Gospel musicians playing secular music

[DWBass]

Religious connotations at work= no no! I did that once (used God Bless You All) during the Xmas holiday and got chewed out as well. The reasoning was that there are different 'types' of religious folks and some may be offended.



By the way, I'm Methodist.

[SavnBass]

Again, Malthumb...  I understand, and respect the perspective of others who chose to play secular music.
I for one don't think you should throw the baby out with the bath water.  I think over the years my stance on the board has been one of it's not for me, because XYZ.
As I was trying to point out in the last post, I can only talk from the Bible, and since the Bible doesn't speak of to play or not to play.  I will not build a trench, and start a war at this matter.  The reason I say that the work scenario doesn't fit, what we consider secular is such a western way of thinking.  In some cultures if you are Christian it is in every fiber of your being, so if you are a waiter, you wait tables as unto the Lord.
Our culture has been very succesful in taking God & segregating him to Church. If I were a mailman, police officer, pilot, waiter I can do all these things as unto the Lord, and not compromise who I am.  There are event songs that are not Church songs, that I could play and not compromise who I am.  No song comes to mind, right now.  But I think the disconnect enters the discussion when we utilize the word secular and it equals bad. Secular  simply means seperate from religion.  As a believer, I should never be seperate from what I believe, therefore I shouldn't make a practice of participating in things separate from what I believe.   What makes a song a song?  The Lyrics.  So, the  question would be can I play/sing a song that doesn't necessarily glorify God? Yes/No/Maybe.  So when I chime into these discussions its always from the perspective of you shouldn't listen, nor play a song with lyrics contradictory to a believers lifestyle.  That's my stance, however, I don't think less of any believer that doesn't believe like I do.
You do however, bring up a interesting point about the food, and its also covered in the scriptures.

I'll give you an example from my band.. we have musicians  who were not always Christians.. but they were raised with music.. it is what they do Both are qualified to teach music and one is a fully qualified engineer.. but they had always played in the secular music world.. until one got saved..then through him his wife got saved.. they began playing for one of the ministries in my church.. (We are multi cultural..) and basically were told that they could not play for the church as long as they played secular music.. but again.. this is what they do.. so.. in order for them to play for the church and utilize their gifts for GODS glory.. they have to give up their livelihood? I don't think so...

[under13]

I'll give you an example from my band.. we have musicians  who were not always Christians.. but they were raised with music.. it is what they do Both are qualified to teach music and one is a fully qualified engineer.. but they had always played in the secular music world.. until one got saved..then through him his wife got saved.. they began playing for one of the ministries in my church.. (We are multi cultural..) and basically were told that they could not play for the church as long as they played secular music.. but again.. this is what they do.. so.. in order for them to play for the church and utilize their gifts for GODS glory.. they have to give up their livelihood? I don't think so...

Was the music they played clean or was it vulgar?

[ddwilkins]

Why am I posting this? I know this thread will never end, but here it goes:

Colossians 3:22-4:1

Torch, BTW, I agree people have associated "secular" with being "bad."

[floaded27]

i once played Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" at a family function. am i going to hell? lol.

also note, people who want to go to music school, many schools wont have you learn ONLY gospel material. Which is weird because there are many churches that require a music degree to be an MD. go figure!!!

[betnich]

I'll give you an example from my band.. we have musicians  who were not always Christians.. but they were raised with music.. it is what they do Both are qualified to teach music and one is a fully qualified engineer.. but they had always played in the secular music world.. until one got saved..then through him his wife got saved.. they began playing for one of the ministries in my church.. (We are multi cultural..) and basically were told that they could not play for the church as long as they played secular music.. but again.. this is what they do.. so.. in order for them to play for the church and utilize their gifts for GODS glory.. they have to give up their livelihood? I don't think so...

I think we may have something close to this situation in our congregation...pro musicians who attend, but are prevented from playing because of gigs or their lifestyle. But that is our Pastor's decision.

     Meanwhile our praise band is limited to just piano and drums, while the same singers vie for solos on their songs (I was told that one singer had to have one song to sing lead on each week). I tried to say something like 'hey, the congregation knows this song, let's all sing the verses together to get them involved rather than have solos on verse 1 and 2' but that wasn't well-received.

Interestingly, the leadership has started to invite some of these 'disqualified' to sing solos, but they still can't join the Music Ministry...

[arthur59]

i once played Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" at a family function. am i going to hell? lol.

also note, people who want to go to music school, many schools wont have you learn ONLY gospel material. Which is weird because there are many churches that require a music degree to be an MD. go figure!!!

you can't win for loseing!!!

[FenderJazzGuy]

For those who don't mind playing on secular gigs, do what you do, I ain't trippin' but please, please as you argue your point of view.  Don't utlize the work analogy, working for a secular employer, and playing secular music are not comparative.

I compare the two because I'm looking at this from the standpoint of a gospel musician who plays music as a living. As a church musician, would I be wrong if I played secular (clean) music to keep food on the table? In this recessive time some of us can just rely on our musical skills to gain employment. I have friends in this situation. All they know is music. In these times people arent just handing out good playing jobs so It only seem right to seek a job with the skills we currently have. I read somewhere that in these times, self employment is the best route to take. Take what skills you have and create work. I know this is slightly changing directions but i feel it still falls under the same subject.

[under13]

I still wanna know why this only applies to music. Should I not be allowed to be a the church photographer if I make a living taking pictures that are not religious? whats the difference?

[FenderJazzGuy]

I still wanna know why this only applies to music. Should I not be allowed to be a the church photographer if I make a living taking pictures that are not religious? whats the difference?

My thoughts exactly. Why is this principal only applied to music?

[ddwilkins]

My thoughts exactly. Why is this principal only applied to music?

Some people feel that they are holier than thou. I'm gonna provide for my family regardless of what anyone else thinks. I use discretion when picking my employment, but if I was a truck driver and could only get a job driving for Budweiser, I would definitely do it.

[floaded27]

My thoughts exactly. Why is this principal only applied to music?

because in many peoples eyes, preaching and music are the only viable ministries.

[dhagler]

i once played Jackson 5's "I'll Be There" at a family function.

I just learned to play that! 

[betnich]

I still wanna know why this only applies to music. Should I not be allowed to be a the church photographer if I make a living taking pictures that are not religious? whats the difference?

And the church bookkeeper, cleanup crew, maintenance, groundskeepers, etc....

Add me to the truth sayers...

[under13]

Still waiting for an answer.......

[Mysteryman]

I still wanna know why this only applies to music. Should I not be allowed to be a the church photographer if I make a living taking pictures that are not religious? whats the difference?

Same difference. You wouldn't make money off of photo shoots for playboy. Would you? The difference is what you are promoting. Nothing wrong with doing good.

[SavnBass]

Was the music they played clean or was it vulgar?

No it was Latin music.. some love ballands.. dance stuff... but nothing "out there" these folks wouldn't do that kind of music...

[Torch7]

I still wanna know why this only applies to music. Should I not be allowed to be a the church photographer if I make a living taking pictures that are not religious? whats the difference?

Quick Question, did you guys actually my post?

Okay here is your answer.  It doesn't only apply to music.

1.)  Like I stated in the post, what makes a Songs a Song is lyrics.  Take any Classical Music Course, and the professor will verify my last statement.
2.)  The word secular simply means, separate from religion.

So, when we speak of secular music being a problem, for believers, it has to do when it separates or is contradictory to your beliefs.  Like mentioned earlier, I don't see a problem with a believer playing music that doesn't compromise the integrity of his walk.

No back to the work analogy.   (See mystery man's post) If you don't feel like reading it.. let me summarize...
I don't see a problem being a Christian who takes photographs... but I see a huge problem with a Christian taking photographs that a pornographic.

Ultimately, what I started my post off with, was "It's between you and the HOLY SPIRIT"....   

ddwilkins,  I feel the "Holier than thou...." comment was a bit far fetched from the tone of this conversation. 

[Torch7]

I'll give you an example from my band.. we have musicians  who were not always Christians.. but they were raised with music.. it is what they do Both are qualified to teach music and one is a fully qualified engineer.. but they had always played in the secular music world.. until one got saved..then through him his wife got saved.. they began playing for one of the ministries in my church.. (We are multi cultural..) and basically were told that they could not play for the church as long as they played secular music.. but again.. this is what they do.. so.. in order for them to play for the church and utilize their gifts for GODS glory.. they have to give up their livelihood? I don't think so...

Again, let me start out by saying... "It's between that individual and the Holy Spirit".. now that I got that out of the way.

Would you feel the same if someone wanted to be a "Praise Dancer", but they were also a Stripper?
How about if they wanted to preach, but they were a devout, Hindu or Muslim?
Should a Gangster Rapper be allowed, to lead the Choir?

These are rhetorical questions, no right or wrong answers...  Just trying to give a different perspective, as to why some Church leaders might, not allow certain people to hold positions in their congregation.

[under13]

Again, let me start out by saying... "It's between that individual and the Holy Spirit".. now that I got that out of the way.

Would you feel the same if someone wanted to be a "Praise Dancer", but they were also a Stripper?
How about if they wanted to preach, but they were a devout, Hindu or Muslim?
Should a Gangster Rapper be allowed, to lead the Choir?

These are rhetorical questions, no right or wrong answers...  Just trying to give a different perspective, as to why some Church leaders might, not allow certain people to hold positions in their congregation.

He said that they were playing clean secular music. So why do you guys always go to the extreme and use examples like porn photos, stripper dancing and Tupac when where on the level of baby photos, Ballet and Miles Davis? In case you havent noticed, we arent talking about vulgar music, but the church still has a problem with it.