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Feel Good Christian Music Festival?
(11/15/2005)

I recently attended a small local event which billed itself as the “Feel Good Christian Music Festival” (with the name of the venue added…which I have omitted to protect the guilty). As you might guess by the name, I went to it with some trepidation. However, even I was surprised by what I found.

To give you a tongue-in-cheek “audio vision” of the impression I was left with, listen to the audio file below. Think “Diamond Dave” of the original Van Halen at his wackiest:

Listen to Dr. Feelgood at the First Annual Feelgood Christian Music Festival!

This festival was put together by a group of local churches at a local amphitheater and it featured the “Worship Bands” from their churches. It was a great little spot and for a first time event it had a pretty good crowd (made up mostly of the associated church members and friends of the various bands). It was a beautiful day (even though it got a little chilly as the evening wore on). When we arrived one of the first things I noticed were the banners from corporate sponsors which lined the stage. However, I tried to hope for the best as my wife and I took a seat on the lawn.

Over the course of about 4 hours we heard 5 bands. All but 1 of the bands played primarily secular music. There were a few old gospel hymns thrown in with a blue grass feel and a couple of worship songs, but it was mostly secular songs. Some had a lyric or two changed to make them appear to refer to Jesus or things Christian. It was slightly amusing and sad at the same time. My grief grew as song after song was performed…”Jesus Is Just Alright With Me”…”Give Me That Old Time Rock and Roll”…”Taking Care of Business”…”Free Ride”…”Forgiveness” (by Don Henley)…”Some Kind of Wonderful”…the hits just kept on coming!

Just when I thought I could stand no more, I stood up and there were some of my friends from my last band! It was good to see them and we endured (I mean enjoyed) the rest of the festival together. But even they were surprised by the amount of secular material. One of them looked at me and said, “Man…they must have known you were coming!”

By the time the last band took the stage, it was getting down right chilly. I was pleasantly surprised by the worshipful attitude they displayed and they tried to get the slowly dispersing crowd to join in. Later my wife and I agreed that the only time we felt the resonance of the Holy Spirit with those who performed was during the last act.

I believe that the intent of the churches and their associated bands was to create an atmosphere that would attract non-Christians. At least I hope that was the reason that they chose to play so much secular music and to name the festival “Feel Good.” But it just became a bizarre caricature of the whole “seeker friendly” mindset of today’s church. We have adopted the unscriptural methodology that the best way to save the lost is to be as much like them as possible without blatantly denying a handful of central tenets of the faith. Those core doctrines appear to have been reduced to “Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.” Everything beyond that should be avoided because it might “offend” someone. Instead of the Christian life beginning with conviction and repentance we have tried to have the world accept Christ because it’s fun and it makes you feel good! My question is if they do “make a decision” with this type of approach then what is it that they are deciding? Are they choosing to repent of their sins? Are they choosing to take up their cross and follow Him? Are they choosing to deny themselves by being crucified with Christ or are they choosing to indulge themselves by adopting a “god” who came to make them happy? What happens to these people when being a Christian stops “being fun?”

We need to stop frantically trying to convince ourselves and the unsaved world that we can “have just as much fun as the world does” and focus on knowing Jesus and speaking His message to the world instead of fearfully spouting our own politically correct one. When we choose to obey Him out of a heart that is beginning to understand and love Him for who He is, then His peace and joy will grow in us. But as long as we try to seek after and substitute our own poor attempts to generate “excitement and enthusiasm” we will fail to grow into what He intends. It is the light that drives away the darkness…not darkness driving away darkness. Those who are truly hungry for the truth will always see right through our sad attempts to paint a “happy face” on the cross. They don’t need our superficial “Christianity lite”…they need Jesus.

Jeremiah 6:14-20
“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially,
Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace.
Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done?
They were not even ashamed at all;
They did not even know how to blush.
Therefore they shall fall among those who fall;
At the time that I punish them,
They shall be cast down,” says the LORD.
Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
And I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, O nations,
And know, O congregation, what is among them.
Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people,
The fruit of their plans,
Because they have not listened to My words,
And as for My law, they have rejected it also.
For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from Sheba
And the sweet cane from a distant land?
Your burnt offerings are not acceptable
And your sacrifices are not pleasing to Me.”