N
neutral_observer
Guest
> The gospel offends. That's radical and that's what people need.
Yes, but does the radio station need to be offensive in delivering it?
> But to assume they
> hear it in songs, many of which are watered down to the
> point of being about either/or Jesus or your girlfriend,
> then what "impact" is that having?
We'll not really know this side of eternity, as the saying goes.
> They are not going to "get it" through osmosis.
No, but let me suggest another idea -- they're not going to get it from anybody they consider nutty, kooky, extreme, old-fashioned, out of touch, stupid, foolish, uneducated, sheltered, and so on. I think one of the best things we can do is demonstrate that Christians are "normal!"
...-ish!
> But my point (and it's been validated by a lot of confirming research)...
Can you tell me more?
> ...is that
> these seeker-sensitive models are missing the core by not
> addressing what the core comes to Christian radio to
> get...radio in the context of their faith. A typical
> comment from the core focuses we've done and seen is, "the
> station used to really encourage me in my walk but now it's
> like they've forgotten we're here".
Okay, so focus groups alone?
> It's not just the radio, but the whole industry in general
> that is affected by this malaise. Just listen to the
> lyrical content of the Top 50 titles from 5 years ago versus
> today and you'll see how pronounced the difference has
> become. We still have some artists on focus, but many are
> just busy making "nice" songs with no real message.
I just ran the monitors of two Christian AC stations with two very different owners. A ministry-owned station, out of its 60 most-played songs, had either two or three songs that might fit that description. The other station, owned by a secular company, had three or four. Both had a couple of songs that spoke of or to the nature and meaning of life.
So, I'm finding it really tough to agree with that assessment...
> Several artists have told me privately about their struggles with
> the "Christian music machine" and trying to carry out what
> they believe is God's call for their lives and work. And
> these are major name artists, some of whom have found
> themselves without a label because of the their stand.
Not having anywhere near the background, knowledge, or experience most of you do, I'm never quite sure what to really believe in these situations; but, in today's environment, an artist has more of an ability than ever to produce and distribute his own music almost all by himself, so I'll remain at lease somewhat of an optimist!
Yes, but does the radio station need to be offensive in delivering it?
> But to assume they
> hear it in songs, many of which are watered down to the
> point of being about either/or Jesus or your girlfriend,
> then what "impact" is that having?
We'll not really know this side of eternity, as the saying goes.
> They are not going to "get it" through osmosis.
No, but let me suggest another idea -- they're not going to get it from anybody they consider nutty, kooky, extreme, old-fashioned, out of touch, stupid, foolish, uneducated, sheltered, and so on. I think one of the best things we can do is demonstrate that Christians are "normal!"
...-ish!
> But my point (and it's been validated by a lot of confirming research)...
Can you tell me more?
> ...is that
> these seeker-sensitive models are missing the core by not
> addressing what the core comes to Christian radio to
> get...radio in the context of their faith. A typical
> comment from the core focuses we've done and seen is, "the
> station used to really encourage me in my walk but now it's
> like they've forgotten we're here".
Okay, so focus groups alone?
> It's not just the radio, but the whole industry in general
> that is affected by this malaise. Just listen to the
> lyrical content of the Top 50 titles from 5 years ago versus
> today and you'll see how pronounced the difference has
> become. We still have some artists on focus, but many are
> just busy making "nice" songs with no real message.
I just ran the monitors of two Christian AC stations with two very different owners. A ministry-owned station, out of its 60 most-played songs, had either two or three songs that might fit that description. The other station, owned by a secular company, had three or four. Both had a couple of songs that spoke of or to the nature and meaning of life.
So, I'm finding it really tough to agree with that assessment...
> Several artists have told me privately about their struggles with
> the "Christian music machine" and trying to carry out what
> they believe is God's call for their lives and work. And
> these are major name artists, some of whom have found
> themselves without a label because of the their stand.
Not having anywhere near the background, knowledge, or experience most of you do, I'm never quite sure what to really believe in these situations; but, in today's environment, an artist has more of an ability than ever to produce and distribute his own music almost all by himself, so I'll remain at lease somewhat of an optimist!