This video comes from Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana. This was how they opened up the weekend service during a series titled "Get in the Game":
I grew up playing the old-school Nintendo and especially loved playing Mario Bros. (who didn't?). I also dream of being a rockin' drummer (who doesn't?). Naturally, I thought this video was awesome.
Even though I love this sort of thing, I must admit that I usually have a twinge of uneasiness when I see popular culture featured so prominently in church. This uneasiness lies in the fact that I feel like pop culture tends to blur the line between the sacred and the unsacred, between what is holy and what is commonplace.
Please understand that I am part of a church that deliberately appeals to the culture, and I love it. I do not sit in service sneering because I am offended at "that song" or "that video". I honestly enjoy most of what churches do to incorporate "cultural relevance" into their services. I also understand that churches like Granger do this primarily as an "in" to reach people for Jesus -- I do not doubt their intentions for a moment.
Still, I cannot seem to shake that nagging feeling that pairing the message of Jesus with pop culture only tends to cheapen Jesus. Do we honestly think that He needs our technology and music and graphic design in order to change lives? If the answer is "no", then we need to look really hard at whether or not our persistence toward cultural appeal is worthy of so much energy.
What do you think about this issue? Tell me why you feel the way you do about the church and pop culture.
Sidenote: The title of this post is taken from the title of a book written by Tim Stevens , the Executive Pastor at Granger. I have not read it yet, but I know from reading reviews that his book is really making people think about this issue.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Pop Goes the Church
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
7 comments:
I see your point. I'm kinda on the fence too. I do think it's good from the perspective of reaching the lost, but it does seem to detract from the main message. When I watched the video I was "like cool but why is this in church other than to entertain". Sometimes I miss some of the holiness of the Catholic Mass. There's plenty of things missing from it (like an understandable message), but the got the holy part down.
Guess it's all about balance.
I think there are many different ways that this argument could go. It really is all about balance. I think for this video, it's way out of place and has nothing to do with a church message. They just wasted 3 minutes promoting a drummer's talent for playing along with video game themes (such a useful tool in life). There was absolutely no tie-in with the Biblical message. I personally like how Palm Valley does their intros. A good example that comes to mind is the Cribs intro from last year. It took something from pop culture and cleverly integrated it into the message. The difference was that the focus wasn't on MTV or the price of a celebrity's home. The focus was clearly gearing up for the message, just giving us something to relate the message to. As for the Granger video, the focus was on the drummer, not the message. It didn't give people something to relate the message to...it was just a random side show thrown out there. Integrating pop culture can definately be done, it just has to be tactfully done.
Great discussion, MG. Thanks for starting it. This is definately a subject we need to be purposeful in and that requires thinking it through thoroughly.
I'm guessing you know how I feel about this, but here's my take...
Pop culture is a language of our culture. If, by learning it and using it, I can be more effective in relating with lost people, then I'm all over it.
Jesus bashed the Pharisees a number of times for focusing on the wrong things. They were so caught up in 'sacred' that they lost focus on the purpose God created the law for.
I think pop culture is best used as a bridge. I like Shaun's example of Cribs. If an unchurched person walks into PVC and hears Livin on a Prayer or Move Along, they'll know that we're a church that understands the society we're a part of. It's also useful at dispelling popular misconceptions about church.
I didn't like the Mario drummer bit. Not for my church, anyway. But every community is different and if people in Granger, IN open their ears a little more after hearing that, how can you refute it?
Who can think of pop culture at a time like this...I waiting for a baby here!!!
-Heidi
Here's the next question: If a visitor to that church that weekend, who happens to be a drummer, is drawn in by the segment and it leads to him accepting Christ, was it worth it?
In some ways, as Christians, don't we hear pastors tell how to accept Christ every week, even though we, as Christians have already accepted Christ. If we all walked around wearing robes and ephods, we would be ineffective and therefore would not be following Christ's command to go into all the world and make disciples of men (and women). I'm reminded of the story behind the Salvation Army, and how they started by taking the "Devil's Music" and putting new words to them. You gotta love early 1800's pop-culture.
PS- I think Mario Bros was more tasteful than using the theme music from Resident Evil: The Devil Will Consume Your Soul.
This is a good discussion and one worth having. As many have pointed out, balance is important. If we say pop culture has no place in the Church, then we certainly can't even sing traditional old-school hymns, because they were at one time "pop culture" (most of which were old bar tunes). If we say pop culture has no place in the Church, then we also discredit a large portion of Paul's ministry. He was the pro at weaving in pop cultural references to reach his audience and help them understand Biblical principles (fighting fights, running races, etc). At the same time, if we swing too far the other way, we end up with too much pop culture and only some squishy obligatory reference to Jesus.
In addition to balance, I think focus plays a big part. At a worship service, the question is where is our focus? When a drummer is jamming (as in the above video), is our focus on the greatness, holiness, or awesomeness of God/Jesus or on the drummer. As I watched that video, I thought...man that guy is good (I'm sure most of those in the audience thought the same thing). Some may have praised the Lord for providing the talent to this individual, but more than likely the focus was on the man not the maker.
Personally, if I wanted to see an awesome display of musical talent, I would go to a concert. When I go to church, I want to worship the Lord and focus on Him (not an individual, a group, or the Mario Brothers).
So...balance is important, but so is focus.
On the flip side of this issue, those who argue that in order to worship, we must have traditional hymns and the KJV are equally wrong.
Just some rambling thoughts quickly typed out, because I enjoyed reading this blog post so much (and because it is important).
Jared
I just started reading and couldn't help thinking of "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings." If we are contemporary to reach those who come with Jesus then great! If we are contemporary to impress people with how cool we are.... I agree with the balance, we cannot distract people from the message (God) but if we can get them to come with something familiar and incorporate the message to them in a way they get it then no problem.
Jeff A
Post a Comment