Ten days ago, I opened the discussion about one of the most tricky - and potentially divisive - questions that abound in Southern Gospel music: is it ministry or entertainment? If you'll recall, I admitted that I thought it could easily be both.
After soliciting your thoughts, the floodgate opened and during the past week or so, I've been intently watching as readers have offered their comments.
Let's read what some of you had to say ....
I'm with the group who believes it can be both. In a day and age when it seems anything can be performed on a stage or tv (violence, porn, alcohol abuse, drugs) our world needs "good clean entertainment." This could be the reason a person will attend a concert. It could be at this very concert this person attended just to see good clean entertainment, he/she sees a real need to accept Jesus in his/her life. Or, because of a testimony of a group member, a person's spirit is lifted and is able to make it through the week. Also, in this day and age with all the technology available, we have become a world of entertainment. If a person is entertained and having a good time, he/she is more apt to listen to the words that are being shared either in song or testimony. Someone will be blessed. God can use anything to touch a heart.
Jeff
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Here is the opinion of a bass singer that is a 70 year old man in a 23 year old body. First of all, I was raised old-fashioned so I understand the fact that things have to be a certain way and youmay be stiff as a board. But if there is not some entertainment in the ministry, then who wants to listen to it? I like the old fashioned 4-part harmonies and the sounds of the 60s, but wake up ladies and gentlemen - it is not the 60s anymore. Hello!
Young people are not the same as they were and you ain't going to get them with a hayride or a weanie roast. Because there are parents that send their children to the beach by the groves, you have to entertain then and then put ministry into it ... Someone needs to stand up for the young. Romans 14:16 says "Let not your good deeds be evil spoken of." So if you get on stage and have a good time while spreading the good news of Jesus Christ, there is no debate because there are not two sides: only ministry. Some just do it differently than others.
Jordon
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I agree with you 100%! I believe it is both ministry and entertainment. The groups I have seen make you laugh as well as lift up Jesus! I usually leave a concert encouraged and ready to face the challenges of life. The most memorable concert I ever attended was with Greater Vision, who kept the crowd laughing the whole night long, and still presented the Gospel message! Everyone left the place with smiles on their faces and new songs in their hearts! So, to the groups, I say keep on keeping on because you never know who you'll reach for Christ! You've made a difference in my life or I wouldn't attend Southern Gospel concerts! Plus, anyone who travels such long distances with the same people EVERY weekend is either crazy or God has placed a special calling on their life!!!
Kim
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Way to open a can of worms. Here's what I think about it.
Southern Gospel music is entertainment for church people. What I mean is that if you're secure in your conviction, then that's all it ought to be. You came out for a good, clean, sometimes entertaining, and fun night, and that's what you should get.
But before you hang me from the tallest tree around, hear me out.
Church isn't for "church people." Grandma dressing up in her best clothes, sitting in the same pew everyday, and cooking 300 of her famous side dishes for the homecoming won't make her anymore saved and won't make those around her any better off. Church is for the homeless bum on the side of the street, the hooker, the drunk, and the hopelessly lost. Churches need to open doors for those people - not Grandma - because they need to hear the message.
Southern Gospel should take the same approach. Each perfomer should go on stage with entertainment in mind. There is no point in trying to save the saved. If something you say or one of your songs reaches someone, way to go! But let God do the heavy-lifting, and don't shove your ideas down someone's neck, because odds are, they think slightly different than you.
This is why I have no problem seeing groups with different hairstyles or more modern clothes. The average American is scared to death of the stiff, unforgiving ways of the church, and haughty-taughty Gospel socialites. If Gospel artists have to lead someone into thinking they're simply being entertained, then so be it. And no, this isn't conforming to the sinful ways of this world; it is opening the doors for people who may not have the courage to push them open themselves.
Think entertainment, and then mabe you plant a little seed that will someday burst and grow. But don't make it your goal to save every person in an audience right there on the spot, or to get all the little old ladies crying. You just need to be the bridge that connects the world to heaven.
Allen
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I have a regional Southern Gospel quartet and believe me, the focus for us is on ministry. The key word is focus. Unlike other forms of music I believe Southern Gospel travels a thin line between ministry and entertainment. However, most ministries, even evangelists, seem to tread the same fine line. You cannot minster to people effectively if you cannot keep their attention. The use of antics, jokes, funny stories, etc., allow you to keep people listening thus allowing the message to get through. At least that's the way I see it.
Toby
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I believe it is both. The words of many songs minister to those listening. The group members take time to talk to fans, listen to their life problems or concerns, take time to pray for them and also encourage the fans. While on stage, the group members also point out the REAL reason they are singing and that is to share the gospel message of Jesus Christ and that He came to save the world. In that process, they entertain with jokes or stories that make us laugh. I wonder how many people question a pastor that adds humor to his sermon. The pastor is there to share a message but will keep the congregation "entertained" in the process to maintain their attention. It seems we as Christians sometimes think that ministry is all serious and that we cannot enjoy it and have a little fun in the process. I believe when we go to church, concerts, etc. expecting a blessing God will not let us down.
Laura
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I totally agree with you. I have felt the call of God on my life to sing southern gospel music. Yes it is entertainment, but it is soooo much more than that. It is ministry to a great degree. I am not looking to be put in the spotlight. i just want God to be glorified and people to be touched by His amazing love and forgiveness. I think this is a great topic to be discussed. So many people think it's bad for their to be entertainment in the Christian field. I feel that if we are entertaining people with the Word of God in song than they're not out in the world being entertained by what Satan has to offer. In this day and time it is so crucial for us to let the gospel be heard arouhnd the world, and people listen so much more to music than word.
Angel
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As someone who has attended many concerts from the early 60's, I have to say it's completely entertainment!
Joy
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Well, as a wife of a southern gospel music artist, I can assure you that if the group/soloist doesn't have a heart for ministry and seeing souls saved, then their efforts are in vain. That's not to say that a group/soloist can't have a good time while ministering and make people laugh. But the 'soul' purpose of southern gospel music is to see lives changed, Christians encouraged and sinners saved. If an artist is on stage to "perform an act", then they're up there for the wrong reasons. So many of these are hurting (have hurt) the industry. If you go to a concert and come out the same or even more depressed then when you went in, you're just backing up! Southern Gospel Music is a way to uplift, worship & praise God, not to entertain your little brain! The world is full of entertainment, I don't want a southern gospel concert to "entertain" me. It shouldn't "entertain" me! TRUE southern gospel music has a message and a TRUE southern gospel music artist is required by God to deliver that message through His power & anointing. If a group wants to entertain, then they should call themselves "entertainers" or "comedians" and put on "shows. Real men and women of God using their talents in southern gospel music need to relay God's message to hungry Christians and sinners looking for a Saviour. If there's not an altar call at the end of the concert, then the music was just entertainment. The day that my husband and his group start "entertaining" and stop having altar calls, is the day that I resign as his assistant and will no longer be a part of the group. I'm not sorry if I stepped on some toes, but that's my opinion.
Lisa
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If the singing is in church, it should be ministry. If I am paying $25.00 per ticket to see a group or groups in a civic center or large auditorium, it's entertainment.
Shirley
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Included in the many responses were letters from many people who make their living in Southern Gospel. John Wishon of WWWC in Wilkesboro, N.C., writes:
(From Philippians....KJV)
1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
My Version........Some may sing about Christ and call it a ministry. Others may sing about Christ and call it entertainment. I sort of feel like Paul..I'm just glad he is being sung about!
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Jeff Harper at the Harper Agency offers:
My dad (the late Herman Harper, who was a member of the Oak Ridge Boys and for years was one of Southern Gospel's leading booking agents) simply said this: Gospel Singings are all a form of entertainment. If you get a blessing at the program, consider that a bonus.
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Now that you've read these comments, let's go back to the original question: Is it ministry or entertainment?
Let me stir the waters just a bit: Does it matter what it's called if God is using it to either encourage the saints or call the lost?
More soon.
