First of all, let me state that I am not a fan of American Idol any longer. After they decided to leave the voting to the fans and Taylor Hicks was voted #1 I gave up. However, I am familiar with the show enough to speak about it in the context of this question: Is it Biblical for worship leaders (People that lead the worship music set in the local church) to be a contestant on American Idol?
There is a huge influx of Christian worship leaders making a big splash on the Idol scene. Arguably, they are as talented as any other competitor. It’s not on the basis of talent that I pose this question though. It’s on the basis of being a leader within the church and also seeking fame (and subsequently, fortune) on a televised popularity contest.
Not to be judgmental here, but doesn’t it seem as if singing in the church for the Lord isn’t good enough if worship leaders are seeking their shot at fame on American Idol? Can seeking fame and being responsible to lead a congregation of people into songs of worship for the Lord kind of contradictory to each other?
Is it okay for someone that feels called by God and is appointed by the church to lead them into a spirit of worship to drop that while they record a secular CD and go on tour as a musician? Can one be called to lead others into a spirit of worship in the local church and sing secular songs accomanied with fame and money at the same time? Can one follow God & money at the same time?
As a worship leader, one is trained and called to take focus away from themselves and stress the focus be put upon God and Christ. As an American Idol winner, they are only putting focus on themselves. As a star who is being idolized and signing autographs, I think it’s impossible not to let that lifestyle impact and influence who someone is. Does that persona belong in the church?
Imagine if I were to record a CD of songs and market myself a a singer. They weren’t songs of Christ, but instead they were love songs or songs about life. How would the public respond? How would the church respond? Would it be okay for me to play some sermon videos or get some guest pastors to speak to the church while I am off being a rockstar? What happens when my ten minutes of fame are up? Will people look at me as a humble pastor trying to live a life for God, or will they look at me as a rockstar or worst yet, a rockstar has-been?
We in the church are joyful and encouraging of worship leaders that leave us behind in the name of pursuing fame and fortune and accolades for their musicianship. Should we? Are we just giving into pop culture and showing that singing for God should take a back seat when it comes to taking the stage on American Idol?
- Proverbs 22:1 NCV:
Being respected is more important than having great riches.
To be well thought of is better than silver or gold.
Matthew 6:24 CEV:
You cannot be the slave of two masters! You will like one more than the other or be more loyal to one than the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Galatians 1:10 NLT:
Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.
Can one say that they are not trying to seek the approval of people if they are at the mercy of the buying public in order to remain popular and sell CDs and get radio airplay? In essence, aren’t they (and the record companies) marketing themselves and profiting from their work in worldly ways?
I’m not being a crazy zealot here. I’m not protesting against Danny Gokey, Kris Allen, Michael Sarver or Scott McIntyre (all 4 of whom were from this season). I’m just calling some attention to how we are coveting culture and submitting to it. We are glorifying the person and not Christ who shines within them. Make all the arguments you want about being light in a dark world and using Idol as a platform to share the good news of the gospel, but if that were really true, why aren’t any of these worship leaders doing something boldly like donating 100% of the proceeds to a charity or humanitarian effort and calling upon others to do the same? Instead, they have the same haircuts, wear the same clothes, listen to the same secular music, and have similar goals of stardom and advancing themselves just as those in the world do.
Agree or disagree, I do believe that the perspective I have presented does reflect Scripture and should cause us to pause and ask ourselves if this really the way Jesus is calling us to engage in the culture.
