Standards
To what standards should Christian recording artists be held? I ask this because recently I was disappointed after meeting a very popular Christian musician. I kept thinking about the standards to which Christian speakers, preachers, and church leaders are held. If a pastor is involved in a controversial issue (not necessarily sin), talk begins immediately. I believe that this is a very good thing. However, should musicians not be held to the same standard?
These musicians are writing the songs that we are singing in our churches and homes. Many of them do not write their own music, but because they sing them, their faces are attached to the words. If you drive down Music Row in Nashville or walk into a Lifeway store, you will see tons of faces represented in the Christian music industry. Most people who purchase this music trust that the artists are leading holy lives worthy of the words they are singing. This is true in some cases, but in others it is not.
On a side note, I think it would be fitting for contemporary praise music to be written by Christians who are theologically trained (either in seminaries or through the theologically solid local church).
I am not basing this on my latest encounter, but a series of encounters over the last few years. I wonder about the home churches of these artists. Where is the accountability? Are the artists traveling too much to involved in a local body that will call out sin in their lives? The sin issues that I have seen are not hidden. These artists are very open about their lifestyles, but somehow, the industry continues to successfully promote not only the music, but the artists themselves.
So, the question is really this: Should Christian musicians be held to a HIGHER standard along with preachers and teachers? I believe that they should.
I know that a plethora of Christian musicians are involved in the local church and lead lives worthy of being watched. I am not making a blanket accusation. I am simply wanting to bring conversation involving standards for Christians who are teaching through their music. I am also not talking about controversial issues alone, but rather specific sin issues that the artists do not feel convicted about. This will continue to be a problem until the Lord brings conviction upon the Christian music industry. In the mean time, please do research before supporting musicians.
posted by Nikki Leigh Daniel @ 6/21/2005 09:57:00 AM
12 comments
12 Comments:
I recall talking with Michael Card one time several years ago. He's older so I don't know if he even still puts out CDs and stuff. Anyway, interestingly enough he submitted himself to the oversight of the elders of his church. They read over his song lyrics before recording and stayed involved in his life. I think that's a great model - even a musician on the road needs to be in covenant relationship with his/her home church.
That is really cool, Alex. I never have really though about researching the artists of the C music I listen to. It is a good idea- I don't want to support people who sing one thing and live blatantly opposite lives.
Hey Nikki! I just thought I would check to see how things are on your end. It's good to see you're still going strong.
As for your post, you're right. If people want to call themselves Christians, they are held to a higher standard. If they represent Christians on a public stage, they should expect to be held accountable in the public eye. Surely the least they should do is submit themselves to the authority of a local, shepherding church.
It amazes me that "secular" artists can be themselves, but "Christian" artists and the "Christian" music industry feel the need to promote and sell a false product. (Obviously that's not all-inclusive, but it happens far too often.)
OK, Christian Music is all about image and selling albums, like all pop music, why should they be any different from a pop star?
I think Christian musicians should be held to higher standards than even pastors. Why? Because they are in the public eye. As soon as a popular "Christian" musician slips up, the press is all over it. The unbelieving public thinks, "See? There's nothing to this Christ business. They're all just a bunch of hypocrites." I think all Christian musicians should be accountable to a local church body to keep them in check. The only guy I know that does that Ben Pasley, but apparently Card does too, so props to him.
I think my beef with the CCM scene in general is that it is very self-serving. We make music that fits our needs as Christians. Where are our music missionaries?!
Let me first preface with this: God created music to be used as a direct path to one's heart. When you think about it, when we come to a worship service we could all sit and collectively think about God and pray for a solid half hour. The reason why we sing and play music is because it brings us to the throne at a quicker pace. It moves us in ways that conversational language can't.
In the same way, Christians who have been blessed with musical creativity should use music as a tool to reach into people's hearts and impact them with solid biblical truth. Music is a powerful weapon and Satan has been using it for years to keep people blind to the truth. It's time for Christian musicians to fight the battle where it needs to be fought, exalting God by using the creativity he has given us so that in Christ we can set the captives free and bind up the broken-hearted.
It's comfortable and easy to sing about Christ among Christians; we can stay in our happy Christian bubble and be extolled for our ability to make somebody cry or to feel better about themselves. All the while a generation of unbelievers continues to wallow in sin because nobody has taken the initiative to step out (as sheep among wolves) so that the truth of Christ might be made known to them.
[end rant]
[exuent]
(Wild applause)
... but are you speaking in the royal we, J.Ro? "Exeunt" is plural!
Nikki -
Ur observations are warranted. I have some "friends" who travel all over the world as "Christian" musicians...for a time they were not being held accountable for their actions - which was odd bc some of them were PK's (Pastors Kids). But through prayer and their desire to want to live their life according to the Lord's word they have been able to truly see themselves not as products of an industry but as true warriors in the "fight."
This topic raises a whole lot of questions, especially when using the word "Christian." Unfortunately, we are quick to use it as an adjective. No where in the Bible is Christian used as an adjective but in our culture we are quick to label anyone or anything Christian, so that we can feel safe about what their saying, teaching, singing about or writing about. Unfortunately, though, when you use the Word as the true mark of what is Christian, many come up short. We turn off our brains and accept anything that calls itself Christian.
Just my two cents.
Blessings,
Francesca
Brent-
I can see where you're coming from and I think you make a great point. However, I also think there is something to be said for Christians placed in the spotlight. I'm trying really hard not to gossip, but in doing so, my point isn't really getting across. Let me just say that some of the incidents that are occurring among well-known Christians who are writing and recording worship songs specifically are doing things that should not be tolerated in the local church. These are things specifically condemned in scripture and if someone in your congregation was involved, church discipline would need to be practiced. I'm not merely talking about alcohol or other debatable issues, but issues of flagrant sin.
Again, I totally see where you are coming from. I agree with you on some level. However, I feel that many musicians are teaching through their music. Others may not be, but as long as a Christian is placed in the spotlight, they will be under more scrutiny.
Daniel-
I actually am very respectful of honesty. I haven't heard any of Bazan's music, but I have a feeling that I would actually like it. Brutal honesty is something missing from most Christian music (meaning the music coming from the Christian industry). Derek Webb is pretty honest is his music ("I am a whore I do confess") and I love it.
The issue here is not necessarily what is being put into music. The issue is singing one thing (I am REALLY trying not to gossip!!) and even WRITING worship songs that are being sung in churches, but living lives full of unrepentant sin.
I understand that this post can easily look like I am pointing my finger and whining about others' lives. That is not the case. I am sinful. I need the cross every single day. I am so needy that it's ridiculous. And, on top of that, I am a musician. I am a Christian. The music that I sing around town includes original songs about heartache, the stupid American dream, and immodesty. I also love singing classic rock songs, some of which talk about sinful things. "You're So Vain" for example. I love singing that song! I cover Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, and most of all, Patty Griffin. I'm not saying that Christians who do music should only sing songs written to the Lord. I think there is some freedom in this area. I sing songs about life. Songs about the crud in the world. And, there are the occassional classic rock songs that really have nothing to do with anything, but I like to sing them because my dad would constantly play them on road trips.
Anyway, all that to say this: When it comes to Christians (regardless of their gifts) being put in the spotlight, I feel that that those Christians should be held to a standard of more accountability. This doesn't mean that they can't drink or participate in other controversial issues necessarily, but when they are going against scripture, they need to be under some sort of leadership that will hold them accountable for their actions. People really look up to musicians in general. This means that as Christians, musicians need to live lives worthy of that position, namely, they need to be held to higher standards.
I believe that christian musicians should give their talents to God and to their home church and sister churches in stead of giving it to the music industry. Making music is a gift that should be used to build up the saints, not to build the artists reputation or bank account.
I believe that christian musicians should give their talents to God and to their home church and sister churches in stead of giving it to the music industry. Making music is a gift that should be used to build up the saints, not to build the artists reputation or bank account.
I believe that christian musicians should give their talents to God and to their home church and sister churches in stead of giving it to the music industry. Making music is a gift that should be used to build up the saints, not to build the artists reputation or bank account.
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