Thoughts on what the church can do better to support "non-church" music?

I was talking to the worship pastor at my church the other day, and he brought up an interesting point.  He said sometimes he feels like most of the emphasis is put on worship bands to play on Sundays at church, or developing musicians to play in church.  But the church should also be supporting, encouraging and ministering to those that are called to play music outside of the church.  He didn't have any answers persay on how to do it, but just a vision and thoughts to want to do so.

It got me thinking about this....and I'm curious to hear your thoughts.  Any thoughts or ideas you have?  How can the church more effectively help those called to do music outside of the church?  If you were in charge of something similar at your church, what would you want to do?

They could open their doors as a music venue, that would support local artists and also show the church supports it.

The frontman of Australian band Synnove, Brad Bessell is an ordained minister and I remember in the myspace days they posted an official ordainment notice. It was kinda neat, it was a certificate from his church saying that he was being sent out as a missionary into the heavy metal subculture.

Thats one thing I have always remembered about the band.

Metal Blessing Radio wrote:They could open their doors as a music venue, that would support local artists and also show the church supports it.

That's done on a regular basis by a lot of churches.

Heck, even back in the 80's I was in a church that ran a program called Rock House where they brought in bands like Petra, Servant, Rez, Barren Cross..etc etc and had them play concerts (either in the church or at a local school).

Personally, other than the church sponsoring them to play some shows, I don't think the church should be too involved with the rock/metal music scene.

I believe the band members should be involved in the church, and the church should support the individuals the same way they support any congregational members.

As I have said before, I believe the Christian music scene is more entertainment than anything else. I think the church's money, time, and resources are far better spent on important things like helping the poor and rebuilding lives.

Just my opinion, obviously...

My church doesn't necessarily help financially, but they do help with things like cd duplication, use of in house studio for both audio and video production, or insert design, etc.  The thing I found most valuable, to me, was a person who would regularly check in on the members to see how we were doing spiritually. That really helps to have that kind of support when you play mostly secular venues.

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That is cool.

I agree with NoOne, the Church shouldn't focus on one area but should be helping in the discipling of all members.

They can help by letting these kinds of bands be a light in dark place rather than a light in a place of light for a start. also support them with what they can.

Devon Hill wrote:  But the church should also be supporting, encouraging and ministering to those that are called to play music outside of the church. 

If a bands purpose is to minister to sinners with the Gospel, then of course the Church should support them. But it should be members local Church that should probably support them directly. If the local church agrees with the bands methods and message and delivery, then it should be viewed as another " limb " of the Body of Christ. I'm sure it would be handled in a similar way that the local Church supports other missionary efforts.

....and to be clear..on the other side of the coin the Church should not support ( $, promotion ) bands that have no missionary vision or that make vaguely messaged music.

reminder: we are the church 

My church doesn't necessarily help financially, but they do help with things like cd duplication, use of in house studio for both audio and video production, or insert design, etc.  The thing I found most valuable, to me, was a person who would regularly check in on the members to see how we were doing spiritually. That really helps to have that kind of support when you play mostly secular venues.

Now that's what I call support!!!

Verycool... and true.  I know at our church--I do my best to encourage people leverage every gift/passion they have in both MINISTRY (a word I use to describe service within the church) & MISSION --- serving in the community/marketplace.

Salt does not good--IN THE SALT SHAKER... gotta get out there!

alldatndensum wrote:

My church doesn't necessarily help financially, but they do help with things like cd duplication, use of in house studio for both audio and video production, or insert design, etc.  The thing I found most valuable, to me, was a person who would regularly check in on the members to see how we were doing spiritually. That really helps to have that kind of support when you play mostly secular venues.

Now that's what I call support!!!

We're blessed with resources and no one believes, even for a minute, that it belongs to anyone but God Himself.