*face palm* Need some advice here...

[cassie121]

So,

This will probably cause some giggles. It's ok. I completely understand. Anyhow, I'm part of a group called Fish Out of Water. The basic premise is Christians using their gifts to the glory of God. In our case it's specifically Lutheran. Now, we were suppose to perform at my church . NOT during a service. I think it's labeled a "Youth Activity". But it's open to the whole congregation. Well, I erm am a Christian rapper. When some people heard this they became VERY VERY upset about me performing in the sanctuary. I would completely understand except I offered to perform in the family center or the gym. Yet, they are still very bothered. I just don't see the issue here if it is outside of service and I checked all my lyrics there is NOTHING contradictory to Lutheran Doctrine....I really am not seeing the issue other than the typical RAP MUSIC BE THE EVIL sterotype....

Can anyone help me see what the issue is...Especially, considering the pastor and youth leader are completely fine with it.

 

[Archaenfel]

The issue is that you're disturbing their realm of normality.

I wish I could help you, but you've done everything 'by the numbers'. You've checked your lyrics, you've cleared your work with the pastor and youth leader, and you've offered to perform outside of the sanctuary where ( I must confess ) even I would draw the line. I'm traditional, and I don't see Rap music as showing the proper respect to the Holy Sanctuary of God.

You've offered to perform elsewhere, showing consideration to the sensibilities to others. You've done everything just right by my book. I can't imagine what more anyone wants, other than for you do disappear because Rap Music is the unholy concoction of Satan himself to corrupt and destroy the souls of youth everywhere.

Sorry that you're facing such unreasonable behavior. I'm not sure there's much that can be done.

 

[cassie121]

Erg...I don't maybe I am missing something in my lyrics? I really really don't think I am but I'll post them here when I have time to see if you guys see anything pointing toward it contradicting Lutheran doctrine...

 

[Studeclunker]

Yes, well... Lutheran Pietism lives on. It's obnoxious, obsequious, and just plain irritating. Also, one finds it in the most surprising quarters.

Don't you all know that a Rap performance will lead to open rebellion in the Sunday School, introduction of (gasp) Westlian Doctrines, and DRUG USE! These things must never be allowed in the church, no matter what argument is used to justify them! Heavens, next thing you know they'll want a rock band performing in the Children's services! Everyone knows that Rock-N-Roll leads to sex, drug use, and alcoholism. Pop music is on the top of the list of no-nos as far as the youth are concerned! Good heavens! Someone might be moved to suggest that the children might actually be enjoying Sunday school!

 

[cassie121]

^OH NOEZ WHAT IF THEY FIND OUT WE LISTEN TO THIS DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL?!?!?! YouTube - Represent-Lecrae(With Lyrics)

 

[RadMan]

So,

This will probably cause some giggles. It's ok. I completely understand. Anyhow, I'm part of a group called Fish Out of Water. The basic premise is Christians using their gifts to the glory of God. In our case it's specifically Lutheran. Now, we were suppose to perform at my church . NOT during a service. I think it's labeled a "Youth Activity". But it's open to the whole congregation. Well, I erm am a Christian rapper. When some people heard this they became VERY VERY upset about me performing in the sanctuary. I would completely understand except I offered to perform in the family center or the gym. Yet, they are still very bothered. I just don't see the issue here if it is outside of service and I checked all my lyrics there is NOTHING contradictory to Lutheran Doctrine....I really am not seeing the issue other than the typical RAP MUSIC BE THE EVIL sterotype....

Can anyone help me see what the issue is...Especially, considering the pastor and youth leader are completely fine with it.

All depends if you are doing it for the glory of God or for self recognition or just plain shock value. You might want to check your motives.

 

[cassie121]

^for the glory of God. Shock value? There isn't any. Christian rap is pretty common place now. Perhaps not as much as in the Lutheran church but I mean 70% of the music at the local youth rally was Christian Rap. Self-recognition is pointless. We all are scrum. God changes that. Without him everything is quite pointless. So, why would self-recognition be wanted.

 

[Archaenfel]

Lighten up, Rad'.

Rap is nothing. If she wanted to do something for shock value, we'd be hearing about a Christian version of Rob Zombie. We're talking about Rap: a form of urban ( as opposed to urbane ) music which is enjoyed by the 13-30 crowd.

Ok: so I personally feel that 80%-90% of the rap stuff that is out there should be given the Great Porcelain Swirly. Other people don't feel that way. Cassie wants to perform in a format in which even I would say is appropriate - and I've made it clear that I hate Contemporary Christian Services.

If her lyrics are Pastor Approved (tm), then I think it's fair to say that they are acceptable as far as content. Maybe she just wants to sing for the joy of singing; who cares? If she's put in Christian content - so much the better.

Cassie: don't fight so much as to cause an uproar, but don't just give up. You've got a right to express yourself too.

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Christian rap? Why not just listen to regular rap, it's so much better! Just replacing b**** or ho with Jesus does make the song morally better, but most contemporary Christian music is horrendous, and probably the main reason I would never want to live in the South. Ever.

 

[Edial]

Well ... let's forget the lyrics for a moment.

When one hears a performance, the music what registers in one's head and heart. Lyrics are secondary.

Rap in itself (technically and generally speaking) is not music, since definition for music is that it must have a tune, melody.
Some raps do have some melody in it (very little), yet mostly it is the beat that attracts.

So, the beat of the rap is what people hear with their ears and heart and react accordingly.

Without question, rap started off with a bad reputation.
So, people associate this music with bad things.

Also, some people see rap as loud, demanding, also rude and arrogant .
Forget the lyrics for a moment.
Heart hears no lyrics.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[BigNorsk]

I've long thought that rap music represents a form that has a lot of potential for use by Christians. Sort of a modern Gregorian chant.

 

[RadMan]

Lighten up, Rad'.

Rap is nothing. If she wanted to do something for shock value, we'd be hearing about a Christian version of Rob Zombie. We're talking about Rap: a form of urban ( as opposed to urbane ) music which is enjoyed by the 13-30 crowd.

Ok: so I personally feel that 80%-90% of the rap stuff that is out there should be given the Great Porcelain Swirly. Other people don't feel that way. Cassie wants to perform in a format in which even I would say is appropriate - and I've made it clear that I hate Contemporary Christian Services.

If her lyrics are Pastor Approved (tm), then I think it's fair to say that they are acceptable as far as content. Maybe she just wants to sing for the joy of singing; who cares? If she's put in Christian content - so much the better.

Cassie: don't fight so much as to cause an uproar, but don't just give up. You've got a right to express yourself too.

I'll stand by what I said. If it is to be "cool" or self glorification then it needs to be re-examined. I could take a bunch of head bangers and accomplish the same thing.

This is not a reflection on you Cassie it is a reflection on anyone that wants to perform.

 

[Fenstermacher]

Well, Rap may not be evil but it is bad; not morally bad, but aesthetically.

Maybe that's what they're objecting to.

 

[cassie121]

Well ... let's forget the lyrics for a moment.

When one hears a performance, the music what registers in one's head and heart. Lyrics are secondary.

Rap in itself (technically and generally speaking) is not music, since definition for music is that it must have a tune, melody.
Some raps do have some melody in it (very little), yet mostly it is the beat that attracts.

So, the beat of the rap is what people hear with their ears and heart and react accordingly.

Without question, rap started off with a bad reputation.
So, people associate this music with bad things.

Also, some people see rap as loud, demanding, also rude and arrogant .
Forget the lyrics for a moment.
Heart hears no lyrics.

Does this make sense?

Thanks,
Ed

And, I could understand that argument if they hadn't ASKED for Fish Out of Water to perform there. Where they aware there were several rappers? Apparently not. But shouldn't they have checked us out some more than before just asking us to perform and then freaking out over having rappers in it?

 

[RadMan]

We are to be in this world and not "of" it. We are strangers in a strange land. An alien landscape.

 

[Edial]

And, I could understand that argument if they hadn't ASKED for Fish Out of Water to perform there. Where they aware there were several rappers? Apparently not. But shouldn't they have checked us out some more than before just asking us to perform and then freaking out over having rappers in it?

Well, apparently it never even entered their mind that the "Youth activity" program includes rap.

All I could say is this.
If your Pastor sees no problem with it, the issue that the objecting congregants have is really with him. Not you.

What does he say?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[BigNorsk]

I think it's quite possible that a misunderstanding is taking place.

The people heard about the group and asked them to perform.

Then when they hear there will be rap music there are those who are opposed.

Well they didn't hear the particular music nor does it sound like they read the lyrics or anything.

So it sounds likely that they are opposed to what they think is going to happen, not necessarily to what really would happen.

I would try to talk to them and find out. And it might be helpful to post or present the lyrics beforehand. Part of the reason for that is those who are opposed are likely not to come and hear for themselves.

They likely think that a bunch of gangsters are going to come and glorify drugs and murder and a whole assortment of things.

But it's all speculation unless you talk to each other.

Marv

 

[LutheranHawkeye]

Why do artists feel like they need to make a music 'Christian'. Music is a gift from God, so essentially all music is Christian, unless it is blatantly against Christianity. So why say Christian rap when you could just say rap...why distinguish it? Why label it Christian when you could give it the proper title of just Bad Rap...lol.

 

[Fenstermacher]

Why do artists feel like they need to make a music 'Christian'. Music is a gift from God, so essentially all music is Christian, unless it is blatantly against Christianity. So why say Christian rap when you could just say rap...why distinguish it? Why label it Christian when you could give it the proper title of just Bad Rap...lol.

Reps

 

[BigNorsk]

Why call it rap, or rock, or county, or contemporary, or pop, or rhythm and blues?

Why not just call it music?