Should We Sing Secular Songs in Church?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Clive Billenness on February 22, 2010 at 7:00am

There is a specific exclusion in all licensing regimes to permit the use of music during worship, so there is no problem over playing something

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Permalink Reply by Colette Yallop on September 6, 2008 at 7:49am

Hi , i love some secular music like bangles and many more, I grew up singing along to the radio as a little girl. I would consider using it in church as an outreach changing some of the words a little.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Dwyer on September 6, 2008 at 8:04pm

Colin,
I respect your opinion but I vehemently disagree. First off, music is amoral, neither good nor bad. Secondly, Satan has no power to create anything, music included. There are influences that are evil in regard to secular music but there are good influences in secular music as well. The statement you wrote concerning the use of "satan's music in church" just doesn't hold water. I believe, and this is my opinion, that one can be holy and take full advantage of the arts in worship in it's many forms. The key is to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The way the Holy Spirit leads one person varies greatly from the leading in another. This is one of the reasons why we have so many different churches and so many different models. We are a big loving family with many personalities.

Said in love as well, from a life long musician, singer, songwriter, and veteran worship pastor.

God bless,
Mike.

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Permalink Reply by Shezz on September 7, 2008 at 1:39pm

Hey Colin

Thanks for your reply. Firstly, i don't think secular = satan. There are plenty of secular songs out there with a perfectly good decent message even though they're not 'Christian songs'

I agree that some music can be particularly 'evil' but that is definitely the minority.

For example, one of the songs we play is 'Everything I do' by Bryan Adams. Isn't that a cool song to be singing to God?

I also do believe that as Christians we are called the light of the world, so we should be reaching into the darkness to illuminate it. I don't believe drug addicts and atheists and satanists are any less important than widows and orphans. Don't they need to be touched perhaps even more?? I believe as Christians we are called to reach to all those who don't know God. If we do that in God's name He will protect us from being polluted by the world i think.

I think if we make ourselves 'exclusive' we are only shutting out those who need us most. We need to go out there and use the tools God has given us, music being one of them, to bring people to Him. What does it matter if the song isn't necessarily a Christian one? We can still use it to praise God and to draw others to Him.

Thank you for your comments. I am glad to be hearing how everyone feels about the topic.

God Bless
Shezz

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Permalink Reply by Junjie on September 7, 2008 at 2:46pm

Maybe we could clarify the discussion a little further so that we can talk from the same page.

When we talk about secular music in church, there are a few areas it could crop up:

1) praising God
2) evangelistic concert
3) special events to which the pre-believers expect a churchy-type environment, like a wedding or a funeral.

Any others I missed?

And when we look at these specific areas, do we need to clarify our position a little further? :)

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Permalink Reply by Shezz on September 9, 2008 at 10:50am

Hey everyone

This has turned into a very interesting discussion :)

I think one of the main things here is the difference between praise, and worship. Agreeing with Ryan that worship is to bring the people to focus on God and to prepare them for the message. So secular stuff perhaps not a great ideathere.
But for just joyful praise i think there's no problem with playing secular stuff. As long as you are doing it for the right reasons and actually praising God through it. And not playing only secular stuff.

It is true that its not necessary, but why not do more than whats expected? I see no harm in it if its for the right reasons.

We are also very youth orientated, which means we do a lotta praising.

(",)

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Permalink Reply by Junjie on September 9, 2008 at 4:00pm

My thoughts? The only time I can see some potential benefit for the use of secular songs is during an evangelistic event. It's like a sales thing, you use it to build rapport with the pre-believers, then take them with you on the journey that ends with meeting Jesus. "In the End" by Linkin Park is great for expressing the general pain and despair in a Christ-less heart for example.

My concern is about what the pre-believers may think. If we use this type of music to bring them to Christ, they may assume it is ok to keep such music as a large part of their listening after they turn to Christ. And I don't think that's a good idea at all.

My thoughts, for what they're worth... :)

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Permalink Reply by Junjie on September 22, 2008 at 6:30am

For me, personally, I'd limit my consumption of some of my fav secular artistes because of the hidden subconscious impact it may have on me. I remember when I first started gigging in Chinese pubs, and the lyrics, though of great artistic value, was some of the most negative stuff I ever came across in my life.

It was frightening how quickly my life went downhill from there. I spent loads of time detoxing my mind (you can read my blog on that) to get myself back to normal again. So I don't think it is a good idea. "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial..."

Yeah, so from the Art vs Propaganda angle I am a Propaganda guy. Might as well admit it... :)

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Permalink Reply by Dawn on September 9, 2008 at 3:57pm

The Bible clearly states that anything not of God, is of the devil's.

Also,
"secular music shouldnt have a stand in worship..
cos.. the heart behind the creation may have been totally wrong!
it wasnt dedicated to God..
tho some may state that the heart that changed the song, is for God, so thats all that matters..
sounds like how Jesus took our sins away and made us whole again..
but.. i prefer leaving my secular music seperate from my worship to God.. C:"

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Permalink Reply by alekx huang on September 9, 2008 at 4:08pm

well.. the way I see things falls like this:

Worship and praise are to edify and glorify God. The heart behind secular songs didn't have that purpose, in fact some, even if they sound great, are dedicated to demons/the devil himself.

Some will say that the heart that changed the songs, adapt it for praise, will change the whole song and be able to dedicate it to God. Just like how Jesus took our sins away and made us whole again. My question is: Did God direct you to change someone elses tunes/lyrics to suit Him? I would think He wants us to come up with praise and worship from the depths of our soul. Not just adapting from other peoples lyrics. C:

Besides.. with regards to secular being not ALL bad. Yeah.. it isnt all bad. But the devil CAN and WILL insinuate thoughts into minds (especially unprotected ones). So who is to say that a seemingly innocent secular song wasn't started by the devil?

The devil was afterall a 'musical' instrument before he turned against God. God fashioned him such that his body was to make music to glorify God. And since he fell, im pretty sure he's been trying to use music against God. Who's to say that using secular music in praise and worship isnt something the devil wants? Songs sung have great power. If not careful, unwanted influences may be introduced into the church body. And the 'pathogen' may be harder to get rid of than it was introducing.

just my 2 cents. C;
and i wont reply to 'vehement' replies.
Be gentle as a lamb.

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Permalink Reply by Shezz on September 9, 2008 at 5:19pm

Thank you everyone for your comments.

This is indeed opening my eyes to how people out there and in the congregation may feel and respond to what we are playing.

The Bible does say we should question and examine everything so thanks for giving me something to think about with regard to growing my ministry (",)

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Permalink Reply by TJ Tamer on September 10, 2008 at 12:57am

Hey shezz,

Before we go off the deep end in this conversation let us remember one thing. We are not at worship for enjoyment or good times. We are at worship to worship the RISEN SAVIOR!! The word worship as you all probably already know comes from the word in greek meaning "worthship". We are gathered together to give the glory to God. I also think we should point out that when we speak about worship we aren't just referring to music as this blog is implying or at least leaning towards. Worship is our lifestyle as Christians. The music is an expression of our worship and I believe it is often associated with worship because it is an easy way to express our feelings and thoughts about God and to God. I think it is important that we do not separate the worship we have through prayer, the giving of tithes and offerings, the preaching and hearing of God's word, the reading of God's word, and of course music.
I also think it is important that we realize we are obviously talking about the lyrics and not about the music. Because music does not have ownership nor can it be claimed as secular or christian. The tune may be recognized as such but there are both Christian and secular songs built off of the same chord structure and melodic tune, so what we really are concerned with are the lyrics.
I personally believe that secular songs should not be played because of the intent with which they were written. Our songs are written to give glory to God or in some way edify the body of Christ, while secular songs were not written for that intent. For example, lets say Blink 182 or Weezer or someone like this or even worse wrote a beautiful song about love. The lyrics depict greatly unconditional love and affection and can be used to speak about God's love for us or our love for God. The problem with using is that when we play someones music we are basically agreeing with their music in my opinion. To play their song says that even though this one song is great the rest of their songs curse and speak of inappropriate things and we shouldn't associate that with the way we are worshipping God.
I think there is nothing wrong with playing the tune of sweet home alabama, or free bird in certain circumstances to pump up a crowd or for other such occasions. But using secular music in church to speak of God seems like a conflict of interests to me. I also understand that non Christians can recognize the tune and make them less uncomfortable but I also believe that there are better ways to do that.
When we go to church we aren't going for us. We aren't going to be entertained or have a blast. While those things may happen we are going to worship the Lord. Our purpose in life is to worship God and show him glory, and give him glory in all we do. To present our bodies as a living sacrifice because this is our spiritual act of worship says Romans 12. So before we got all distraught and talking about silly things lets remember that music is just one avenue of worship. Before we call all secular music "Satans Music" lets realize that there are good secular songs and even secular artists who are Christians.

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