Tuesday, 25 November 2008

  • Using Secular Songs at Church: Is It All In The Interpretation?

    Guest post submitted by AngelOfLove21190

    Using Secular Songs at Church: Is It All In The Interpretation?

    Okay, here's one to make you think. As a Christian I was always taught that secular songs were bad, not to listen to them because they put negative thoughts in your spirit. But what about songs that are open to interpretation, or can be changed to fit a moment?

    My prime example is "No One" by Alicia Keys. My young adults choir at church used it in a Youth Explosion last night as a love song to God--with no change in the lyrics. This is not the first time my church has used secular songs for worship--albeit that one before this had been remixed: "Stayin' Alive".

    We've used "I Believe I Can Fly", and even had new lyrics written to "Money, Money, Money" to use for tithes and offerings. 

    My question to you is simple: In your opinion, is it wrong for the church to use secular music like this? Has your church ever done this? I personally love it, just want to get others' feedback.

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Comments (50)

  • MissRobynRenee@xanga

    Oh jeez, that picture of Obama scared the living crap out of me. I almost went blind.

    Anyway... I LOVE when churches bring in "secular" songs... I too believe some can be fitted to the situation.
  • SPASTICxxSARA@xanga

    I think it's all in the interpretation of a church and the state of their hearts in doing so. A mission team came to my church just this last sunday and used non-christian songs to prove a message of being a christian isn't just saying things and doing the opposite. So, that's what I think.
  • sweet_sianara@xanga

    if the context of the song is understood and is applicable there should be no problem. it gives a service a fresh feel and grabs peoples attention because its not expected.
  • Theophilus166@xanga

    I'm not sure it's "wrong" as much as it is cheesy. I cringe a little when people take songs that mean something else and try to apply them to Christ.  If Christ is the supreme Creator of everything, isn't it a bit disconcerting to know that things we say about Him and things we say about our girlfriend are interchangeable?

    I'd also be concerned if it happened a lot.  As Christians, we gather together because we have one thing in common - Christ.  That needs to be the focus of the songs we sing together.   I'm not necessarily opposed to using secular songs, and I don't think it's wrong, I just don't really see the purpose of it on a regular basis.
  • the_caramel_macchiato@xanga

    i think it's awesome. lifehouse- everything is not necessarily a Christian song. awesome ministry opportunity. i think christians need to get their heads out their bums.
  • IMChurchmouse@xanga

    I think it's ok, on occasion.  I hear many secular songs that lead me to good things, so I don't have a problem with it.  But, let's not lose sight of the songs that are directly and unabashedly all about God.
  • jmallory@xanga

    I have found that sometimes secular music can be more worshipful than Christian worship music. Just my opinion of course. We used the Blue Oyster Cult's "Burnin for you." It is about drugs but we made it about God.
    Anyway, you can find truth in everything and that truth is beautiful.
  • AnnabelJones@xanga

    I think that there are a lot of songs that are left up to the individual's interpretation. I know that there are many songs that are not appropriate for church, but there are also others that can be debated upon. I think that God does speak through secular music, and that's a great thing. 
  • DomesticGoddess2582@xanga

    I think that since God made music, for His benefit and for ours, that really if the words and chords are open for interpretation that it's fine. I guess that question could be used for the rainbow as well, Since homosexuals have now "taken" the rainbow to suit their own needs, can we now still use it?

     My church has used "secular" music for praise to God. He loves to hear our voices raised to Him and He ultimately is the one that gives the person the talent to sing, play or write. Whether they use that to honor Him is up to them. But, I think we can use what they meant for their own purpose and turn it into one meant for God.
    I dto was raised to listen to Christian music and was told, not exactly, that Secular music was bad but, that it all has a spiritual aspect to it. Satan was the, Music Man, so to speak in Heaven and he does know how to twist or pervert things that God meant for good into bad intentions. Music filled with words about love love love (Notice I didnt say Love, capital "L") and lust will cause us to think on those things if we listen to it a lot. Just as music filled with hate can cause hatred to rise up in someone or feed the hatred that is already there.
    Music is powerful and I think we can take what satan meant for his own glory, change it and lift it up to God.

  • nicolevw@xanga

    I'll be a dissenting voice/opinion ---- is this just another way that will have the church going farther away from the Cross and the gospel message?   Secular songs - even if you wanted to change it for God - still usually have a "me" focus ....all about what I can give to God, and my feelings and what's in it for me.   I fear that alot of worship in our time is exactly about " what will I get out of it" and way less of  focusing on giving God the glory.  As a musical person, I think we should be focusing on the songs God gave us in Scripture in the Book of Psalms ........they point to Christ and are focused on God.   Even some christian worship music today is self-focused.   Just my .02 cents - not looking to get into an argument with anyone.
  • mamamiya@xanga

    The problem with Christian music these days is that there's no more theology involved in it and it's all emotionally driven. There are so many songs out there that are theologically incorrect and I don't think it's edifying to God, since Christians songs should be a worship song to God. I also don't mind using secular songs sometimes, but the original intention of the song was for a different purpose. i.e. U2's pride (in the name of love)... that song was written for MLK (Martin Luther King Jr.) but people use it as a Christian song... so unless Jesus was shot in April... i don't see how it's relevant.
  • RuthViola@xanga

    @Theophilus166@xanga - good insight


    Personally, I have mixed feelings about this, and I've gotten into an argument with a friend over it before. I think a song that is normally considered secular, used in a worship setting, could bring freshness and connect with people on another level. However, I am more inclined to believe that a secular song used in a worship setting dilutes our worship of God by making our praise "ambiguous." What's the point of singing a song to God that could mean something else, and may in fact be connected to something ungodly in someone's mind?


    I agree with some of the others here that God created music and it should all be used to glorify HIm. But, shouldn't we instead sing songs directly to God, without having to wonder if someone out there gets the connection. I say, be intentional in your worship.
  • chosenandblessed@xanga

    Isn't it wonderful how we can turn something that the world sees as completely irrelevant to the love of God and turn it into something that sings His praises?!

  • NoHeroesForTomorrow@xanga

    Secular music huh? Well... It depends. I dunno, some songs are able to be incorporated into church while others aren't.

    I remember one time my youth pastor chose to do "In the End" by Linkin Park for our drama team. I used to play parts in it, and I thought it was something different from the usual choice of music. The whole reason behind this was to show a contrasting lifestyle of a person without God... trying to find means to fulfill one's self but hence, "in the end it doesn't even matter". It was somewhat depressing though because the main character ends up committing suicide.

    Who's to say that we can't take something that is not of God and turn it around to give glory to him? =)
  • ThepersonwithoutC@xanga

    Personal Jesus?
  • HeadStrongChica@xanga

    I'm not a big personal fan of this, but I think what REALLY matters is how our hearts are towards God in Worship...and if we can sing that song towards Him...*shrugs* I guess...lol. It's not a sin, I'm just not a huge fan of that.

    our church choir growing up remixed "No Diggity" by Blackstreet...the new lyrics were "I like the way you work it, Go Jesus, He can work it out"
    LOL
  • nyclegodesi24@xanga

    I don't think so. I think that worship songs ought to be framed particularily for worship to God. A regular love song doesn't have quite the reverence and sense of submission that a song to God would have.

  • sirnickdon

    There are secular songs?
  • ringostarr102185@xanga

    I don't know, I don't like a lot of covers in general.  They have to be really good for me to like them.  Quite personally, maybe it's just me, but it annoys me more often than not when I hear a song that was originally sung by an artist who is specifically not of the Christian music genre that has been revamp and is now considered to be a Christian song.  I simply change the station. I feel that musicians are creative enough individuals to come up with their own songs, more so if those musicians are glorifying God.  To me, because I know the song was a secular song to begin with, the purpose of glorifying God through said song is lost and I can't focus on its intent.  
  • TheGreatBout@xanga

    All  I know is most "christian" music sucks because it sounds like easy listening soft rock from the early 90's or late 80's. Most secular music on the radio sucks too. Promote truth and beauty. If a song has a good message which is aligned with the teachings of Christ, use it. If it is against the ways of Christ, don't promote it. Simple as that. Oh, and don't use music that sucks a lot. That's dumb.
  • whiteoprah

    I think...we always want to "blend" the church and the world to make the message more palatable.  Not sure that's the answer to the ongoing problem of how to reach to lost.  When I was lost, the last thing I was looking for was more of the world...especially in the church.
  • hubbaduh@xanga

    I think that it depends on the song and the context.

    The biggest problem that I have with it is when a song that is very well known and is likely to have a lot of 'baggage' for people is used.  Trying to use an obvious love song that was written towards a SO and make it towards God can be hard...for me, the whole time it's easy for me to be thinking about the song's original intention.
  • mamamiya@xanga

    @HeadStrongChica@xanga - haha that's awesome! You guys should do a youtube video of that.
  • The_Guitarfan@xanga

    I don't think it's necessarily wrong, but I do think it's absolutely ridiculous.  It's one thing if it's a concert, when it's a musician or band paying tribute to another musician or band (s)he/they love(s), but completely different when it's used in corporate worship (thanks to connotations that come from knowing what the original artist really meant by it).

    I think a lot of worship leaders nowadays (and I say this as one and as one who is friends with several) are as much frustrated musicians trying to live professional careers on the church stage as they are passionate about leading worship (one of my very good friends is very much both of these!) which leads to things like this and concert-y stage lighting, jumbotrons, etc.  But that's a whole 'nother rant.
  • angelbaby12487@xanga

    @whiteoprah - Thank you! That was well said!

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