Return of the Rant: Leland
Posted by: stuartdelony in Blogroll, Christianity, Jesus, Uncategorized, christian, christian crap, christian culture, christian ministry, christiantity, general, leland, life, people, religion, worship, youth, youth ministry, youth ministry bloggers, youth ministry confessionI saw this over on Brian Alexander’s great blog.
It’s another one of those rah rah statements you always hear floating around youth groups. For those of you who don’t know, Leland is a girl pant wearing emo Christian whine rockers. Here’s a statement by the band meant to rally youth to live an “opposite way.” Not to be the jerk here, but this sounds good but doesn’t mean anything.
If Lealand wanted to live the opposite way, they’d give their CD’s away for free, tour for free and just hang out with people and share Jesus. It’s easy for bands to preach to kids about living differently when they themselves are living a capitalistic dream.
Are we called to live different? Yes. Is this the way? Nope.
A missions trip to Africa is the answer? If we’re wanting to be different, the answer then is moving to Africa and investing well in the people there. When the Lord says he wants our life he means all of it. Giving your life over doesn’t mean bringing your Bible to work. It’s doing something that you’re completely devoted to for the Lord.
Do you see what I’m saying? Or am I just rambling?
This whole thing is well intentioned, but never lasts. It’s like the experience you have at camp. Kids come home ready to be different, and then when the “camp high” is over, lives moves on as it was.
For them to ask us to live differently, the need to be willing to journey there as well - and I don’t see that happening. They’ll keep playing more shows, pumping out more CD’s and making loads of cash, riding the Chri$tian Marketing Culture lifestyle. Christian Culture isn’t counter culture. It’s religious culture. Christ WAS counter culture, not religious- he left that for the Pharisees in pink sweaters.
Tags: bands, bs, christian music, crap, leland, life, open your eyes, opposite way, rally, random, rhetoric, youth ministry
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Thanks for linking to my site. You can even link to the post if you want. I can understand what you are saying, but they are still a great band with great music.
Why so cynical? I can’t wait for the “Opposite Way” T-shirts, bracelets, music videos, sweatpants with it printed on the butt, devotionals, etc ad nauseam. Besides I doubt Leland actually sees much of the money. The execs, music biz, marketing companies, etc are the ones that get to cash in on creating a new “movement”. Well, they’ve forgotten to mention the first word usually associated with that word “movement” because it all just amounts to a pile of crap.
I think you would really enjoy aspects of that book “God Laughs and Plays”. Obviously, you probably won’t agree with all of it, but then if you did what would be the point? “Long and vigorous” is all I’ve got to say.
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yeah, id have to disagree with you on this one. lots of other bands to use as examples for your point… think you were off on the chosen example. the POINT you make is good, but Leeland is a far cry from typical CCM junk. peace man.
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Nut you crack me up.
Mr. Ivey… I’m just calling it like it is. When I see videos like this one, they just come off like “hollow things we’re supposed to do because we’re sold in Christian bookstores.” Maybe I’m wrong, but it sure doesn’t seem this way…
Interesting points… I can live with the thought, even though I am not too familiar with the band.
Stu,
I like you. A lot. I think you are a great guy, with a great heart but you’re beyond wrong here. You’re making a judgment that isn’t your place to make. You’re calling something into question that isn’t your place to call into judgment. You’re parting from the Way here and worrying about how someone else is preaching the gospel. LORD knows I’m not fan of CCM, and I can see the point you’re making, but it’s not our place to say that what there doing will not produce honest fruit.
To wit, I know many people who have had camp experiences that have changed their lives for many years. I know people who have heard songs from groups that I find repulsive (the lyrics, not the style) and it has changed their life.
You know, I could judge you and say the same types of things about your motorcycle. I’d be wrong, but I could do it.
Dude, you rock, your blog rocks, and your pictures rock, but this post…not so much
What I’m tired of here is the trend in Youth Ministry of starting hollow movements. It’s all well intentioned, it just comes off as more of a marketing scheme than it does anything else. Judgmental? Possibly. But cynical is more likely. I just get sick of stuff like this.
And you talking smack about my cycle?
LOL, no not all. I wish I had one. But when you say, “I don’t see that.” I wonder when this group became resonsible to answering to you. When did it become wrong for them to make a living at a legal enterprise? In fact since you know so much about them, what did they read in their Bible this morning? What did you read? I’m guessing not Matthew 7? What did they pray about today? I mean since you can judge how they’re journeying in their faith, you must have these answers? Right?
And Dude, I mean this sincerely, I love you like a brother in Christ. I pray for you regularly and I believe in what you are doing. Someday, we’ll meet and that will be fun.
Oh buddy, you know I’m not mad. I love a good banter/conversation…
I totally see what you’re saying. I appreciate your perspective. I like starting stuff and seeing what comes from it, so no worries.
I just feel that it’s a bit of a different bag when you take your “movement” onto the net, market it as a CD, have t-shirts and ect. you’re putting yourself out in a public forum. You’re broadcasting yourself. That’s a totally different posture than one who’s quietly making a difference. When you stand in a public forum, you are in turn inviting opposition (like me and my big mouth inviting it my way as well). They’re not responsible to answer to me, but as a minister to youth I feel like I’m allowed to have an opinion on the marketing that pushed into the kids faces.
There’s changing the world and there’s talking about changing the world. This one feels well marketed… which is why it invites my cynicism.
But you’re correct in pointing out that I really don’t know. I don’t know for sure, but I can tell you what I smell…