The Resonating Effect of Relevant Music
Author Unknown
Psalm 24:6 & 7 – This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Extreme times do indeed require extreme measures. A Recent USA Today poll of Generation Y teenagers found that only 32 percent attend church, twenty percent are either agnostic or atheist, and the other forty-eight percent are somewhere in between.
The reality that we must open our eyes to is that the overwhelming majority of teenagers in 2007 either have no interest in the things of God or they simply have not been introduced to God. In my opinion, lack of interest is not the predominant problem, but lack of exposure is. I believe that inspiring, relevant music is an excellent way to introduce people to God.
Music has always been a means to spread a message. Music is still used today to influence those who will listen. For example, an entire culture and way of life has been created by modern Rap music; but the cars, jewelry, clothing and obscenely priced sets of gold and platinum teeth would be nothing without the music. This example can be applied across the spectrum of pop, rock, country, etc. When the world wants to exert its influence, the goal is accomplished through the channel of music. Teenagers are introduced to defiance and lack of respect through secular artists and they willingly ingest a diet of ungodly values every day because the sound and the overall flavor of the music are relevant to them.
No, I am certainly not suggesting that we alter our message to accommodate the world, but perhaps if we could find a more innovative way to introduce our message, then we could change the world with it. I absolutely believe that true repentance, water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking with other tongues and living a life of continued inward and outward holiness is required to obtain salvation. However, I have not had capacity crowds pour into our Tuesday night youth services by advertising on our church sign Tonight Plan of Salvation Bible Study . I wonder why that is? I love the doctrine and I get excited every time I hear about it or read about it, but I ve got to remember why. I’ve experienced it! Luke 3:16 states John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire . I have been born again of the water and of the Spirit, therefore I can be captivated by any song that speaks truth, whether it is old or new I love them all! What about the sixty-eight percent of teenagers who have never been born again and neglect to attend a church of any kind? Is there a way to reach them?
The resonating effect of relevant music is that it breaks down the barriers of fear and doubt in regards to visiting an Apostolic church. Relevant music paves the way for friendship, Bible study, and the awesome gift of salvation. Teenagers who have never one time felt the presence of God are introduced to him via fresh, sincere worship. The soil of their soul is cultivated by gaining knowledge of Jesus Christ in an atmosphere that they can relate to. 1 Corinthians 1:21 states – For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe . As a minister myself, I know that there is no substitute for anointed preaching. In the absence of God’s Word we are lost and have no hope. It is the Word that convicts and gives guidance regarding eternity, but the Word cannot effectively perform its purpose if it doesn’t find a willing vessel to fill. To the casual observer, a success story of someone being filled with God’s Spirit in an altar may seem easy or simple, but it’s not. In most cases there must first be a connection made with the person. Music is a great connection point because it seems to have universal appeal across all racial, social, and economic boundaries.
In our youth ministry, the Xtreme, we have assembled a praise band of Godly young men and women who have a burden for their peers. We join together to unashamedly praise God with contemporary songs that speak of his majesty and of our unwavering devotion to him. In two youth conferences during the past six months we have seen crowds as large as four-hundred attend and experience God’s presence. Lives have been touched and new souls have been added to God’s kingdom during these events. People in our community and surrounding area continually inquire about when the next concert will be. In short It works! I recently discovered that one definition of the word insanity is repeatedly doing the same things and expecting different results . Extreme times do require extreme measures. I encourage you to prayerfully consider using relevant music to create a resounding effect in your community.
‘The Resonating Effect of Relevant Music’. Author Unknown.
This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes, ‘Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.’
