Using secular songs to open service for icebreaker
 

I've seen it 2 times now in my journeys visiting churches here in S. Florida to get ideas for our new church. Talking to the pastors about it they both present it as a icebreaker.

One of them was clever... the played Don't Fear the Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult when doing a series on the afterlife and heaven. I can give them a pass for creativity and a sense of humor.

But Granger Community Church which is a trendsetter for the post moderns recently opened with a Poison song.

http://www.alittleleaven.com/2010/08...aise-song.html

Click on link below to view it in their worship service and give your thoughts. Its a growing trend out there.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I have no problem with the concept in general. Songs are usually meant to mean different things to different people so if a church can take one and find some meaning in it that is compatible with christianity then maybe they can use it. However, most secular songs mean different things to different people and so everyone might not see something compatible with christianity in that song. For example, the church using the Poison song in service probably meant it to be that church is the place to have a good time. I took the song to be about going out and partying and having a good time in that way.

In the end I think using secular songs is something that needs to be done very carefully. I also would refrain from songs that already have the conotation of being about something completely opposed to christianity (unless the song was being used to make a point in a message).

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I know they must be SO relieved that you have given them a pass.

It's a great idea. We do it all the time.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Im not attacking the concept, but I can see where it can easily lead to unbalance.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

:thumbsup

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

The other song I saw in another church was Dani California by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. That one made me squirm in a church, that made me check off another box in my "I have seen it all in church" list.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I can't see that song in church either. It's a great song though!

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

What's interesting, is you don't have to go outside of the Christian ranks to find a song that might make your skin crawl. I'm very open to a more modern sound, but I can't imagine opening a service with this Christian song. I would rather use an old Credence Clearwater, The Who, or a YES song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCX5eXo-4jk

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Yeah... that's not the type of thing I would be comfortable with. I wouldn't do that.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

We've used a few secular songs in times past, but I think you have to be very careful. There are people who got saved and walked away from all their secular music, and hearing it in church conjures up images of times past that weren't so good. It can be confusing.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Unskinny bop?

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Not Aeroplane?

"I like pleasure spiked with pain
and music is my aeroplane, is my aeroplane"

There has to be a gospel message in there somewhere

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

How about some Guns n Roses
Knockin on Heaven's door

"Mama put my guns in the ground
I can't shoot them anymore
That cold black cloud is comin' down
Feels like I'm knockin' on heaven's door

Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door
Knock-knock-knockin' on heaven's door"

How about some old school Eddie Money
Two Tickets to Paradise

"I'm gonna take you on a trip so far from here,
I've got two tickets in my pocket, now baby, we're gonna disappear.
We've waited so long, waited so long.
We've waited so long, waited so long.

I've got two tickets to paradise,
Won't you pack your bags, we'll leave tonight,
I've got two tickets to paradise,
I've got two tickets to paradise."

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Personally I think it can be useful if it's tied into the message, but Im sure some people will be offended and because of that I think it's better not to. At the same time I think those that get offended have to realize we don't all react the same way they might to that kind of stuff if it does happen

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

:2cents

I HATE IT

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I hope we all know that GNR just covered Knockin on Heaven's Door. Mr Bob Dylan wrote and performed long ago. ;)

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

But is it ok in your car? And if it's ok in your car, why would it be wrong in the church? The building isn't "The Church." "WE" are the church.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

How so? I saw NewSpring do "Beat it" to start a service during their current series, "I Love The 80's". Is that imbalance?

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I think it can be appropriate or not. Just live everything else. Content, spirit, intent all matter.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I don't see why a person, who gets saved, needs to walk away from all their "secular" music.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Grump.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

:thumbsup

They get enough songs from the secular world, why not at least give them Christian music when in church. As Sherri said, many came out of that and why remind them or tempt them to go back into what they came out of?

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world......well, except for that evil Beatles stuff. That stuff is WAY bigger than God. I guess, anyway.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Not imbalance, just carnality.

But if the emphasis isn't really on denying self and making disciples, then I guess we can just turn the "church" into whatever image we think it should be. Maybe they should just tweak some church songs:

"I'm going back to the heart of [pagan] worship.....
It's all about ME, its all about ME.....

I won't apologize for the [relevant] thing we made it....
Its all about ME...."

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Some people don't give :2cents about what offends others. They are using their so-called "liberty" in the complete and total opposite of how Paul instructed. In fact, the behavior which they have often termed as liberty, is the exact "liberty" that Peter strongly condemned.

Christian liberty isn't liberty to mix the message of the Cross with the pop culture of an ungodly society. In fact, many go beyond that, because the cross isn't even the message anymore.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Of course,but GNR did it better :thumbsup

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I watch the Super Bowl in my house. I would be highly opposed to watching it in the church. Prime example a couple of years ago when someone hacked the feed in the Tucson,AZ area and showed about 30 seconds of hard core porn. Second example, the wardrobe "malfunction". All such junk was broadcast in at least some churches. And thats to say nothing of the commercials.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I guess since God is "bigger" than Saw, Texas Chainsaw Massacres, and the like we shouldn't be concerned about opening ourselves to that either.

God is greater than that evil Metallica, Megadeath, Marlilyn Manson and the such like, so whats the harm in that either.

I guess, anyway.


Have I now become the AFF ultra con???

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Oh hogwash. Horsefeathers.

I gather that you are a preacher. You do things all the time while you stand in the pulpit that are carnal and not biblical at all, like for instance, standing in the pulpit. There are no pulpits in the bible. They are an invention of the Catholic church used to intimidate and separate. The pulpit is a carnal accessory of man. I can keep going with the list if you like.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Yes, you sound like an ultra-con. You are unable to see the difference between something blatantly ungodly and something that is obviously not. You're condemning everything that doesn't fit into your own little personal mold of right and wrong. If Rev. Badejo doesn't like it, it's bad.

Where is the line? Where YOU say it is? Is it ok to listen to pop-jazz in your car? If so, what's wrong with Paul McCartney's "Freedom" written the day after 9-11? And don't go into the KIND OF PERSON McCartney is. If you do, I'll start spilling the beans on a BUNCH of Christian artists you dance and shout to on Sundays.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Mr. Smith, dont you think that is quite a difference between standing behind a pulpit and playing secular music by confessed and known druggies?

There may be no pulpits in the Bible, but I've never preached for the sake of standing behind a pulpit. Nevertheless the concept is the same as that of the Jewish synagouge service, where someone in the front addressed the congregation.

This will be alot easier on the both of us if you concede now. :)

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

There you go, I knew you'd go there. Do you REALLY want me to write the names of "confessed and known" druggies within the Christian music culture???? But you LOVE their music don't you, because they FAKE it and pretend to be a Christian. As long as it LOOKS good, huh, Jason?

So you have ANY idea how many within the Christian music culture haven't attended church for years, who make a living off the church but who scoff at it, condemn it, and make fun of it on the side??

But you don't give a rip about that, do you? Let's just paint on the pretend face, sing about worshiping Jesus, and everything's good.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I think substance would go a long ways in deciding. In the case of secular music, the intention is certainly NOT to glorify God, and at BEST a secular song is spiritually nuetral with perhaps a good moral (but not God glorifying) message.

Furthermore, I would say that character should be a factor, though it should be secondary. The difference between secular artists and some Christian artists is that the secular artist OPENLY live an ungodly life. Wherein, in the few cases of Christian artists they may have a weakness that has overtaken them, or at worst be a total and complete hypocrite living a double life.

At least in the case of the Christian, the music is [normally] written for the express intent of glorifying God and building up the body of Christ.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

First off, I know you have too much integrity to rat out someones secrets sins, and I admire that about you.

However, in a hypothetical world, if you were to tell about those "Christians" who scoff at the church and make money off the gospel, what difference would that make? The intent of their music is still to glorify God. Mike Murdock wrote (to my knowledge) the song "I am blessed" I cannot stand Mike Murdock and his prosperity gospel. People backslide, doesn't mean that whatever contribution they made to the church while they were serving God is worthless. And if they are doing as you say, God will judge them anyhow. God used Ciaphas to prophecy, yet Ciaphas was as corrupt a high priest as there was.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Ok, try this out......"Rise Above This" by Seether. It's talking about preventing teenage suicide.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP6JDLQF23g

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Wrong. The intent of the music is to do ONLY one thing.....sell it to Christians. They know how to assemble the words that will appeal to a certain economic demographic.


Second bold.....and God can use Paul McCartney and his music to reach people as well.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

I am unable to watch the video right now, so I googled the lyrics. I don't see alot of hop in them, but I guess the argument can be made its a positive message. ( I guess)

I also never heard of the band so I read the article about them on Wiki.

I fail to see the benefit in getting spiritual motivation from heathens. When we ought to be the light to them, they are seeming leading us?

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

We don't tell them they have to, but some of them do. Some of it is just too much of a reminder of where God brought them from.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVqCVTnF6yI

Heres one that was current when I came to Christ. Secular duo but were looking in the right direction.

I have a Youtube playlist I call "Songs That Infuenced Me To Believe".

Not made by Christians but I was not a Christian either.

Re: Using secular songs to open service for icebre
 

Some secular songs I would use to break the ice in a WITNESSING situation. I doubt I would use them in the worship meeting.