Does God Get a Mention?

As I listened to Chris Rice's song "Other Side of the Radio", my thoughts were turned to the well-worn arguments about what defines Christian music. This song received attention because it was well accepted on Christian radio but had no explicit mention of God (apart from "prayer"). There is a perception that the Christian music industry is a cacoon, especially in America, and I can understand that. However, I feel like the question of whether to mention God in songs or not is misfocused. Essentially the question being asked is: how little of God can we mention and get away with it? Okay, I understand the position that much of the Christian music offering can't be taken into bars and seedy venues with blaring mention of God, but that only brings us back round to the essential Gospel message, that there is no ultimate solution outside of God. Simply put, if you would like to make a difference through your music, be frank and admit that God is better placed to change lives than you are.

Truth Gets Respect

In a recent message on tithing, the speaker made particular reference to the general British avoidance of discussing tithing and money in church. It dawned on me that some of the British church decline must be attributed to the failure of the ministry to tell the simple, direct truth. In contrast, I attended the Mighty Men Conference led by Angus Buchan. He tells the truth without refrain, void of political correctness, and 40,000 men loved him for it. I'm not talking truth about the war in Iraq, but truth about what our personal responsibilities are, what crosses we should pick up and carry. For a thousand words of sweet talk, the impression you wish to make on people may be better done with ten choice words of truth that cut to the marrow and set people on the right path.