Lately, I've been thinking about a problem in our youth group that I believe might, if discussed, help us to better understand what it is that we're missing. That problem is "technical difficulties." No, I'm not talking about the fact that our sound system may very well be that same kind Jesus used when preaching the Sermon on the Mount. I'm talking about how tightly members of our youth group hold to the technicalities of what is okay and what's not. Let me explain...
Is it a sin for Christians to listen to secular music? Well, technically no. But, I'd say there's definitely something wrong with a Christian who has no interest in Christian music at all. But most of you don't even consider why you should listen to Christian music. For most of you, it's enough simply to confirm that you're technically not sinning when you listen to secular music. But guess what: the lack of interest in glorifying God is in fact a sin itself, so you're really not out of the loop after all.
When me, Marissa, Lauren, and Stephen went to the Skillet concert a few weeks ago (yes, that's all that went), all I could think about was the number one question most of you asked me when I announced we would be going: "Who's Skillet?" As I sat there at the concert contemplating how a group of Christian teens doesn't know anything about one of the biggest names in Christian rock, that awesome violin intro to "Rebirthing" came in, and the whole auditorium erupted in cheers and screams of delight. All I could think was: how is it possible that our youth group - a youth group that averages almost 25 kids on Wednesday nights - has almost no student leaders with this kind of enthusiasm? Here was the sanctuary of Trinity Baptist Church packed with kids, all of them excited about a song that praises our God, and only two of them were members of our youth group.
You see, it's technically true that there's nothing wrong with secular music...but why?
But this is only one example. Here are some more...
Technically, we leaders can't "make" you do something you don't "feel" like doing...but do you realize that your involvement in this youth group constitutes a commitment and that God expects you to follow the leaders He's established?
Technically, a big youth group doesn't make a great youth group...but what efforts have you made to invite your friends? 'Cause guess what: technically, it's a sin to not tell people about Jesus.
Technically, it's not a sin to have fun...but when was the last time you had a serious encounter with God? 'Cause guess what: technically, it is a sin to not spend time with Him.
Technically, I don't have to do this. Technically, it's okay for me to do that. Technically, I don't have to be this kind of person. Technically, technically, technically...
Get the picture? Most of our members are so caught up in what it takes to "technically" get by that we're missing our God-given opportunity for something far, far, far better! You know, the Bible has a term for people caught up in these kinds of technicalities: "luke-warm." Need I remind you of that verse?
I say forget all that crap! We are a youth group! We claim to love our Lord, so let's start acting like it! Forget the technicalities - who needs them? We live for our God - not for technicalities. God wants to give us something far better than that, and when you finally embrace what He has for you, I swear you'll look back on the stuff that you almost didn't give up and shake your head in disgust, asking yourself, "What the heck was I thinking? This way is way better!"
By the way, I am going to ask some of you specifically to read this. If that's you, you know who you are. Technically, you don't have to respond...technically.
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Friday, April 27, 2007
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5 comments:
I wish I could have gone to that concert, but I had previous arrangements for the night. And sometimes rock music is cool and other times it's a bit much for me. I'm sure that's probably understandable, considering I'm such a girl. :P
I'm glad that someone brought this subject up though. It reminds me of something that's been bothering me. Am I the only one whose stomach turns when people start singing raunchy music? - In our youth group! It's so gross it makes me sick! :x I only know two people in our group who will start singing Christian songs in a car - when there's not even a song playing! That really impressed me that these girls know those songs by heart and WANT to sing them, instead of those other songs that are sometimes offensive.
I'm not saying there's something wrong with ALL secular music. I love Christian music but I listen to just as much secular music. But I pick out the ones that are not offensive or vulgar. I mean, there are some great songs out there that DON'T have anything to do with a women shaking their bootylicious self, intercourse, or singing so many swear words that you forget what the purpose of the song is... Why even bother filling your brain with all of that crap? Huh, I didn't even start thinking of ever saying "crap" until I joined our youth group...
Anyway, that's probably not exactly what you were aiming for with this subject, it reminded me of it. But it does go back to the core problem, why do most of us act like Christian music (or anything Christian oriented) is un-cool or something? Maybe they just haven't listened to the really good stuff yet! Concerts like the skillet one should have been a chance for us to find new Christian music to be excited about! We just have to get that momentum.
How about next time there is a concert we find one person in the youth group and personally invite them to come, get them excited about this music! Wholesome music can really change a person's perspective or mood at the time of listening to it! :)
Good thoughts, although as you mentioned, music was not really the point of this post. I just used that as an example to get started.
Here's another example...technically you don't HAVE to give any money to Pankajan. Technically, you won't get into trouble if you "forget" to bring money for that next week. But what a sorry excuse for a Christian if you're actually satisfied with those technicalities.
I'm saying our youth group needs to aim higher.
I would agree....I mean I wanted to go to that concert, but I had to work....
People do need to start gettin into Christian music more...myself included...One of my peeves is when bands try and "force" the message of a song...thats why I really have few Christian bands in my "freakin awesome" list. Among those who made the cut are Audio Adreneline, Kutless, Underoath and Skillet is pretty great as well...I guess, me being not that big a music dude, I am just not knowledgable to some Christian music...which I can no doubt fix that....
Thanks for the responses, guys. Really. But if we're actually going to have a discussion here, could we please shift it off music. That was not the intended point. And while that's definitely a good topic, we've had it already before.
I know some of you couldn't make it to that concert. It WAS last minute, after all. Nobody's fault. It was just something Gary had mentioned hearing about, so I looked into it and started making plans just a few days before. If you couldn't come, that's fine. It really wasn't meant to be a big deal anyway. I'm not upset about THAT.
The main thing that bothered me was the number of people who'd never heard of Skillet. Taste in music aside, there's something wrong with a youth group in which only a small handful knows anything about a Christian rock band as big as Skillet. You and I both know the real issue - very few members of our youth group listen to Christian music. Why? Because, "technically" they don't "have" to.
And THAT'S what I want to talk about - all the many things our youth group misses because we opt for the "technically-not-a-sin" alternatives in just about every circumstance.
Make sense?
One of the things I was planning on touching on in my continuation of my last post deals with some of this. The whole going through the motions and skirting along the edge of the rules deal that is.
There is an underlying cause to the whole thing and that's really what I'd like to talk about. BUT, I must refrain or I won't be able to say what I want to say when I touch on the subject in one of my later posts :-) .
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