I Love Cheesy Christian Music

Hey Guys!!

Just got back from Spirit West Coast Monterey, CA (SWC) where we played with the band Chasing Truth on the Jr. High Hyperspace stage. We had a great turnout. We want to thank everyone for coming out to see us. Thanks especially to Mr. T, Roy Pina, Kevin Looker, Ezra Web Radio and our parents (Tom & Sheri), for your support - and most important we thank GOD, for the amazing opportunities to serve HIM!

SWC is a huge three-day Christian music festival where approximately 25,000 people gather to hear their favorite (or not so favorite) bands play. Some people worship, some head bang, and some enjoy the “fair like” atmosphere. We felt humbled and honored to play at SWC. We were scheduled to play on Saturday evening. So on the other two days when ever we met someone we invited them to come out to see our concert… One of these times, Beth approached a girl, who was about 15 yrs. old and said,

"Hey come see us play tomorrow night,"

"What kind of music do you play?" the girl asked,

"Christian Rock," Beth replied.

"Oh, I don't listen to Christian music." The girl responded.

This seemed odd to us, especially since we thought the Festival was a Christian event? OK - so we are a little slow about the whole genre thing - We did not realize it then, but at this event, many of the bands that played there do not like to identify themselves as a “Christian band.” From their own mouths, they say they do not even want to be affiliated with Christian music; but ironically, they are playing at a Christian festival and having their music played on Christian radio stations and making money from it. These bands say that they go mainstream so that they can reach more people, they say they do not want to be narrow minded like Christian bands or “cheezy” like Christian music, yet if you really look at the lyrics of some of these bands, they are written so obscure that whoever is listening can take the lyrics however, they want. We are not downing artists who are Christian and play mainstream music and we are not against Christian bands and musicians who play or listen to secular music. There is a lot of fantastic music out there… We just wonder about the bands who play both sides of the coin, secular and Christian, claiming to be Christian and then continue to trash the phrase “Christian music” their very bread and butter. Confusing? Perhaps, however, how much does one sell out to self-promotion? Many bands write great lyrics, but what’s up with double meanings so that Christians will think that it is acceptable, and so will non-Christians - all for what? The integrity of their music? We have been told Christian music must become all-encompassing but for whose sake? It reminds us of the following scripture in Rev. 3:16 “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Over the past few weeks we have been bombarded by fellow Christians old and young a like who have adopted the “band cross-over philosophy” (as of now the current “Christian fad” goes something like this) “I do not listen to Christian music, nor do I like Christian music it’s too cheesy.” Then these same people go to church to worship GOD and criticize the worship music as being “to Christian“ or complain “that a worship leader is “to Christian” What about singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, to GOD? Maybe what we are talking about is semantics? Have we in the church become so musically prideful we cannot tolerate our own? We understand a person’s right not to like certain types of music, the sound, instruments, tone, lyrics, etc. we understand about analyzing and intellectualizing music. We understand the importance of music theory classes and never deviating from the written note. However, what about the need to serve and worship our Creator - through simplicity - music and singing is just one way to do this… We feel the above music viewpoint is dangerous and is permeating many churches today - Christian bands must take some of the responsibility for this attitude.

To say, “I don’t like Christian music” at church or at a giant Christian concert is an oxymoron. Paul quotes Isaiah in Romans when he says, “See I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” If Christian musicians are afraid to use the name of Jesus Christ and His gospel, they have tripped up. If someone is offended by the word of God, GOOD! Jesus did not come to make people happy; He came to make them holy. Christian music should praise Jesus Christ and exalt Him and not worry about pleasing people. Christian bands who worry about being too Christian need to read 1 Timothy 6 they have, “ a corrupt mind that think godliness is a means to financial gain.” We struggle with the attitudes of professed believer musicians who do not have enough conviction or enough love for our Lord to proclaim His name.


In the last 5-6 months, (after we prayed and fasted as a family) things started to look very different to us as a band, than they did 2 years ago when we seriously committed to this ministry. We have always wanted to be a Christian witness to all people, we wanted people to know who we were, and know our songs. We wanted to play on all the big stages at all the big festivals. We wanted the praise of man, we wanted to be good musically and lyrically - However, in the last 5 months, our attitudes and viewpoints have changed, so much so that it makes us want no part of what we wanted before. At our Worship Revivals, we have seen kids our age cry, falling to the ground, unashamed, adoring our loving God. We have seen people and relationships healed, and older people who would never do more than sing in church, jump and dance with joy out of love for Jesus - We have seen the Spirit move… we have experienced it!

As of now, we have clear direction of what God wants from us. Which is simply to continue to sing about HIM and speak boldly about Jesus wherever HE takes us. We realize that this is going to make us un-popular and people are going to think we are lame for writing songs directly about Jesus and why we love HIM, but that is ok. People can think we are dumb, un-hip, narrow minded, because it is true, we are. We are not here to please people…

The time is coming, and it is coming fast where we all will have to make a definite stand for what we believe in. If you are a Christian, be bold and intentional in your faith, love the LORD and love others.

So stay strong guys, and be prepared for God's power to be seen. It is coming; we believe it with all of our hearts. This summer we have experienced so much - and we are so thankful and humbled by it all. We see God gripping hearts - Something immeasurable is already happening… A worship revolution is coming. People all over the world are going to worship God like they never have before, and people are going to be saved. They will see Jesus and they will believe. We are excited…

Thanks for reading this long letter, please feel free to respond.
We love you guys,


Love B.C-


www.blamelesschild.com

http://www.purevolume.com/blamelesschild