Comments on: A Fun Opener

By: Timmy

Timmy — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:07:12 +0000

Acts 17, Paul reasoned with the Athenians (a group of people who worshiped numerous idols) by citing the idol who was an “unknown god.” Paul said let me tell you who that is. This idol was probably worshiped and had unthinkable sacrifices laid at it’s feet. Yet, Paul still used this as a bridge between the gospel and the Athenians. It would be one thing if Viva la Vida was followed by a One Republic Song and then a Miley Cyrus song and then followed up by a feel good message. But it wasn’t, it was a transition. This is a Coldplay song, one that doesn’t advocate sin in anyway and probably kids think about Heaven when they hear it. You can tip the scale both ways, we can bring in outsiders and expect them to understand everything that’s going on without explanation or we could the opposite way and be so relevant that students think they’re at a feel good pep rally. There needs to be a middle ground somehow. High Schoolers are nervous and insecure to begin with. I can’t imagine what’s going through their minds when they step foot in a church. If God’s word is presented with integrity, I’m not at all worried about a Coldplay song to calm the nerves of young outsiders.

By: Teekasingh

Teekasingh — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 07:49:17 +0000

Hi there, a very interesting website ;) Will be looking forward to more :D

By: Elyse

Elyse — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 18:56:35 +0000

Wow. There are so many thing I agree with and disagree with on here that it would take me way too long to write, so all I have to say is this: The fact that people are so on fire about singing a secular song in a youth ministry group is a waste of God’s precious time.

A good friend of mine once said to me “Jesus doesn’t need defending, He is the son of God”. As long as we are speaking the truth to our students, loving the sinners the SAME as our brothers and sisters, reaching our gentle hands to the unbelievers and making meaningful relationships so they can learn from our actions not only our words we are furthering the kingdom of God.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 04:02:33 +0000

We regularly use secular songs in our youth services and our youth love it. They immediately relate to it and it helps them feel like maybe christians aren’t as wacky as they thought they were.

I struggle to clearly define what is “secular” and love that God’s truth is sprinkled all throughout our world. I think most people are on a journey of finding some kind of truth and many songs played on the radio express this.

Loving these resources and ideas you guys provide Thanks a tonne!

By: Lauren

Lauren — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 20:43:46 +0000

Hi,
I am a teenager who’s interested in leading worship for my own youth group. I honestly think that your youth group starting out with a secular song is brilliant. I mean, when you think about it, where teenagers most comfortable? In their own home with their own stuff and their own music. So when you get a new student, you don’t want to start out with people singing about the blood shed of Jesus Christ because, quite frankly, that would freak me out if I weren’t a Christian and knew what that meant. But when they hear a song they actually know, it loosens them up a bit and makes them think “hey, maybe these people here aren’t like the other Bible Thumper’s.” Because really, youth group isn’t made for the “churchies, it’s made for their non-Christian friends to have a little fun with their Christian friend, learn a little bit about Jesus, and hopefully make connections that will lead them to a walk with Christ. You can start singing the more intense hymns in Teen Church or Sunday School with the people who are very deep with their relationship with Christ, but save it for then and only then. Because when you think about, the new students really aren’t going to care about the people on stage playing music or what the song is about unless they can relate to it. So my opinion is-that’s a genius idea.
Keep on singing.
Lauren

By: John

John — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:01:15 +0000

My goodness… what ever happened to “exalting” Jesus, and He “would draw all men to Himself.” Not trying to throw stones at anyone, esp. since I wouldn’t know who it was aimed at anyway (but that’s beside the point); I think this is where “We” the church have lost our focus. We’ve taken the work of convincing out of the Holy Spirit’s hands and have embraced a “Spirit-less” approach to reaching the lost. Why are you even afraid about unsaved folk freaking out because you’re singing Christian songs? While you’re at it, why not preach – not from the Bible – but some other book, just so your hearers don’t get freaked out by the Gospel. God has given us much – by way of His anointing, the Word, and the Spirit; let’s use what He gave us, and not lay it down to utilize man-made ineffective tools that make no eternal difference in anyone’s life.

By: Travis

Travis — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:10:00 +0000

Amen i totally agree with shawn trevor and sarah….My name is Travis and i am also a worship leader.. Our God will not be confined to anyones Box so stop trying to shove him in it… hes too big and wont fit!… im reminded of the song God Speaking by mandisa… it says He’ll do and he’ll use what ever he wants to , to tell us, i love you… he can use a song a movie a book anything… it doesnt matter if its secular… in the bible it talks about God going as far as to speaking through a Donkey.. thats my view on this… ill leave all of you with this… in the end do we not serve the same God. don’t let your views divide you.. thats what the enemy wantss, to divide us , the church… God bless =]

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 18:09:44 +0000

I think that this is a creative way to start worship. I disagree with the statement that secular songs cannot worship God. Just look at the lyrics for Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol.Often times I feel that “those three words are said too much , They’re not enough”. I feel at a loss for words and struggle to express my love for my Father. Also, when life gets crazy, I feel better to just manifest myself in his presence and “forget the world”. Worship is not about the lyrics, because words cannot even grasp a millionth of what should be said to our God. What makes worship is not music either, but it is your state of mind and your heart. If you look at the reason why the song Heart Of Worship was written was to show that worship is all about your heart and NOT about music. If you can worship and love on God through a secular song then go for it. God is not limited to work through only hymns or Christian songs. Our God is so mighty and amazing He is able to work through anything. Man’s biggest mistake is to limit God.

By: Mark V

Mark V — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 22:34:20 +0000

As a youth group leader myself, I have to say this is the worst youth group meeting I could possibly imagine.

This is 100% about the ego of the youth leader. His singing is not good so he should have gotten a student to sing it if this was really about “making kids feel comfortable.” But I’m sure he figured he has to sing the song because it was his idea (and it wouldn’t feed his ego if a talented student sang instead).

The supporters of this approach paint such a black and white picture of outreach. Either you’re singing Coldplay or you’re handing out Barth’s Church Dogmatics. Those are the only 2 options right? How about teaching Scripture in an engaging way and placing some faith that the Holy Spirit will inspire students to commit their lives to Christ? That’s not gimmicky, it’s not out-dated, and it has worked for the last 2000 years.

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:27:09 +0000

To Yvette,
you didn’t understand what he was trying to do. You can’t just hit someone across the head with the bible and hope to God that they will be saved. If you read in John 3, you will see how Jesus talked to Nicodemus and tried to explain how to be saved. Nicodemus was confused, so Jesus had to explain it in a way that a Pharisee (Nicodemus) would understand. And if you knew, a Pharisee was also a judge, someone who deals with politics basically. He didn’t understand Jesus with his “spiritual” talk, so he talked as if he was a judge also. What im getting at is, is that Jesus comes down to our understanding and speaks to us in a way that we understand. If you speak Japanese then he will speak in Japanese. So if you listen to nothing but secular music (which there is secular music that isn’t bad at all) then God will use that to bring you in. Last time i checked, God uses bad for the better of his Kingdom. So yeah, maybe God had to use a guy singing Cold play and throwing cheeseburgers around to get someone’s attention.
Also, i just simply love how you people think that singing Cold Play is a sin that deserves death. (sarcasm)