Over 1,200 Attend Taylor Swift-Themed Service at Historic German Church

"The Church of the Holy Spirit has always been a place of encounter and exchange. That's why a pop-music religious service fits so perfectly," Pastor Christof Ellsiepen told the outlet. "With it, we are giving space to the questions and issues that occupy the younger generation."

Per The Christian Post, the pastor also said that the service focused on the seemingly Christian themes in Swift’s music to address contested topics including women's rights, racism, and gender equality.

Parish Pastor Vincenzo Petracca admitted that Swift recently faced backlash from evangelical leaders due to the lyrical content of her music in her latest album.

"Theologically speaking, she points to the justness of God," Petracca said, adding that Swift's "faith knows doubt and inner-conflict."

"For her, faith and action are inseparable," he said.

The church held two Sunday services featuring Swift’s music, which had an audience that predominantly was young and female. A rainbow banner behind the musicians stated that the church welcomes "all sizes, all [colors], all cultures, all sexes, all beliefs, all religions, all ages, all types, all people."

Although Petracca noted that the church was "built for Gregorian liturgical music and not for Taylor Swift," he shared he was moved by how the modern-pop service was received.
"I stared into beaming faces — and during the song that Taylor wrote for her cancer-stricken mother, many had tears in their eyes," he said, referring to the song "Soon You'll Get Better."

Following the release of Swift’s album last month, some Christians claimed that the lyrics mocked God and Christians.
As Crosswalk Headlines previously reported, evangelist Shane Pruitt urged parents to exercise discernment and reconsider allowing their children to listen to Swift’s music.

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