Blog

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.