Jesus and Mac Powell
I love the Christian band Third Day (even Mitch agrees with me on this one!). And I love to hear Mac Powell (Third Day's lead singer) sing, enough so that I was willing to "risk" purchasing his solo country album. Not being a huge country fan, I wasn't sure what to expect...but I really like it. It's going into regular rotation on my iPod.
So I went to his Facebook page to see what other rave reviews he might be getting, and there at the very top of the page was a critical comment from a "fan" who told him that, since the aim of his recording this album is to play the music in bars and other similar settings, he would probably lose a lot of fans. She informed him (if he even reads the page) that he had no business, as a "good Christian," hanging out with those sinners.
Really?
Because the Jesus I encounter in the Gospels hung out with sinners. He went to places the "good religious people" didn't think he ought to go. He touched lepers. He talked with women (shocking in those days). He welcomed tax collectors and other "unacceptable people." In fact, the only ones Jesus has criticism for are the "good religious people." Sort of makes you think, doesn't it?
When did we decide we should always be in a holy bubble? How in the world are we going to reach people who need to hear about Jesus if we don't go where they are? Because they are no longer coming to where we are. How will they hear if we don't go to them (see Romans 10:14)?
We live in a culture in which we need more Mac Powells who aren't afraid to risk rejection in order to share the saving message of Jesus with someone who needs to hear it. John Wesley, Methodism's founder, was usually found preaching in the pubs and outside the coal mines to anyone who would listen (the churches turned him out). He went to where the people were...just like Jesus did.
So I applaud Mac Powell and hope he reaches many people singing in bars. And I'm hoping our band, SonDay Glory, can get out and about in the community to play and spread the love of Christ...even if it's in a bar! God bless those who take the risk to share the Gospel. Maybe, if more of us got out of our bubble, the world just might look different.
So I went to his Facebook page to see what other rave reviews he might be getting, and there at the very top of the page was a critical comment from a "fan" who told him that, since the aim of his recording this album is to play the music in bars and other similar settings, he would probably lose a lot of fans. She informed him (if he even reads the page) that he had no business, as a "good Christian," hanging out with those sinners.
Really?
Because the Jesus I encounter in the Gospels hung out with sinners. He went to places the "good religious people" didn't think he ought to go. He touched lepers. He talked with women (shocking in those days). He welcomed tax collectors and other "unacceptable people." In fact, the only ones Jesus has criticism for are the "good religious people." Sort of makes you think, doesn't it?
When did we decide we should always be in a holy bubble? How in the world are we going to reach people who need to hear about Jesus if we don't go where they are? Because they are no longer coming to where we are. How will they hear if we don't go to them (see Romans 10:14)?
We live in a culture in which we need more Mac Powells who aren't afraid to risk rejection in order to share the saving message of Jesus with someone who needs to hear it. John Wesley, Methodism's founder, was usually found preaching in the pubs and outside the coal mines to anyone who would listen (the churches turned him out). He went to where the people were...just like Jesus did.
So I applaud Mac Powell and hope he reaches many people singing in bars. And I'm hoping our band, SonDay Glory, can get out and about in the community to play and spread the love of Christ...even if it's in a bar! God bless those who take the risk to share the Gospel. Maybe, if more of us got out of our bubble, the world just might look different.
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