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The creative arts ministry conference attended last week in Grand Rapids, MI was great! It was very inspiring, and a bit overwhelming to see the quality and excellence in production for a church that is actively doing what it takes to reach the lost around us.
It was interesting to me to hear them say two specific things at the concert.
- They will do anything short of immoral or sinful to try and bring the lost into the walls of the church so they can hear the message of Jesus Christ
- Creative types and artists need to give up their big dreams so they can help be a part of God’s dream of winning back humanity to Himself.
What do those two statements mean to you? For this church it means presenting the message in ways you probably wouldn’t ever hear about in church. What will your church do?
One of the ways they do this is by regularly using secular non-specific Christian songs as centerpieces or opening songs to connect with the people in the seats. One of the things that my friend and I talked about was that what you find in many secular songs that you don’t hear in Christian music is an angst and struggle of the individual. There’s a bit of hopelessness and depression that tears at your heart in the lyrics and the music.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes there’s more angst, anxiety and fear that I can relate to in music than there is an eternal sunshine and flowery meadows. Here’s a list of some of the songs they’ve used:
- Beautiful Day by U2
- Miracle Drug by U2
- many more by U2
- Dirty Little Secret by All-American Rejects
- Family Portrait by Pink
- Shining Star by Earth, Wind and Fire
- and more
What does your church do through music and worship to reach the lost? What are you willing to do? What just won’t happen?
