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.

[Devin William Stephenson]

Two things. Let everything that has breath praise the lord, and we are supposed to take back what the devil stole. Let's not forget that just at the beginning of last century, people said the piano was evil in the church. Then the bass drum was wvil. Next, it was the drumset. After that, people were saying certain chords were evil. Let us stop trying to put limitations on God.
Also, not all hip-hop degrades women. That is an unfair assumption. Even in wordly hip-hop, that is not always the case. We cannot try to build a case for a whole group just off a few. If we do this, why not say all preachers are fake. This would be unfair. It is also unfair to say that all hip-hop is the same. Just like Patti Labelle was different from Teddy P, or Stevie Wonder was diferent from Rick James. There are different artist in the hip-hop game. I don't support anybody who does not represent God, but I also will not discriminate against others, especially without knowledge of who they are in Christ. When I do that, I am no better than a pharisee.

[Campain]

Devin don't be a fool and keep talking bout the issue. They would never understand what u trying to say everything you attempt to say they throw it in ur face. If they don't see just do what god tell u then pray that they will see the vision. They so stuck in hyms that not getting the job done his know what he doing. They putting god in a box. If that the cause why is miming in the church how is that label god ministry oh must be the content lol Smh

[Christopher Hunter]

Your words are BLIND and RELIGIOUS.  Anthony you are stuck in traditions of WORLDLINESS.  Yes Worldliness, because you speak of traditions of The World's church, or more specifically the traditions of church dominated by Western European and American culture.  You possess no spiritual nor natural filter to judge spirit from flesh.  Hip Hop is music of a culture, the same as traditional Gospel.  The message comes from the spirit of the person speaking (Out of the abundance of the heart shall the mouth speak Luke 6:45) and if you come out of your religious box you will see that there are ministers of The Gospel of Christ who operate out of good measure in their hearts &  God uses Hip Hop as their tool to reach the lost.

 

I will agree that some hip hop is degrading, from those who have a heart to degrade.  But evil doesn't skip those who don't listen or use hip hop.  So as many Christian ministers and churches that have no money left in the storehouse because it is in their house.  Pastors who do not father the fatherless and feed the poor.  I have seen rappers who are not saved give more to the poor than MANY pastors.  Who is more at fault.  Many pastors do not even attempt to meet the needs of God's people.  

 

So if you want to tag Hip Hop IN GENERAL as painting a nasty picture, than also paint Christianity IN GENERAL as nasty.  I won't even discuss the wide spread abuse that has come by the hands of Christians who say to love thy neighbor.

 

 All Christians are not evil, just as all rappers are not

[Jerry Daniels]

There are several Gospel rappers who proclaim the Gospel and are focused on the Cross. This topic is deeper than just a few threads but requires intercession and research on behalf of church leaders. www.cdbaby.com/jerrydaniels1 www.cdbaby.com/jayblaze

[Alphonso Amos]

Hip Hop in church is just another form of ministry. I know great artist who I have fellowship with that are Christian Rappers who have a heart after Gods very own. The problem with most people is they are to busy practicing religion and not a relationship with God. If Christian hip hop brings someone into a closer relationship with God so be it. Is that not the whole purpose of ministry to build up the Kingdom. Things change most of the music that are now in churches have evolved from hymns into jazz, classical music, blue grassrock and roll and so much more. It's time for the church to stop with the religion and step outside the box and find new ways to minister to the people of this world. There are souls that need to be saved and instead of saving them most ministries are to focused on how to keep hip-hop out the church. Maybe there should be a blog about better ways to reach the people, feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the imprissoned and how to help our school districts that are falling to the ground. I think it's time for the people of God to switch their focus and I pray that it happens fast. .I also have to agree with Mr. Christopher Hunter "As long as the message used by Hip Hop is Gospel than may God be glorified. We cannot generalize Hip Hop music, just like we can't generalize all of Christianity. We know that everyone that calls themselves a Pastor or Minister, Evangelist, etc. does not live with The Passion of Christ "

[ShekinahLife]

And with great certainty you can have an opinion.

 

Reality check; what is the reptilian and limbic stages of the mind? Is that not where the rhythm is within.

However to obtain the full essence of what your Rabbi of choice taught..One might give the book of Radiance a try...and come to a higher level of consciousness and actually go out and repair the world. What a novel idea.

Simply, to walk on water or raise the dead to life or feed the hungry or..to have the courage to be the voice of the voices, one must obtain a higher sense of reality.. and a great intimacy with ABBA~~~Above all enjoy your journey...

[Michael A.Graves Sr.]

My Bro..do you know who Alex Crowley is,if not look him up to learn more.Oh yea what about Craig Lewis?

 

[The Preacher Teacher]

A healthy dialogue always lends itself to different perspectives. I like it all to be honest. God loved music the word speaks of the sounds and JOYFUL NOISE...We should be careful to shut down a gift. I come from old school and I remember when the Hawkins and Andre Crouch were looked down upon by the church.

 

Here is a tip...every generation brings something to the table. If you do it as unto God then when it is tried by the fire it will all be comsumed but the essence will come forth.

 

Don't be so quick to condemn anything without first asking does it add any value. Music in the Church has changed drammatically.

 

Also there was a time that people didn't believe in speaking in tongues and dancing in church but it's more acceptable today than it was in past times. If we allowed every person that dissented on what is or isn't ok...There would be no music but hymns in the church today and while they have their place in Sacred Music, I think there is a need for the infusion of creativity in the body of Christ too.

 

Hi-Hop and Rap are two different genre's by the way and presentation is the church is different than presentation in the world.

 

 

[The Preacher Teacher]

HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART. THEY COMING OUT OF THE WORLD LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE. SHOW THEM THE WAY TO WALK AND DRAW THEM LOVINGLY. WE SO QUICK TO TELL THEM DON'T DO THIS AND DON'T DO THAT BUT I BELIVE JESUS WOULD HAVE SAID...DO YOU NEED A BELT FOR THOSE PANTS? IS THAT NECK/HEM LINE DESIGNED TO KEEP YOU COOL? DOES THAT MALT LIQUOR/CIGARETTES DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOU? JESUS WOULD BE SUBLTE AS TO SOLICIT A RESPONSE SO THAT HE COULD GUIDE. YE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE.

 

YOU GOING HIP HOP LITERAL AND I'M HIP HOP FIGURATIVE. THE PEOPLE YOU TALKING ABOUT AIN'T COMING TO CHURCH... 

[The Preacher Teacher]

This way too deep but then that's how WE church folks are when we stand on man's ways and not God's. See the Word says "go ye into all the world"...They not all coming down the ailse to the altar...We gone have to snatch some of them out the world right off the corner, out the crack house and out of the jailhouse. It's gone take some special kind of saints to do that too. YOU PERFECT SAINTS sit up in your air conditioned sanctuaries praising and worshipping God but forget that the real work is taking place outside the church.

 

Lesson One: I don't go to the hospital unless I am in need of medical attention. There are times when I try to take care of my problem at home but ultimately I resign myself to the need to get the attention I need by those that can heal me. Now flip that scenario over the CHURCH...I ain't coming to a place that look down on me and tell me what I ain't then talk about this loving JESUS person who they ain't never met and for that fact you ain't either.

 

Lesson Two: I have preached some of those same funerals and most of those kids had Mommas or Grandmoms that went to church and stayed praying for deliverance but lets be clear...WE RAN ALOT OF THOSE KIDS OUT THE CHURCH WITH OUR SELF RIGHTEOUS WAYS. Let be real...YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE FOLKS ARE WHEN THEY TAKE THEIR LAST BREATH. I was present at the baptisms of some of those kids who were legitamately in love with Jesus but we told them that there was NO JOY IN THIS LIFE and that it was all about HEAVEN...Sounds cute when we said it but YOU CAN LIVE HOLY AND BE HAPPY TOO. The Word says be not conformed.

 

If this is your philosophy then cool but HOW IS GOD DRAWING ALL MEN if we pushing them away. I worry when people cannot come as they are into the church...READ UP ON THE SCRIPTURES ABOUT BEING TRIED BY THE FIRE...THE REFINING TAKES SOME WORK. IF THEY CAN'T GET HEALED AND DELIVERED IN CHURCH WHERE CAN THEY GET HEALED.

 

TOMORROW...IS NOT PROMISED. LET THEM COME IN AND WORK THAT CONFORMITY OUT OF THEM.

[Campain]

My question is this Watson how can u denounce something that brings folks to Christ. You hear the word of God in the songs, and  understand this the way God spoke to Moses wasn't the same way he spoke to Paul but God still God. God speaks to all of us in different ways to meet us where we at. How can a 12th grade teacher give 12th grade work to 1st graders. It impossible for them to understand.  Our job as a Christian Rapper is bring folks to Christ.That the mission. How can you hate that. But just like the Pharisees they hated Christ because they couldn't understand. that the same way you acting. The sad thing is this the youth going to listen to hip hop anyway you just stoping them from hearing the truth meaning Christian Rap.

 

 

[Campain]

Respect what you said. I do see and I do agree on what you said bout Hip-Hop far as it being accepted in church I never seen it. Only thing I seen is that people having problems about Christian rapping in the  church. Secondly it do sound like you have a problem  me asking you the question by you saying im error. But I.m humble myself and eat that one. Far as bringing folks to christ speaking the gospel thru rap help bring folks to christ and confessing that jesus is lord in savior. the word PREACH publicly proclaim or teach and you can teach someone thru music. Much love my brother. If you not talking bout christian rap there other traditional Pastor that label christian rap as they do secular rap