There’s a new worship option coming to a church near you. It’s hip-hop or rap.
A recent article in Newsweek (July 31st, 2006) opened up the discussion of churches beginning to reach out to an even more contemporary crowd through this urban music and art form.
This is obviously more popular in more urban church settings, not something you’d normally see offered in your suburbia, white-collar, picket-fence location in rural America. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is in-fact a growing trend.
Churches aren’t necessarily switching to the format wholesale, but more likely offering and worship service or time for this specific audience and crowd.
Here’s a sampling of a song inspired by the Book of Common Prayer, written by Rev. Timothy (Poppa T) Holder, a pastor of Trinity Episcopal Curch of Morrisania in the South Bronx.
The Lord is all that, I need for nothing
He allows me to chill
He keeps me from being heated
and allows me to breathe easy
He guides my life so that I can
represent and give shout outs in His name
And even though I walk through the hood of death
I don’t back down, for You have my back
The fact that He has me
covered allows me to chill
He provides me with back-up
In front of player-haters
and I know that I am a baller and life will be phat
I fall back in the Lord’s crib for the rest of my life
I think this is a great idea, but not something that would be my preference for worship obviously. However, that preference is no different than my lack of enjoyment towards other rap music, heavy metal or country in my worship experience. But if it spreads the Word and wins others to the fold, then keep it coming.
You can get more information on this article at Beliefnet.com and watch a 4-minute video clip of one of the hip-hop services taking place at Rev. Poppa T’s church at xtra.newsweek.com
