I appreciate this article, and I wish it was posted in its entirety! I wanted to join my local chapter of GMWA, but changed my mind quickly when I was told of the expenses involved. I understand that everything related to the church can't be for free, but everything shouldn't be so expensive either! I cannot understand how the people who plan these conventions don't think about the fact that people have bills to pay and children to feed.

Furthermore, I'm not about to join an organization that will look the other way and allow people to perform who are living in open sin. I saw a recent clip on YouTube where Yvette Flunder (former singer in the Walter Hawkins Love Alive Chorale), who is openly gay and is pastor of a gay-welcoming church, was one of the featured singers at the GMWA convention about 2 or 3 years ago! I also read another story on MySpace from someone who attended the convention for the first time, who was disturbed at the number of openly gay and lesbian attendees. I refuse to spend the Lord's money supporting a 'gospel' organization that permits perversion on display with no rebuke given from God's Word!

I would encourage aspiring gospel artists to find other gospel music organizations that believe in LIVING the life we sing about, and not waste another dime on the GMWA. God will promote you, if you will trust Him and be faithful to Him!