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Notes of Change
(6/15/2005)

A friend recently asked me to evaluate what his band could do to make them more effective for the Kingdom of God. Below are my notes (names removed). I thought that others might find them useful.

Study of the Word and worshiping together as a group should be scheduled consistently just like music rehearsals IF the priority is achieving spiritual victory and not just musical excellence. How can you achieve anything for the kingdom of God if there isn’t true spiritual unity (as opposed to just friendship)? How can you claim the right to teach and lead others spiritually if you’re afraid to do it amongst yourselves? You shouldn’t be afraid of exposing your spiritual hearts to each other, facing your doctrinal differences, and being honest with yourselves and each other as to why you’re doing what you’re doing.
REF: 2 Tim. 2:15, Rom. 15:5-6, John 17:21-23, John 13:35, Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:25, Col. 3:16, Phil. 2:1-2, Matt. 7:4-5

There always seems to be a lot of tension and stress when you are preparing to play (though, admittedly, it’s become less than it was). This isn’t true for many Christian bands. You need to TRULY relax and trust in the Lord (as opposed to forcing a relaxed appearance on top of the tension) IF He has TRULY called you to this. How do you expect to achieve spiritual victory in concert if you’re not abiding in Him (and you can’t abide in Him and be stressed out at the same time)?
REF: 1 Cor. 3:3, Phil. 4:6-7, Gal. 6:6-7, Phil. 4:11, Psalms 37:5

<Band Name>appears to be increasingly leaning towards performing as opposed to ministering. I think part of this is the focus on “celebrity” and “performance” on the part of <Sponsoring Ministry>. Performing focuses on keeping things exciting, stage presence, keeping the energy up, and “being positive.” Ministering focuses on being honest with yourself and others, not trying to be “larger than life,” being humble and compassionate, and giving the unadulterated Gospel and the message that God has given you whether it’s received or not. <Sponsoring Ministry>’s approach appears to be to “wow” them with celebrities and high-energy music and hope that their attraction to their success stories will motivate them to “make a decision” to be like the performers when given an opportunity at the end. They’re not deciding to repent from their sin and take up their cross…they’re making a decision to reach out to the little glimpse of excitement, freedom, and significance which “the show” has brought into their dark prison…they’re deciding they want to be like them! I wonder what would happen if just the whole Gospel (without the lure of celebrity and music) was preached? Probably a lot less people would show up and there would probably be a lot less decisions…but I think the percentage of those that fall away after making a decision would be way less.
REF: Proverbs 16:18, Gal. 6:3, John 3:30, 1 Tim. 3:6, 1 Tim. 6:5, Matt. 3:2 and 8, Luke 24:47, Matt. 16:24, Matt. 7:14

Isn’t what’s being done in the prison ministry just another example of using things of the world as a lure to make what usually ends up being a false conversion which melts away as soon as they get out of prison? Most of the prisoners don’t regret what they’ve done…they just regret having been caught. So they do what they have to so that they can get out of prison again but there is no real repentance. Isn’t that the same sort of gospel that you’re preaching to them? “Jesus loves you and wants to forgive you. If you’ll just acknowledge Him then He can make your life all better and someday you’ll be an exciting celebrity for Jesus like us!” They don’t believe that they’ve really done anything wrong and if they do they think it was just a crime against society. They don’t know that their sins have been primarily against God. They don’t see themselves as guilty before God and they don’t know that their judgment is sure because all you’ve told them is that Jesus wants to improve your life! So when it becomes hard to be a Christian or their life improves then they just go back to their old ways because the only reason they chose Jesus is to improve their life. If it doesn’t seem to be working or if their life is relatively OK without Jesus then they no longer have any reason to keep up the facade.
REF: Matt13:3-23, Rom. 3:19-20,Gal. 3:24, 2 Pet. 2:20, John 3:18

What is the Gospel? Are you not presenting the Gospel at every show? Why would Jesus want you NOT to present the Gospel? These are rhetorical questions. The gospel message as you understand and present it is missing vital portions which renders it powerless. Not only should the band present the Gospel at each opportunity but each member should be not only prepared but eager to share it one on one whenever given the opportunity. If they’re not, they should be willing to be trained. If they’re not willing to do that, then they shouldn’t be in the band.
REF: (see above verses), Acts 20:26-27; 2 Cor. 11:4, Gal. 1:6-10, 2 Tim. 4:1-4, Mark 16:15, 1 Peter 3:15

Major decisions (such as choosing gigs, choosing band members, doing new material or a new CD, etc.) should only be made after seeking and receiving an answer from God in prayer and not just approached pragmatically. Don’t assume that just because it makes sense it’s where God is leading or if it doesn’t make sense that God opposes it.
REF: Proverbs 14:12, James 4:13-16, Isaiah 55:8-9

The desire to play music whether it is in the form of <Band Name> or in another fashion should be surrendered to God with an honest willingness to change or stop what you are doing and have planned in whole or in part if it is God’s will. I get the impression that there is a stubborn ambition to “make it work” and God’s approval has just been assumed and, therefore, is no longer examined or questioned.
REF: 2 Cor. 13:5, 1 Cor. 11:31, Matt. 16:24-25, 1 Cor. 6:20

Secular music…just say “No”…nuff said. (see other articles on website)

Consider the attitudes and methodologies which are currently at work in the band. Project ahead what would happen to them if you became “successful” and what do you see? Are people glorifying God when you play or are they glorifying you? What could you do in your concerts to direct the glory away from you and towards God?
REF: Gal. 6:3 and 7, 1 Cor. 6:20, Matt. 9:8, 1 Peter 4:11, Rev. 18:7

Success (or the lack thereof) has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not God approves of what you’re doing. Too often we mistake His patience and leniency with approval and what works with what is of God.
REF: Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah 53:4, Matt. 8:20, Matt. 13:57-58, 2 Cor. 11:23-27, Rom. 2:4, Nahum 1:3