Where can you hear live music? Try a megachurch.
The New York Times shows a healthy respect for its readers' interest in church rock by posting an 8-minute documentary on "The Worship Rock Scene."
Why? Because megachurch bands "now provide one of the major ways that Americans hear live music." The video also points out that churches can be a steady gig for bands in places where they would otherwise have few performances.
High Desert Church in Reno, whose bands the NYT focuses on, has nine rotating bands for three age groups: 18 ? 30, 30 ? 55, and "the classic community" ? those who are 55 and over and, presumably, partial to West-Coast folk rock.
"Each band is carefully calibrated toward the pop culture disposition of each age group," reports Jigar Mehta.
"We have to communicate the gospel in a way that is entertaining so we can tell them the story," says Jeff Crandall, the church's music director and former drummer for the Altar Boys (for a flashback to the '80s, go to minute 5:15).
Steve Wilber, who leads Harbor, the 30 ? 55 worship service, explains that he chooses the music and keeps it up-to-date so that the transition from secular to church music styles isn't jarring.
The video and the accompanying article, while premised on music, linger on prayers. Almost a full minute of the video is footage of the 18-30 band in pre-service prayer.
Dressed in a faded black T-shirt, jeans and skateboard sneakers, [Mike Day] bent his shaved head. "God," he said, "I hope these songs we sing will be much more than the music. I know it's so difficult at times when we're thinking about chords and lyrics and when to hit the right effect patch, but would you just help that to become second nature, so that we can truly worship you from our hearts?"
Posted by Susan Wunderink on November 8, 2007 4:21PM
Comments
I never thought I'd see the day when the Altar Boys got a mention in The New York Times. It took two decades, but I'm glad they finally made it. Pioneers. Mock that 80s faux-punk style all you want, but these guys really were "alternative" in an era when Petra, Amy Grant, Stryper, and Keith Green were thought to be the extent of Christian music. Altar Boys, you are loved. For more of that great video excerpted in the Times video, it's over at YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Ssm4rCmLE
Posted by: Ted Olsen at November 8, 2007
Once again, whiteness rears its ugly head. If you thought that Amy Grant, Petra, and Stryper were the extent of Christian music, then you were totally oblivious to Commissioned, Tramaine Hawkins, Darryl Coley, the GMWA Workshop... in other words, Black Gospel artists. In any given Sunday, in any African American church service, you will hear live music, played well and focused on the Lord.
Hear is great news for those of you that are uncomfortable with the megachurch scene - you don't have to go to one to hear great Gospel music, you just have to be willing to leave the "Vanilla Suburbs."
Posted by: Delwyn X. Campbell at November 9, 2007
Amen to Ted.
Clever writing and great points all.
The Alter Boys and myriad other effects racks driven '2 power chord wonders' of their ilk and era may have been sincere in their efforts, but their musicality was and is very silly and contrived to me. (Kinda like most mega-churches... big on flash and short on substance)
As I used to say at the time; it's not alternative music so much as an alternative TO real music.
I am 'white', but not 'plain vanilla'.
There are brilliant Christian artists of all races; style(s) not withstanding. I think that Gospel music is some of the best quality art available today (not to mention the fact that the lyrics are usually understandable and have intrinsic and eternal value as well, when based on the Word of God)
Note: In fairness, I must say that when I saw Amy with my daughter 20 years ago, her live band was comprised of first rate players.
A small ecclectic sampling of some christian artists who are brilliant musicians by any standards:
Christopher Parkening
Ricky Skaggs
Phil Keaggy
Bryan Duncan
Jubilant Sykes
Allies
Larnell Harris
(Remember Koinonia with Abe Laboreal Sr., Harlan Rogers, Justo Amario, Billy Maxwell, etc. etc.? WOW!!!)
I could go on and on; but no stereotypical, overprocessed, pablum lyric endeavoring to sound clever band comprised of whatever
race(s) will ever qualify as 'great' christian music to me.
Posted by: Vic at November 12, 2007
Did anyone hear Ricky Skaggs Saturday night on a Praire Home Companion?
He and the Whites did a rendition of 'Blessed Assurance' that brought tears to my eyes.
Christian music is getting play to large crowds outside of churches.
Posted by: Charles Burge at November 12, 2007
I didn't get to hear Ricky on Prairie Home Companion,(love that show)but can imagine that it was, as always, wonderful. He's an incredible talent, and by all accounts, a believer.
I think that Bluegrass music lends itself well to christian themed lyrics; much of it having its roots in the American church.
Commonly, artists of that style who make no pretense to christianity in their lives will very often perform 'gospel' music as an accepted and expected part of their reportoire.
Far more unusual to expect a favorable response to an overtly christian hymn or song at a secular 'rock' concert.
Jazz, like bluegrass, has many amazing musicians who also happen to be christians; perhaps like Ricky, who's at the top tier of his field. (Many of these amazing cats are also serving faithfully in music ministry at their local churches every Sunday) Even the greatest critic of the christian faith has to acknowledge the singular giftedness of a brilliant artist...even as that artist chooses to acknowledge the true source of their gifts.
Blessed Assurance...indeed.
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