I Just Can't Do It, Man

I consider myself kind of hip. Kinda cool. Savvy, even. Especially when it comes to music. Since I was in high school, I've tried to find the best Christian music out there. I've made some mistakes along the way, but all in all, I've been able to weed out the crap and keep myself open to the good stuff.

Maybe I should define the term "good". To me, good Christian music starts with the music, not the lyrics. It should be original; and if not original, at least well done. Most Christian music out there is not original or well done.

For example, I was working out at the gym a few years ago, when I noticed a music video on the screen above me. The music sounded like your typical rock anthem of the late 90's/early 00's, and the lyrics were about losing someone and hoping that they would return. The band looked like your typical modern band: stylish hair, facial hair/gotees, with muscular guys in tight-fitting t-shirts and jeans ensembles. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow. These guys are really passionate about this boring song that sounds like all the other songs by bands that look like they do. I wonder who it is?" When the song ended, the name flashed on the screen, and it was a very popular Christian band that has been to all the festivals and has sold thousands, if not millions of cd's.

Not only has this bland, boring music infected our radio stations, but it has also infected our churches under the guise of "praise and worship" music. This past weekend, I attended a fund raiser at Asbury College that featured four of these "P/W" bands. I went to support the cause and those that I knew that helped put on the event. I was able to make it through 4 songs. I'm not kidding. The band was talented, dedicated, and passionate, but I just couldn't take it, man. I can't stand boring music with lyrics about how great Jesus is. When we speak Jesus' name or sing it, it should not be boring or heard on an elevator.

Today's praise and worship music is boring and repetitive, and puts the focus on the musicians, not God. When your Sunday morning worship includes a solo by the guitar player, it might be time to pull the plug on your worship team. Worship should be simple, graceful and focused on the one who gave us those talents. Too many people have been able to make a career out of this music and put the focus on themselves. There are exeptions, but most in the mainstream of Christian music need to stop or be stopped.