I know it’s necessary sometimes, but I’m reluctant to use the word “Christian” as an adjective – as in “Christian school”, “Christian bookstore” or “Christian music.” It’s a helpful category, I know, but what does it really mean?
Has the school accepted Jesus as its personal Lord and Savior? Has the bookstore had its sins blotted out by the death and resurrection of God’s Son? Has the mp3 received the gifts and power of the Holy Spirit which now give it the ability to be in but not of my iPod?
What is a Christian artist?
And how do we define “Christian artist”?
The music business answer is simple: A Christian artist is one making music primarily for consumption by Christians.
The answer given by an artist is often a bit different: A Christian artist is an artist who is also a Christian, regardless of the kind of music they make or the people buying it.
Then there are those who say a real Christian artist is a light in the darkness. The darkness is then defined by them as bars, clubs and arenas where non-Christians are more likely to be listening. Presumably, I guess, non-Christians are thought to be the only ones experiencing darkness.
“Christian” History
History gives us another definition entirely. The word “Christian” is believed to have first been used in Antioch – we think as an insult worn as a compliment. It literally meant “small Christ”, a replica.
The Christians in Antioch refused to make sacrifices to the State or its god. They sold their possessions and gave to the poor. They refused to take up arms against any enemy. They refused to work or employ on the Sabbath. They were at once despised and known to be trustworthy, compassionate and honest. They were noticeably different.
The church in Antioch would eventually have its fights and villains but when given the name Christian they were meeting – slave and free, Jew and Greek, men and women, rich and poor – in peace, giving no preference to this person over that one. They were known as Christians by their love and peculiar obedience to Christ.
Here To Rock
I had a good time as the emcee at a Christian music festival on Saturday. My job was simple. Before each artist took the stage I was to ask them how they wanted to be introduced. And then introduce them that way. Simple.
“Hey, I’m Shaun,” I said to a fashionably unkempt guy in his early twenties wearing skinny jeans and feeding the wire of his in-ear monitors down his shirt. “I’m introducing you guys today. Is there anything you want me to say in particular?”
“Just tell them who we are, man” he said.
“Cool,” I said. “Do you guys have a CD you want me to mention, or are you on Twitter, got a tour starting, signing stuff after your set…anything else you want me to say? I’ve got loads of time so whatever would help you guys out.”
“We’re here to rock, man. You do your job and we’ll do ours.” And with that he walked off.
Another artist’s wife told me how her husband had been working seven days a week for seven years straight. “When do you take a sabbath?” I asked.
She laughed. “We don’t. Not for seven years.”
Here To Replicate
Then there was Sixteen Cities. Maybe it’s because they’re new artists – Whatever the reason, they were noticeably different. On stage, they too played well – very well – like everyone else. But off stage Josh and Josiah were noticeably different.
They shook my hand, sat with me and their wives in catering and talked about life. They didn’t have a lot of time to spare but what they had they spent on people – including me.
A Christian artist is not someone who makes music for a particular audience. A Christian artist is not someone who believes this or that about Christ. A Christian artist is one who seeks to live and love like Christ.
I’m thankful for Christian artists like Sixteen Cities – musicians attempting to be little Christs, even if only for a minute or two. These artists, on their best days, remind me what it means to be a replica, to be an obedient and humble light in the darkness…and there is darkness everywhere.
They’re not here to rock but to replicate Christ.
Jason says:
Great post, Shaun. I completely agree with you.
The kind of thing that happened to you with the band who wanted to rock is something that always bothered me when I was in Christian radio. I saw way too many bands and artists who were more about the status and position than Christ. They usually didn’t last very long.
Shaun Groves says:
I didn’t realize you’d worked in Christian radio. How’d that slip by me?
You know, sometimes they do last. And I’m glad because it gave me…I mean, it gives THEM more time to mature and learn from those early mistakes and bad priorities. ; )
Alyssa Schroeder says:
Great post Shaun! Your introduction reminds me a lot of something Rob Bell wrote about regarding using the word “Christian.” I believe he said it makes a good noun, but a very poor adjective. I forgot about the meaning “small Christ” – very interesting.
Also, thanks for introducing me to Sixteen Candles! I have heard their one song before, just didn’t know it was them. Glad to hear they are living out their faith behind their music too. ๐
Shaun Groves says:
Oh, no, no, no! It’s Sixteen Cities!
I had the hardest time keeping my fingers from typing Sixteen Candles in this post too. (Children of the 80s I guess.)
Alyssa Schroeder says:
CITIES! Hahaha! I have obviously not had any coffee yet today!
Kat says:
You should do an artist mentor program or something. I hope those other two artists find their way to this post.
Beth says:
So true, Mr. Groves. Something I’ve noticed too. That’s one reason I like going to Festivals or watching interviews with artists, it’s revealing to see what they have to say and what their motivation is, and also how they interact with other people.
Tenth Avenue North & Rush of Fools in particular really impressed me – they always made sure to let people know that it wasn’t about them and gave glory to the Lord.
Funny you mentioned Sixteen Cities, I’ve just been introduced to them last week!
NancyTyler says:
Shaun and everybody reading this–what other artists and bands have impressed you with their behavior offstage as well as onstage, in what they’re saying between songs?
Beth says:
Forgot to mention Matthew West. He is totally down to earth. The several times I’ve talked to him it felt like I was talking to a good friend! It’s nice when artists leave any trace of pride in the dust.
Shaun Groves says:
The first time I remember being struck by the unusual Christlikeness of an artist was watching Amy Grant mother several younger artists who weren’t feeling well. We were all rehearsing to sing with Michael W. on his first Worship album. She was caring for an infant and for these other artists all at once, all day.
I’d add Jars of Clay to this list too. On tour I was just their lowly opening act but they treated me like an equal. When Becky had have an emergency surgery while visiting us on the road, they told me I was taking time off from the tour (even though it could have cost them financially because of contracts, etc) and they put us up in a very nice hotel and wouldn’t let me pay them back. Amazingly humble and compassionate men.
keith says:
Jenny & Tyler come to mind. They are very humble and authentic… and talented.
Thomas says:
Andrew Peterson: He took song request during a show. Great person to talk about books with. Good story teller.
Ginny Owens: Patiently waited for a baby to stop crying during a show and then made sure everything was okay before saying how much a blessing a baby is. Ginny is great person to talk to after a show.
Jason Gray: Even though he was having problems with his voice before it was time for him to sing, he still came out and sung to us even though he did not have to.
Thomas says:
Oh, let us not forget about Shaun. Very humble during his shows. Once between shows he joined a group of us having pizza. Even though he did not have any of the pizza, he joined into the conversation and prayed with us before the second show.
Kristie says:
Meeting Shaun in person was a huge blessing–he is just as real in person as he is on the blogs. My only regrets when he came to town were: 1) I didn’t think the audience was big enough (but he still poured out his heart, just as he would’ve if we’d had thousands there–and now knowing that he was on the cusp of a battle with depression during that season makes me feel even worse about the small crowd–and more grateful that he was STILL “real.”)…and 2) that he had to move on to the next town that night–would’ve loved to have done dinner with him and my hubs and some of the leaders from our church to talk about “Good News” over some South GA Mexican food.
We have brought Jean Thomason (a.k.a. “Miss Pattycake”) to town for a few years now to do children’s ministry events, and I LOVE HER! She, too, is the real deal! Event coordinating for her concerts is so much fun–it actually ENERGIZES me–I feel like I’ve had a working vacation when she leaves–my body is usually ready to collapse from going non-stop, but my spirit is SOOOOOO full from having spent time with her! And, even when she’s out of her yellow tights and wearing her “Mrs. Jean clothes,” she’ll just fall right down into the floor (she’s ALMOST old enough to be my mom!), look a 3 year old right in the eye, and say: “WOW! God made you SOOOOO special! He loves you!”
Pamm Muzslay says:
Jimmy Needham is the real deal, too. Love that young man!
Michael Patterson says:
Great post Shaun. As a volunteer for Compassion I go to a number of festivals each year. In the back stage hospitality area of one festival this summer, one band applied their “guy-liner” and wise-cracked as they dropped nachos all over the floor. When they’d had their fill, they bumped past me and left their mess for others to clean up. I have also had the honor of meeting godly, humble and amazingly talented individuals who show their genuine interest and appreciation. As Beth said, Tenth Ave. North, and Rush of Fools are awesome. So is KJ-52, and DownHere. There are so many others.
More than anything, this should serve as a reminder that if I am not treating others with love and compassion, my relationship with Christ is not right.
keith says:
Great post. I agree. It reminds me of something I heard Derek Webb say in an interview one time. Something like, “The word ‘Christian’, when it is applied to anything other than a person, is just a marketing term.”
keith says:
Bad link. Try this for the interview if you’re interested.
Jabber Jaws says:
So, I feel the shame. I posted a comment earlier today and said Christ loving school. I guess I should have used more words and said a school teaching about loving Christ – that’s what I meant. I do think we use it as an adjective to give more meaning. But, i get that for some it is a marketing or advertising ploy.
Jeremy says:
Shaun, this was such a great read! Just as stated in the first paragraph I too am reluctant to use the word “Christian” as a title for anything other than someone that has experienced a true encounter with our God and crucified their life to His. It was informational and encouraging. This was my first time to read your blog. In act I had never heard of you. Discovered you on twitter via tweets from @AnnaMicolowsky and @hollynewton. You also introduced me to a new band. I have not heard them yet, but will be going to check out there music after submitting this comment! Be blessed Shaun.
Paula says:
I’ve had the opportunity to meet a few bands, which is quite an achievement living in Australia!
The guys from NewWorldSon and Leeland were amazingly nice and genuine. I was pleasantly surprised by the boys of Family Force 5. Totally not what I expected ๐
I looked after the Paul Colman Trio when they did a show at my church, and they were great – especially as they had a LOT of people pulling them a million ways.
I’ve met Jars of Clay briefly and had some interraction with Charlie on twitter (and their social media crew) – above and beyond every expectation.
And the boys from Third Day were lovely. I was able to meet them because of a mutual friend, and my respect for the boys sky rocketed.
There is one artist however, that I’ve never been a massive fan of, and when I had the opportunity to meet her, I approached the evening with an open mind, and she was worse than I expected. ๐
But Shaun, “meeting” you online via your boards years ago, the way you live your life infront of everyone is very confronting and refreshing. I have the utmost respect for you. Sometimes (frequently) you say what I want to….but don’t for fear of repurcussions. Thank you!
Justin Davis says:
Great post. It is so easy to sell our souls in the name of Christian music/ministry/blogging/etc. There is a point where the dream becomes god and we forget about our calling. I’m not an artist, but have had the same thing happen to me in vocational ministry. It is a dark part of our heart. Christ becomes secondary to our mission…that mission is success.
jeffrey says:
Mark Schultz is very down to earth. Also really liked the guys from building 429 and sanctus real. Michael W Smith was very friendly considering there were literally of thousands of people trying to get at him. He took some time to have short conversations with everyone.
Tater Mama says:
I always learn so much from your posts. This was great.
Kevin Riner says:
I find it funny what ya said about the other bands. It’s as if they think you haven’t been there. Like you were some schmoe joe from a no named radio station that never lived the life of an artist.
I fell in love with your music years back. I even sat under you at a Youth Leaders conference you spoke at in Franklin Tn during a breakout session and then left the room and led us in worship. You almost smacked me in the face with your large talons as you were speaking lol. Your such an inspiration to me bro.
I know all that’s probably irrelevant to your post ha ha ha.
Kris says:
It is so neat that you were able to spend some time with those guys. It amazes me how God can cram so much impression in such a small amount of time.
This reminds me of when I met The Kry, a group from Canada. They were way down here in TX doing a youth conference. They were having lunch with the youth group in a restaurant.
These guys were tired, and busy, and had a tour to continue. One of them was even sick. Yet there they were. They took time out to sit with a group of kids and just listen.
They smiled at us, encouraged, and laughed with us. They were so humble and very sweet to us all. The focus wasn’t on their ministry or their music or how cool they were. The focus was on us kids. You could feel Jesus in them, and see Him in the expressions on their faces.
Kris says:
Shaun, I’ve seen this in you, while you were in concert, during your message that followed, and the time you spent after the show with anyone who wanted to approach you.
I was already a fan before, but that night you were Jesus for me and my son during a very difficult time in our lives simply because you took some time to talk and listen to us. You were very humble and very patient and gentle. My son and I will never forget that night that you were replicating Christ.
cshell says:
Awesome post and topic. My kids love music, my oldest son is a drummer and very musically inclined. We are very much involved with what they listen to and what we put before them. We basically push “christian” music (see what I did there) ๐
We take them to a lot of shows and I have seen/felt what you are talking about…we are tad more “hardcore” than most so i’ll give a shout out to a few that showed Christ to my family…
Disciple – Kevin, the lead singer was so down to earth and took time to talk to my 5 year old ๐
Seventh Day Slumber
Building 429
RED
Decyfer Down
Stellar Kart