Crossover Bands; Why the Hype?

In a random thought process involving the band Flyleaf, it occurred to me that music is one of the only professions in which Christians become angry if the "worker" is serving a secular community. Isn't it true? When a Christian band gets some notoriety from the general public and radio time on secular stations, many followers of Christ become offended and leave the fan-base of the band. We hear things like, "Well, you know they crossed over." or "They aren't Christians anymore." Really??!!

When was the last time you assumed a Christian friend who got a job at Starbucks had lost their salvation? Have you ever had a problem with any follower of Christ working for any moral secular company? I'm guessing that at least 80% or more of true Christians work secular jobs, and perhaps the rest are in ministry or missionaries. Why do we become so judgmental when a Christian band "crosses over?"

One theory is that we Christians like to live in a cozy little box with our they-think-just-like-me Christian friends, going to church and being silent little witnesses to the non-Christian community by "example." We want to keep our Christianity separate from the rest of our lives, and if we find a little gem of a Christian band, we want to keep them all to ourselves and hide them in our cozy little box.

Well, can I challenge that thinking with the words of Christ? In Mark 16:15, Jesus tells us to, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." We are told to be "in the world but not of the world" in John 17:15-18. Jesus says "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one....As You have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." Does this sound as if God wants us to live in a comfy Christian bubble?

Yes, there have been many instances in which Christian bands gain some notoriety in the secular world, and they fall far away from their faith. This is true, but it is also true of many non-musicians who claim to be Christians one minute and forget about Christ the next. You just don't hear about those folks on the radio or read about them in a magazine. The danger of being pulled away from Christ and tempted by the temporary trappings of what the world has to offer is applicable to all Christians. But, if we surround ourselves with Christian bubble-wrap, attending only Christian events, hanging out with Christian friends, how will we ever reach those who are "in the world?"

My argument about crossover bands is this; they are given a huge opportunity to reach the lost. Let's face it, the world thinks we Christians are NUTSO! When they get a taste of music from a Christian band that they like, it opens doors for them to listen to the whole CD, and hopefully the lyrics they discover will portray a strong relationship with Jesus Christ.

After hearing that the band Flyleaf had crossed over, and a few people say that they were no longer Christians, I did a little research about the band. I read the lead singer's testimony and learned that each night of a concert, she scribbles a scripture in Sharpie across her arm. She stated that many ask her what her arm says, and it opens a door to talk with fans about her faith. The lyrics of the band are cryptic, but you can certainly tell that the writer is talking about a relationship with Jesus Christ.

My hope is that the next time you feel inclined to judge a crossover band, you will think of your beloved Christian car salesman friend and have grace for those who are reaching the lost on a very public platform, and remember to pray for their strength to endure the extra temptations they will face in the music industry and, that they win many souls for Christ.