What If My Brother-In-Christ is Also a Rock Star?
I just read an [older - Jan., 2007] article about the whereabouts of John James , former lead singer of The Newsboys. This is a sadly painful story on one hand, yet his redemption will leave you feeling great joy and in awe, once again, of what the Lord can do. I pray you’ll take time to read it, if you haven’t already seen it.
I know an article over a year old is not ground-breaking news. However, there was a point in the article that really got to me. John speaks about the adoration, cheering, worship of the fans. The CHRISTIAN fans. And it got me to wondering how that can happen. How we, as Christians, can come to a point where - like the world - we idolize the musician or group instead of enjoy the worship of the One it is intended to honor?
My family has been to a number of concerts featuring Christian artists. We’ve ”met” many Christian performers. We walked a table line for Audio A, Rebecca St. James and a few other big names in Christian music. Been there, done that, have the T-shirts. But I think the most memorable times, for our family, were the times we truly got to spend with these musicians and band members - talking about what God is doing in their lives, and in our lives. My kids spent hours with Pigeon John, Riley Armstrong, and Red Cloud at LifeLight one year. And these performers talked to these kids about God, about where they stood with His Son. We’ve spent real time with Jeremy Camp, the guys from [now defunct] OC Supertones, Scott Kirkpayne. We worked the merch table with Chris and Matt of Sanctus Real - and had wonderful conversations with these guys. When Morgan Cryer came to town, my daughter went to lunch with the pastor’s family [her bff's dad!] and Morgan. He even fixed her hair ribbon - stopped it from ravelling. I remember her saying, “Mom - he’s a real person just like everyone else!”
And that’s the point - these are real people, just like we are. They are fellow brothers-in-Christ. They need the same edification, love and accountability as everyone else. They do not need us to adore them for what they do. They need us to love them for who they are. Now, I’m not saying that every artist and every venue will allow for you to spend time with these people. But where there is opportunity, meet them - love them as brothers. Unless you are a journalist covering the concert, I’m pretty sure you will find they love to talk about things other than their music! That’s what we’ve found.
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Ah, I remember those conversations well. I remember the time we also spent with the members of Skillet in Lincoln. That was when Cory Cooper was pregnant with their child. She wasn’t performing but she was there and talked with Crysta for a long time. Remember we found that The Newsboys do not do autograph lines for their adoring fans. Like the world, I think those who idolize these artist are looking for a little piece of what they have. Much like the secular artists most do not want to take the time to engage with folks. I like how you presented the challenge to love them for who the are. I really like the way you write Rib. Well done.