Using secular songs to open service for icebreaker

[Apocrypha]

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.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

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.

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).

[Mr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

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.

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.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

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.

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

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

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

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Mr. Smith

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.

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.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

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.

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

[NotforSale]

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

[Digging4Truth]

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

[Sherri]

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.