Sang Preacha! - It's All About Who You Are Singing To - Secular Music In The Church
Posted by Letron Brantley at 6/2/2009 7:46 PM 
Categories: Discussion
Tags: Gospel Discussion Secular Music In Church
Categories: Discussion
Tags: Gospel Discussion Secular Music In Church
This is a video of Bishop Lester Love showing you that a song can come to you but it's where your heart is that determines how it is received.
View Video of Bishop Love Delivering His Message!
Secular music in the church has be a huge topic of debate for many decades now. There are many Gospel Artists that have borrowed from the secular world, but there are also many secular artists that have borrowed from Gospel. Some of you older musicians remember how it was in the days of Sam Cooke. YEP! Now I don't believe that fact alone gives justification for borrowing from the secular world. Many of us have thrown a little 2-Pac, Jill Scott, or Erykah Badu in during service. Personally, I feel that music is music, words are words, and your heart is your heart. You have to be in tune with what's going on in service and if your heart is not in the right place when you deliver songs from the secular world, you can open up a can of mess that can be difficult to clean up.
What do you think? Is it ok to sing/play secular music in the church? Check out the Video on the left and then Post Your Comment?
View Video of Bishop Love Delivering His Message!
Secular music in the church has be a huge topic of debate for many decades now. There are many Gospel Artists that have borrowed from the secular world, but there are also many secular artists that have borrowed from Gospel. Some of you older musicians remember how it was in the days of Sam Cooke. YEP! Now I don't believe that fact alone gives justification for borrowing from the secular world. Many of us have thrown a little 2-Pac, Jill Scott, or Erykah Badu in during service. Personally, I feel that music is music, words are words, and your heart is your heart. You have to be in tune with what's going on in service and if your heart is not in the right place when you deliver songs from the secular world, you can open up a can of mess that can be difficult to clean up.
What do you think? Is it ok to sing/play secular music in the church? Check out the Video on the left and then Post Your Comment?
Secular Music in the Church? The two don't mix! God told me son it's alright for the church to be in the world but its not o.k. for the world to be in the church! What good is salt if its lost is savour. All music is music but all music is not Gospel! Music has the ability to communicate all of our emotions and able to get into our spirits. Music ministers one way or another. Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light and his ministers are able to transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.
Kirk sampled music from George Clinton on Stomp. On a personal level it didn't minister to me it just reminded me of bumpin and grindin in the world at partys!
But if God said do it then who am I to argue with God! He told the prophet Hosea to marry Gomer and she was a whore! What do you think his comtemporary's had to say about that?
Gospel music doesn't have to go to the world for examples, they should be coming to us!
Avouched by God,
Minister James E. Davis
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Good points James. I really liked the example you gave about prophet Hosea. God puts us in many places for reasons sometimes beyond our comprehension. I have seen with my own eyes people that were in the world and drawn in by the secular-ish music in the church and then hit in the face with the Word. The Word got to thier hearts and they were saved.
You are right, it's a dangerous road but it can be rewarding if the Word is stronger. If it is not, then the ship could sink rather quickly.
Thank you for your comments!
Letron
CEO & Founder
GospelSkillz.com
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I'm a minstrel and grew up in church my whole and have been told many times that secular should not be listened to by Christians. I don't believe it should be played during service although I believe there is nothing wrong listening to secular music. Music by definition is an form of art, also paintings, plays/movies, poems and literature. Now, Apostle Paul said "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Isn't some music good, pure, true and lovely? There are plenty of secular songs that been sang in the church; "I believe I can fly", "Bridge over troubled water" and "I'll take you there".
There's nothing wrong or sinful about certain secular songs as long as the message it sends is good, pure, lovely and etc.
My whole point is the church needs to wiser when they make decision on whats sinful, without careful perspective.
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There is a place...
There is a place where light dwells
and no shadow of darkness is found...
There is a place...
There is a place where the lost can be found...
There is a place
This place we long for
This place we seek
A place that is Heaven
A place unique...
So don't look back
journey on
Press your way
Strive to see
This place of Glory
God made for
You
and
Me.
Why would we want to look back into the eyes of the world that never loved us?
Music in worship should be the highest form of music we can render. Is popular music the highest form of music we can render?
Strive to go higher, think of better more worshipful praise...
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Thanks Yoel. I agree with you that music especially in the church should be the highest quality and form.
I think a lot of "secular sounding" music (not even established secular songs) gets a bad wrap because of the devices that are used. Many times the fact that a song is in a Minor key sometimes is enough to arouse suspicion. Also let's not get started on the rhythm which is only representation of a style of music not any established songs. Music is constantly changing. What we think of as popular and secular today (stylistically) will be considered traditional and "safe" 20-30 years from now just as the Gospel music of the 50s and 60s are to us today.
Letron
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I agree with Bishop Lester Love - It's all about who you're singing to! We oftentimes want to separate the nature/ styles of music and say that certain music doesn't sound or feel like Gospel music all because it doesn't remind us of what we heard and experienced in grandma's "old time religion" church services. We are also critics of our own hypocritical ways by dismissing the use of secular music in church, but will go out after service, pop in our favorite hip-hop/ R&B/ Pop artist CD and shake our thing in the privacy of our home or car. There are some that would even dare to go to the club on Friday and Saturday night, wake up on Sunday and show up to PRAISE THE LORD! But lo'-n-behold, let someone come up with a way of connecting with the Lord - outside of our traditional way of "CONNECTING WITH THE LORD" - through the use of secular music, and they're the most sinful thing on earth. Let us remember that music without words is just music. Once we put text and meaning to the music, then we define the nature of the music/ song. Secular music/ entertainment isn't the only form of art that we have to choose from to entertain ourselves. Christian artists have shown us this and should be encouraged to explore many other way to reach out to the secular world to bring them to Christ, but with measures of modesty in how they do it. The ways of the world are not in the styles and forms of music being performed, but in the in what they're singing about. If it glorifies any and everything but the Lord, then it is not of the Lord but of the world. Let us also not forget that Gospel Music's roots come from Thomas A. Dorsey. After his switch from playing in 'Juke Joints' to playing in the church, he brought a wealth of knowledge, skill, and experience from playing the 'blues', paving the way to a whole new approach to playing and singing songs in church.
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Well put Lamont!
You are right about the Thomas A. Dorsey example. Many Gospel artists started out in the church, went to the world, and then brought thier skills back to the church for the glorification of God. As you say the key is in the lyrics and what is being SAID! The Word refers to the TOUGUE being the giver of life and death, not the piano, organ, or bass.
Letron
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LaMont, I am a Gospel Musician and I don't sing! I use the term Gospel to refer to the fact that I am saved by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I agree it is all about who you are singing to, but when a song is composed who were they singing it to? Did God inspire the lyrics as he inspired the Gospel writers to write the bible? Taking a Secular song and singing it in the church even though you are worshiping doesn't make that song gospel. Those that worship God must worship him in spirit and truth. Taking a secular song and worshiping God with it is like plagiarism! Just a personal not I only listen to Gospel or Christian music! And haven't been to a club since I have been saved since 1989. Connecting with the lord is communing with him, what type of music do you think David played? Whatever you want to call it it was annointed and would drive devils off of Saul. If music can drive devils away it surely can draw them too!
So music without words can speak to your spirit.
The music that was in Grandma's church was annointed! And many artist are bringing that style back around again with a new twist. So there's nothing new under the sun. Just something we haven't heard in our time yet!
After all we are what we've seen and heard, the more I hear the more I have to share!
Avouched by God,
Minister James E. Davis
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Hi, I'm new to this site but not new to music (over 12 years)... I'm also from Barbados in the Caribbean and this topic caught my eye... I for one have played in both arenas (secular and gospel mostly)... From experience, the 2 never work together well... Lots of gospel musicians do it day after day, and I have found that they change, NOT the WORLD (musicians)... I believe that we can play in the secular arena, but speaking through music the MIND of CHRIST! That is our purpose! from the time we start to play the secular in the secular or even in the church I have found from experience we run into deep trouble! Some of our concepts are wrong in my opinion, first we take validation from the world that we (christian musicians) are tops or happening... so the world says if you can play Giant Steps, or back Stevie Wonder, or can play like Dave Weckl that you are accomplished, but who determines how well we do... MAN or GOD? I believe that there is far more music in GOD left than there is on earth, and the same way Bob Marley, Bach, Spyro Gyro & Earth, Wind & Fire were able to pull songs from the "spiritual realm" we can too!!! If a song is not birth from God, who is it birth from... guys deep in music would tell you they meditate and see and hear these songs in the spirit before they play them, check out Jay-Z or Elephant Man, or Herbie Hancock... these guys understand the spiritual dimension of music, which bypasses our religious bariers and hits our souls - that is why a christian would tap his foot to a secular song if not focused! MUSIC IS JUST NOT MUSIC, that is a LIE from HELL! I could play just music and make you sad, happy, angry or even posses you with a devil, yes I also know guys in Satanisim/Voodoo/Occult who do this, OR I like David could cast out a spirit out of Saul... At my church I sometimes just play and people fall out in the anoiting like if a preacher placed his hands on them (via the Holy Spirit)... So in conclusion, I think we need to arise and stop insulting God's musical vastness, seek him, and pull music from His inner being that could change this world for his glory - We should be going into the Apollo, or BET or any secular stage and "shut down the show" for JESUS! From the time we finish play the anointing of God should be so strong it causes demons to come out of people, persons to start to weep for help, supernatural healings to occur, etc. MY PRAY IS FOR A REVIVAL FOR MUSICIANS AROUND THIS WORLD!!! I think our scope is too small and we don't see ourselves the way GOD sees us... Remember Lucifer was the CHIEF MUSICIAN... think about that for a longggg while! WOW... I can talk...lol
I don't want you guys to think that I have it all together, it is real hard for me to break out, but I am breaking out and seeing results! I just want to please God and do HIS will and CHANGE LIVES, not just relate or have common ground with them!
God Bless!
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Rolly, God bless you all I have to say is Amen. Keep the faith and don't compromise. If all Gospel, Christian musicians would do this? WOW! Jesus said if he be lifted up he would draw all men to him!
Be encouraged, I want to be part of that revival.
Avouched by God,
Minister James E. Davis
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Hey! Thanks for those comments. You got it!! But check this out!
What makes a CM7 chord played in the secular different from that played by a christian musician. The same chord, same voicing, played by two different musicians within two different spiritual contexts makes the chords different. Otherwise the chord is the same. This is the point I was attempting to make. What do you think? Hmmm...
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Music like the Alphabet is amoral - they are neither good or bad... But using the letters or music within a context, or with motives, or with spiritual attachments makes a difference... A Satanist can play a song using the same chords we play but what governs his music is different... Like King Saul I am sure he had musicians and none of them was able to help him, but what was IN David's music made the different... I desire for us as musicians to Walk & See in the Spirit and understand that we are functioning in our NEW LIFE - The Spiritual Life after all, we were born of the Spirit of God - He is our Father! We have only looked at music in a theoretical way or natural way, but music has a spiritual component, and can carry with it a spiritual presence! That is why I am not for the secular, because when they create music, they meditate, pray (not to our God), and pull these songs and beats together with the AID of a spiritual force guiding them.... Our 'force' is the Holy Spirit and I believe He can teach us SOOOOOOOO much more than the world has already! But we must have the faith in Him to do so!!!
Peace
Rolly
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Hi i am a musician also and understand how difficult it is to draw the line. The word of God clearly states in 1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;" A nation has its own set of morals, values, principle and in fact its own leader. This means that i am in subject to God who is the marvelous light, there is no need for me to mimic or copy anything form those who are not exposed to this marvelous light. In fact it is further reinforced when it is said that we are a peculiar people, meaning different. It is my difference as directed by God that will draw others to him, not the familiarity of what they know or what they like. I don't know about u, but i serve a an original, creating God.. and being his child i am too. Therefore i don't need to depend on the world for any new, creative inspiration on how to worship a God they do not know, i just need to turn to the source of all creativity, in whatever form and he will take care of the rest.
There have been so many examples given in the Bible when persons have tried to mix the things of the world and the things of God it has never worked out for their good, neither did God get any glory from it. Example: When Uzzah touch the ark of the covenant and was killed, it could have been prevented had the Israelites followed the command of God without mixing. The truth is when they were making the carrier for the ark they mixed the instructions with that of the Philistinians style and that's why the ark tilted, thus Uzzah trying to balance it and hence his death.
Mind you it's important where your heart is when worshiping God; but, what about the heart of the person who wrote that secular sing. Those songs were not written or sung to worship the true and living God. So how then can we carry that and offer it to God as a sacrifice to him. I'm just saying ,think about it!
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bluegirl,
Thanks for that. That's the WORD. What can you say?
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Bluegirl you said it well....
A musician is AN INSTRUMENT OF GOD'S GLORY, A PROPHET, A CHANNEL, A VESSEL, etc.... If I took one of these examples, say the instrument and liken us to a trumpet, we would be the trumpet and God would be the REAL MUSICIAN playing, and the Sound Coming out would be HIS WILL, PURPOSE, POWER, etc... Now think about this, if we allow the world to blow us what sound do you think would come out??? The World's WILL, PURPOSES, POWER, etc. which is NOTHING in comparison to God's will... Secondly, can it glorify God? NO, the Word says that anyone that doesn't have the Spirit of God in him he is none of His and he CANNOT please God (Romans 8)... WOW!!!
As a Prophet we need to allow God to speak through our music, not the World... We have the world's music and ideas to much in our hearts, and far too little of God's music, will, concepts, life, etc. in ours! Sometimes we love the creation (our Music) more than the Creator (God the Chief Musican)... I am GUILTY OF THIS TOO!!!
Peoples..... I believe we can do this, it ain't easy at all, but it is possible with God's help!!!!
Rolly
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Concerning secular music, what most in the church don't realize is what is truly behind secular music. 2nd Corinthians4:4 says that Satan is the god of this world(worldly system of operating), and Ephesians2:2 mentions how Satan is the prince and power of the air. Since he is the god of this worldly system, the world operating apart from Christ, who would you think is behind the secular music industry? Who controls the secular music industry?
Ever wonder you can't understand the meaning of many secular songs? Ever wonder why people enjoy the music so much that they can't help listen to it? Secular music is "addictive" to many. There is a reason for that.
I watched on youtube, John Todd who got out of the Illuminati(the highest echelon of satanism), explained this. he mentioned how you need to become a witch to get a major record deal. They write their songs in "witch language." That is why you can't understand what the song truly means or what it is saying. It sounds harmless and innocent but it is really spell binding music.
They bring the master copy of an album into a temple room and enchant over it. That is why it is so addictive. That is why you may have heard people say, "I can't live without it." Demon spirits get conjured up with the albums. When you but their albums, you carry the spirits. Anyone who knows about spiritual warfare and deliverance, knows not to keep occult stuff in their home. The secular music industry is occulticly inspired. Many album covers have occult images on it.
Revelation12:9 mentions how satan is a deceiver.
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