for my answer i will post a bulletin i got from Kevin Bond on myspace:
"As A Christian Should I Be Playing Worldly Music ?"
Greetings Friends,
I'm often asked questions that I believe will benefit the body if properly answered. Today I share my reply with you regarding one such question.
Greetings Chief,
What are your thoughts on 'Christian Musicians' on not-so Christian gigs? I'm sure you know exactly what I'm talking about. The whole.."I do this for a living mentality...", "...this is my job..." thing. I have personal thoughts and feelings about it. Fortunately I have been blessed to be playing for a Christian artist however, if a major R&B gig came along would I be wrong for taking it because I'm supposed to "come out from among them and be separate"?, or because "we are a peculiar people"?
I have always been intrigued by your insight...just curious as to what your thoughts are from a personal AND MORE IMPORTANTLY a biblical standpoint.
If the answer for this is too long to type..thats understandable. Some reference scriptures will be just fine.
Thanks,
Blogger
Greetings Blogger,
I'm familiar with all the scriptures and I urge you to study them IN PROPER CONTEXT, not just the words but the sustained meanings as well.
But here's the question. If we're God's body then how will they hear unless we go? For years preachers have bashed minstrels for doing what their name's applied. Minstrel: strolling musician who traveled about playing music.
The funny thing is that while they were bashing musicians for living out their call many of them were secretly plotting their own opportunities, or coveting the gift and the opportunities afforded the minstrels and psalmists. That's the reason why we see and have heard many of them change their message to do business and affect the community. It's because they too have come to realize that the greater gain both soul-wise and financially is not in the church but in the world. More church leaders have entered the worldly business sector than musicians of late. Thus the message has been tone down in a major way. It’s almost non-existent except in the fire and brimstone churches.
But I must add that one must be mature to be able to go into the world and compel men, or just to go and be light in the midst of darkness. Without the proper foundation one will succumb to sin and fall into lust and lewd behavior. So this arrangement must be prayerfully considered and one must know his/her limitations and spiritual state. The word states that If I'm IN Christ then I'm a new creature and the old has passed away and now my world is new. This speaks of the regeneration process wherein I'm no longer affected by my former worldly lusts. Bear in mind that the Godly process takes place immediately, but we must submit our total being to God in order for it to take place in us flesh-wise. So a proper relationship replete with study and the hearing of the word is paramount.
This has been and will always be hotspot in the body of Christ. But I choose to follow Christ' lead on this one. He said GO into all the world. Notice he didn't say Go into every tabernacle, synagogue, church, or temple. He urged us to get out of our comfort zones and meet the sinners where they are. After all how will we reach them if we don't know where they are and won't go where they are?
Most if not all say that I'm just doing it for the money. But I say, "Let MINISTRY be your GUIDE and MONEY will be GUIDED back to you to fund your ministry mission."
~BONDED~
