But ask yourself: What, precisely, makes a song secular or Christian? Is it the lyrics? The person singing it? The style of music? Madelene L’Engle had an interesting statement in her book, Walking on Water:
“To look at a work of art and then to make a judgment as to… whether or not it is Christian is presumptuous. It is something we cannot know in any conclusive way. We can know only if it speaks within our own hearts and leads us to living more deeply with Christ in God.”
For the sake of simplicity, lets say secular music refers to popular songs written by a mainstream artist without any specific Christ-honoring intent. The songs aren’t about Jesus. The singer isn’t a Christian artist. And yet sometimes, when I’m in my car with (yes, secular) music blaring, God uses the lyrics to speak deeply to my heart. Really.
Here is what I believe: I think it is permissible-even advisable-to use music in the service that doesn’t have an obvious Christian message. Why? To craft for our guest a seamless experience that builds toward a goal. The goal of reaching them with the news that they matter to God, right here, right now, whatever their circumstances.
Most services contain several elements – announcements, singing, solos, perhaps a drama, maybe some video and a message. But every element in your service doesn’t have to be prescriptive. Yes, you are trying to teach a principle or encourage people to consider a truth, but you can use certain elements to raise questions and others to help provide answers. A song can get people thinking about their relationships, the longing in their souls, the beauty of a flower, and it can be the perfect vehicle to prepare your congregation to hear the message to come.
A seamless service on God’s strategy for peace might start with the song called “Untitled” by Simple Plan- that describes the pain of messing up and hurting other people in the process. Over and over the songwriter proclaims, “How could this have happened to me?”
What a better way to set up the service and open peoples hearts? So when the teaching pastors talks about what to do with the shame and despair of making big mistakes, people are ready to hear God’s Word. They may already be thinking, “That’s me. How could I have let this happen?” You see, in the right context, one Christian’s “oh-no!” moment is someone else’s “a-ha” moment. And later, when that person hears this song on the radio, they flash back to the service. They remember again that God can help them start over.
I challenge you to see your entire service as one seamless message comprising different elements, all of which are focused on helping people take their next steps toward Christ. Paul did this when he quoted from a famous poet of his day (Acts 17:28). He wasn’t saying, I agree with everything this poet wrote.” He was just using a well-known secular poem to connect with his listeners in order to help make a change in their lives.
I know, I know. To some of you, this seems like radical stuff. But at times you will have to speak the “foreign language” of our culture in order to reach the people in it. This is not optional; it is your job to learn the language, signs, symbols and customs of the culture- and then use what you learn to build a bridge back to God.
When people ask how can we use secular music in our services, I say, “How can we not?”
- By Executive Pastor of Granger Community Church Tim Stevens
ID TOUR Specifically- From my mouth (Leader of Tour) about "Secular Music"
If you have come out to the ID Tour you will know the entire night is centered on Identification- Finding and Being who you are intended to be. In the first set, we intentionally place a music medley with various “Secular Artist” from Kanye West to Bon Jovi and others in between. This is done with the intention to use a superficial, shallow, pop culture illustration that reveals the current various stereotypes- Hip-Hop/Emo/Country/Prep/Rock. It’s nothing more than a simple illustration to get people thinking their identity is more than a category. Who they are is more than what they listen to. Who they are is more than what they wear. You were never intended to just fit in. You are more than a stereotype/label/name you are a unique image bearer of God. So embrace your uniqueness. Which is why I follow up the medley with that very message.
And it works! We have seen hundreds of students begin relationships with God. Hundreds have re-started conversations with God. Hundreds have been set free from addictions/shackles of eating disorders and cutting. Hundreds have found their identities and have attempted to become the person God has intended for them to be. God is active on the ID TOUR all 30 something stops.
Big thank you to Kanye West for being willing to allow God to use him on the ID TOUR! He used a Jack Ass once in scripture and according to our president; he has done it again on the IDENTIFICATION TOUR.
A.W. Tozer- “It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it.”
Rob Bell- “There is no such thing as secular and sacred, EVERYTHING IS SPIRITUAL.”
Hope that helps the curious and pisses off the Pharisees J
PS- I wrote this listening to Switchfoot latest single. Not sure if that is Christian or not?
