were singing about.

Next was Anthony Burger, what is there to say that hasn't already been said? From the soul stirring 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' to the fun 'Swingin my way back home' Anthony was in his element. "Hallelujah Chorus" always gives me chill bumps. Anthony doing what he does best, making a piano 'speak' hope, encouragement and joy ! Lori joined Anthony for “No More Night”, her talent is truly breathtaking.

For a moment I thought we had a sound problem because we began to hear what sounded like a radio station or CB cutting in and coming in over the speaker. Then I realized it was a message that someone had left on Anthony's answering machine being played.

As the message thanking his buddy for being there ended, Anthony began to sing and play "Whatever it Takes" -"There's a voice calling me, from an old rugged tree and it whispers, draw closer to Me. Leave this world far behind, there are new heights to climb and a new place in Me you will find."

Then the voice from back stage "Take the dearest things to me, if that's how it must be, to draw me closer to Thee. Let the disappointments come, the lonely days without the sun if through sorrow more like you I become". As Kirk and Anthony proceeded to sing the chorus together, the crowd was on their feet, clapping, yelling, crying, it was an emotional time. As he walked out on stage to the applause and cheers of a full house, you could see the joy yet apprehension on his face. And you could see the love on the faces of those in the crowd as they sought to encourage one who had been through the fire.

As he walked out on stage to the applause and cheers of a full house, you could see the joy yet apprehension on his face. And you could see the love on the faces of those in the crowd as they sought to encourage one who had been through the fire

Anthony stayed on the stage and played for Kirk as he went back and picked up some older songs and hymns. "Sheltered In the Arms of God", "Til the Storm Passes By", "Tis so Sweet", "Every Hour I need Thee", the songs kept coming and we continued to enjoy the voice we had missed. But more than missing the voice, we had missed the person whose enthusiasm could take a crowd that was a ‘quartet only' group and have them cheering for a soloist.

"Thorough It All" and then the trademark whistling on "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" reminded us of how much we had enjoyed his music through the years. "Always Enough" and Kirk began to share how this song was written. Debra had asked him to write a song for those who were in positions of leadership or had ministries where others looked up to them yet they had problems or situations in their own lives that they need help, understanding and/or counseling with, yet they felt they could not talk with anyone. No one but Kirk knew that was exactly where he was living at the time.

"Serenaded by Angels" is a must at any Kirk concert and he didn't disappoint us. "I'd Rather be Saved than Anything I know" was sung with such feeling and power. Followed by a Phil Cross song "When God Says No"....He says yes to so much more, really seemed to sum up the night.

Between songs Kirk shared his battle, the terrors and heartaches of the last 8-9 months, how many things were misrepresented by the secular media, his openness was touching and the pain you could feel as he spoke was heart-rending. He acknowledged his battle and then he shared with us the counseling session where he ‘saw' Jesus drop-kick the chains that had bound him for so long.

Kirk's pastor Tommy Patterson was scheduled to speak just before the break. He came to the stage and before preaching led everyone in “When God Dips His Love In My Heart” singing the verses and having Kirk, Anthony and the audience join him on the chorus. After telling us we needed a ‘little more soul' in our singing we did the second verse. This song led perfectly into the message of love and forgiveness, Pastor Patterson brought.

I've known Kirk for a lot of years. We have talked and joked and had some heated disagreements. But Saturday night I saw something I don't remember ever
seeing before when looking at Kirk, I saw a peace that wasn't there in the past. He is continuing with counseling and being discipled by his pastor. As they broke for intermission, Kirk was never able to leave the stage area as fans, friends and well-wishers surrounded him.

The second half began with Crystal River again for one song, or at least that's what the promoter thought but the crowd loved them and refused to allow them to leave with just one song. Hope's Call did a terrific job and then Anthony was back on the stage for more of his classic piano music. Everyone was on the stage as Kirk came back out. He looked at the lead and bass singer with Crystal River and asked if they knew in old SGM songs, while they looked a bit doubtful, they nodded yes.

Now Kirk's sense of humor was showing through as he got the bass singer and looked at his head from all angles before commenting, “I've got a comb on the van I can go get it for you.” I have to admit this mom had that thought the moment she saw him. Now he is a fantastic bass singer but that hair needed work! For those who have never seen Crystal River let me explain, imagine you have gotten out of bed with your hair all askew, then you stand on your head shaking it vigorously, you go to the upright position and you may have achieved his look.

Despite the hair, Kirk and Anthony had the boys join them for 'The Quartet' on "Glory Road" and brought the house down! The spontaneity that is the trademark of The Trio, was alive and well as The Quartet was formed and they sang and had fun on stage. An encore was necessary before the crowd was ready to allow that to end. Someone at the back requested "Beulah Land" and Kirk sang it after acknowledging it wasn't a song he knew real well. The program ended with Kirk singing "I Know Him" and being joined on the chorus by all the groups. "I know Him but best of all He knows me " certainly was the right song to end the concert on!

We had intended to head for home the next morning but before the night was over, Kirk had several of us changing our plans, including Anthony and family. When Kirk asked how many would be at his church the next day to hear him , a lot of folks raised their hands. Kirk looked at Anthony and said "Where are you tomorrow?". Anthony told him 'Chattanooga'. Kirk said 'In the morning?' and Anthony said 'no'. So again Kirk asked him 'Where are you going to be tomorrow? Want to come to my church?' Anthony agreed (after quickly checking with LuAnn! )

So Sunday morning found us at Marantha Church of the Harvest in Lenior City, TN. We arrived a few minutes after the service began. Kirk was at the keyboard and with the praise team was leading the church in worship.

After a few more songs, they took up the offering. Anthony was going to play for that. He got up and went to the keyboard. To say this was a far cry than what Anthony is used to playing is the understatement of the year. A tiny little keyboard on somewhat shaky legs, I wondered if it would still be standing when he finished.

For a second after he began, I really wondered what was going on, the look on Anthony's face and the first few notes just 'weren't right'. Then as he always does, he played the "Great is Thy Faithfulness"/"How Big is God"/"How Great Thou Art" medley with power and finesse.

After he sat down, Kirk explained that moment of surprise on Anthony's face. I'll try to quote him on this but I was laughing so hard, I may not have the quote down exactly, "Anthony has perfect pitch so when he got up here and played the first notes he knew I had left the transpose button on. He had to play the entire thing in a different key than he was used to playing for it to come out in the key he needed it in." Now Kirk is rolling laughing by this time. This was just another tribute to Anthony's talent.

Kirk shared some of the new songs he has written in the last month or so. "I'm Living A Life Of Love" has a powerful and heartfelt message. He and Rodney Griffen have written a catchy tune "Keep Puttin' One Foot In Front of the Other". And he and Phil Cross have teamed up for "I Still Remember" and "Love is Alive Forever".

He then did a 'mother song' the title came from a poem written by a lady who had just lost her child "I wish you a roomful of Angels" and it touched this mother's heart. Each of us who has known and loved a child , or any person for that matter, can relate to this message.

A few weeks previously a message had been preached at his church on Paul and Silas giving birth to "I Will Sing a Song of Praise to God" which has a wonderful message and would be a great addition to any P&W service.

An old favorite "No Other Word for Grace but Amazing" is as true today as the day it was written. "Lord, I Worship You" is another new one. For his pastor he had written "I'm Shoutin' The Victory" as that is his pastor's favorite phrase and Kirk has put it to a beautiful song.

Anthony slips to the keyboard as Kirk leaves it and Kirk sings "The Love of God". Kirk talks about his priorities changing and how he is open to whatever God has in store for him. He asks a friend, Connie Bolling from Atlanta to join him as he sings "Field of Grace". She does a tremendous job on Janet's part. He talks of this church being his 'field of grace'.

Finishing up the music portion of the service with "Where Sin Abounds, Grace Abounds Greater" Kirk turned it over to Pastor Patterson. His message on Restoration is something that everyone needs to hear.

"Thank you all for your prayers and support during the most trying time in my life. I appreciate all the ones that continued to pray for me when they didn't know what reallly was going on. Please continue to pray for me as I continue with counseling and try to sing whenever the door is opened." - Kirk Talley

This weekend was a treat for me and many others; there were people there from NY, TX, CA, GA, SC and many other states for both Saturday night and Sunday. Kirk made one statement that especially stuck with me. He said, "Several people over the last few days have welcomed me back. I'm not sure I'm back or that I even want to be 'back'. I'm open and I'm available wherever God opens a door but back on the circuit, I'm not sure that will happen. My priorities have changed. I know I have enjoyed working here at this church and I've needed this. I don't want to get away from that."

I talked with Kirk about that after the service. He talked about his need to be there at the church for the discipleship and fellowship it provides. So he knows even if the 'circuit' welcomes him back, he must have the Wednesday nights there and he needs to limit the time away or set aside some weeks that he doesn't do Sunday dates so that he can be in his church.

I recalled a statement I had made to someone last year looking at Kirk's schedule. I had been attempting to help Faye find a church for a booking. His schedule was so packed and he took so little time off. I said, "He doesn't even have time to think". In recent months I've thought of that statement and realize his frantic push for dates was possibly his attempt to run from himself.

I have someone tell me a few weeks ago, 'it doesn't matter what he does or says I won't ever listen to him again'. All I can say to that is Gal.1:10 - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted". Kirk is not denying or trying to explain away any wrong he has done. He is attempting to allow God to use him in whatever way God chooses.

We saw many things this weekend, but one thing that truly stood out to me, the value of true friendship. Many friends came to support Kirk along with many fans. One friend stood by his side and accompanied his singing. But the value of those friendships based on Christian love was clear for all to see.

Written by DeeAnn Bailey

Reader Comments

"Kirk was born gay." - Jim P

I am amazed by this comment - is this a comment by a Christian??? Have they ever even OPENED a Bible? Unbelievable.

Gay is a choice, not an "orientation". That is a term used by the gays to make it seem more acceptable. The ignorance of this guy is absolutely mind-boggling! Don't these comments get reviewed first?

Commented by On 12/22/2004

I feel the same as Marci, that everyone is jumping to defend this person, but if it was someone in their lives it would not be defended so fast. that is so true.

I also like the comment, something like "go to a concert and see him - he is a changed man". Excuse me, but how do you know? Do you personally monitor his computer usage and phone calls and mail? I know others in SG are the same, perhaps regarding different issues, but I do not intend to purchase any more Kirk Talley merchandise at this time. That is my choice as a consumer.

Commented by On 12/22/2004

if GOD has forgiven him then we as christian must forgive him and he is a great worker for GOD and he has suffered alot over this. It is not for us to judge but that is GOD'S . Please come back and start singing again because you have such a talent to write wonderful songs and to let the public know how things are going for you. I pray that GOD is number one in your life and you do what GOD ask of you,no matter what people say!!! GOD BLESS YOU IN 2005
Show people how much grace and love GOD has for all who have sinned and asked forgivness.

Commented by LaDonna Mingus On 12/28/2004

I'm with Dee Ann, AND Gal:1:10, When God forgives ANY of Us He doesn't take it back, It's forgiven forever, Amen. I've seen Kirk since he began giving his testimony, singing and God has put a very powerful anointing on him like never before in his Ministry too, God bless you and your Ministry with Him, We are praying for you, supporting you in all that you do for Him. Your friend with Him, AR Lady.

Commented by Jolene#2 On 01/07/2005

I find it so sad that Christians have to debate this. Have you ever fallen? Have you ever sinned? Have you asked for forgiveness? Has God extended you His grace? As a born-again Christian, I am thankful that His Grace exceeds all my downfalls, and that when I fall, if I ask Him, He forgives me. Why do we make this situation so big? Have you not all sinned? Do we not all know gossips, backstabbers, people who let a little "bad word" slip here and there, people who are divorced and remarried? I'm not condemning ANY of them..but they're forgiven if they ask. And so is Kirk. Does some sin require more grace? Do some sins need more forgiveness than others? That's not what my Bible says. All have sinned. Where sin did abound, Grace did much more abound. And the state of Kirk's heart and his true intentions is between He and God. We are not to judge, lest we be judged. Had I been in the town circle that day, when the harlot was broght forth to be stoned...and had Jesus shown up, drawn in the sand and said "He who is without sin may cast the first stone"..I would have had to turn and walk away. I think most of us would. I, as a born again Christian, need to be daily guarding my own heart, and continually striving to grow closer to The Lord through prayer and bible reading. I don't have time, nor should I make time, to be deciding what others need to do be better christians. I can pray for others, I can lovingly help direct them if the opportunity arises, but I shouldn't make them look bad to make myself look more spiritual. I'm so thankful for grace, for mercy and for forgiveness that's given over and over. I don't understand it totally, but I'm continually amazed and overwhelmed by it. God is so, so, so, so, so, so good.

Commented by On 01/07/2005

So many Christians quote the Bible and say that being gay is a sin. All you hear from churches is how the Gays are ruining the country and corruptimg our kids. Don't allow them in Boy Scouts, or to be teachers, or to be married.
Well---now that Kirk tells that he is gay, most of you are so ready to throw your arms around him to forgive and defend him.

My question is...you pick the gays that you like and that is ok?

Commented by On 01/27/2005

Rose, the Bible teaches that anyone can repent of sin and be forgiven. If someone does that and we forgive that isn't about picking which 'sinners' we will accept, it is about understanding we all sin, we all can fail but thankful God can and does forgive and as Christians we are to do the same.

Regardless of the sin, accepting a Christian brother or sister in love that has repented is not the same thing as condoning open and willful sin and disobedience.

Commented by On 01/28/2005

I am going to preface my comments with a few things. One though I have always been impressed with Kurt's talent I have never been much of a fan because of two things. A. I've always had a funny negative "feeling" about hime. B. Because his demeaner in person never impressed me when he was with the Cathedrals. (Which I have since found out was more fear and shyness then snobbery-my mistake). I feel that homosexuality is a sin and very wrong, even an abomination.

That said it takes a real man, nay a true man of God to come forward with the repentance that Kirk has and admit such a thing when his whole existence is bound up in his identity in a field like Southern Gospel Music which would in no way embrace this lifestyle. Also, it is equally obvious that he has submitted himself to others for accountability instead of going through the motions and going back out on his own. I have not once seen a justification on his part for this sin or in any way has he offered an excuse. He has taken responsibility for his actions and has demonstrated how a real repented heart acts. This is what repentance is all about. Not trying to minimize what you have done and not worrying about what will happen tomorrow-but taking responsibility for today.

To those of you, especially those of you talking in all caps (the internet equivelant of yelling), I would be very careful on proclamations relating to judgements of others, ESPECIALLY, those that proclaim Gods word. We are supposed to have discernment, and yes, there is even an appropriate time to deal with UNREPENTANT sin in the church. But blanket condemnation of people you don't know the facts about are not encouraged in the bible. The fact is God used an Ass to get Balaams attention in the old testament and if that is what he wanted to use to keep that old reprobate prophet (talk about sin, he sold his prophetic services to the highest bidder-God didn't take him out, think about it) from continuing to prophesy against his people. My point being that God will decide how to handle his annointed and will use those around them and the rest of us should be very cautious with our statement of judgement.

Those of you who take a hard line on such things. How are things in your church? Is the doctrine such that if a pastor in your church makes a statement on theology and someone disagrees, especially a new christian. Do you hound them down, or run them out of the church if they don't line up lock step. With the exception of the basic tenets of our faith, a repentant lifestyle, One God who is only accessed through his son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins, etc. etc. This happens a lot in churchs today and the scripture is real clear about this-It would be better to hang a millstone around the neck etc. etc. When is the last time you took a good look around at what is going on in your church that you DO have some familiarity with? Is it truly Godly? Are your responses to the issues truly Godly?

Finally on the homosexual issue. I used to believe it was a choice for all that were involved and still believe that it is, BUT, to say that some people weren't born homosexual shows that some hardline christians are for lack of better word doubly ignorant. Not stupid, but ignorant of the reality of physiology AND the current state of mankind. We are a fallen race. We are not currently the physical perfection that God created although we can spiritually be so. The fact is people, heterosexual, have different sex drives. Some would use this as an excuse to say we should be promiscuous. We know as Christians that God said sex was for marriage and we should exercise self control. Which amount of sex drive is God's perfect one? Are the rest who don't have that amount imperfect physically? The truth is, we are all physically imperfect in this realm. There are those who I believe are physically "made" to be homosexual, although I do believe it is just a portion of the homosexual movement. The rest I believe have either dabbled in perversion or had their "circuits" fried by abusive relationships. Finally if how we are physically born is God's perfection and we "decide" to "be" perverted. What do you say to the poor children who are born with both genders???? The primary consequence to mans fall is seperation from his creator. The side effect to our fall out of the Garden of Eden is genetic deterioration as is evidenced by physical deformities, emotional problems and a lifespan 10% of what it was when we left the garden. WE ARE A FALLEN RACE who have been given the ability to be restored to our father through his grace bestowed on us by the sacrifice of his son. To say otherwise is the root of Heresy plain and simple.

That said, I trust Kurts attempt at repentance whether he is successful or falls again BECAUSE he is also following it up with accountibility and a willingness to change his whole way of doing things to stay accountible. You don't see that very often with fallen pastors especially some well known ones who couldn't wait to get out from under the people they were acountible to. Ultimately, it doesn't matter about the individual giving the message. God proclaims his message how he feels is appropriate. I have seen him use men of faith and I have seen him use very evil people to make his point. I choose to judge the messages with discernment and let him judge his messengers.

Commented by On 01/30/2005

In Kirks testimony on his website he says "I still feel the attraction, the struggle daily." Were not talking about the struggle to quit smoking. Were talking about an abomination. I am a woman. If I look at a man in lust, then that is a sin, but it is a "natural" sin. God made me to be that way. God did not make me to look at a woman in lust. He did not make anybody else that way either. It is natural for opposite sexes to attract. Sodomy is an abomination to God. It is evil. It is demonic. Completly against God.
Say someone goes to an altar of repentance, and they have the addictive habit of smoking. I have heard several testimonies of people who are delivered instantly at the moment they confess their sins and believe in Jesus. I have heard other testimonies of people who have struggled with their habit, and it took them awhile to get rid of that sin in their life. I'm thinking with the sin of an abomination, there are no gray areas, either your delivered from it or your not. Either you look at men in lust, or you don't. What shocks me is that, what kind of shape is the church in? First of all that he could be in church night after night and not repent. When somebody comes into my church, living a life like that, I want them to be able to feel convicted, and to repent and be made whole. Second, where is discernment at? Sin is sin, it doesn't matter who it is, how successful they are, how touching their story is, how beautiful their voice is, or how much you could gain financially from this person. We need to stop being so tolerant to sin. How would you feel if your pastor announced to the church, "I feel attractions to men." If it were my pastor, I would expect him to stop representing the gospel until he was completely delivered from his unnatural, abominational sin. But who knows if Kirk is trying to represent the gospel, so far from his testimony and the messages on here, I'm hearing that his message so far is, "I have sinned, I'm learning from it, I still struggle". What I would like to hear, is, "I have been set free, delivered, the chains of sin have been broken, I no longer am a slave to this sin, Praise the Lord! Of course, we should love him, be intercessors for him, but until he is able to say those words I just said, then he shouldn't be allowed to get behind a pulpit and be a minister in any way.

Commented by On 02/03/2005

I didn't know that God had a rating system of sins. I thought they were all alike in His eyes. I also didn't realize that the struggle not to sin was a sin in and of itself. We all have struggles, some open struggles, some not so open, some more "acceptable" in people's eyes, some not quite so acceptable. In Proverbs 6:16-19, God gives a list of sins that He considers to be an abomination. A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false withness and one who sows discord among brethren. Nowhere in that text is homosexuality mentioned. If my pastor stood up and said he was struggling with same-gender attraction (NOT acting on it), I would pray for him, but I wouldn't feel he was less qualified to lead. It's no different than a pastor who deals with the sin of gluttony, lying, lust towards the opposite gender, drinking, smoking, gambling, etc. I understand that my pastor is a human as I am. Why should the fact that he has struggles, as we ALL do, keep him from ministering to others? As I said when I started this reply, I don't believe that God ranks sins as "natural sins" and "unnatural sins."

Commented by On 02/04/2005

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