Thehappychurch's Blog

This week the Bishop tunefully tackles the issue of Christian rock bands…

The Bishop does a solo with his "air accordion"...

Hello congregants,

It has been a while since I have written and for that I apologise. Correspondence on Ask the Bishop has been a prominent issue, as well as dealing with many “in-house” incidents with the Curate and race-relation issues…

I have had one issue that has eclipsed all others recently, however, and this has been consoling Chang Chang (position forgotten) over the retirement of Delirious? For all those who have worshipped -  I mean…er… supported – the band over the years this is a blow. But all “good” things must come to an end.

I wish to briefly examine the phenomenon of Christian rock bands. It has always been confusing to me as to who one is worshipping at their concerts – Is it the band or the Lord? This is not the band’s fault – they’re playing the music, but impressionable youths often get caught up in it. At least now Delirious are no more, there will be some clarity. For Chang Chang, he still has his trinity of Tim Hughes, Matt Redman and Stuart Townend to send him to sleep at night on his i-pod (the “i” is for idolatry here!), but which Christian music idol will impressionable evangelical teens flock to venerate next?

At least when one goes to see a good pagan rock band, it’s clear that you’re there for the music. However, at Christian band concerts it is confusing, as the music is not particularly good and it’s not worship either. The other problem is when pagan rock bands make better music with a better eschatological content than some Christian bands. See below for an example:

To which altar shall I seek refuge? Switchfoot or Slayer? Delirious or Deftones? Phatfish or Pantera? – Oh the dilemma! Who will deliver me from this?! I hear AC/DC and Aerosmith are at the Download Festival this year…! Let’s rock!

The Bishop's unorthodox prayer stance...

That said,  there are Christian artists that the Bishop admires  when they are truly worshipping (and not trying to be a rock band) such Phatfish, Keith Green, Carl Tuttle, Matt Giles (I think he’s the oldest!), Taize, Dominican monks etc., but I have learned of a worrying trend: People want to make worship for the fame and money, even more than in just being a plain rock band. My brothers, this should not be! Eph. 5.19 was not means to be laundered!

In short, either lead worship or just make good music. Unfortunately, it seems that unless you are in THE HAPPY CHURCH worship band,  doing both is sadly not possible.

Bless you,
The Bishop