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A reader asked me a good question about my last post, titled "Meat and Potatoes." I have chosen to post it here as a separate blog:

Chris writes:

Scott, very thought provoking as much of what you write is... one question, for those of us who are "professional" ministers, how do we begin to introduce "meat" music to our congregations? As the Christian sub-culture has encouraged mimicing secular music, it has also removed us from not only engaging God through good music that works through the mysteries and wonder of Him and His work in the world, but has caused us not to seek him in anything (i.e. listening and thinking on the struggle that a secular artist sings/writes about as he/she searches through the meaning and mysteries of life). I deal with this daily as I long to help our students see and seek God and His movement in the world and in their lives.

My response:

Thanks for your honesty Chris. I struggle with the same thing - even when I lead congregational music its easy to default to the songs I know...the easy songs, the oldies, or even the "popular" songs. Not that any of those are bad in and of themselves - I can just get lazy and not really try to search for truly relevant and meaningful music. Sometimes I don't want to teach a new song because it takes up too much time. And time is precious in a church service. Start at 9:30am sharp and end at 10:30, just in time for the next herd to corral itself into the weekly production.
So for me, it comes down to laziness. I fail to take the time to look for quality (or to produce it), and I settle for comfortable and/or convenient (or I people please and do what I know to be safe). And as a leader, I model that laziness or cowardice to the laypeople who, in turn, become lazy and demand the comfortable and convenient - the easy to digest. It becomes a vicious cycle. Back in the day it happened with the Israelites, many of whom would have gone back to a life of slavery and abuse in Egypt in exchange for their newfound and uncharted freedom, which required effort to maintain. Even then, the leaders did their best to lead by example into the unknown - by faith. Now in the present day, it can get even worse when leaders allow themselves to get lazy or afraid of the unknown. Then it definitely comes across in a community. Its amazing to travel across our country and see how much congregations reflect the attitudes of their leaders.
Chris, my advice would be to remove yourself from any religious tendencies to use only music or writing labeled "Christian." There are many secular artists and authors whose searching and longing for experience with God are completely relevant to a believer who also struggles with doubt and unbelief. Of course, there are a good bit of artists and authors who can lead us astray if we're not careful. The trick is to stay engaged with the Spirit who lives inside you. Listen to your discernment, watch for red flags, pray for strength and wisdom, and watch God reveal himself to you in the art of those who don't necessarily carry the Evangelical Contemporary Christian stamp of approval. God works in many ways that the American church at large cannot seem to accept.
Case in point: As I write this a Disney movie is playing in the living room. Little Simba the future lion king has just been rescued from the hyenas in the elephant graveyard by his father, Mufasa. As his father processed Simba's mistake with him, Simba said "I just wanted to be brave like you, Dad."
And Mufasa replied, "That doesn't mean we should go looking for trouble."
So I was just gently reminded (by a "secular" piece of art) that though I need to be courageous as I lead others into the mysterious unknown, I should check my motives. Am I doing this because I believe I need to be bold in my leadership, or am I just picking a fight to be difficult and argumentative? Thanks Mufasa.
The church needs bold leaders who are willing to push past our pseudo-pious religious boundaries and watch for God's presence outside of popular or traditionally accepted practices. Its time to accept our place as facilitators, not experts, and let God be God.

Posted by at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First of all, let's get something out in the open: The statements I am about to make reflect my opinions and beliefs. They are by no means completely correct, though I think I make some good points worthy of taking to heart. And in no way am I making statements that apply to every single person or entity or corporation who fits the demographic of the current topic. I am generalizing and speaking mostly about the ones who, unfortunately for the little guy, get the most attention. With that disclaimer, I hope you will read on.
GMA week is an annual event leading up to the Dove Awards where Christian artists, promoters, managers, DJ’s, and everyone else connected to the industry all come together to get themselves noticed. There are booths and exhibitors selling us what we need to become the next big thing, and there are seminars and showcases all over the place. It was just last week, and except for the opportunity to see a few good friends, I am glad it’s over. It seems to me that it is a bit of a meat market. I can also admit to referring to it as “Whorefest” – I apologize for the strong language, but it came to me at a time during GMA week when I was overwhelmed by the masses of artists, all doing what they do in the name of God, trying to outdo one another with their crazy hairstyles and latest rock star couture. It looked like a bunch of peacocks strutting their stuff, showing off their plumage, hoping for a mate (or a record deal or airplay or whatever).
I am not a Christian radio friendly artist. I wish I was, but along with many other independent artists, I gave up the notion of being heard on KLOVE a long time ago. Not to toot my own horn here, but most of my songs require a little more thought than much of the jet-puffed ear candy getting airplay these days. It’s the way I like it, and I promise I’m not bragging...not at all. You see, its not hard to write a song that demands a little mental processing, and its even easier to write a song using the same clichés and Christianese that have polluted the airwaves since radio DJ's dubbed themselves the gatekeepers for what listeners want to hear (again, remember that I am generalizing here...there are a few good writers and performers who have managed to sneak past the Chees-o-meters and have gotten their quality art to the masses...but they are a dying breed). As a result, Christian radio has become the tail that wags the dog, and many introspective, thoughtful, and very talented artists can't get their music heard because the "experts" won't play stuff that people might need to chew on and spend some time digesting. They want to spoon feed the listener because the listener can't be trusted to have the discernment to do it himself. Christian Radio has become fast food for the soul. A quick-and-easy filler with little nutritional value: McJesus Radio. Come to think of it, it actually fits in nicely with the God-marketers who peddle their "Testamints" (for sinners with halitosis) at Christian book mega stores around the country.
But I think its giving the church a bad name. And I’m challenging you not to put up with it anymore. It’s an insult to you, the listener (or consumer). It’s an insult because Christian Radio and Christian Bookstores and even a lot of churches are inadvertently keeping you in a state of perpetual spiritual adolescence. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think they are maliciously formulating schemes to keep you from maturing. To be honest, part of the blame lies with you – because you are not standing up for yourself and what you need. You’re not taking the initiative to care for yourself. Many of us have become accustomed to foods that are easy to digest, and now we’re addicted.
I think we all need to be better communicators in the church. Many of you are ready to move beyond milk and get to the meat. Many of you need to move away from the “seeker sensitive” churches that continually dumb down the teaching so it’s friendly to the unchurched. If you’re not careful, you’ll be stuck in the Christianity 101 class forever.
So here’s my challenge to you: challenge yourself. Read something you think you won’t understand. Take time to pick it apart and see what the author is trying to communicate. Read something you think you might not completely agree with. Trust the Spirit of God to help you discern what is truth and what can be left aside. Listen to music that intimidates you. Listen to music you “just don’t get.” Try to get it. Take time to process what the lyrics might mean or where the writer was coming from when he wrote it. And attend a church where you might not totally agree with everything they say. See if God can still use it to speak to you.
Search for God in the unknown, intimidating and uncomfortable. Understand that Christ is unendingly deep, incomprehensibly profound, often paradoxical, and always available when we seek him wholeheartedly. His gospel is simple, but he is mysterious. See if it is possible for truth to exist outside of your personal theology. Challenge God to meet you in his realm, not just in the small box where you’ve placed him.

Posted by at 1:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)