Good article

[italkalot]

As I sit down by my desk a few months back, I look at all the stuff I need to get done. I come across a stack of CD's I need to listen to for our airplay. I host mornings and also handle our music as well. As I look through the CD's, I find the latest single by Michael English "Right where you are". I was amazed by not only the lyric, but the presentation of the song as well.

I added it to our rotation. I knew in my heart the song wouldn't go anywhere on the charts. Not because of the song, but the artist. I was hoping that I would be wrong. I've looked at the charts to see if the song debut at a certain number, also looked at online play lists of Christian stations around the county and see if they were playing it. It didn't chart and stations didn't play it.

It broke my heart. Not just for the ministry of Michael English, but for Christian radio. Around the country, Christian stations proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. That he died on a cross for our sin, paid in full. They play songs about his never-ending grace. And yet, choose not to forgive Michael English for something that God forgave him years ago.

I think if we can't forgive, or even on behalf of the position we hold in the minsitry... than maybe we should be the one's asking for forgiveness.

 

[MarkLaRoi]

Where's the article you mention in the subject line?

 

[Matt]

Does the fact that other radio programmers turn their noses up at a song give you a reason to pull it from your station?

When I was programming, I used the charts as one stream of input to my music decisions. I gave much more weight to its reaction among my station's listeners. If a song was getting good mention, good requests and the project was moving at the local bookstores, it had every potential to make it to heavy rotation.

Later...
Matt Smith
WGSR-TV

 

[neutralobserver]

Where's the article you mention in the subject line?

That was my immediate thought, too...."So, uh, where's the article??"

;D

 

[rbrucecarter5]

It broke my heart. Not just for the ministry of Michael English, but for Christian radio. Around the country, Christian stations proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. That he died on a cross for our sin, paid in full. They play songs about his never-ending grace. And yet, choose not to forgive Michael English for something that God forgave him years ago.

When we accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we give up the right not to forgive. However, there are very good - non-forgiveness based reasons for NOT playing an artist who falls.

(1) It looks bad to the seeker. Someone who does not know Christ will interpret our playing of a fallen artist as "covering up" their sin. The Christian community does a very poor job of purging phonies and money changers from the temple - and tends to forgive all too quickly a public display of regret. I remember Jimmy Swaggart's repentance speech. When a Christian saw it, they saw a heart felt repentance. When secular news showed it - their reaction was to laugh. They have no concept of spiritual matters. Such things are hidden from them UNTIL they accept Christ themselves. So why do we persist in trying to present them to the world as sterling examples of Christian leaders? That cheapens every single Christian leader who has NOT fallen - and who stands righteously in their position, faithfully obeying God's word. It has nothing to do with foregiveness, everything to do with the image of Christ presented to a fallen world. We need to purge ourselves of leaders who publically fall in a very public, forceful manner to make it clear to the unsaved world there is some standard of integrity expected of Christian leaders. Look at the example of the Catholic church - covering up rampant homosexuality by a small minority of their priests. Quite a mess of credibility they have made for themselves! Would you send your little boy to an all boys Catholic school? I think not!

(2) Apology is one thing, true epentance is another - submitting to a scriptural chain of command for restoration is mandatory. Not leaving a denomination to avoid the chain of command: J.S. We need, before saying all is right with the artist, to make sure they really HAVE repented. Did they submit to their denomination and its restoration procedure? Did they give up the booze, cigarettes, drugs, illicit relationship, or whatever it was? Or are they right back in old patterns, resorting to "rehab" only when they get caught: M.G.

(3) At what point do we compromise with the world? Bob Dylan put out some good Christian music. After 3 years, he announced he was done with Christ. Do we still play his stuff? Cat Stevens did a supurb version of "Morning Has Broken" - and then turned his back on Christ to follow the false religion of Islam. Do we play it? Do we play Sandy Patty? Other adulters / adultresses just because they are popular with listeners? Do we play secular songs by secular artists like "Proud to be an American" because it is patriotic and "feels good"? Jump 5, a Christian group, covered it and did a much better job anyway. Why do I still hear the original version on CHRISTIAN stations? A secular artist who happens to say they are a Christian is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Unless every song they do is Christ honoring - at least in not violating scriptural principles, it is COMPROMISE with the world to play their music on a Christian station. I even hear musical beds of the "we're more popular that Jesus" BEATLES on Christian stations - like birthday announcements. COMPROMISE! Beatles on Christian radio - what's next, Beatles in the church? Now, brothers, pick up your hymnals and turn to hymn number 666 - "My Sweet Lord". I don't think that is appropriate. They picked their god, we picked our God. So keep them off the air and out of the church!

 

[gr8oldies]

Bruce, I guess its up to you to create the Office of Orthodoxy for all Christian radio stations nation, even worldwide. After all, you even get to decide who has the copyright on the term Christian (UCC members.forget it, you don't qualify). Maybe we do need to stone the alterers and adultresses. Seems like if the audience wants to hear the song on your station, you listen to the audience.

You know, over the years so much of the "Christian" radio programming I've heard is along the lines of "you're not really a Christian because you don't think exactly like I do..you haven't jumped through all the hoops, etc." Actually, the more I read and hear, the less convinced I am that your version is "the real thing" and that certain groups have the exclusive relationship with God that you claim.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Bruce, I guess its up to you to create the Office of Orthodoxy for all Christian radio stations nation, even worldwide. After all, you even get to decide who has the copyright on the term Christian (UCC members.forget it, you don't qualify). Maybe we do need to stone the alterers and adultresses. Seems like if the audience wants to hear the song on your station, you listen to the audience.

You know, over the years so much of the "Christian" radio programming I've heard is along the lines of "you're not really a Christian because you don't think exactly like I do..you haven't jumped through all the hoops, etc." Actually, the more I read and hear, the less convinced I am that your version is "the real thing" and that certain groups have the exclusive relationship with God that you claim.

Have you got any other ways you want to insult me? My standards apply to me and programming I produce, they are not binding on anybody else. You want to play "My Sweet Lord" (Hare Krishna), or "Imagine" (Imagine there's no heaven ...) on your Christian station, go right ahead. Actually - as far as forgiveness, I was probably the only one who stood by Amy Grant when she got her kids out of a house fill with drugs to go to a better marriage. So don't throw stones at me, either. We all do the best we can at weeding out phonies - I got no respect at all for Jimmy Swaggart, who did not submit to authority for restoration, other people disagree and think he is the greatest thing ever. Whatever - which means they are idiots (J/K!)

As far as UCC - hey - they want to ignore the last half of Romans 1 and tells homosexuals that they are not sinners - that's their denomination's business. I, for one, don't want to start throwing out sections of the Word of God I find inconvenient, lest I be subject to the curse of the last verse of Revelation. But - hey - UCC was always a little short on love - ask one lady I know who was asked a set of 128 questions before they would fellowship with her. And there is something about whether you emphasize the last syllable of baptize - have you just been BAPtizes or have you been bapTIZED - I never understood that one. Neither did I understand why musical instruments are off limits when they sure weren't in the temple (ask Kind David), or why you couldn't have Sunday school classrooms in a building attached to the sanctuary. They come off as VERY sectarian, but its their right. You like it - you go there. Just don't tell me I'm not saved because I don't.

The Word of God says what it means and means what it says. That and the deity of Christ from the creation are my only doctrines. Pretty broad if you ask me. But not broad enough, evidently, for you. If you don't believe that Jesus is God, and the Bible is His word - why bother accepting Christianity at all? You have a lot of other more comfortable "feel good" religions available. And best of all, with a different religion, you don't have to worry about eternally worshipping at the feet of Christ! You will go wherever your religion's leader is when you die. You want to be with him / her - God will graciously allow it.

 

[smashedcd]

It broke my heart. Not just for the ministry of Michael English, but for Christian radio. Around the country, Christian stations proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. That he died on a cross for our sin, paid in full. They play songs about his never-ending grace. And yet, choose not to forgive Michael English for something that God forgave him years ago.

When we accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we give up the right not to forgive. However, there are very good - non-forgiveness based reasons for NOT playing an artist who falls.

(1) It looks bad to the seeker. Someone who does not know Christ will interpret our playing of a fallen artist as "covering up" their sin. The Christian community does a very poor job of purging phonies and money changers from the temple - and tends to forgive all too quickly a public display of regret. I remember Jimmy Swaggart's repentance speech. When a Christian saw it, they saw a heart felt repentance. When secular news showed it - their reaction was to laugh. They have no concept of spiritual matters. Such things are hidden from them UNTIL they accept Christ themselves. So why do we persist in trying to present them to the world as sterling examples of Christian leaders? That cheapens every single Christian leader who has NOT fallen - and who stands righteously in their position, faithfully obeying God's word. It has nothing to do with foregiveness, everything to do with the image of Christ presented to a fallen world. We need to purge ourselves of leaders who publically fall in a very public, forceful manner to make it clear to the unsaved world there is some standard of integrity expected of Christian leaders. Look at the example of the Catholic church - covering up rampant homosexuality by a small minority of their priests. Quite a mess of credibility they have made for themselves! Would you send your little boy to an all boys Catholic school? I think not!

(2) Apology is one thing, true epentance is another - submitting to a scriptural chain of command for restoration is mandatory. Not leaving a denomination to avoid the chain of command: J.S. We need, before saying all is right with the artist, to make sure they really HAVE repented. Did they submit to their denomination and its restoration procedure? Did they give up the booze, cigarettes, drugs, illicit relationship, or whatever it was? Or are they right back in old patterns, resorting to "rehab" only when they get caught: M.G.

(3) At what point do we compromise with the world? Bob Dylan put out some good Christian music. After 3 years, he announced he was done with Christ. Do we still play his stuff? Cat Stevens did a supurb version of "Morning Has Broken" - and then turned his back on Christ to follow the false religion of Islam. Do we play it? Do we play Sandy Patty? Other adulters / adultresses just because they are popular with listeners? Do we play secular songs by secular artists like "Proud to be an American" because it is patriotic and "feels good"? Jump 5, a Christian group, covered it and did a much better job anyway. Why do I still hear the original version on CHRISTIAN stations? A secular artist who happens to say they are a Christian is NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Unless every song they do is Christ honoring - at least in not violating scriptural principles, it is COMPROMISE with the world to play their music on a Christian station. I even hear musical beds of the "we're more popular that Jesus" BEATLES on Christian stations - like birthday announcements. COMPROMISE! Beatles on Christian radio - what's next, Beatles in the church? Now, brothers, pick up your hymnals and turn to hymn number 666 - "My Sweet Lord". I don't think that is appropriate. They picked their god, we picked our God. So keep them off the air and out of the church!

with that being said..do you still play amy grant? most stations still do..holier than thou... ..will it ever end?

 

[MarkLaRoi]

We all need to check our own conscience against the Word of God as to what we should and shouldn't play, and especially WHY. There is a higher call upon those who proclaim God's name to the public from a platform, and if they (we) take that fact lightly, then great will be our fall. It's not just about "I'm sorry" then everything is as it used to be. Then there are times when it should be exactly that.

Case by case.

Let your brother play what he will play, let your sister withhold what she will withhold, and let's call each other to a higher standard so that the question comes up less often to begin with.

Wasn't it this sort of thing Tonex mentioned as part of his reason for getting out of the business when he did?

 

[anotherguyTN]

Bruce,
This may be a little OT, but I think you're getting the United Church of Christ and the Church of Christ confused. The UCC is a very liberal denomination that accepts gays, but the Church of Christ for the most part is very conservative, and are the ones that many of them claim you aren't saved if you aren't bub-TIZED in their church, and your friend probably ran into.

Here are articles from Wikipedia on the two different groups:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Christ

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Church_of_Christ

I'm not meaning to turn this into a heavy theological discussion, but it's a point that I thought should be cleared up.

Now back to regular programming... ;D

 

[radio4Him]

with that being said..do you still play amy grant? most stations still do..holier than thou... ..will it ever end?
[/quote]

I hate to burst anyone's bubble but if you are going to judge music on who is "holy" and who isn't, it "ain't" going to work. There is a huge list of "holy" artists that have fallen and are still being played. If you are looking for pure Christian music check out your background vocals and session artists on your singles. That will surprise you. Here's hypocrisy - I know a pretty famous judgemental artist that did a single a few years ago with the group Chicago . I state judgemental because he is quick to criticise others for less (unless its him). Discussion on Christian music sure brings out the anger.
There are so many covers of secular music currently that its all meshing together but that is good since we are trying to bring in those that are listening to the wrong music. We can't do it if we don't communicate with them. I'm not speaking compromise only communication, (unless singing to the choir is what you are content to do).
Michael English made a big mistake with Christian radio by sending out tapes to each station blaming radio for his fall rather than blaming himself. He pulled his own music and then when he promised he was ok, he was running around buying drugs from doctors.That's too many strikes on the industry. I hear he is ok now but his singles that I heard are more so. gospel and of course that doesn't fit contemporary which means it won't get played.

 

[radio4Him]

When we accept Christ's sacrifice on the cross, we give up the right not to forgive. However, there are very good - non-forgiveness based reasons for NOT playing an artist who falls.

And may you receive the same grace you send out.

 

[radio4Him]

Wasn't it this sort of thing Tonex mentioned as part of his reason for getting out of the business when he did?

Tonex is still in the business with his own radio show, he is divorced. Would you play him or do you think he needs to suffer more?

 

[MarkLaRoi]

Wasn't it this sort of thing Tonex mentioned as part of his reason for getting out of the business when he did?

Tonex is still in the business with his own radio show, he is divorced. Would you play him or do you think he needs to suffer more?

"Would I play him or do I think he needs to suffer more?" Is that meant to be sarcastic? If it is, perhaps you should check this out my site. Perhaps you should also reread my earlier posting.

 

[radioelizabeth]

Wasn't it this sort of thing Tonex mentioned as part of his reason for getting out of the business when he did?

Tonex is still in the business with his own radio show, he is divorced. Would you play him or do you think he needs to suffer more?

Your contrast here (in bold) isn't really a balanced one.

 

[radio4Him]

Wasn't it this sort of thing Tonex mentioned as part of his reason for getting out of the business when he did?

Tonex is still in the business with his own radio show, he is divorced. Would you play him or do you think he needs to suffer more?

"Would I play him or do I think he needs to suffer more?" Is that meant to be sarcastic? If it is, perhaps you should check this out my site. Perhaps you should also reread my earlier posting.

It was not a personal "you". I'm just a little ill of the high and mighty judgemental little "god's" who speak for Our God.
There is such a religious spirit in Christianity. We eat our own and then bury them.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Like the little gods who judged Amy Grant. There are secular, business reasons for staying away from controversy. Maybe somebody is not at fault, maybe they truly repented. But if playing them alienates the little gods in your audience and you lose financial support - maybe you should have stayed away from playing them. So you can accomodate all the small minds out there.

 

[passafistwastaken]

I'll tell you why nobody is playing Michael English anymore. The CCM landscape has changed dramatically since 1991. At the time he was one of the top artists in the Genre, as was Steve Green, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Larnelle Harris, Michael Card and their ilk. The name of the game was INSPO.

The christian music landscape is changing. Five years ago groups like Avalon, Point of Grace, FFH, and Michael W. Smith were ruling the top of the charts. Christian AC was the king of. Today, none of these artist can get a new song on the radio, they've been replaced with Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and THird Day. Hot-AC has taken over the national charts, so obviously trying to fit an artist like Michael English into the musical landscape at the moment is impossible. Sorry all controversy and theology aside, this guy won't be picked up by Christian radio because his music is irrelevant. Sorry!

 

[radio4Him]

I'll tell you why nobody is playing Michael English anymore. The CCM landscape has changed dramatically since 1991. At the time he was one of the top artists in the Genre, as was Steve Green, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Larnelle Harris, Michael Card and their ilk. The name of the game was INSPO.

True Statement. Christian radio is changing, we used to copy each other now our competition should be secular radio. I'm sure some are shocked by that statement. If we want to communicate with the world then we need to have a sound that the world recognizes with music that has a different message.

 

[everyday magic]

There should be pleasantness always when it comes to the things of God. Christian music must uplift and stir the soul. Most Christian artists realize this - they just need to be reminded.