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I greatly enjoyed the response to my first article last month. I was surprised with the direction that each debate took and how many different opinions there were. Some were very thought provoking and intelligent, while others were the usual idiotic responses. The latter prove that there are people who really don’t care about our industry at all. They post opinions, start debates, and then are offended by the responses they get. They seem to be more concerned about syntax, punctuation, and grammar than they were about the point at hand. For that reason, I have asked a third party to proof-read my articles before they are submitted. I would hate for some people to miss the point of my articles, because their self-righteous mote hunting gets in the way. It was also pointed out to me that I do not follow protocol because I respond to the readers and their comments. On this one, I say that I really don’t care. I can assure you that if I am going to take the time to write the article, I am going to take the time to follow up on it. I am not sure where that book of protocol is, but I have read a lot of books in my life and have never found that one. It was said ( regarding my last article ) that my sloppy writing skills ( the misuse of a word or two ) was in some way a reflection of the problems we face in our industry. That is simply absurd!! This was probably the kind of person who would veer off the point of the State Of The Union Address because the president used the word “ Strategery “ or got all freaked out and took Rick Warren seriously when he used the phrase “ Cone Of Silence “ during the Saddleback Forum. That kind of self indulgent snobbery is why this country and the Southern Gospel Muisc Industry is in a mess. Some people have risen to a level of self driven superiority (not to be confused with striving for perfection) that makes everybody an expert on protocol and etiquette. I said all that to say this, there is no rule book! Get over it! I never claimed to be the world’s greatest writer, but I was asked to write a monthly article. So like it or not, I’m going to keep sharing my thoughts, convictions and opinions with you.

The Debate:

Entertainment or Ministry?

Mankind has wrestled with this age-old question only to find themselves at odds over business and the call to minister. Let me just say, as always, this is just my OPINION. Anything more would put me in the self-proclaimed EXPERT category.

I have been watching for some time as this debate has swelled to the size of a downright FIGHT. On one side we have the entertainers who oppose anyone who does not meet their qualifications of musical ability. On the other side we have the ministry only crowd who oppose anyone who does not meet their qualifications of spirituality. Well, they’re both WRONG! On both sides of this debate we have two distinct groups who are neither qualified nor justified in their argument. With their high brow, intellectual hollowness, they have created a mess.

Group 1:

The Entertainers.

This group would have us believe that our industry should be separated into two parts: the professionals and the amateurs. Unfortunately, their own list of qualifications is biased and corrupt. They would tell you that they are looking for a certain quality (in their opinion). Also, if you break the boundaries of the almighty CHART or get a nod of approval from someone at the top, they will let you in the group or their clique. That in itself destroys their definition of quality. One of the big problems with our industry is the fact that no one knows the rules. They like to claim that they do, but at the first opportunity to make a little money they will toss out the rulebook and write a new one to accommodate their new found endeavor.

This group has a valid point that we cannot ignore. We should all strive for a higher level of quality. Of course we should. God expects nothing less. We should take pride in what we do and should try to rise above the common and mundane and reach for the best we can be.

This group wants the SHOW to be at the level of our secular counterparts and to compete for the markets beyond the boundaries of the fences we have built around Southern Gospel. Unfortunately, they have dismissed the GOD factor. If GOD wants something done, he will do it. This group can’t stop GOD from bringing up the next McKameys or Bishops whenever He sees fit to do so. The entertainers are unhappy with that. The illusion that they somehow have control over who gets in, when they get in and where they get in, is fueling their every effort. They are consumed with trying to control the industry, but they tend to ignore what God is doing in the process.

Another problem that plagues some Christian entertainers is that they ignore and close their eyes to sin.

We’ve got GUYS running around the NQC and other events wearing MAKEUP!! Not theatre anti-reflective makeup for lighting. I mean GIRLY, GIRL MAKEUP, like eyeliner and such. But it seems to be ok as long as they sing with some quartet that puts on a good show. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!

We’ve got women showing more flesh than on the cover of some magazines, but we look the other way because they sing with some TOP NOTCH group and that makes it okay. Somewhere along the way we have all gone INSANE!

Just because you support entertainment does not justify the support of SIN. If you support SIN, you enable it as well. I don’t really care who I make mad at me, but regardless of how good someone performs or sings, if they look and act like a homosexual, we should not enable or support that action. If some woman, regardless of who she is, in the upper ranks of Southern Gospel gets rid of her old husband, gets herself a new BOY fifteen or twenty years her junior, and runs around looking like some kind of street walker, we should not enable or support that either.

But this group seems okay with all of that. As long as you entertain, record with the right company, and make some money, the rest is okay. It’s NOT okay. We can entertain people right into hell if we are not careful. We have a responsibility to comport ourselves in a different way. Just because we sing on a stage, it does not excuse us from living our life in the public eye as Christian examples, and showing some discretion in our actions. I believe in entertainment, but not at the cost of a soul.

Group 2:

The Ministry Only Crowd

This group likes to push the concept that if you are not ministry minded you should get out of their way. With their self-righteousness in tow, they hammer away at anyone who will listen. They also have a valid point that we cannot ignore. Without a heart and genuine concern for people (lost or otherwise), our efforts are pointless. I agree with that, however, I have seen a lot of people who HIDE behind the word “Ministry.” Many of these individuals lack the talent to do much more than sing in local churches and do benefits. So in order to validate themselves, they shout, “Ministry!”

There is nothing wrong with singing in local churches, or simply singing for fun, but that does not make you a ministry-not by a long shot. They seem to think they are “Special” in some way. They brag about their ministry and are very arrogant in front of people. They brag that they are not concerned with “the business” and are only in it for “the ministry.” They often use the phrase, “we didn’t come here to put on a show.” I DON’T BUY THAT AT ALL!! Some of my favorite preachers have some of the best SHOWS I have ever seen

It amazes me, how in the same breath, they start bragging about their ministry and then begin to talk about their latest single or the record deal they just got. If your ministry is your ONLY concern, what do you need a record deal for?

This group also has a “CLIQUE”. It is comprised of the “Holy” crowd. As long as you are spiritual and mix a little bit of long-winded testifying in with your singing and call it preaching, you can get in this clique. It doesn’t matter if you’re an abomination or even an idiot; just act a little holy, renounce business, and you’re in.

This group tends to ignore the GOD factor as well. They seem to assume that as long as they claim to be indifferent to the industry or its politics, that’s all they will need for GOD’S approval. They seem to miss the part where GOD can use anyone he chooses. They forget our self-righteousness is as filthy rags before GOD.

This group tends to pat each other on the back and give obligatory hugs regardless of how terrible the performance was. Then when someone with REAL talent gets up on stage, they become so envious and jealous they can’t stand it. Later at the Waffle House they will gossip about how the talented singer is only in it for the money. This is an attempt to justify their own inadequacies, lack of talent, and laziness in not trying to improve at all.

Group 3:

The Middle Ground.

I take the middle ground and believe we need BOTH Entertainment and Ministry. Whether we like it or not, our listeners are going to be entertained. If you refuse to believe that we are competing on some level with one another you are kidding yourself. You can believe all you want that Ministry alone will get the job done. Christians and non-Christians are listening to artists like Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood and if you have not done your homework, you are going to PALE in comparison. Every day we are competing with television, movies and secular radio. They are all light years ahead of our little corner of the world. A sad reality for the ministry only crowd is that we cannot even come close in our best efforts to getting anyone’s attention by getting up on stage and singing our Southern Gospel music in some boring and halfway done manner. And for the entertainment bunch, you can forget competing with the light shows and theatrics of the secular stage shows. Even the grandest show Gaither could ever put together wouldn’t even come close.

Let’s consider what might work. What if we entertained the best possible way we can and when we have their attention, we allow the anointing of the Holy Spirit to take over and begin to minister THROUGH us? WOW, what an idea! That has been working for years for a few who have tried it. There is one group in particular I have seen use this concept. The Pfeifers (whether you like them or not) have mastered this combination. Not only do they entertain on a massive level, they minister in an anointed way. Anyone who has ever worked with them would have to agree. On top of that, they have a flourishing home ministry. They are getting it done and GOD is blessing them. They use every resource they can and every inch of the industry as a tool to reach their goals of ministry. They are constantly trying to figure out how to make their show better so they can gain as much attention as possible in order to spread the gospel. It is a beautiful thing when done right.

Jesus said “go into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in.” The word compel suggests getting excited and showy about it and to speak with passion and conviction about the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are a lot out there that are just plain boring and others that only have a show with no spirit at all. Neither one effectively compels anyone to do anything. By the way, when you get saved you are immediately called to ministry, to go out and testify to the lost, and to compel them to come in.

There are certain leaders in our industry and the Christian market as a whole who have become disgustingly hypocritical. They preach the message of integrity and holiness, then turn around and allow washed-up has been Country Music artists to share our stage and radio markets. It sickened me to see Randy Travis and Carrie Underwood sharing airtime with The Hoppers and Greater Vision. To top it all off, TBN parades these people around like heroes. Did it ever occur to anyone that the only reason they are even over here is to either launch a career, i.e. ( Carrie Underwood, Josh Turner) or because they are on the backside of their career, i.e. ( Randy Travis, The Oakridge Boys, Colin Ray). I do not have an issue with these people, but they are not in the ministry in any way at all. This is just one more example of us simply turning our heads and allowing this sort of thing to continue because they are stars. Maybe we think some of that stardust will rub off and help us in some way.

My Point: the public has no problem accepting these people who ENTERTAIN even though they are not getting ministered to by them. Maybe we should wake up and see what’s going on here. We need to take back what is OURS! Let’s go out there and give them a great SHOW!! (Yes I said Show) Then allow GOD to use us to minister to them in a way they never saw coming. We may even reach a few new people while we are at it, gain a new listening audience, and build Southern Gospel music up larger than it has ever been!! WOW, that would be GREAT!
I don’t really care what you think of my skills as a writer as long as you understand what I am saying. If you want to see my SKILLS, come see my SHOW. It is my goal to combine entertainment and ministry to the glory of God. You might just get ministered to. Shane Roark

Reader Comments

So your "pretty sure GUYS looking like GIRLS is a sin" ?

Last i checked that had nothing to do with Makeup and more to do with hormones and well , ... you know.

Does anyone remember The Masters V ?

most of them wore makeup on and off the stage and yet ,they were mens men, and everyones heroes.

and what would people think of King Solomon?

and just so you know, Shane, i love your article and enjoy it very much and would have to say ditto to most of it. Keep up the great work.
Now i must go and wash off my foundation.lol

I, too, take the middle road. I believe there is a place for ministry & entertainment both in every good program I attend.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt

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