I have changed my mind about positive bands with Christians

[brent]

Sometimes what we think will work is not what works. Maybe Rick Warren is not an idiot and listening to the world will tell us what they need (not what they want).

http://brenthandy.blogspot.com/p/behind-music.html

Leave your thoughts if you like.

[executioner]

One thing that bothers me about your comments is when you said "at one time was a Christian band". I've seen a lot of concerts over the years and have seen Skillet 4 times since 2000 and every show they gave a prayer and altar call and also they have a segment in their set list that is just for worship(usually 3-4 songs) that clearly shows their faith and beliefs. They also have an area set aside at every show anyone can go to seek guidance and are given Bibles and also pamphlets and small books on how to become and sustain a Christian lifestyle.
I attended their show last November and served in that capacity after their show and John,Kory, and Jen were all their praying and helping out with people who were seeking help.
The only other artist(that I know of) that consistently has done this was Petra and too be honest Petra didn't do it the last 10 or so years on tour.

[brent]

Understood. What I meant was Christian in the genre sense, as in being marketed only to that market as a Christian band, NOT in the sense that they have changed their beliefs like other bands have. I will edit to clarify.

The point remains. There is nothing in their music that sends a signal to the world that they ARE Christian. So, even if I didn't clarify, the point remains valid in a sense.

I am curious to see how they address this at the concert here in KC.

[gman]

In fairness to Skillet, they do play a ton of Christian festivals and events, and wikipedia lists them as an American Christian rock band; unlike other bands whose entry might only refer to a few loose connections to Christian musicians or the Christian industry.
As to why their lyrics are not more open, I can't really speak to that. I don't know too many of their lyrics, so I can't really evaluate their message. Who their lyrics are directed at would have bearing as well.
It seems apparent to me that the Gospel, for the most part, will not make it in mainstream music or radio. "I Can Only Imagine" is about as biblical as you are going to get on secular radio, and only because it speaks of Jesus and Heaven in a sort of wonderment, and doesn't get into anything else like salvation or condemnation.
It's too bad secular radio never picked up the tradition of playing Easter music like it did with Christmas music. So much good stuff there.

[brent]

I can only imagine is something. It gets played on secular radio all the time. Amazing.

As far as Skillet goes, again, they may do things after a concert that are evangelistic. The comments about the music and the video were made by people who have not attended a concert and had no idea that the band was Christian as a result. Now something else to ponder would be if they think of their music as the candy to motivate kids to ride a church bus to Sunday School, I can almost get that. But, at a secular show, if the Gospel is not being presented, how is it a draw for a good cause? Most people will get help or make a decision when motivated on the spot. It is just like church. If people are left to seek someone out after the service, they probably will not.

All I can say is that I am no longer justifying it. I thought it was useful. After seeing the words of lost people....I think it is convicting.

[neonpachyderm]

I may be coming late to the show, but as a long-time Skillet fan (I bought the s/t album right after seeing the "Gasoline" video on Z-Music)...I don't see any kind of compromise in their lyrics...Savior, Hero, Awake and Alive...all proclaim faith in God. If the world fails to see it, it is only because their eyes are blinded.

[gman]

You are right there. I just saw Skillet at Creation Festival and they mentioned Christ several times during their set. They also referred to the crowd as Jesus Freaks. At this point, there is a world of difference between what I've heard at a Skillet show, and what I've heard at a Switchfoot show. I don't recall Skillet giving out the gospel, but that is not specifically why they were booked to play there. The gospel was given out at other times, to a large crowd eagerly waiting for Skillet's show. Incidentally, one of the larger crowds in quite some time.

[brent]

They played Rockfest in KC and they might as well have been a secular band.

[gman]

They played Rockfest in KC and they might as well have been a secular band.

That's a little disappointing. They don't need to be preachy and alienate the crowd, but they could at least say something like, "we're Skillet, we're Christians who love and follow God, and we're here to rock your face off.".
That's where a band like Switchfoot is at least consistent on matter the crowd.
I can't really judge the heart of the Skillet guys. Maybe it doesn't even cross their mind to say something. If it does cross their mind, and they make the choice not to say anything, that's a problem.

[brent]

Hey. I would never judge a person's heart either. I have just said that I have changed my mind about what I think about Christian bands crossing over to be "positive" bands no longer under the Christian label. I might change my mind again, but for now, this is where I stand: Anyone we interact with should walk away from us knowing who we serve. Anyone can be positive. There are plenty of hell bound positive people with those stupid coexist stickers on their hybrid cars. If a band and it's management feels good about providing their entertainment with no mention of God, fine. For me, I cannot make a song or an album with no mention of God on a horizontal, relational level or a vertical level.