Churches and Gay Youth: A Response, part 2

16 Tuesday Mar 2010

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The following post is a continuation of Part 1 of this series, which references this news story.

Quoting Lucky Severson:

Pastor Heidi Neumark says that condemnation has led to outright discrimination. She says too many churches have created an environment where it’s okay to bash gays or lesbians or bisexuals or transgenders, known collectively as LGBTs.

In this, I would say that Neumark has a legitimate complaint. The types of jokes I’ve heard at churches, the types of references to gay individuals said with a sneer, even from a pulpit!…these are real things I’ve experienced myself.  This doesn’t mean that everyone who makes a joke or a derisive comment is liable to drag a homosexual behind his/her pickup truck.  I’m not nearly that paranoid.

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Churches and Gay Youth: A Response

13 Saturday Mar 2010

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This news story was brought to my attention by someone who was curious as to my reaction to it, so here are some thoughts regarding it.  As always, I welcome comments on my opinions but I ask that anyone who comments to take the time to watch the story and/or read the transcript at the link already referenced so that any discussion can be useful and productive.

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Remaining Sin

11 Thursday Feb 2010

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Hymn #233 in Village Hymns for Social Worship by A. Nettleton.
By Robert Cruttenden

What jarring natures dwell within
Imperfect grace, remaining sin!
Nor this can reign, nor that prevail
Though each, by turns, my heart assail.

Now I complain, and groan and die–
Now raise my songs of triumph high;
Sing a rebellious passion slain
Or mourn to feel it live again.

One happy hour beholds me rise
Borne upward to my native skies
While faith assists my soaring flight
To realms of joy and worlds of light.

Great God, assist me through the fight
Make me triumphant in Thy might
Thou the desponding heart canst raise
The victory mine and Thine the praise.

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Getting to God sans Jesus

09 Tuesday Feb 2010

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I keep hearing all these awesome things about a guy named Henri Nouwen.  And then a while back  in my RSS feeder, I saw this quote from page 51 of his book, Sabbatical Journey:

Today I personally believe that while Jesus came to open the door to God’s house, all human beings can walk through that door, whether they know about Jesus or not. Today I see it as my call to help every person claim his or her own way to God.

Is anyone else who would consider themselves to be an evangelical a little disturbed by such a statement?  I want to get this book now and give it a good read so that I can hear his whole argument.  If this is ripped out of context, I’d like to see what that context is, because this doesn’t sound much like biblical teaching on this topic (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, etc.).

Short Reflection on Church Music 2

08 Monday Feb 2010

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As a worship leader, I’m continually evaluating the theological merits of songs which we could do at our church.  Anytime I hear a new CD, I spend time reading the lyrics before I ever press play.  Lyrics to hymns like “He Leadeth Me,” “Peaceful Bower,” “As Thy Days” and “How Firm a Foundation” are excellent at communicating the truths of the gospel or truths which result from the gospel…why would anyone ever sing crap?  Because it’s catchy.

People sing “Nothing Is As Wonderful” (an old Vineyard chorus) or even “Hosanna” by Hillsong, where I take real issue with the line, “I see a near-revival coming as we pray and sing.”  What the heck is THAT mess??

“But Dave, it’s only one line.”

Every line counts. Ever notice how a person will remember the one part of a story that’s fictional?  It’s like we’re drawn to repeat lies (intentional or otherwise) like a glutton toward food or drink or whatever makes him gluttonous.  Singing even one line that makes no sense or isn’t completely true is disaster.  This is why I won’t ever do the song “Here Is Our King” by David Crowder, unless it was just the chorus, joined to different verses.  The verses are a mish-mesh of nothing.  Don’t believe me?  Read them and then I challenge you to make actual sense out of them.  You won’t be able to, I promise.

A Short Reflection on Church Music 1

07 Sunday Feb 2010

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In the preface to the 1838 edition of his now-famous hymn collection, William Gadsby began thus:

To be employed with the solemn pleasure in singing the praises of God with the spirit and with the understanding  also, is a blessing peculiar to God’s elect; nor can even they be thus engaged, only as the blessed Spirit influences the mind, and favors them with the unction of his grace.  It is one thing to have the ear charmed, and another to have the heart engaged in this most delightful part of God’s worship in his church below.  “Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound.”

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