Curious– does the gospel music marketplace attempt to dictate who can sing gospel music? Moreover, do we think that God has asked us to determine for Him who is authentic and who is not?
Two things served as the impetus for my query– first, this morning, Gerard Bonner launched his new radio show, Bonnerfide Radio, during which he played an incredible track from Ledisi entitled “Knockin’.” In it, she tells the devil “I hear you knockin’, but you can’t come in.” In the chatroom, we discussed whether it’s “okay” for secular artists to sing gospel songs, etc. (I think we all agreed that she sang that song and we love it).
Second, on Monday, I announced the release date for the debut gospel album from legendary R&B/soul group The Whispers. Comments were made that suggested the group was just another secular act trying to take advantage of the gospel marketplace.
My concern: It seems unfair to me that a musician who has spent any amount of time singing or playing secular music would have to PROVE to us that they’re legitimate before they can enter “our” arena. First of all, we stand divided as to whether “secular” music is even bad. But even assuming that it is, why would we have SOOOO many barriers up and hurdles to jump before some prodigal singer or musician can “come home”?
We’ve seen it time after time. Whether it’s Coko, Kelly Price, Dave Hollister… we give them the side-eye and assume the worst FIRST– they’re probably not for real, they probably don’t really wanna honor God, they must have a hidden motive.
But do we look at our altars every Sunday morning and assume that most of the people who have come to it are just fakin’ it? Do we wonder whether they’re just trying to steal from the offering plate?
Why is the default response, in MUSIC, one of mistrust, rather than a warm embrace? When was the last time WE had to prove ourselves in the same way? And if we haven’t had to do so, what Biblical basis do we have for demanding such proof from them?
AND, if we’re gonna demand proof, what have we decided it will be? Do we need press releases about their salvation before the gospel album is released? Is there a waiting period of 3 years between the time that they “leave” secular music and start singing gospel? Where’s our list of criteria and from where are we deriving it?
It all seems unfortunate, but it’s the reality… I’m just wondering why.
Thoughts???
Great Blog Bruh!!! Thy shall Not Judge ....and Being That GOD is The Judge...Imma Let him do what it Do! I Dig that Fact That Mary Mary Ft David Banner on a Track to Break That wall of "Them Ppl" vs "Our ppl" -GL
"Let EVERYTHING that hath breath, praise the Lord." Nothing in there that excludes mainstream artists. My God is inclusive. There's more to be interpreted musically than just "Gospel". All music is creativity, which (directly or indirectly) reflects God. I wish someone would have the courage to sing the music that inspires them, even if it's not all the same genre. The whole concept has kept Gospel in general and the church in particular, in the dark ages for far too long. (Don't stone me, "Saints"!)
I appreciate this post. We as Christians feel that we have monopoly over who sings what and we judge so quickly, the complete opposite of what we are charged to do...We tend to believe that "Gospel" belongs to the church...Merriam-Webster defines Gospel as "4 : something accepted or promoted as infallible truth or as a guiding principle or doctrine" How we have maneuvered that to our own benefit is unfortunate. PJ Morton deals with this matter thoroughly in his book, "Why Can't I Sing About Love?" Order it at www.whycantisingaboutlove.com
To be honest I have no problem with the secular artist doing their gospel thing, just come correct and be sincere. It is hard to accept a artist sometimes when they are sing a gospel song one minute and singing 12 play the next minute??????. But on that same note, I beleieve Tonex is doing a little crossover, if you listen to his latest album you have to play the song twice or just press "next" because he can have you wondering, but I love Tonex though. I can remember when MC Hammer and MASE was trying to do their gospel thing, but it seem like they were only doing it to keep the money rolling BUT I do believe and we do know that hard times bring you closer to GOD. Overall i don't have a criteria for the secular, for the most part I have purchase all of their albums. Also, I have seen many shows with Patti Labelle and Aretha singing gospel and I have never seen a person sit down on them yet. Let Patti come out at the Stellars and start sing "Precious Lord", no criteria list needed.
Great topic EJ!!! I hope I don't get blasted but the last concert that I had a spiritual experience at was India Arie...she let each of her musicians have a piece of "How I know God is Real" and it wasn't just that song. She gave the reason why she wrote the songs all of which dealt with her relationship with God. I'm not going to try to attempt to judge her or the artist that switch over. I think we all want to be an example and we have a picture in our minds of what that example should be and act like. But yet each day (I will only speak about myself) I have my moments that I don't think God is pleased with my actions or something I said. I think we feel the more right we think we are doing gives us the authority to judge what is right or wrong. Now me, I love the fact that these artists come back to their first love. It shows the Grace/Love of God that we ALL receive each day. But one of the main reasons I have heard said to me, when I have had these discussions with friends, is that these artist are trying to make it in the Gospel because they weren't making it in the secular and that we will be star struck and support them. Now the funny part to me is the only way that you would know that these artist were secular is if you were listening to their music prior to them coming to Gospel......so how can you/me/we judge them. Just my thoughts.
I hope I don't get blasted but the last concert that I had a spiritual experience at was India Arie...she let each of her musicians have a piece of "How I know God is Real" and it wasn't just that song. She gave the reason why she wrote the songs all of which dealt with her relationship with God. I'm not going to try to attempt to judge her or the artist that switch over. I think we all want to be an example and we have a picture in our minds of what that example should be and act like. But yet each day (I will only speak about myself) I have my moments that I don't think God is pleased with my actions or something I said. I think we feel the more right we think we are doing gives us the authority to judge what is right or wrong. Now me, I love the fact that these artists come back to their first love. It shows the Grace/Love of God that we ALL receive each day. But one of the main reasons I have heard said to me, when I have had these discussions with friends, is that these artist are trying to make it in the Gospel because they weren't making it in the secular and that we will be star struck and support them. Now the funny part to me is the only way that you would know that these artist were secular is if you were listening to their music prior to them coming to Gospel......so how can you/me/we judge them. Just my thoughts.
It is interesting that you would choose this topic EJ. There is nothing wrong with a secular artist singing gospel (Patti LaBelle) or a gospel artist singing secular music (Yolanda Adams). As some of you may recall both secular and gospel artist performed together to record Handel's Messiah A Soulful Celebration back in 1992. None of us can say what is in the heart of a man. True enough, God has blessed these artist with a gift of music and that gifting comes without repentance. So if they are just a hireling, they will have to give an account for their actions, not us.
A very wise Gospel artist shared this with me recently: ...for example, at the Grammys many of the secular artists thank God for their awards....but have you ever heard any of them PRAISE JESUS for their awards....spiritual food for thought...
@Mike "The Messenger" Stankovic: I think I'm missing your point-- are you saying that the secular artists should NOT thank "God" if they're not going to say the name of "Jesus"? Is it all or nothing? Cuz if that's the case, there's a bunch of scriptures that we quote, which don't use the name of Jesus (i.e., The Old Testament), and I don't think God (or Jesus) takes issue with them. I, too, am a bit skeptical when mainstream artists thank God in their acceptance speeches, but I think that the GREATER offense to God is not that they would thank Him, but that their public lifestyles often stand in conflict with Godly principles. Even that, however, does not necessarily preclude them from publicly thanking God.
The point is that to Praise Jesus and to Worship Jesus you must have a true relationship with Jesus
There's nothing wrong with secular artists singing Gospel. For me personally, the kind of secular music that you sing determines whether I listen to your Gospel. But let's be real. We can't blame Christians for looking at the artists with the side-eye. Most of these artists come from the church, probably left the church to chase the bigger market and make more money, and now that their careers are in decline, come running back to Gospel because it's convenient. Just look at it. Just about every secular artist that's doing Gospel now was at the tail end of their secular careers. They were nowhere on the charts. It's almost as if they're treating Gospel like it's just another genre of music. I don't know if anyone complained when Aretha did "Amazing Grace". At that time, she was at her career peak. She didn't have to do it. Same thing with Earth, Wind & Fire. They were on the Hawkins Family project from 1980, at their career peak. I'm not judging. It's not my place. Some of these artists are putting out better Gospel than some of these established Gospel artists that are trying to cross over now. But you can't blame church folk from having questions.
Interesting topic. I'll weigh in with my thoughts. I think on a basic level, we should embrace artist that want to "do" gospel music, but I do think we should see some reflection of change or the process thereof in their lifestyle publicly. What do I mean? I think back to the whole Kanye West "Jesus Walks" fiasco. Many people in the gospel industry and Christians were confused. a) Because his song talked about Jesus and it was being played in the club, which seemed like great P.R. for the Kingdom. b). He was nominated for a stellar award at one point, but they reconsidered. c). His public lifestyle was really contrary to that 1 song on his album. So this sent out confusing messages to many people because it seemed like Kanye West was converting to gospel or at least trying to publicly proclaim Christ, but his other songs on that cd were really opposite of what we considered godliness. Therefore, I say that because secular artist have a mainstream influence on people, it is important that we either see or hear about their process of change (salvation and sanctification) before we necessarily go and cop their album. Also, it should be some waiting period (I don't know how long) as they go through their salvation process before they go back out and proclaim the good news before their old secular friends and the current believers, to ensure that the call they received is sure and they are ready for the challenge ahead. It's like folks in the body that get saved on Monday, become ordained minister's on Wednesday and start their own church on Friday(I am exaggerating the time, but you get my point). What has happened is that they have not effectively taken time to endure the process of salvation, sanctification, discipleship and so forth. Thus, they are ill prepared for the challenges they face when put before people again. Hopefully, I don't seem judgmental or that we as current believers need to artist to prove themselves, but in all honesty, it's important that we see some fruit of change or difference in their life. And the change and fruit was evident in Dave Hollister, Coko and Kelly Price's lives. In addition, I think it's unfortunate that we just buy into every artist that claims to be doing a gospel song. I am not being harsh, just honest. For example, I remember 50 (the artist) having a inspirational song on BET's Lift Every Voice, where he shouted out Bishop Eddie Long, Bishop T.D Jakes and others. Does that now mean, I should consume his music because he made an gospel/inspirational song? I don't think so. Yet, as said before, there is a need to "embrace" secular artist that are still struggling to either come to the faith (salvation) or be set apart by the faith (sanctification). They need the love of Christ just as much as the member in my family that is gone astray. But that doesn't mean my "embracing" them should include consuming music that is not helping the forward progression of my walk or anyone's walk in Christ. Lastly, as a gospel music consumer, I don't give secular artist flack when it comes to supporting their gospel cd, but I do, do my research before I purchase it. If they still make music that is working against the Kingdom, then I usually pass. But, if they are really trying to live out their salvation, then I will definitely give it a sh0t.
I don't understand why secular has become so associated with the devil in music. When you study music, you obtain a different understanding and realize that God has created this beautiful gift called music and there is good music and bad music. I must admit that I have gotten more spiritual encouragement from India.Irie, Ledesi, Kem, EWF, Frankie Beverly and Gladys Knight, just to name a few, than from many gospel artists. Who am I to question someone's sincerity when they choose to give God praise in song when I have my own issues I'm struggling with. Jazz musician Morris Chestnut said when his band is out on the road, on their tour bus, all they do is jam gospel hymns and spirituals because that is what they grew up on. Rhapael Saddiqq loves quartet music and pays homage to gospel quartets because that is where he learned his musicianship growing up in the church. His mentor is an elder quartet singer based out of California. I think we should be careful how we label people and their gifts. Don't let it be said that after all of our listening to only gospel music by gospel artists only, to have God turn around and say to us on that day, depart from me ye workers of iniquity for I never knew you. I know, I know, I'm long winded....and I still have more to say but I won't say it.....LOL Novie
Anybody can sing gospel if that's what they want to do but it shouldn't be just because you want to keep money coming in. I belive that's why u have so many secular artist that put out one or two gospel albums then turn around and put out music about how they want to love up on someone in the club. Just so the money wont stop coming in. I was watching TMZ this weekend and DMX was up there saying how he has 2 albums coming out on the same day a Hip Hop album and gospel.
"Obedience is better than sacrifice" Hey EJ, your doing a great work keeping us informed and challenging us at the same time, keep it up bro! The only time in the bible where God has said don't sing is when the hearts are far from him, and the lifestyle is in blatant disobedience to his loving and perfect will "Take away from m the noise of thy songs, for I will not hear the melody..." Amos 5:23 "This people honor me with their lips, but their heart is far from me, and in vain they worshp me..."Isaiah 29:13 God is more concerned with a life than a song, whether you are a 'secular' or 'gospel' artist. I think part of our problem in trying to decipher who should sing gospel and who shouldn't is that there is no biblical basis for a gospel music industry---just for the living and teaching of The Gospel. The Levites were not 'artists' but priests set aside to 'minister to the Lord' and intercede for His people. Exous 29:1. There were no grammies, stellars, artist advances and charts for the original Levites, just the promise of God's presence and anointing---They saw His glory! When we begin to take what was meant as a priestly office and make it into an industry/artform ($$$$$$) the lines become very, very, very blurred. If anyone is interested, check out the story of Christian musician Keith Green. It is inspiring and sure to challenge us as musicians and modern levites as we seek to serve God in Spirit and Truth. Can secular artists sing gospel---maybe God doesn't care, as long as He has their (and our) whole heart. By their fruit you will know them! Thanks for a great forum EJ
Moe,Maustin, and Christina.....Put all three of your e-mails together...I could not of said it any better...BRAVO!!!!!
I agree with what is being said, especially Maustin's response. I think what gets me is that we talk about knowing them by the fruit we bear and I will say that all my fruit is not good...meaning there are things that I am still needing forgiviness for daily. I do agree that the artist should show something in their lives that supports their relationship w/ Christ. I guess I feel it's odd to call out a secular artist for singing gospel...when we still are debating over whether a person is saved if he/she listens to secular music...then on top of that we have gospel singers that have lifestyles like secular artists (i'm not talking about cars, homes, and stuff like that). So who then is bearing fruit...the secular artist that decides to sing gospel or the gospel artist that is secretly living what the secular artist sings about? I'm not trying to cause a problem. I guess I need to understand how you judge the fruit of each.
Matthew 6:24 says: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Eventually, the singer or musician will have to make up their mind. I did not say it - it's in the Book!
@maustin You hit it on the head for me.
Maustin is on point!! The word of God has to be the basis from which we minister and what we listen to. The problem is that instead of ministering unto the Lord we are chasing industry status, awards, chart positions, genre classification and acceptance. I witnessed the debate yesterday as well. Everybody goes back to quotin' -- "God can use anything... He used the donkey", "Don't put God in a box"... we need balance. Yup, God used a donkey.. but those that quote this story have not read or understood the story... or you'd know that God did that because Balaam was disobedient. That wasn't His desire. God's desire is that we be pure, kingdom minded, living sacrifices, holy, acceptable -- and this is our "reasonable" service! Read the story folks... it's Numbers 22. When Balaam was about to use his God-given gift and calling for the wrong reason with the wrong motive, God had to use a donkey to stop him dead in his tracks. Yes, God can get glory from anything, but who do you think will give Him the glory He deserves, a vessel that lives for Him or one who gives Him some props on the side? Does it matter to you whether you drink water from a clean or dirty glass? Here's another one... "Don't put God in a box". God has boxed Himself in. He said, "If you love me, keep my commandments". He says ... "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." The bible also instructs believers to "Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way" (Colossians 3:17 MSG) The kingdom of God is not the kingdom of the world. Believers, although in the world, are supposed to live lifestyles as citizens of the kingdom of God. You can't live in both kingdoms. Many call upon the name of the Lord, but few actually follow and live for solely for Him. The bible provides boundaries for our music... psalms, hymns, spiritual songs and those can be rendered to Him and/or each other! The latest buzzword for "I want to do it all" is "balance". The bible calls this being lukewarm which comes from mixing both hot and cold. They are not cold toward the things of God, but neither are they hot. They are not truly concerned with what is right and wrong or what is good and evil. It's ALL good. Music is music. Listen to, watch, go, entertain yourself what feels right for you. We've labeled those that strive to live holy as God is calling us to as narrow minded, strict, religious and traditional in their attempt to justify a lifestyle and ministry where anything goes! This scripture blows my mind everytime I read it. Matthew 7:21-23 (The Message) "Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'
As an admittedly flawed vessel, I'm trying my best not to sound judgmental. I believe that one's decision to sing gospel, especially for money, is highly spiritual and personal, and should be taken completely seriously. I believe that we, as listeners, are sometimes so fond of a person's voice that it matters not the level of integrity, or the lack thereof. Sure, God can get glory from anyone, but doesn't He get more glory from you when you've actually committed your life to Him fully? I don't say that from a place of condemnation or arrogance, but actually observance. To quote MaryMary, I'd like to look at you, hear you, and see the God in you, and even if I'm cognizant of your human frailty and personal stumbles, admit that the God in you surpasses all of that. I can remember growing up in church and seeing people sometimes not sing in the choir that Sunday, or ask not to lead a song for a few weeks. When asked why, it was because, "There's an area in my life that God's working on, and my heart isn't where it's supposed to be to sing for Him right now." Some would say that's simply being deep and God can use you at any stage in your life as long as you're willing, which is admittedly true, but I do respect people's decisions who believe that proclaiming God's word through song is a sacred assignment that should never be taken lightly.
Amen EJ! Despite what people say, it is impossible for us to judge someone else's intentions. We are not God. The Bible says that man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Bottom line - it's wrong for us to judge someone just because they may have sung secular music in the past.
@ maustin---a solid response.
@ maustin you said it all. May God bless you.
The Call of Jesus is irrevocable...whether secular or Christian...Jesus, before you were even born, gave you the talent. The point is how do you use the talent. If your purpose is anything other than to worship Jesus, you will be like the fig tree that wasn't producing fruit...Jesus told it to dry up and die...and it did.
Until we make the word of God our standard this debate will continue. @Maustin, @R, @Klugh -- great responses and this will remain a touchy topic as long as we continue to make our feelings, our likes and dislikes, and our opinions the standard by which we decide what ministers to us. The bible has much to say about how we should live, walk, talk, act and about our fruit and the trees from which it comes. "By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?" Matthew 7:16 God has given gifts without repentance and how we use our gift is a choice. If our motives are pure, we don't need to clamour for acceptance from others... but look to please God ONLY with our offering. Trust that He will allow the "gift to make room for you.". Like Maustin said... "God is more concerned with your life than a song". I embrace you with open arms and welcome you to the family of God but before I open my spirit to your ministry, I would like know that what you're now ministering is from a different stream. I wouldn't let someone operate on me that "claims" now to be surgeon but I've only known his life's trade to be that of a carpenter. By looking for the legitimacy of your surgical skills -- I'm not assuming the worse about you. My request has nothing to do with mistrust, nor am I judging carpentry as a trade. I just want to know that you're now really a surgeon. The bible teaches us in Proverbs 4:23 to "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. ".
okay this is how i feel. When secular artists do music we have to wonder what is the motive? Alot of gospel artists today, like someone said, are former secular artists who fell off the charts, are people who left and came back. Now I personally have no problem with the secular artist doing gospel as long as they live their life according to the message they preach. As in they have totally changed their ways and are really and truly trying to live in a righteous way then who am i to judge. They don't continue with the sinful acts. We all were sinners at one point in time. If it is a case like that well then I'm all for it. I am willing to hear your testimony about how God saved you from a life of sin. Tell me your story, you are all the more relatable to me. Because most likely the things you are going to sing about I can say I went through that too. The problem arises when said artists use God as a Gimmick or a crutch. People are turning to gospel as a way to redeem themselves NOT with God but with the public and the perception that media portrays. For example R. kelly released the "He Saved Me" Album, at the same time as the Happy People Album. It was a Dual Disc set. Why couple a gospel album with a secular one? Because at the time R. Kelly was getting bad PR. Now I'm not saying his intentions were not pure but if he wasn't getting so much bad press would he still have released a song singing about how God saved him and changed him? Look at R. Kelly now, is he still saved? And by saved I mean does he still live his life in a way that's pleasing to God? Last I heard of that man he had songs with Bow Wow and T.I. and this was AFTER the gospel album. Let's put it this way if after all this Rihanna drama, Chris Brown were to release a gospel album would you buy it? Would you support it because "he's changed", because he is being genuine? or would you question it because of all the bad press he is getting. How would you feel if after releasing a gospel album talking about how he's changed he goes back to secular music? (this is just an example...) People use the gospel music industry as a way to mend their image. Jesus isn't something that you can use to pimp your music. The thing that makes Gospel music so different from other genres is the fact that in order to be taken seriously you have to live the message you sing. You can't sing about how you love God and how you live your life for him and then go on stage and shake and show off everything to a song glorifying sinful acts...Point Blank you look dumb and no one will take you seriously. If you're about God BE about God. If your life doesn't line up with the song then it's all talk and no play. Hypocrites get no play in my ipod. Yes the bible says let everything that hath breath praise the lord. That is our duty and the sole reason as to why we were created. But in praising the lord are you doing it to actually give GOD the praise or just save YOUR career....
To Ashleigh: Excellent !!!!!!!
I believe that we as gospel music consumers have a choice to support or not to support secular artist who makes gospel recordings. For the most part, I chose not to. The gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. (most of our music is inspirational, but gospel is also the industry term) Part of the good news that Christ brings is that you don't have to remain the same. You can be changed. So for David Banner to say that he doesn't care about the sex and drugs in [his] life as long as his superfriend holds [him] at night (Superfriend, MaryMary)--how does this show fruit of a transformed life? It does not. And there are many other examples, such as BET's Lift Every Voice interview with one of the members of 112; the interviewer ask "do you think that God has called you to make BABY-MAKING music?" WHAT! Yet the gospel music show provide forums for this kind of stuff. And many of us say, they love God too. But Jesus said if you love Me you'll keep my commandments. Another point, someone here said something about thanking God without praising Jesus. There is a very big difference. Are they thanking a god, or the true GOD. Many artist believe that they themselves are a god, or the believe in allah. All in all they renounce Christ. Therefore, they ARE disqualified from singing TRUE Gospel. How can you sing about Chirst and renounce Him at the same time. Example: Jill Scott is a Jehovah's witness, (who believe that Jesus should not be praised) yet she said that sometime she feels like a buddhist and then sometimes a baptist and sometimes a catholic. http://www.adherents.com/people/ps/Jill_Scott.html Is she praising the true God, because Jesus is the ONLY way to God. And if you felt the spirit at an India.Arie is a taoist, so what spirit were you feeling. It matter to me what I feed my spirit. It dictates whether my spirit will be stronger or my flesh. So for me, let all who want to sing-sing. But if these is no fruit and the ONLY way to salvation (JESUS CHRIST, I can't say it enough) is not being proclaimed, I'll pass.
To Estyle: Thanks for sharing the knowledge that you have. Right on point.....
@maustin: Thanks for actually giving references. @christina: lol. please tell me you're not mad at what DMX is doing when only know about it because you were watching the gossip media TMZ! Lol. Be for real. @ everyone who believes secular artists come to gospel to make money: Please do your research. Go look in a Gospel Roundup at the units a gospel artist sells. Compare that to the units even a not-so-well-known secular artists sells, and you'll see that that argument actually doesn't make sense. You church people don't buy anything! LOL You don't pay for your cds, so who do you think is making money off of the gospel industry?! Lol. Let's be for real. Only the top 5 gospel artists make money, and even they have fallen on hard times. So, maybe we need to come up with another way to justify our judgmental tendencies.
Christina, Whew! LOL!
To everyone: Please check out the new song by Rob Helton "If It Wasn't For the Cross" from the cd "A Little Further Down The Road". That is a true worship song.
ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE JUST TALKING BUT SAYING NOTHING!! NOW I HAVE TWO POINTS!!! Now first, some say that secular artist can not sing gospel because you have to understand that satan is the prince of the air. He runs ungodly music, and there is a stronghold on the soul, from this music now, how many young musicians and singers we have out there that are tired of doing "ungodly music" and they want to let it go!? but when they see a popular scular artist transfer from secular to gospel to gospel to secular they found a different approach to better water down what they felt and that was a call from God to do authenic praise & worship! t
Jesus says, "Be in this world,not of this world" Do not do as they do. Be separate. If an artist sings Gospel, let he or she live the Gospel. A double minded person is unstable in all their ways. One foot in the world, and one foot out of the world is not the plan of Jesus. Jesus says, " You will know them by their fruit".