GUIDELINES FOR CHRISTIAN MUSIC

With all the different styles of music in the world today, the question will arise concerning what types and styles of music are appropriate in the local New Testament Church for the Christian today.  We realize that this subject is a sensitive one in which people indeed have different styles and tastes in music they prefer.  The Christian must therefore look to the Word of God for principles for music used to praise and worship the Lord, especially the music and performers we place before our people and set as role models to our children.

3 Aspects of music must be looked at......

1. The Music itself

2. The Message Proclaimed

3. The Messengers -The Musicians and Singers who perform the music & songs

....and we can also by helped by getting counsel from other great Christians we admire and respect....

 What do the majority of other great men of God and Great Preachers feel concerning this particular type of music?

 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:  (Proverbs 1:5)
However, our conclusions must be based primarily on The Bible...

God's Word gives clear principles on how we can tell if a certain type and style of music is proper for the Christian or not...

Let's start with the following Premise and Principles we can conclude from the Bible......

1. We must realize that music was originally created by God for His Glory and for His Honor....

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)

2. But like every good gift from God, Satan has often counterfeited and perverted God's gift of music to serve a demonic purpose.

He has perverted the sexual relationship between a man and a woman, which was intended to be a wonderful thing between a husband and wife, to all sorts of vile sin when outside of the marriage union.  He has perverted God's Word today to where we we have all sorts of counterfeit Bible versions on the market today to confuse people.  Should it surprise us that Satan would try to pervert music and use it for his glory?

3. Some music does not exalt and glorify the Lord and good things He has created.....

Some music has been perverted by Satan to exalt the flesh, worldliness, and even the pleasures of sin, according to Isaiah 5;11,12.....

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.  (Isaiah 5;11,12)
 

4. Some music is even used in Idol worship and the worship of demons....

Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:
6 And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
7 Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Daniel 3:4-6)

If you look at the nations of the world today which don't worship the Lord Jesus Christ, or worship in a distorted and erroneous manner, you will find that their music has a strange and eerie sound disturbing to the western ear.  Listen to the music of pagan countries steeped in occult worship and you hear a different type of music than you hear when Lord is being worshipped.

5. Satan's expertise is in music and song.....

This should not surprise us that Satan is an expert in music and that he has his own style and type of music described above. 

Scripture teaches he was musically endowed when he was created with instruments somehow built in......

Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. (Ezekiel 28:13)

6. We must not be surprised if Satan would even try to deceive us to think that some music was glorifying the Lord when it actually is doing just the opposite....

IS THIS POSSIBLE....???

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.  (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

BUT I KNOW OF GOOD CHRISTIANS WHO LIKE THIS PARTICULAR STYLE OF MUSIC....

7. Well, we must realize too...that...even good sincere Christians can be deceived and actually be wrong on a matter....

Even you and I are probably not right on everything.  Mary and Joseph had traveled some distance before they realized Jesus wasn't even with them....and you and I too can think Jesus is right with us on something and we be entirely wrong....

 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)

So to get an answer on this matter, while it can be helpful to consider what other good Christians feel about this matter, our final arbitrator must be principles from the Word of God Itself!  The Holy Spirit will help us discern Truth from Error if we ask Him.....

But can we agree on this first premise....that some music is used to glorify God and the good things He has created, and some music has been used to glorify Satan and the sinful desires of this world and of the flesh?  Would you agree with this premise before we continue?

8. Therefore, the Christian must use Godly Judgment and discern between Godly music......and ungodly music....

And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. (Ezekiel 44:23)

Therefore, when attempting to discern between the 'holy' and the 'profane' in the matter of music, let's first look at 3 Principles:

(1) THE MUSIC ITSELF

A. Does the music drown out the message? 

B. Are the people coming to admire the talent of the musician and the style of music MORE than the worship of Lord and the Encouragement it brings?

 Is the music itself the main reason the people are coming....because it satisfies the flesh?  Is the style of music itself and the talent exhibited exalted above everything else?

A person was listening to a certain Gospel Song and his buddy noted that the lyrics were doctrinally incorrect and unbiblical. The other  person said, "I don't care....I just like the music..."

C. Can one sense a self-exalting pride among the musician and singer over their talent and ability in music and song? 

Is the Music, particularly the style of music, the most important thing to this musician or singer.   Do you sense a humbleness in the singer or musician or a type of arrogance when even questioned about their style of music?  Is there a servant's heart in the musician or singer that is obvious to all?

4. Does the musician attempt to imitate and conform to the secular music of the world? 

Do the musicians often compare their style of music to the worldly entertainers who reject Christ and everything we stand for?

Is this style of music used primarily by ungodly, worldly, and even satanic bands and musicians?  Do even openly Satanic bands who openly boast of their rejection of everything Christianity stands for.... use this particular style of music as their primary style of music.  This might be a good sign this style of music itself has been perverted by Satan himself.

Has this style of music been used primarily by worldly musicians and performers to glorify drinking, adulterous affairs, promiscuity, rebellion to authority, and even drug abuse?  Could we conclude than that this particular style of music is is the 'profane' used by the devil himself as spoken of in Ezekiel?

Why would we want to be associated with any music style that is primarily used to glorify sinful pleasures of the world and rebellion to the Word of God?

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)

Does the music uplift the Lord and bring praise to Him, or does it seem to uplift and bring praise to the performer and his/her talent and to the style of music itself?

If the music itself is exalted above everything else....this should flash a red light in our minds.  We have all seen situations where it is obvious that the MUSIC itself was exalted above the message and everything else.  It didn't matter if the performers were good role models or not.  It didn't matter whether the lyrics were good, decent, and Biblical....In fact, it didn't even matter if you could even HEAR the WORDS!  Is the music so loud it drowns out the words being sung?  If the MUSIC is the main thing....and we're there just to hear the music for gratification of the flesh, this might indicate there is a problem........

But next we must ask..... 

E. DOES THE STYLE OF MUSIC ITSELF ACTUALLY OFFEND A LARGE NUMBER OF GOOD CHRISTIAN PEOPLE IF IT WERE PROMOTED AT OUR CHURCH?

Again, we realize different people have different tastes in styles of music, and there is nothing wrong with that, but when our music style preference actually offends other good Christian folks, we have a problem....

Certain styles of music actually remind people of their past life of sin and possibly even cause them to stumble in their walk with the Lord?

You might say, "That's Silly, it doesn't make me want to go out and smoke, drink, do drugs, and have an adulterous affair!"

Maybe so, but to some people, it does!  People have told me it does to them.

12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (Hebrews 12:1)
 

Many good folk associate certain styles of music with rebellion and vices of their youth, and it is hard for some folk to disassociate a certain style of music from this.

The goal of any music should be to unite and unify the Body of Christ, not separate and divide....Satan always to separate and divide....he wants disunity...he does not want unity. 

Now we realize everyone will have different tastes and preference in music and like certain styles better than perhaps another person likes, but in the local church, the Pastors will try to have Godly music that will unite the people, not divide them!  We even will have different styles of music from time to time to satisfy the different tastes of people.  We try to have music here at our church, that while it might not be the favorite style of everyone in the congregation, at least it doesn't offend good people in the church.  If my style of music would offend many good people in my church, IS my attitude, "Well, if they don't like it, they don't have to come....?"

Could something Be wrong with my Attitude....?

Music, especially that which is brought into the local church, must strive to unify the people, not separate, divide, and even possible offend some people....Listen to the following Scriptures:

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.  (Romans 14:19-21)

Would the style of music I like actually SEPARATE or UNIFY my  congregation?  If God is actually blessing and working through your Church to see many people saved, would you want your style of music you prefer to actually cause DISCORD among the people in that church?

ONE OF THE WORST THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A LOCAL CHURCH IS FOR THE DEVIL TO SOW DISCORD AMONG THE PEOPLE....

(Proverbs 6:17-19)
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
 

Could this particular style of music actually cause DISCORD in your church to the extent that good people could get into such a disagreement over the matter that some could actually be so upset that people actually leave the church with hurt feelings?

Is this matter causing grief to my Pastors as they try to lead the flock?

Each of us must ask ourselves this question.....Is my particular style of music more important to me than the unity of my church?

Try this little test....

.....If your favorite particular style of music was not exhibited or promoted at your church, would it actually cause you to consider leaving that good church where your family has been saved and blessed?  Would you leave a good church God has placed you in just because of the music?  If so, what does that say about your priorities?  Nowhere in the bible are we urged to pick or reject a church based upon the style of music it does or does not promote!  Rather, we are to choose a church based upon its truthfulness to the Word of God!  Could it be that Satan would like nothing more than to get you out of that good church, and if he could use the style of music to do it, would he?

If styles of music could cause you to leave your church......that should shoot up a red flag......

Remember that Pastor will try to have a variety of styles of music which glorifies the Lord because different people have different tastes..., but if some particular style actually offends a good number of people in that church for any number of reasons, that pastor will wisely avoid that particular style of music in the ministry of that church....He must!  The Unity of the church is the utmost priority?  Are you putting pressure on that pastor to go against his conscience?  Are you influencing others to do the same and actually lending to discord in the church over this issue of music?

Next we must consider....

(2) THE MESSAGE OF THE MUSIC

A. Can you hear the words?

B. Is the message clear or is it confusing to the one listening?

I have heard some styles of music where you can't even hear the words being sung!  The music is either so loud, or the musical instruments...such as guitar riffs, drum beat, and bass...DROWN OUT the words and the message of the music!

And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?
8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.
10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.   ( 1 Corinthians 14:7-11)

What good does any music or song do to anyone if you can't hear the words or get the message?

I realize there is good instrumental music that is soothing and there is certainly nothing wrong with that....but when a song has lyrics which are intended to be heard and the lyrics cannot be heard because of the style or loudness of the music, you have a problem!

C. ARE THE LYRICS AND MESSAGE OF THE SONG BIBLICAL, GOOD, AND DECENT, AND UPLIFTING?

Lots of  Christian music today has lyrics which are just Biblically incorrect....other lyrics leave a message this is unclear and confusing....others are blasphemous, if not crude and distasteful....

One 'Christian Performer' has a song entitled "To Hell With The Devil".....would you like your children walking down the Wal-mart aisle with you singing the lyrics to that title?  Another group sings a song entitled, "I'll rock the hell out of you".  Real nice.  I can hear the apostles singing that one as they walk along the Sea of Galilee with Jesus!

The message of the music is so important!  It should be uplifting, bringing glory to the Lord and/or the good things in life He has created for us. 

Does this particular style of music you are considering have a watered-down message which is even confusing at times?  Have you ever really sat down and listened the Lyrics of some of music you are listening to.

As Pastors, we realize there are different tastes and styles of music people like, but we should try to present music to our people of different styles at least where the message and lyrics are clear.......positive, uplifting, Biblical, and that bring glory to the Lord Jesus and the good things He has created for us.

Not only the message, but we should consider...

(3) The Messengers - The singers and musicians themselves

A. Are they good role models of Christian men and women?

Would you want your young people to emulate them as good examples and would you want your children to look up to them as someone they would like to be like someday?

Are they clean-cut in dress and appearance and give an appearance of modesty and humility?

Or is there an aura of ARROGANCE and DEFIANCE  in their appearance and demeanor?

The Bible teaches we should put people before our young people who are good role models and examples to them to follow....

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
(1 Timothy 4;1,2)

B. Or is there an aura of ARROGANCE and DEFIANCE  and REBELLION in their appearance and demeanor?

Have you seen the recent photographs on some album covers of some of today's contemporary and Christian Rock bands?  These pictures of angry-looking young men with a punk look certainly seem to convey nothing about 'the joy of the Lord' which is supposed to be our strength?

I see some of the "Christian" singers and musicians, more from the contemporary side of 'Christian' music today that look like they just got out of prison!  They would scare your grandmother to death if she saw them!  Many of them have long hair down their to their waist or spiked hair, and are unshaven, and their clothing is disheveled, frowns on their face, earrings, belly button rings, ........they look like the main message they carry is......REBELLION.  Secular Rock music and much of today's secular contemporary music is based on Rebellion.....Why would we want to imitate the rebellion of the world?

Do you want your Christian testimony, young person, to be one of rebellion....rebellion to your parents and to the status quo?

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:23)

One Bible teacher notes, "One of the greatest distinctions of Christianity should be in its music, because the music God gives is not the music the world gives.  In Scripture, the word new  is used more frequently in relations to song than to any other feature of salvation.  God gives His new creatures a new song, a different song, a distinctive, a purer song, and a more beautiful song than anything the world can produce."  (Ephesians, p256, John MacArthur Jr.)

again I ask, WHAT IS WRONG WITH LOOKING CLEAN-CUT AND NEAT AS REPRESENTATIVE OF JESUS CHRIST?

We try to have singers and musicians at our church who are clean-cut, neatly-dressed people who are good role models for our young people...and we try to have all different varieties and styles of music for old and young alike at our church.  We had a trumpet player recently.  We had some college kids from a local Bible college come and sing and play their instruments and it was a big hit.  We have had good Gospel Bluegrass performers, as well as folk style music to more contemporary sounds of Gospel Music, but we try to have good role models for our kids to look up to.
 

C. DOES THE SINGER OR MUSICIAN EXHIBIT THE JOY OF THE LORD?

(John 15:11) These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The Christian is supposed to exhibit JOY.....

We are to be 'examples' as Ambassadors of Christ to the world!

Someone showed me a Christian Rock album cover with performers like this on front and asked, "NOW DOESN'T THAT JUST BLESS YOUR HEART....AND PUT THE JOY OF JESUS IN YOUR SOUL?

None of the members of the group were even smiling.....Isn't the Christian supposed to have a 'joy' to offer the unsaved people that the world doesn't offer? They all had frowns on their faces and looked just like a street gang in New York waiting to beat your grandmother up!

But doesn't the Bible say we're not supposed to JUDGE other people?

Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (Matthew 7:1)

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE OF JUDGING AND DISCERNING -

Yes, we are not to judge the motives of people unfairly, but there are certain things in the Bible that it clearly says are RIGHT and WRONG! We are to discern and make judgments on matters the Bible and our Lord have already spoken clearly about......
 

The Bible has already said.....

The Christian is supposed to exhibit JOY.....

We are to be 'examples' as Ambassadors of Christ to the world!

Appearance is IMPORTANT....

My friend, the Bible clearly says LONG HAIR.....down the middle of your back, like a woman's....is a SHAME for a man!  

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.   (1 Corinthians 11:14,15)

I'm looking at a picture from our local paper of a 'Christian Rocker' and his hair is down to his waist, with braids, unshaven....he looks just like a Rock and Roll Star!

D. WE ARE NOT TO CONFORM TO THE WORLD AND TRY TO IMITATE IT..

Shouldn't the Christian look different than Satan's Crowd?  Why do we feel we have to imitate the ungodly of the world to reach the KIDS?  Doesn't the Bible teach we are to the the 'light' and 'salt' to the world and we are not to try to imitate and conform to the world?

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
 

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Not only should the people we put on stage in front of our young people be good clean-cut role models in appearance and modesty, but also very important.....we must look at...

E. THE CHARACTER AND CHRISTIAN TESTIMONY OF THE PERFORMER

Is the performer a good, faithful Christian OFF THE STAGE during the week when they are not performing?

Do you sense an attitude of humbleness and servanthood in the performer........or do you sense an arrogant and prideful attitude?

Do they attend church faithfully when they can and when they are home?  Do they have a church and pastors they are accountable to?

I have noticed a lot of the Christian performers today have no home church they are accountable to.....they are 'Lone Rangers' in THEIR 'ministry'?

I can tell a lot about a person when I ask about if they have a home church and how often they attend.  When I ask for their pastor's name and check and see his opinion of this person's character and ministry, you can tell a lot about that person.

One youth pastor did a detailed study on the personal life of a lot of the Christian performers in a certain style of music.  He asked these questions: "Are you regularly attending church?  Where?  Is the Pastor aware of the ministry and does he support it?"  He found out that as he pushed for information, very, very few had any home church and no pastoral oversight and accountability.

F. Does this musician or singer openly promote loyalty & faithfulness the Local Church?

Does this musician or singer or group urge everyone to be faithful to their local church and to their pastors....and are they good examples themselves?

My friend, the local Church is the Institution God has blessed on this earth, and every ministry had better be based out of or at least centered closely to the local Church.

 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  Matthew 16:18

If your local church is not center in your ministry and life of service to Christ,..... and anything else takes that place, something is wrong!

Does this musician and/or singer promote loyalty and faithfulness to the local church and to the pastors of that Church?

G. THE MOTIVES OF THE SINGER AND MUSICIANS

Granted, we can't look in the person's heart,

but does it seem the person is singing and playing mostly to be seen and heard themselves

 ....or is the uplifting of the Lord and helping others obvious to all?

Jeff Godwin in his book, 'WHAT''S WRONG WITH CHRISTIAN ROCK?' states on page226 that after carefully studying the Christian Rock Groups, he has come to the conclusion that as the group gets 'bigger'....the altar calls are done away with..." Jeff was involved in the Christian Rock group for several years and wrote this book after he left the industry. 

The same question could be asked of any of the different 'styles' of "Gospel" music.........

IS THE MUSICIAN MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MONEY TO BE MADE, and the fame it brings..... OR WITH SERVING THE LORD?

Jude warned about getting into ministry and being too concerned about making money or fame....

Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.  (Jude 1:11)

As a pastor who has tried to contact performers and groups to come and sing to our church, I am very disturbed at the PRICE certain STYLES of music charge for coming to a church.....outrageous fees!

Out of curiosity, I contacted some of the 'Contemporary' Christian music groups just to see what they charge for coming to churches.  Many charged incredible fees just to come and 'serve' the Lord....$3000 to $5000 and up...for one night!

Questions I must ask myself about the Music

Am I going to this concert or listening to this music to be entertained primarily?

Does this music ministry and performer promote the local church and loyalty to one's Pastors?

Does the music uplift the Lord and the good things He has created?

Does the music I listen to seem anointed with joy and peace?

Are the words clear and the message easily understood?

Are the words and message of the song Biblically and doctrinally correct?

Does the music drown out the words so you can't even hear them?

Are the musicians attempting to draw attention to themselves or to the Saviour?

Is the music itself the main attraction?  Is it the main reason people are coming to listen?

Are the performers themselves good clean-cut role models for us to follow, especially our children?  

To they dress modestly and is their appearance neat, or is their appearance unkempt immodest?

Do the artists give an aura of humbleness and servanthood, or is there a sense of arrogancy and pride?

Are the performers faithful Christians when off stage?  Do they have a local church they attend faithfully when home and does their pastor approve of their ministry and endorse their character and faithfulness?

OBJECTIONS

.....BUT A CERTAIN STYLE OF MUSIC IS NEEDED TO REACH THE KIDS

I agree music is important to the kids, but we shouldn't have to violate or compromise any of the principles listed above....

  I was Youth Pastor for several years and we preached the Word and planned lots of social get-togethers and had lots of fun, and we had a good size group and led lots of them to the Lord.  Our church always tried to bring a variety of styles of music to the church and as Youth leader I tried to promote it to the kids and encouraged them to come.  The kids came and would always have a good time.

Let's remember that music is not the primary thing that is going to reach kids for Jesus Christ......Preaching is the primary thing needed to reach the kids!  You say, but PREACHING WILL TURN THE KIDS OFF.......Oh, really?  Maybe that's what they (and their parents.....) need more of.......???!!!   This is the method that has Jesus' endorsement and has worked for over 2000 years!

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (1 Corinthians 1:18)

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (Romans 10:13,14)

One Bible teacher noted, "....Many contemporary entertainers who think they are using their rock-style music to evangelize the lost are often doing nothing more than contributing to the weakening of the church.  Evangelizing with much of today's contemporary music has many serious flaws. It tends to create pride in the musicians rather than humility.  It makes the gospel a matter of entertainment when there is not one thing in it that is at all entertaining.  It makes the public proclaimers of Christianity those who are popular and talented in the world's eyes, rather than those who are godly and gifted teachers of the truth. In using the world's genres of music, it blurs the gap between worldly Satanic values and divine ones.  It tends to deny the power of the simple gospel and the sovereign saving work of the Holy Spirit.  It creates a wide generation gap in the church, thus contributing to the disunity and lack of intimacy in the fellowship of all believers.  It leads to the propagation of bad theology and drags the name of the Lord down to the level of the world."  (Ephesians, John MacArthur Jr. page 258)

Let's teach the kids the word of God in our Church and Youth groups.  Let plan fun things for them and show them we love them. Let's have a variety of music in church for different tastes of people in the congregation, but not any style that actually offends or causes disunity and even discord in your church!  Let's encourage them to come to the musical events the Pastors of the church are trying to bring in....The kids might like it more than you think.  If you have Pastors who care, they will try to bring in a different variety of styles and music for the old and young alike.  Support your Pastors and encourage the kids to as well. 

....BUT KIDS ARE SAVED AT CERTAIN STYLES OF CONCERTS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE...

That's great....just make sure you're not compromising or violating any of the Bible principles listed above and you're okay....If some of the principles above are being violated, then we have a problem!  Remember, in God's Eyes, it is never right to do wrong in order to accomplish right...  God has a right way He wants things done.  We should always strive for that. 

Older Folks and Young people alike all enjoy good music and each will have different styles of music they like and dislike.  That is okay.  Let's just try to keep the Bible guidelines we listed above in mind, and we should be okay.  Try to support your Pastors in your church when they try to bring different musicians and singers to your church, because they have the difficult job of trying to please the different tastes of different age groups of people, and they also are trying to follow the Bible Guidelines for music we have just looked at.  They need your support.
 

The Best thing we do to help our kids is to set the proper example in our own lives as role models for them to follow.  Let's be faithful in our walk with the Lord, and that will go a lot farther with them than anything else we could do for them.....

Appendix 1

OBJECTIONS

.....BUT A CERTAIN STYLE OF MUSIC IS NEEDED TO REACH THE KIDS

I don't buy that.  I was Youth Pastor for several years and we preached the Word and planned lots of social get-togethers and had lots of fun, and we had a good size group and led lots of them to the Lord.  Our Church always had a variety of styles of music and the kids liked it and enjoyed themselves.

Preaching is the primary thing needed to reach the kids!  You say, but PREACHING WILL TURN THE KIDS OFF.......Oh, really?  Maybe that's what they (and their parents.....) need more of.......???!!!

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.  (1 Corinthians 1:18)

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (Romans 10:13,14)

Some might say,

THE OLD WAYS OF REACHING THE KIDS DON'T WORK ANY, YOU NEED TO REACH THE KIDS WITH MUSIC TODAY...

Bible preaching has worked for over 2000 years. I don't suppose we must look for a new plan today...

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

 

...BUT KIDS ARE GETTING SAVED AT THE CHRISTIAN ROCK CONCERTS...

I am sure that is probably true and kids have gotten saved at different styles of concerts with 'Christian Music'. We do rejoice in that.  The Word of God is powerful and can override any venue, even if it is ungodly.  I have a strong feeling that in the majority of the cases it was where the seed of the gospel had been sown earlier....sometime before that particular concert.  Jeff Godwin, who was involved in the Christian Rock ministry for years, said that kids would agree to go forward and make ‘decisions’ during the concert just so the Christian Rock bands could continue to be brought to their church.  They just wanted to continue the ‘Rock Music’ and admitted it, and knew the best way to keep it coming was for people to ‘get saved’ so it could be saved that young people were making 'decisions' for Christ...……It was all a joke in many cases and he had many of the kids admit it to him!

Jeff Godwin admitted what many have felt....."Very often, Christian Rock is a good excuse for church kids to get to listen to their Heavy Rock and Roll......whereas if it wasn't 'Christian' their parents would 'hassle' them about listening to it....Since it was 'Christian', it was okay.

But, that doesn't make the means  right if the method was wrong to start with!

God, throughout the Bible, has certain ways to do things and a right way He wants it done.  It is never right to do wrong even in order to accomplish right...

BUT....WON'T THE CHRISTIAN ROCK BANDS REACH THE YOUNG PEOPLE?

The Book "Religious Rock and Roll - A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" has an interesting conversation with a youth pastor:

One youth pastor at a large church was asked, "Did you ever try booking religious rock bands to help with your efforts (of reaching the kids)?  Youth Pastor:  "Yes.  Before the musical trend had reached the level it has now, I brought in some contemporary groups at my former church.  I found the attendance was lower two weeks after the group came.  We had expected the groups to bring people into the place but the actual result was we had less."  What caused that to happen?  Youth Pastor: " I don't know other than God was not blessing it.  I had been told you could bring in these groups, pack out the building, and introduce young people to the church.  They would get saved and come back.  Unfortunately, that does not happen.  People will argue that point.  However, over a 4 year period of time, I didn't see our group grow by using that method.  In fact, I brought in a well-known religious rock group.  We spent several thousand dollars in advertising on a secular rock station attempting to reach the unsaved.  The concert resulted in about a $1500 loss to the church after we paid the band their fee, and we found the unsaved didn't come anyway.  Who came to that concert? Youth Pastor: "Mostly church youth.  I found it was a waste of time and money.  It was terrible.  Oftentimes, people will push a concert like this as a means of evangelism, but I have found it to be nothing more than a great waste.....I can honestly say in 11 or 12 years in youth ministry I have never seen religious rock cause young people to grow or be strengthened in the Lord....and I can further say, I have never seen it contribute to the building of any youth ministry I have been associated with....I have concluded that if a person is utilizing religious rock for his growth instead of time spent in the Bible and prayer, that individual is headed for a spiritual crash course."  (Religious Rock n' Roll - A wolf in Sheep's Clothing, by Robert Paul Lamb, p177-182)

BUT MY KIDS DON'T LIKE THE STYLE OF MUSIC OUR CHURCH HAS.....

A lot of that has to do with what we teach our kids to like...

If we have let them listen to secular music all their life, and then they hear the parents trash the music at church and complain about it...what do we expect them to do?

If we would start listening to different styles of music that was godly and uplifting, we might find the kids would end up liking it more than you think. 

BUT MY KIDS WILL NEVER LIKE THAT TYPE OF MUSIC....

You might be surprised....

We recently went on a Gospel Music cruise and my teenage kids went on the boat not particularly caring for or even knowing who the groups were, and they ended up coming up with about every CD these Gospel Groups had!  After a week on the cruise and hearing the groups every night.  They got to know the individuals in the groups and fell in love with them.  They have become true role models for our kids.  In just one week!

Who have you exposed your kids to musically?

WE  might be surprised if WE as parents set a better example at home in the music WE listen to, it might just catch on with them...especially if they are pre-teen....  On the other hand, if we have let our kids listen to the world's music for all their life and they are teenagers now, it is going to be very hard to get them away from it now.....

MY KIDS SAY THEY WON'T GO TO CONCERTS AT OUR CHURCH...IT'S NOT THEIR 'STYLE' OF MUSIC.....

Since when do your kids have the right in your home to tell you what type of music THEY WILL NOT LISTEN TO and WHAT CONCERTS AT YOUR CHURCH THEY WILL NOT GO TO....?"

Who's running things are your household?  You or your kids?

What was that verse in 1 Samuel again?

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. (1 Sam. 15:23)

Do your kids tell you what they will and will not do on other matters as well?

Since when do we have to bow to the kids in the local church and do whatever they demand ...or they 'threaten' not to come?

What type of young people are we raising for future service to Christ?

When they grow older and something doesn't go the way they want it to in church, will they demand the pastor do as they wish and command or they threaten to leave?

Our children are listening to certain styles of music and rejecting good Godly music because we have allowed them to.....

If you have a good church and pastors who care, they will try their best to provide different styles of good, godly music for you and the entire family.  You need to back them up.  Don't let your kids see you bashing the preacher at home because he's not bringing in a certain style of music that he just doesn't feel comfortable with and if he is concerned it would actually offend good people and cause discord and disunity in the congregation.....

What lesson is that teaching your kids?

I LET MY KIDS LISTEN TO CHRISTIAN ROCK BECAUSE AT LEAST IT IS BETTER THAN REGULAR ROCK MUSIC...

What kind of reasoning is that?  Come on.  The more I study this subject, as I look back over 20 years of ministry with young people, I'm convinced a major reason lots of people listen to Christian Rock is simply because it gives them a 'pass' to listen to ROCK MUSIC......You might put 'Christian' in front of it, but I've heard it...and believe me, it is heavy ROCK MUSIC....

I wonder if our kids would spend some of those hours they listen to music by just reading and studying God's Word if they just might be a little better off anyway?  What do you think?

BUT MANY OF THESE GROUPS DO MANY GOOD AND CHARITABLE THINGS...

Yes, they might just do that, but that doesn't make everything else right!  Jesus warned in Matthew:

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  (Matthew 7:22,23)

Doing good works and charitable deeds doesn't prove anything...anyone of us can do that and still be in the wrong on other matters...
 

I WANT TO LISTEN TO SAME MUSIC MY KIDS LISTEN TO SO I CAN RELATE TO THEM AND THEY CAN SAY, 'MOM, HAVE YOU HEARD THIS SONG YET.......AND I CAN SAY, "YES"....

Oh really, where do you find that principle in the Bible?

NO YOUNG PERSON IS GOING TO STAY IN A 'STUFFY' CHURCH.  YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME EXCITEMENT.  WE'VE GOT TO GIVE THE KIDS WHAT THEY WANT IN THEIR MUSIC OR WE WILL LOSE THEM...RIGHT?

Wrong!  If the only thing keeping the youth in your church is 'Christian' Rock and or any other 'style' of music, then you really haven’t got them to start with!  If that is the glue that is holding your youth group together, you really don't have a youth group. 

WHAT IS THE REAL ANSWER TO REACHING OUR KIDS?

I believe we need to set the proper example of faithfulness to the Lord to the kids ourselves.  If they see us making a priority of going to church faithfully and serving the Lord faithfully, that is going to mean alot more to their Spiritual growth than making sure 'their style' of music is brought to your church.....

Mom, dad.....when they see you not coming to church on Sunday night and Wednesday night........because it is just not that important....that sends a lot bigger message to them then getting the Christian Rock bands in to perform for them?

If they hear mom and dad bashing and complaining about the preacher and complaining about everything that is wrong with the church and the people there, do you think a 'band' is going to help them grow in the Lord?

Think about it.

We need to keep preaching the Bible to our kids and teens.  They can handle it.  Plan outings and fun things for them.  You don't have to spend lots of money on a one-time shot with an expensive band....

Let's get the kids out serving the Lord...They don't have to be entertained all the time....How about having an outing passing out flyers about our church and inviting folks to church and tracts showing people how to be saved?

In our youth group we had a point system to reward the young people for their service to the Lord that week.  They got so many points for attending church services that week and so many points for bringing guests to youth group and so on.....Let's get the young people busy working and that will help satisfy them more than than you might think!

Try to support your pastor when he tries to bring musicians and groups in that will appeal to the young people if they would only give them a chance!

...and let your children see you getting busy and serving the Lord yourself!
 

A CLOSING WORD TO PARENTS AND PASTORS

Jeff Godwin, by his admission, was a heavy metal slave for 13 years.  He played heavy metal for 7 years and worshipped Rock music as his god. He spent thousands of dollars on everything associated with rock & roll and became a drug addict, alcoholic, and criminal.  In 1984 he accepted Christ as his Saviour and his sense began a ministry of giving live seminars on this very subject of Rock music and Christian Rock.  He lives in Bloomington, In. and has written the book WHAT'S WRONG WITH CHRISTIAN ROCK. (Chick Publications). He writes on page 238 these closing words for us:

"Pastor and Youth leader:  if your young people are sitting on their hands during the worship and singing time of your church, the problem is in their hearts, not in the church's music!  If you feed your kids the Rock and Rap they demand, they'll learn a new language alright..... 

You know what?  Once you start playing that game, they NEVER WILL BE SATISFIED, no matter what you do!  "Give 'em what they want at any cost."  Where's that found in the Bible?  If you've got a youth group that's acting like a poor, pampered little pouters, then demand their respect by refusing to cater to their rebellion. 

In fairness to the kids, many youth won't give up THEIR idolatry because the youth leaders won't give up THEIRS!  (Jeremiah 5:31)

The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Incidentally, the kids aren't supposed to run the church!  God gave them a man behind the pulpit that responsibility, and he is subject to Jesus Christ. (Titus 1:7-2:1)"  (p 238, Jeff Godwin, WHAT'S WRONG WITH CHRISTIAN ROCK?)

Pastors, Youth leaders, Parents....let's set the example of faithfulness and Godliness to our kids ourselves.....that is the best thing WE can do to help them become all that God want them to be!

Let's not let music become a divisive thing in our church and in our Christian life, rather let us listen to the music that unifies our Christian brother and sisters, not any that divides, separates, and sows discord and disunity.

 

&nbs