Easter season musings part 2

At ChristChurch, our musicians were in bands who didn't want to be signed to a Christian label or be a part of the Christian music scene. The view was that the labels tended to want to mold you into something they felt was marketable--to the point of influencing lyrics and music style, and forcing bands to be evangelistic or to do music as a ministry--when that may not have been their calling. We were taught there that as musicians, we needed to first of all make good art, good music--and that our music and art should in some way reflect our faith. We were taught that it was to be done with excellence. The bands that were made up of our members did (and do) just that--wrote good music, reflected their faith, and were (and are) noted live performers.

This view has a lot to say for it. I firmly believe that many believers have a God-given talent who are NOT called to be ministers--in fact, at least one of the members of the fore-mentioned bands struggles with his faith. Common sense here suggests this brother (I still call him that) continue to be loved, befriended, and shown understanding to his struggle. Obviously, he's not called to propagate the faith--but to write about his struggles with it and with life, and to continue to make cutting-edge rock. In this and other like situations, the Church should take very special care to not shoot its wounded. Sadly, many times we have done just that. Myself included--I've been on the giving and receiving end of that.

I began playing drums and percussion much later than I wanted. My parents wouldn't allow a drum kit, even in the garage. But I always wanted to play. Around age 30 about 15 years ago, I finally began to play drums. A few years ago, due to the needs of a worship band, I began to learn other percussion instruments, such as congas, bongos, shakers, and triangle (can't say there was any difficulty with the triangle, though. hah.). I was privileged to play in a few different bands, playing modern and classic rock and originals, as well as in worship bands in churches. My calling is to facilitate worship as well as make good music. With my friends over the years, it has seemed to be one or the other. But with a few of us, it has been both.

I want to say something here. I will agree, as someone who has worked in Christian radio for nearly 20 years, that a lot of the music aired is formulaic. The labels do, of course, sign bands who are marketable, and they do influence lyrics, image, etc. However, criticism of these bands and artists is undue. There is a LOT of talent in ccm these days. Christian radio is a lot better (in most ways) than it was when I first worked in it in the 80's--the music on the playlists is definitely more rockin'. There's more freedom to play that now on Christian radio. And I shake my head when I hear believers who don't like ccm say that the artists aren't good or don't write well. I beg to differ. It's similar to when a young teenage or early 20's guitarist says that classic rock guitarists aren't any good, that only the new guitarists are good. To which I say, "Can you play their stuff?" They usually say, no. Then I say that they must be better than you think. Same with ccm. I would ask, "Can you play it?" or, "Can you write that well?" Or I ask them if they can write something as compelling. Sometimes they can. I say, OK, so then let's not criticize.

Our callings are different. Our places and methods of ministry are different. Our God has made each of us different. Let's be encouraging of one another. Let us be praying for one another.

And, by the way....Red Reign is looking for a good keyboard player. You don't have to be a Christian, but it would be nice. You just have to be tolerant of everyone's beliefs. In the OKC area? We're working on covers now. After we learn about 20, we're going to write originals in the prog-rock vein and have some studio time already paid for. Interested? Let me know.

Peace to you.


br. francis