It happened last Sunday – yep – I said publicly that I don’t really listen to K-LOVE. No, wait, I went even further and said I don’t really like the music on K-LOVE. What kind of pastor am I? I thought all Christians were required to love K-LOVE!?!
Well, actually, I DO love K-LOVE. I love the impact they have had in so many people’s lives. I love their ministry. I pray for their Kingdom impact in the world. I love their devotionals and their marketing policies. I love how they give encouragement and help people. I love how so many people I know have grown closer to Christ because of their radio ministry. I love K-LOVE!
I also love jazz music. And some techno, and hard rock, and some hip-hop, and classical. Unfortunately, this music is not on K-LOVE. I don’t blame K-LOVE for not playing all the musical styles that I like – no radio station can play the music that all people want – not even all Christians. Church worship leaders have been trying to tell this to their congregations for years! K-LOVE has to find the style that fits the people they are trying to reach. I can appreciate that, I even listen sometimes – but in general it is not my style. (Most of the music I listen to is mp3’s, not the radio at all – that is because I can’t stand commercials.)
I got an email from someone in the church right after the sermon saying, “I can’t be in a church with a pastor who doesn’t love K-LOVE.” Don’t worry – he was joking! It shows he got the point of why I even brought it up. It wasn’t to offend or put K-LOVE down (I love K-LOVE!). This Hot Topics series has been a call to go back to Scripture, and to have freedom where the Bible gives us freedom. Can you be in a church where the pastor’s musical style is not the same as yours? Can you worship Jesus next to people who vote differently than you do, or dress strangely, or think differently about issues in life? Can we talk about these things in love – but YES talk about them – around the Bible more than our opinions and talking heads?
So here is hoping you can accept me, and we can all accept and challenge each other around God’s Word, as together we follow our Savior – His Kingdom come!
Christian music is an interesting phenomenon. I don’t find the quality of the music appreciably better or worse than secular music, but in the biggest difference is that in secular music, a popular song may be covered or sung by another artist occasionally until years after the songs release, when then everybody covers it. With Christian music, a popular song is covered by a multitude of artists within months of a song becoming popular.
I have found that when it comes to music, Christian or secular, that taste is so individual that it is hard to please everyone… So, you are not alone in the “I don’t listen to K-love” camp… nothing wrong with those who do, I’m just not one of them because when I do listen, I hear the same song over and over and over again by different artists…
Jason – thanks so much for your comments. And it is good to know you accept me! 🙂
I love your honesty! I am glad you are not like me, (I listen to K-love alot.) What would this world be if everyone was the same? How boring I think it would be if we all did the same things, listened to the same things, and even said the same things. The body of Christ has different parts … they are not all the same and they are not supposed to be! I also listen to other venues of music from time to time because I was given a mind to choose by my creator and He still blesses me through all music!
Thank you so much Linda!!