Hip Hop in the Church

[Rev. Kenneth R. Jenkins]

I now understand more and more about this so-call world of "Hip-Hop". I understand now why "Hip-Hop"has really no place in our churches and yet it's slowly creeping in our church doors. After hearing all of this, I will stand behind fellow clergy members by NOT allowing "Hip-Hop" into our churches.

Pastors,Ministers and Church Leaders, would you allow "Hip-Hop" in your churches? Is this a way in keeping our youth in church? I am interested in all feedback concerning this issue.

[Kisbahlayish]

hee hee hee you are kidding right...these are not titles they are descriptions...by the description I would say that hip hop minister ..ministers through hip hop ...the jazz minister ..ministers through jazz and the punk rock minister minsters through punk rock... ghetto tech minister.... well he or she is probably not very sophisticated but they get the job done ministering with technology....

I believe you are steering this and stating by not stating..that if you cant read it in the Bible it doesnt exist...therefore we should all stick to the 1st century applications and quit trying to apply it to a 21st century world...I might be wrong ...but I am just guessing...with that being said I guess I need to brush up on my aramaic and greek... and stop watching television..cause its wrong

[Erik Ali Norman II]

LOL!!!!!!! I have to agree with you now that I read your response. That is so true. maybe we should write in stone and do away with the pencil and paper.

[Kisbahlayish]

you know dude the only reason I participate in these discussions is because as a holy hip hop minister...I dont actually rap ...but I do minister using that tool...we have like no support from a lot of churches...and some are actively campaigning against us...its ridiculous... because WE PREACH THE WORD ...some people are not trying to hear from a church in the traditional 1st century 18th century or 20th century version... right now ...I am not saying that holy hip hop is the total answer......Im just saying the body as a whole needs to cooperate with itself and stop fighting against itself....because if you really pay attention our collective influence on this culture in america is getting smaller and smaller....while we are fighting over choir robes...parking spaces...who sits on the front row at church....etc etc... they say that the united states culturally is about a generation behind sweden...
who in recent years did this
http://www.becketfund.org/index.php/article/333.html
...so lets stop arguing over how the gospel is preached and just get it out there...quickly!

and if you know ANYTHING about church history ...the above should be very alarming coming from europe!

[newview]

" hee hee hee you are kidding right... "

:-)
I see.
And you see that I saw - so we both get to chuckle...

But anyway, I don't mind new millenium applications but what it looks like is - you are placing on a pedestal good ol entertainment AGAIN...to that which is so much more glorious and serious and Godward.
The whole idea of making up a term called hiphop minister is laughable. :-)
Why????
I think I know - but you tell me. :-)

[Kisbahlayish]

do you have a problem with the term radio minister or radio ministry or the term televangelist

[newview]

Please answer, Kisbah :-)

[Kisbahlayish]

I guess I answered a question with a question...sorry...do you have a problem with the terms I described above.. I do not have a problem...I personally know of an anointed tatoo artist that ministers to satanist, hookers, pimps etc...hee hee hee...Jesus is everywhere and his ministers dont all wear robes OR even go by the term minister ...they just perform the function...I tell you what ...actually the term should be evangelist...I would say the tatoo artist evangelizes so how about ...hip hop evangelist....if we want to be scripturally acurate

[newview]

A hip hop evangelist...?...Ok.
But what is the point in adding 'hip-hop' to the title evangelist or the title minister.
I have never heard of a 'jazz' evangelist/minister or an 'opera' evangelist.
Help me out here...what has happened of late that the music director has the genre of his music placed ahead of the title 'minister'.

I dont understand the concept and it may not seem important but hahaha------> it is.

[Pastor Ray C. Jones]

Rev, Miller,

Help me out, you have confused me, when you said:

"Again, this is called pragmatism which means to be results oriented"

I challenge you to do your research. Pragmatism is a practical approach to problems and affairs, according to Noah Webster. Are you sure that is the word that you are looking for. I am not sure to what you are implying. Are you saying that there are know practical approaches to problems and affairs in the church, or the world?

"PRAGMATISM." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2010.
Merriam-Webster Online. 8 January 2010


I really would like to understand your point of view, but it seems as if you haven't really researched your opinion. It is almost as if you have taken someone elses word for it. Is there any where in the BIble that God makes reference to a specific music style as being sinful or demonic? Where is it?

When you realize that it is not there and you soon will. Then tell me how you can give me an educated argument for your point, rather than a load of opinion that is not based on fact, Bible or reality.

What you don't realize is that your dislikes are against those secular artist that are a mockery to humanity and their perspective cultures (they aren't just black people). I agree with you that their lyrics, lifestyles and pretty much everything they stand for is disgusting and is a mockery to the Kingdom of God. I don't like them either, they disgust me. God will take care of them in due time. The rythyms, instruments, talents and equipment that they have used to make the music are innocent and should not be the blame for their behavior. Their decisions and habitual unrepentent sin is the blame for their behavior. They've only perverted and prostituted the talent and provision that God blessed them with. Just like all other secular artists.

Many others and myself are and support a remnant of radical Christians that have been charged by God to take back what the enemy has stolen and take authority over those things the world has perverted and use them for what God created them for. For your information, Satan has never had the power to create anything, read your Bible, that is fact. Satan only has the power of suggestion and influence in the mind. Satan cannot create anything, he can only influence people to make decisions to do things. Satan never created hip hop, but he has influence many to pervert and prostitute it. God created all music and it's original intent was to give him glory. We are simply taking back what the enemy has stolen. It seems as if you think that Satan has a right and patented ownership to Hip Hop, when in fact doesn't have a right to anything but hell.

God has called us to change the world, not to be fearful of it. He has called us to engage it and take back what Satan has tried to steal from us. We are taking over for the Kingdom of God, either you are with us or you are fearful of the battle. Just wait, this is just the beginning.

[Kisbahlayish]

amen...well said!!!...here here... all dat right dere.!!!!

[Rev. Spencer L. Miller]

Another definition for pragmatism is "... concerned with practical values or consequences (results)"- Webster's Student Dictionary, when applied to this particular discussion it is the notion that meaning or worth is determine by practical consequences. For example, you and a few others seem to infer (I could be wrong) that a particular style of music with secular roots should be used in the God's house in order to draw young people who may not otherwise attend church. Again, I could be wrong but it appears to me that you are saying we have to give our youth something that they can identify with, namely the beat and rhythm and lyrics associated with that of hip-hop music and then (and only then) they will be interested in church attendance.

My argument is that hip hop music or music in general should not be what is used to draw anybody to church, the preached Word should draw people with a desire to want to know God for themselves, those who are lost are not lost for lack of hip hop music, they are lost because they need the Word of God. Hip hop music is secular, you can add Christian lyrics to a hip hop beat and it is still secular. I'll admit some of the songs have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. But here's a question for you, what is the purpose for hip hop in the Church? Is it used for entertainment or worship? Is it encouraging (see Eph. 5: 19) or divisive? No where in the Bible does it condemn any particular style of music, however, there are some styles of music of which I believe hip hop to be one, that do not meet the standards set forth in Philippians 4: 8,

In short, hip hop music as far as the church is concerned is something that has been borrowed from the world in order to bring about a certain result during church worship, but why don't we just allow God to handle the results? And there is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music, especially if the lyrics are not off base. But it is my belief that music in the church should edify for us, and not simply entertain us. More importantly, music in the church should praise God and honor Him. If you feel that hip hop is your calling, by all means pursue what you feel God is calling you to do, what I say is only my humble opinion. I don't agree with you and you don't agree with we but will still serve the same Father, and in my book that makes us brothers.

[Erik Ali Norman II]

I have to disagree with you on the issue that the Word of God should draw youth to the church. Thats like saying that little children can go to school and just listen to a teacher stand in front of a class all day and just talk to them without something holding their attention. It dont work like that. The beats and rythems is what draws the youth to the church, but the Word should be what keeps them.