"Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement..."

I'm sure the above title is going to raise a few eyebrows in my circle of friends and associates. But I've been more and more convicted lately, that CCM isn't really that great for us, and we need to be even more careful in our music selections. As promised, I'm going to share some of what I've been learning from a book with the above title that I purchased from Amazing Facts awhile back.

Dan Lucarini, the author, shows how we are to use God's Word as the final authority in our lives, and that includes our choice of music. He starts off by sharing his testimony, a former rock 'n roll music performer, which came with the whole sex, drugs and alcohol lifestyle. Then some caring Christians witnessed to him and challenged him to read the Word of God. He shared how that was enough to convict him of sin and draw him to God. He didn't need rock music, CCM music, or any other entertainment "seeker-sensitive" philosophy to win him. He just needed the truth."

However, when he became involved in the church, he was exposed to a variety of worship styles and also became a worship leader. And this brought him into the midst of quite a bit of conflict between the traditionals and conservatives in music taste (which is still going on today). Eventually he finally began to study and really seek to understand the issues behind the conflict for himself. This book was the result of his search for truth.

First off, he shared how one "seeker-sensitive church" (which basically refers to an evangelistic ministry that focuses primarily on the needs of the person seeking God) was so focused in its efforts to create a non-judgemental atmosphere, that the pastor promoted "God accepts us as we are" philosophy. This goes hand in hand with CCM. Why was this a problem? Because this teaching produces a church that attracts people who want God in their lives, but do not want God to change their lifestyles. Hmmmmm......I've never thought about this mentality being connected with CCM. But keep reading.

We've probably all heard about Pastor Rick Warren and the Purpose Driven Church. Amazingly, his philosophy of music is largely shaping the worship styles in America. And his is a "Seeker-sensitive" philosophy...encouraging people that Church is a place for you to come as you are. He puts it this way in his book.

"We use the style of music the majority of people in our church listen to on the radio. They like bright, happy, cheerful music with a strong beat. Their ears are accustomed to music with a strong bass line and rhythm. For the first time in history, there exists a universal music style that can be heard in every country of the world. It's called contemporary pop/rock."

Pastor Warren continues: "Music sets the atmosphere of the church service, communicates doctrine through singing, and expresses our view of what God is like. The style of music you choose to use in your service may be the most influential factor in determining who your church reaches for Christ and whether or not your church grows."

Pastor Warren's quotes demonstrate how unquestionably important CCM has become as the key to success for the contemporary church. But he gives no biblical basis for attributing such lofty status to CCM - only his opinion.

Let's quickly compare the Traditional and the Contemporary Service.

What is the primary purpose for the Worship service?

Traditional - To prepare hearts for the preaching
Contemporary - To usher people into the presence of God

What tends to be emphasized?

Traditional - The Preaching
Contemporary - The Music

What is the primary motive in selecting music?

Traditional - Does God like it
Contemporary - Do the people like it

What is the secondary motive for selecting music?

Traditional - Do people like it
Contemporary - Does God like it

What is the primary indicator of a successful service?

Traditional - I was really convicted by the Word of God today (Truth based!)
Contemporary - I really worshiped God today (Experienced based!)

From reading, I realized that while an "Experience" is important...it should not be the foundation for our worship or beliefs. Truth must be! And music is an avenue into our minds that actually bypasses our conscious brain, and thus can communicate a message or doctrine (as Pastor Rick Warren so rightly stated) and influence our thinking without our rational thought being involved. Thus, if the music is not good, it has incredible power for evil. But wait a minute, I ask, as do many other readers. Is CCM evil?

Author, Dan Lucarini picks up: The key premises in the CCM industry and mentality is that music is amoral. God accepts all music styles, and no one should judge anothers preference or taste. Any contemporary music style can be used in the worship setting, and God accepts it. This philosophy comes directly out of the popular teaching in most contemporary churches now days that "God accepts us just as we are." That is partly true...He does, but then He changes us and makes us into a new person, and that is what CCM leaves out and rebels against. In fact, when anyone mentions standards or guidelines for music, or anything else for that matter, they are labeled as a "legalist." Thus Dan stresses the importance of people realizing the powerful effect of this teaching and how it neutralizes the proper role of biblical discernment and guideship.

He goes on to stress that, "If you are really seeking to be a Christian and live for Christ, you need to realize that there are plenty of guidelines and judgements in the Bible. In fact, Christ has a definite agenda for our lives and it has nothing to do with staying inside our comfort zone. Discipleship is not a self-esteem journey; growth means change, and change always includes loss, and loss is always painful."

He goes on to state: "Of course there is nothing that we can do to earn salvation. We cannot make ourselves clean enough to be acceptable to God. We must come as we are...but then does that mean we also stay as we are? No! The New Testament clearly teaches that genuine conversion produces a changed - and changing - life. The metamorphosis begins on the inside with a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek 36:26), and as we feed on God's word and offer our very lives to him rather than to the world, our minds are renewed in such a way that we are being transformed into the same image - the image of Christ. (Rom 8:29, II Cor 3:18)."

We cannot come to God just as we are, with our sin unconfessed or ignored or draped all over us, and still expect his acceptance. We cannot drag our favorite worldly music styles, dress and language into church, and expect a blessing if we plan to stay that way.

"Not everyone why says to me, Lord lord, shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my father in Heaven." Matt 7:21

Back to Pastor Rick Warren, CCM advocate: "You do not need a bunch of rules in music, it's the heart of worship that matters!"

But Dan Lucarini counters: "Can the pottery choose how to respond to the potter's touch? Would God be angry with us if we use ourselves as the measure of how to worship him, rather than His Word? Our worship practices have strayed far away from the true biblical heart of worship because we have failed to base our practices on the Word of God and instead have built the foundation on the needs of man. But biblically, the true heart of worship is when we approach God with an attitude of complete submission and surrender. It's not about me, or my way, it's about Him. We have nothing to offer God, but our total devotion and obedience. The true heart of worship is the heart that bows before God and submits to his Word, no more no less."

Dan continues to go on...sharing the background of contemporary, and it's relation to rock and other rebellion driven styles, and then how in Bible times the Israelites tried to pull the pagan styles of worship into their own, and how time and time again it brought their downfall. It's hard to think that CCM could be doing the same thing in our generation, and I admit that it's not been an easy thing for me to be willing to see. Some of my favorite singers over the years have been CCM artist. And to give us all a break, it's not as bad as real rock music right? We're not singing about drugs and sex! But...like Dan points out, "Are we to decide what is best, or is it God?"

There's much more I'd like to share here, but maybe I can convince a few people just to get the book and study the issue out more thoroughly for themselves.

However, before I bring this long epistle to a close, there's a couple more things I have to share.

I've heard from many of my friends and others... "Show me where the Bible says that rock music is evil." Dan shares other such "show me arguments from the hall of fame:

- Show me where the Bible says it's wrong to have a few beers
- Show me where the Bible says I should not smoke
- Show me where the Bible says that I should not get high on marijuana
- Show me where the Bible says it's wrong to spend holidays in Las Vagas
- Show me where the Bible says I should not play the lottery

And the favorite among contempories:

- Show me where the Bible says that we should only use hymns in church

But on the other hand, Dan encourages his readers...

Show me where the Bible says that...

- God is pleased when you chose the same music style as Madonna, Hootie and the Blowfish, and the Dave Matthews Band.
- You should vigorously defend your favorite music style of this world.
- It's ok to use the same music style as the sex and drug culture use
- God waived the "abstain from all appearance of evil" clause just for you!

"Be holy" is a command to God's people that is found throughout scriptures. Personal holiness is demanded by Christ, the Apostles and the entire Old & New testament. Holiness means to be set apart for God from the world. But reality is tough, and the highway to holiness is very narrow as it winds through our culture of sensuality and materialism. Yet as Christians, we are called to walk that straight and narrow path, and avoid anything that even hints of immorality.

In summary, Dan shares a few principles for help in music choices and ministry.

1. Avoid any preference or style that can be associated with evil. (Both in church and in our private lives!)

2. Freedom in Christ has limits. (In other words, everything we do should be both for the good of others and ourselves. If it's not beneficial for all concerned, I should not choose to do it.)

3. Be a builder, not part of the demolition crew! (We should be builders in the body of Christ, not destroyers. Most CCM worship leaders chase the older more conservative traditional Christians away in the name of "change," and this is wrong!)

4. Learn to live by principles and not just feelings. (It should not even contain a hint of immorality - guilt by association - nor should it be offensive to other Christians.)

5. If it's got the swing, it's probably not the best to sing. (Read more background on these styles to grasp why this is sooooo imporant and destructive in music!)

6. Break up the praise band and put away the microphones. (It puts everyone on the same playing field, and takes away the performance aspect while also putting the focus where it should be, on God!)

7. Keep the emphasis on the melody and harmony, not the beat. (Hymns are usually the safest, although some contemporary songs are acceptable, as long as it's not emphasizing a syncopated beat.)

8. Above all, think of who you are singing or listening to music for: Yourself or God! (There is a difference, and there's a reason He's given us instruction to stay away from worldy styles and influences...And it's for our best!)

Hmmmm....that should give us all something to think about and chew on for a few days! Hopefully this summary was as much fun to read as it was for me to write. But more importantly, maybe it will challenge all my reading friends to dig in and study for themselves...what is God calling us to do?? Is the "wide road" really the safest place to be?