By Pablo Darelli

The annual debate starts predictably after the first leaves of fall begin cluttering gutters and blanketing lawns, and then continues right up until the last present is hastily ripped open on December 25th.  No, this will not be another rant decrying our materialistic habits, the War on Christmas, or how the true meaning of the holiday has been forgotten. Though the contentious topic of the commercialization of Christmas merits examination and everyone should at some point question the virtues being extolled by the manner in which it is celebrated, I will not re-tread the well worn arguments that have been used to either support or demonize our gift giving and sometimes secularized holiday traditions.  Instead I would like to take a more critical look at what occurs during the other 10 months of the year when Christmas is not at the forefront of our collective conscience.

Christian oriented products and services are a 4.5 billion dollar a year industry fueled by the wallets and checkbooks of millions of Christians. There are board games, jewelry, calendars and even auto insurance policies that are geared specifically towards this demographic.  Christian music has a large following as well, with many bands gaining prominence on the national stage.  The scope of these efforts to market to Christians and evangelize compels one to question the effects of such an extensive commercialization of Christian beliefs, values and traditions.  Is a Jesus action figure an appropriate plaything for a small child?  Will one’s faith be strengthened by the mug with a scripture verse etched on it?  Is it ethical for entrepreneurs to make a profit off of another’s religious beliefs?  The answers to these questions can be occasionally uncomfortable to consider and are difficult to uniformly apply.  The mixing of business interests with a
religion that encourages altruism is not always easy to reconcile.  It is a delicate balancing act that requires equal attention be paid to our inner spiritual growth as opposed to only focusing on the outward expressions of our faith.

The possible danger of purchasing toys with Biblical themes and characters is that children may confuse religion and fantasy.  What’s the difference between a comic book superhero and an Old Testament prophet or even Jesus Christ if it comes packaged in the same form?  Teens, young adults or even twenty-somethings may only be superficially attracted to Christianity due to the popularity of a particular trend, celebrity or musical group. The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson raised some amount of controversy by stressing the suffering that Christ endured while rarely emphasizing the importance of his teachings.  It may have encouraged some to come closer to Christ, but it did so in a sensationalist and perhaps less substantial manner.

Surrounding ourselves with figurines of Biblical figures, wearing t-shirts with religious messages, or having a Christian bumper sticker attached to the back of the car does not make one a good Christian, it simply provides the means to generate that appearance.  A too zealous approach in acquiring and displaying such items can blind one to more important aspects of Christianity.  Instead of simply proclaiming Christian virtues, it may be better to put more effort into allocating resources towards causes in line with them.  You can donate money to a local charity and emergency relief agencies or perhaps volunteer your time to aid the less fortunate.  Even more troublesome could be using Christian paraphernalia as a substitute for faith and conviction.  Regular personal prayer, scripture study and pondering Christian teachings are better solutions when doubts and difficulties creep into our lives. 

The potential positive aspects of having a range of Christian products available should not be ignored.  They can remind us of our commitments to both our God and to our fellow men.  A ring, a cross necklace or a daily bible verse may spur us to make better decisions on a day to day basis. Incorporating religious elements into family or recreational activities can reinforce the concept that Christian mores and teachings should not be limited to only Sunday services, but are in fact an integral part of living a good life.  They offer an alternative to the mainstream concept that in the ‘real world’ one must check religion at the door.  The difference between a useful reminder and a purely ornamental accessory or product though, is whether it can influence actions and attitudes.  The usefulness of having a vibrant Christian music industry should also not be dismissed.  The Christian music scene provides a refuge from the often times denigrating and
amoral attitudes that are evident in popular hip-hop, rock or metal song lyrics.  Large social music events can provide the support and camaraderie that can make living a Christian lifestyle a more fulfilling experience.

It is possible that in some cases the act of ‘commercializing’ Christianity is in actuality a practical step in introducing the gospel to non-believers. Most religiously apathetic individuals would likely reject a knock on their door, or a pamphlet passed along on the street, but may instead be receptive to the advice of a pop singer.  When examining the effects of commercialization it is vital to consider the intent and purpose of the product, and whether it has sufficient potential of drawing yourself or others closer to God.

Do you view the commercialization of Christianity as negative or do you see, within it, positive aspects that can promote the faith? Let us know!

By: Dave Fidlin

Be in the world, not of the world. 

The popular saying, paraphrased and abridged from Scripture in John 17:14-16, has been uttered in churches and Christian circles for ages. Case in point: Avalon, a Contemporary Christian Music group, devoted a song, “In Not Of,” to the topic on their 1999 album, “In a Different Light.”

But for a Christian, the exact interpretation of how to live this philosophy out has been scrutinized and debated. Some members of the Christian community concede it is blasphemous to evangelize outside a traditional church setting or an event sanctioned by a Christian organization, while others take a far more liberal view, saying even bars or strip clubs can be used as venues to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In general, evangelical Christians tend to embrace the “go out into the world” mentality, while more conservative-leaning Christians tread much more lightly on this philosophy.

During his time on earth, Jesus displayed an example of how to live a life of faith and effectively spread the Gospel. While He came down hard at times – as evidenced by his angry response toward occupants of a temple, who turned the venue into a market – He also was compassionate and associated Himself with people who were not walking in God’s footsteps. The fact Jesus gave the time of day to a prostitute like Mary Magdalene is proof that He did not associate solely with church-goers.

Perhaps one of the boldest modern examples of a Christian evangelizing in an unorthodox setting is Heather Veitch, founder of the Las Vegas-based ministry JC’s Girls. (JC stands for Jesus Christ.) Veitch, a former stripper, claims to have turned away from her past lifestyle and advocates against the sex industry. Members of JC’s Girls visit strip clubs across the country and offer invitations to the women to attend church. Veitch also serves on the staff of Central Christian Church in an area nicknamed “sin city.”

The ministry has even set up booths at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo – a venue where a Christian presence would seem most unlikely. Members of JC’s Girls have given out gift packages accompanied with messages saying God forgives all sins. In interviews, Veitch said the goal of the ministry is to reach out without coming across as judgemental. 

JC’s Girls have raised more than a few eyebrows in the Christian community. 

“Heather’s intentions may be good; I’m going to put the best construction on her intentions,” Ingrid Schlueter, a Milwaukee-based conservative Christian talk show host, wrote on her blog, Slice of Laodicea, last year. “But the lack of solid biblical teaching today is resulting in ‘ministries’ that are bringing only more shame on the name of Christ.”

Schlueter and other Christian leaders have been critical of several of Veitch’s tactics, including a critique that she continues to wear somewhat revealing clothing, which could lead to a stumbling block for men struggling with their own fleshy desires.

But there are some members of the Christian community who believe a fresh approach to evangelizing is necessary in a culture that is growing increasingly cynical toward the seemingly judgmental, narrow-minded attitudes of people in churches. 

“I’m always inspired by (Veitch’s) love for the girls (in the adult entertainment industry) and her passion; her ideas for reaching people are fresh, bold, crazy and innovative,” wrote a member of Ethur, an organization aimed at intertwining Christianity and culture, on the blog, A Polite Rebellion Against Mass Thought.

The Veitch scenario raises an interesting point of evangelizing outside the church. One aspect is certain: Christians should not expose themselves to situations that could cause them to stumble in their walk with the Lord. It would be hard to argue this would be crossing the line between being in the world and not of it. A recovering alcoholic who has come to Christ, for instance, might not be best suited to share the Gospel in a bar. Not initially, at least. However, a Christian’s previous sins, and God’s transformation of that person’s life, can become a powerful testimony to those who have yet to proclaim a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Perhaps one of the most effective means of straying from vulnerable situations is to pray for discernment each day – especially when going out into “the battle field” and sharing Christianity with nonbelievers. The book of 1 Thessalonians speaks to the topic of discernment, particularly in 5:21-22, where Christians are instructed to “examine everything carefully,” “hold fast to that which is true” and “abstain from every form of evil.”

Amid the debate of being in the world, not of it, is an important point: Whenever a Christian steps outside the church doors and wants to share the Gospel with the world, authenticity is a key ingredient to the witnessing efforts. 

The old adage, “People don’t care how much you know until they know you care,” is in danger of being deemed trite because it is tossed around so casually, but it holds true when any effort is made to bridge the gap between Christianity and pop culture. Memorizing Bible verses is only one step in sharing the Gospel with others.

Letting one’s guard down, and perhaps being somewhat vulnerable, is a second, and powerful, step believers can use when sharing the benefits of a walk with Christ. All too often, it can be tempting to come across with a polished, I’ve-got-it-all-together attitude. But a Christian giving their testimony – sharing how God has worked in his or her life – is a powerful means of witnessing to a world searching for answers to tough questions. 

Anyone can shout Bible verses into a megaphone and tell passers-by they are going to hell if they do not repent. Taking an active interest in someone’s life, on the other hand, can be demanding. It means investing in that person by sacrificing time and, at times, it can result in emotional fatigue.

But, borrowing another clichéd phrase, “What would Jesus do?” Based on his interactions with believers and nonbelievers alike, the answer appears fairly obvious.

By: Allysen Mahaffey

One thing that makes Christians stand out like a sore thumb in American mainstream culture is views about premarital sex. It is almost unheard of today for someone to wait to have sex before marriage, and if someone does decide to wait because of his or her Christian beliefs, people may look at them strangely or mockingly with disbelief. For instance, think of the Christian tradition involving the so-called “purity ring,” where young unmarried Christians choose to wear a ring symbolizing their commitment to abstinence until marriage. In some church traditions, fathers give their young daughters this “purity ring.” To an onlooker, this might look like these people belong in a different century or are part of a cult-like group that follows the strictest of rules. This is especially true in the context of our contemporary secular culture, which practically worships sex and the idea of it. Sex seems to be everywhere, in advertisements, TV shows, movies, music, magazines and the Internet. How can Christian views about sex, which traditionally teaches the only place for sex is marriage, be so different from contemporary American popular culture? Is Christianity’s mainstream view about premarital sex too old-fashioned for today’s culture?

Sexual temptation is nothing new, and has been around since the beginning of time. The biology of our bodies and the feelings, passion, and lust that arise in a relationship is something Christians have dealt with for a long time. Today’s culture, however, does not make things any easier for Christians to strive for sexual purity until marriage. For many, making the choice to wait may sound insane. It is much easier to be like everyone else then rather stand out and be that person who is still a virgin, and will be until…when, marriage?! Perhaps it was easier when the mainstream American culture agreed that sex should be saved for marriage only. American popular culture views about sex drastically changed during the 1960s, a decade famous for the Civil Rights Movement and anti-war demonstrations, but also known for its cultural revolution. The Baby-Boomer generation led the way for what is known as the “Sexual Revolution.” Amongst other things, views about sex drastically changed. For example, “free love” came about and is described as unrestricted sexual practices and a casual attitude towards sex. People were “freed” of sexual boundaries and rules, and premarital sex was no longer such a taboo or hidden deed. However, this much more relaxed, open view about sexual behavior did not come without negative consequences, such as unwanted pregnancies and an increase in sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. These negative consequences did not stop American culture from continuing on become more relaxed about premarital sex, however. After all, here we are half a decade later, as a generation that does not quite remember chastity as ever being the norm.

Not only is sex everywhere, it is also celebrated greatly. Premarital and casual sex is the standard behavior for characters in TV and movies, and the basis for lyrics for many popular songs and magazine articles. Pornography is also more accessible than ever, and is an industry that makes billions of dollars annually. Rarely does our popular culture focus on the long list of possible negative aspects of casual sex. A fictional character in a TV show or movie that indulges in casual sex hardly gets a STD, an unwanted pregnancy, or deals with negative emotional aspects tied to sex. If one of these issues should arise, they are solved in an unrealistic timeslot. For example, think of the popular sitcom Friends. The characters of this show have premarital sex frequently; yet deal with very little negative consequences, except for one unwanted pregnancy. However, the mother and father end up together in the end, are over 30 years old and financially stable. Although this is just one TV show, it is representative of the problem with the way sex is viewed and dealt with in our popular culture. Much of it seems to say that sex is extremely important and vital in a dating relationship, that you should have it as much as possible, and if you do not have it frequently, you are not a man or are a prude.

Some might say that Christianity needs to keep up with contemporary culture, or it may become irrelevant and outdated. Sure, this may be true for the type of music that is played during a worship service or how people dress for church, but should this really be the answer for a serious and important issue such as sex? Sex is not as simple, and the choices we make about it can be life changing. Did God give us boundaries for the sake of giving us rules because He doesn’t want us to have fun, or is there something more to these moral guidelines? Many people, including the non-religious and religious, often claim rules that religion place on people restrict individual freedom and choice. Perhaps the Christian church is somewhat at fault as well for over-emphasizing these rules so greatly instead of Christ’s grace, mercy, and freedom.

It is important to read what the Bible has to say about sex and its boundaries. Just like other sayings and phrases in the Christian tradition such as the “Holy Trinity” or the “Second Coming,” an exact phrase condemning premarital sex does not exist in the Bible, which does not make things exactly easy. However, there are verses that infer God does not want His followers to live in sexual immorality, which amongst other things includes premarital sex. Both 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Ephesians 5:3 say to “flee sexual immorality.” The passage in 1 Cor. 6 also says that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit, and that people who sin sexually sin against their own body. In 1 Cor. 7, Paul wrote that men and women should get married to avoid burning with lust and fornication (defined as having sex outside of marriage). Having sex or satisfying lust is of course not the only reason for marriage in the Bible, but the language used in these verses makes it clear that God does not want us to engage in sexual immorality, including premarital sex, and for good reason.

In can be extremely difficult for a young Christian couple to wait to have sex before marriage. When two people are in love, it feels natural and right to advance their physical relationship. However, even our own feelings can lie to us.  In the moment, what we think is right and what may feel great may not be the best for us. The world around us is also constantly lying to us. “Free-love” is an ironic term that is not so freeing after all when you consider all of the possible negative and life-changing consequences that such a relaxed view about sex brings about. Sex may feel right and good at the time, but like many other things in life, it may turn sour if practiced outside of the boundaries God gave us. As Christians, we believe God is the Creator and Sustainer of our universe and humankind. If this is true, then we must trust He knows a lot more about what is good for us then what the world and our minds tell us. God has made boundaries for a reason, and these boundaries are not to restrict us but to ultimately set us free. Many parts of the Bible celebrate sex in the context of marriage, and it is important to remember that God created our bodies and sex as good and beautiful things. Sex in the context of marriage is an intimate and important act, as well as a gift from God. Unfortunately, sex has been perverted into what American mainstream culture thinks of it today. Things like casual sex, promiscuity, and pornography, are hurtful to society, as well as demeaning and destructive to women, men, and relationships. It is not what God intended for sex or us. God did not create sexual and other boundaries to hinder our fun, yet to ensure we can enjoy life to the fullest without so much unnecessary worry.

By: Andy Dudynsky

 
As a veteran festival attendee, I’ve been to countless Warped Tours, Bamboozles, and all other alternative music festivals that stop by the New York area.  But this past weekend at Revelation Generation 2009 was something different. I’ve even been to several Christian music events, but nothing that compared to the scale of Revelation Generation 2009.

Unlike the events listed above, RevGen 2009 started with something special – a word of prayer.  Under Friday’s blue skies, the early arrivers bowed their heads before The Glorious Unseen took to the New York stage. This set the mood for the entire weekend, as throughout the weekend thousands of teens were given the chance to learn more about Christ while watching their favorite bands, many of them for the first time.  Sean Grom of the RevGen steering committee commented “Revelation Generation is not just a concert. We want to see lives changed.”

“I don’t care, I’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, I can die now!”  said a girl of fourteen or fifteen years.  Interestingly enough, each band stressed throughout the weekend that they do not deserve to be looked at as anyone different than the fans in the crowd.  This was also the aim of “Tent 7,” a place where a few lucky fans were able to meet and greet their favorite bands and listen to what they had to say.  Most shared messages about being saved, and how God and music have changed their lives.  “We try to do the right thing, and let people down all the time” says Toby Morrell of Emery.  Many bands, including Underoath and Switchfoot told stories about tough times in their lives, and how they wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for God’s love.  At the end of each Tent 7 session, people unfamiliar with Christ were given the chance to receive a bible and talk to the friendly volunteer staff so that they could learn more about what it means to be a Christian – something a lot of youth took advantage of. 

Friday’s acts kept their fingers crossed as the breeze began to cool and the clouds began to darken.  Although Emery introduced themselves as the “official Underoath tailgate party,” their performance was nothing less than spectacular.  After, fans got treated to Haste the Day, who encouraged listeners to “stand up for what you believe in, even when everything falls away.”  Attendees were reminded that it’s easy to do the right thing in a Christian atmosphere such as RevGen.  But when you go out into the world; whether at school or work, or even seeing the same bands in a non-Christian setting, stay true to what’s important to you and to God.

Over on the Philadephia stage, popular artists like Matthew West, Jars of Clay, and MercyMe pumped out their chart-topping hits.  Joining them was Delirious?, in what will most likely be their last show in the United States, as they have decided to split ways in November 2009.  Dressed in three piece suits, the band from the UK is best known for their 1994 song “I Could Sing of your Love Forever.”  Friday bands didn’t have huge crowds, but that didn’t stop them from putting out amazing music that echoed over the massive space that is Revelation Farms.  Jars of Clay ended up drawing the biggest crowd of the night, playing songs from the new album all the way back to their self-titled.  This was the first time I personally felt God over the weekend – I’ve been listening to Jars for about six years, and to look around and see everyone singing along and praising God was quite amazing. Even though just about everyone was there to see different bands, everyone was really at RevGen for a similar reason; to praise God through music, and not worry about work or school.

Closing out the night was Underoath, who stressed the importance of the fact that we cannot tell other what to do, but that we can love people, be open minded, and have open hearts, while loving everyone the same.  A large group prayer followed, where several of the tents were packed with teens who shared tear-jerking testimonials and words of guidance.

One event attendee, Kate Laird, 24, from Port Republic, NJ, commented that she wished that all of the RevGen bands would talk more about Christ onstage at their other shows.  I agree, and hope that bands will continue to thank God while onstage, and reach out to music fans that really need help finding God in their lives.

Saturday’s weather ended up being a bit hotter, as temperatures rocketed up to the high 80′s. (Come on, that’s hot for September in Jersey!) Thankfully, RevGen was also more reasonable about water prices, selling bottles for just a dollar – talk about unheard of! The proceeds from the food and beverage sales benefited various local charities.  Speaking of charities, RevGen’s merch tent provided an awesome outlet for many non-profits, including Gospel for Asia, Rockforlife.org, To Write Love on Her Arms, and several Christian apparel brands.  Fans got a chance to get some free gear, find out more about a charity, and donate money directly.

Also in attendance were several local colleges, which provided a great chance for all high school and middle school students to get a peak at some of the northeast’s finest Christian based schools.  In attendance were Philadelphia Biblical College, Baptist Bible College, and Messiah College, and many others.  With free t-shirts and private orientation dates, I’m sure many teens took advantage of a free college fair during the weekend.

August Burns Red, ready to headline their next tour, gave Staurday’s crowd a reason to arrive early.  Before their performance, fans heard a message from festival organizers explaining that love is what will build the music community, and parents learned that although the music of the Philadelphia stage may sound “angry,” it is passionate, and presents a strong message.  The weekend provided Christian music for all types of fans, which is why it is such a big hit for youth groups and families.  Other attractions included skateboarding and BMX demos, and multiple volleyball courts not too far away from the main stages.

Jon Foreman of Switchfoot packed the Nashville stage tent on Saturday afternoon, with fans literally overflowing out the sides of the tent for a solo performance.  In an intimate setting, he let listeners choose which songs they wanted to hear.  He mentioned that he writes music to take care of the things in the world that don’t make sense, and that music is all about communicating these issues.  The fans sang along, and got a kick out of references to Bob Dylan and Wayne’s World 2.

I got a chance to sit down with Mindy Daleo, who played on the Nashville Stage Saturday afternoon as well.  She explained that if there’s one thing you need to know, it’s that “Anywhere you’re at, you can get out of it.  I’ve been there.”  She said that she can’t stand how religion is presented these days, and “Believes in a God you can talk to in your living room.”  This message is one that is close to my heart, as I often find myself talking to God in the middle of my day in any given place. 

Before I mention Saturday’s headlining acts, let’s take a look at two other side stages.  Ranging from the pioneers in the Southern Christian hip-hop, GRITS, to B.Reith’s Nashville based band, the Urban Stage provided an opportunity for exposure to some fresh Christian artists. MyChildren, MyBride, and Impending Doom were the big names on the Come and Live stage, which attracted a steady flow of fans that came to see the headlining acts.  Between dance teams and DJ’s, these stages offered something different than the Christian alternative scene.

The Devil Wears Prada played a lot of new material in an energetic set that had the crowd surfing and circling in pits that “exceeded (the bands) expectations.”  It certainly seemed as if the crowd and the band were feeding off of each other’s energy, as TDWP too mentioned that everything that happens in the crowd is just as important as what they’re up to on stage.  Lastly, they made sure attentive fans knew that even as devout Christians, they too make mistakes.

Saturday evening’s performances included Relient K, MercyMe, Switchfoot, and Flyleaf.  Relient K treated their old fans to a special set which included tracks like “Mood Rings” and “Sadie Hawkins Dance,” all while busting out trumpets, accordions, and even a bit of 90′s rap.  Flyleaf’s Lacy Mosley was the only female at RevGen – she was joined by the talent of Fireflight, Blanca Reyes of Group 1 Crew, Mindy Daleo, and the award winning BarlowGirl.

In passing, I heard a girl mention “I feel like this year it went by so fast.”  I truly felt the same way, as the headlining acts were flowing all weekend long.  Luckily, I (like everyone else) didn’t have time for a single break, and found myself joining packs of teens running from stage to stage in order to try and catch the end of a set.

This year’s Revelation Generation Festival provided an awesome venue for music fans to come together in a Christian setting. Let’s hope that the future holds more events of this sort all over the country!

You can find out more about Revelation Generation at
www.revgen.org
or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Rev_gen

See you guys next year!

By Robert Ham

As you likely have already noticed, the divide between Christians and non-believers seems to be getting wider every day. For every bold individual that manages to construct a bridge to navigate over this gulf, there are dozens, if not hundreds, more who are happy to sling invective, insults, or worse back and forth.

There is hope, however. Hope of closing this gap, opening up dialogue between these two disparate parties, and healing some of the hurt inflicted on each group toward the other. Hope in the form of a tall, bespectacled fellow who likes to walk around covered in bumper stickers.

True, that’s not the only way he likes to dress, but when we first meet Dan Merchant in his entertaining and eye-opening documentary Lord Save Us From Your Followers, he’s wearing a white rain suit covered in stickers and varieties of Jesus fish decals and drawing attention from a variety of passersby. It’s a quick way to grab people’s interest, but also a quick way to get people talking to Merchant on camera about their beliefs, their understanding of Christianity and just why it is that, as the subtitle of the film spells out, the gospel of love is dividing America.

“We are the ones who are supposed to understand compassion and forgiveness,” says Merchant, “so why are we in the middle of all these political arguments? Why is it when people yell at us, we swing back?”

Merchant, an advertising and marketing filmmaker based in Portland, Oregon, took a film crew with him across the country, interviewing theologians, politicians (including Rick Santorum and Al Franken), preachers, a beat poet and even a drag queen hoping to answer these questions and shake up of his own firmly held beliefs, the first cracks of which started to show about five years ago.

“I was on a trip to Ethiopia to shoot a documentary for the State Department on aid and I saw some profound things,” says Merchant, speaking from his production company’s office in Portland. “What really struck me was the Christians that I saw there who come from around the world to do the difficult work that needed to be done. And that Ethiopian Christians have a much greater depth of faith than anyone I know. There I was thinking, ‘This guy who lives in a hut half way around the world understands God better than you do.’”

Coming back to the U.S., Merchant saw the stark contrast go into deeper relief in the news coverage leading up to the Presidential elections of 2004. “I heard people on TV and on talk radio and they had this very strident, aggressive, divisive approach and were really alienating people. I compared the people on the mics to that kid in his hut who reminded me of Jesus…and then I looked in the mirror and realized that I had much more in common with the guys on TV.”

Like Michael Moore and Bill Maher before him, Merchant puts himself in front of the camera, giving viewers a figure to follow through the film and giving us a chance to watch him peel away his preconceptions as he goes along, as well as watching him challenge himself for the sake of being a more loving Christian. The most potent example being the confession booth he set up at Portland Pride, the annual event for the city’s gay and lesbian community.

Taking its inspiration directly from the pages of Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, this booth was for Merchant to confess the sins of Christians towards homosexuals, as well as his own personal sins. As the film attests, the experience had quite an effect on the booth’s visitors and on Merchant. “Half the people that came in broke down in tears and so did I,” he remembers. “They were so generous and kind to me to be willing to listen and accept my apology. And the conversations that we had afterward, they told me things that were very personal and I told them things. And that’s just what friends do.”

Lord Save Us is not without its lighter moments, as well, like Merchant’s very Michael Moore-like attempts in St. Paul, Minnesota to have the city’s name changed to New Leningrad, a satirical reaction to the city council’s decision to remove the Easter Bunny from their holiday decorations. The director is quick to point out though that moments in the film, like these were thought up on the fly, free of the preconceived agendas that mark the work of Moore or Maher’s anti-faith film Religulous.

“It’s why the film took three years to shoot. It was like I was in the middle of a detective story. I would read the news and go, ‘Oh, here’s a clue: a guy in kabuki makeup screaming at kids playing guitar on the steps of city hall in San Francisco [the aforementioned drag queen, Sister Mary Timothy, protesting a Christian youth conference holding an event in his hometown],’ then that’s what we’d do. Or when talking to Al Franken and he’d say something about the Easter Bunny being removed from St. Paul City Hall and we’d go find out about that. My personal quest is simply mirrored in this movie.”

The film is going to slowly be released in theaters around the country starting on September 25th, but Merchant has already taken the film to churches and colleges around the country for small screenings, events that the director says have already started to help push these two sides closer together. “So many people who call themselves Christians have told me this is a movie for them, and non-Christian audiences – Jewish, Muslim or Atheist- they think the movie is for them. It speaks to them all.”

By: Josh Gloer

About 50 miles south of San Jose is the home of the Spirit West Coast Christian Music Festival – Monterey, California. Less than 24 hours from the show, Family Force 5 is in a van, headed for the show.

Dance, Rawr, Dance 3, an official tour, starts in September, but until then, FF5 is playing festivals like Spirt West, averaging 250 days on the road for the year.

“We’re a bunch of road dogs,” Derek “Chap Stique” Mount, the band’s guitarist, said. The band is dedicated to its fans, constantly playing shows and actively communicating with MySpace, Twitter and an open phone line fans can call and leave messages on. “We have incredible fans. We have a great relationship with them, too.”

But it’s a double-edged sword, as many of the band members have wives and families they leave behind every time they hit the road. So for their latest creation, a fantastic video for their song “Dance or Die,” they decided to get creative.

“We’re trying to make sure we put our families first,” Mount said. “So instead of trying to shoot on our time off we decided to shoot it on the road.” The band brought Director Steven Shultz, a lighting rig and a green screen made from bed sheets to shoot between rehearsals, sound checks and shows.

“We have a blast. We’re a very visual band and love the escapism element of videos. It’s a lot of fun, just a nice change of pace from writing recording and touring.”

And the video, something Mount said the band is very proud of, is out of this world.

“Its very Captain EO influenced,” Mount said. “It’s very Neverending Story-esque. We’re real excited about that. We got to feel like we’re on a different planet.”

And the video has been well received. An mtvU video of the week winner, the video has been featured on AOL and has kids mimicking dance steps. “Everybody’s loving it. All the kids are just really excited.”

If festival dates, and a brand spankin’ new video aren’t enough, the band is still finding time for the studio, and their new Christmas album will drop October 6th.

“Writing Christmas songs has been a hilarious process,” Mount said. “You’ve got really, really tough competition. You might write a killer song, but it’s definitely not as good as Jingle Bells.”

While Mount jokes about wearing Santa hats and breaking out the fake Christmas tree in July for inspiration as they work on the album, its clear that for Family Force 5, the real inspiration comes from a deeply rooted faith.

“We’re very much Christians, it’s a huge part of our lives,” Mount said. “A lot of our songs are about our spiritual experiences and its something we’re very passionate about. We want this band to mean something to everybody. We try to spread fun and hope and escape and joy.”

According to Mount, its an allegory best seen in their album, Dance or Die.

“You have life, and you choose what to do with it,” Mount said. “You can either sit on the wall watching every one else, drinking some punch, or you can dance and enjoy it.”

And FF5 is definitely not sitting any numbers out. Hard work and dedication to their fans is making this group of “robot” rockers a force to be reckoned with.

“There some thing much deeper than just trying to get up there and be famous,” Mount said. “We’re trying to hopefully touch people’s lives.”

For more on Family Force 5 or their up coming Christmas album and tour, check out www.modlife.com/familyforce5.

———–
Josh Gloer is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Currently he’s a writer on his sixth season of MSNBC’s Lockup: Extended stay. He has also written for MTV, TLC, TruTV, HGTV and Oxygen. Josh has been a journalist for about 12 years, doing celebrity interviews with actors such as Djimoun Hounsou, Dennis Farina and James Marsden; and bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Orgy and sax guru, Carl Grubbs. Josh’s work has appeared in Filter, Car Audio & Electronics, Zink!, Item and many other publications and websites. This fall, his fiction is scheduled to appear in an anthology of LA writers, including Charles Bukowski. www.joshgloer.com

By: Samantha Zavala

There are many times in life where it seems that you are going backwards or even standing still, instead of going forward.  There is an uncertainty to your own abilities and whether you will be a success or a failure. In spite of those realities, there are also the things that make you happy and excited once they have happened or have been achieved.  Stephanie Smith is familiar with all of these things.

Stephanie and her brother were raised in Pennsylvania by her mother.  Her father was in the Midwest, keeping his distance from the family. Regardless, Stephanie and her family were active in their community and their church family.  She attended a non-denominational church growing up.  She was shy, but there was someone who noticed that she had an impeccable gift.  It was her youth leader, Jonathan.  He became a father figure to her and was able to help her realize her gifting and helped her to break out of her shell.

But it hasn’t always been easy.

“It’s weird on your psyche,” she says as she describes what it feels like to go from singing in a packed-out auditorium at night, to waking up at the crack of dawn to serve coffee.

Switching gears like that would definitely be hard to do.  And even though there may be a struggle, Stephanie focuses on the big picture.

“God has been specific in making my dreams come true,” she explains.

As a little girl, she dreamt of singing in front of crowds. She also wanted to perform with Tobymac and be with Gotee Records.  And so far, all those dreams have been checked off the list.  She performed at Creation Festival in Pennsylvania and has done many performances at churches in the aftermath of her successes. 

But there is still a challenge.

“It is hard to keep dreaming when things are not going as planned,” she says.

What a true statement!

What Stephanie means by this is that there is always that smidge of uncertainty that can prevent you from dreaming big because there is always a chance that what you dream for will not play out as expected.  Everyone has this feeling.  However, she remembers that God has given her a gift and as long as she has a dream, He will make it happen for her.

“The burden is on the Promise-Maker,” she tells me convincingly.

God has always reminded her of that.  He is the Promise-Maker. That keeps Stephanie going.  And that also forces her to extend and challenge her dreams while taking a humongous leap of faith.  God is always there for her.

Another one who is always there for her is her road manager Emily. She is Stephanie’s best friend/roomie/travelling companion.  She helps Stephanie with whatever she needs and is always supportive of what Stephanie does.  Stephanie is really grateful to have a friend like Emily because being an artist in the music industry sometimes can be grueling and unsettling.

Even though her main ministry is her music, Stephanie is also active in three other ministries, Soles4Souls, Compassion International, and Pure Freedom.  Soles4Souls is an organization that gets donations of shoes and in turn, donates them to people who are in need of shoes worldwide.  Compassion International helps in sponsoring children who live in poverty-stricken environments. Stephanie was given the opportunity to meet her child, which is something that cannot be done on a regular basis.  The other ministry that she is a part of is Pure Freedom.  Pure Freedom is an organization that teaches about purity and modesty and what the Bible says about it.

It is apparent that Stephanie has a heart for helping people. 

“I love my girlies,” she says excitedly.

Although it is her goal to touch all lives, Stephanie has a heart to reach young girls and teenagers.  It is apparent in her music, especially in her song Superstar.  Her lyrics are full of emotion and honesty.  They are also filled with words that encourage you to keep on fighting through what may be trying to hold you back.

She will also have more opportunities to spread her message this fall because she will be a featured artist in the Winter Wonder Slam Tour.  She will be accompanied by part of her Gotee family, Tobymac and B. Reith, as well as Relient K.  She also plans on releasing an EP prior to the tour.

I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed when I was listening to Stephanie speak.  She spoke with honesty as she described what she goes through in the pursuit of carrying out her dream. Some people think that by doing so it would make you vulnerable. But in my opinion, I see her as a fighter and a heroine.  Even in the face of uncertainty, she plows through with formidable, God-given strength and ability.  She is trailblazing as a solo, female, Christian rock artist. 

You can learn more about Stephanie by going to her website http://www.stephanieisagirl.com. And of course she has a Facebook, MySpace, and a Twitter account.  Go there to learn more about Stephanie and to keep up with tour dates and album info, etc.

By Josh Gloer

Poems is at a barbecue in Portland, Oregon when his phone rings. He steps away from friends to answer some questions – children’s laughter audible over his powerful drowning voice. It’s July 5th, the day after Americans everywhere celebrate their independence. The emcee spent his holiday weekend at a park with friends, watching fireworks, avoiding crowds.

Next week will be a different story.

Under the moniker Sareem Poems, the artist has announced his latest album, Black and Read All Over. The album doesn’t drop July 26th, but a promotional frenzy starts next week – kicking off with a new MySpace page for the album on Tuesday www.myspace.com/iampoems.

According to Poems, the title, Black and Read All Over, plays off stereotypes.

“It goes across the board with everyone,” Poems said. “It could be Black and Read all over, Brown and read all over. It’s just that people, at first glance, think they know who you are before they even get a chance to hear a word that comes out of your mouth.”

The album is also turning people’s perceptions of the former LA Symphony member’s on their heads. For this endeavor, Poems has united forces with producers Oddisee and Theory Hazit, and stylistically, the album isn’t run-of-the-mill Sharlok Poems.

“The emphasis on this record, for me personally, is giving people a little more up tempo stuff,” Poems said. “The last project was mid tempo, lot of poetry style writing which people know me for. Part of the reason I call this Black and Read All Over is because its not as typical. There’s a lot more guest spots on it. It’s a lot more forward as far as aggressive beats.”

Guest spots include LMNO, Pigeon John, Akil from Jurassic 5, Ragen Fykes and Georgia Anne Muldrow to name a few. According to Poems, the album strays from his typical story-telling depth and focuses on rhymes.

“I focus on being more of an emcee than being just a rapper or a poet. I want to make sure that there’s some substance and there’s some direction to everything that I give. I don’t want to give someone just some aimless music.”

The need to give direction is understandable. The fiery emcee has only met his father once, and his mother recently passed away due to a drug overdose. Avoiding the foster care system he was taken in by his grandmother, and Poems claims as a young man, he himself was searching for something – something he found through religion. Now, a strong Christian, the performer tries to incorporate good messages into his work.

“For a lot of people it’s a weird approach to life because they feel that its very judgmental,” Poems said. “[But] my message is love. I’m not trying to beat anybody over the head with my beliefs. I do my music and if you get something out of it, cool. And if it doesn’t touch you in that way, then cool.”

According to Poems, everyone is searching for something. While he’s found what he’s looking for, he knows not everyone else has.

“For me, at the end of the day, you’re going to hear who I am. That’s my heart. That’s the main thing for me, I’m not trying to water down who I am for anyone, but at the same time, I’m not trying to force feed what I believe or how I live my life down anyone’s throat.”

His music covers issues that he holds personal, from what he calls a sad but “common tale” of parentless children, drugs and even branching out into human trafficking. Poems now tries to help with benefits and events to bring these subjects to light.

“I talk about life issues,” Poems said, later adding that “I think as a Christian and just as a human being… you want to see people happy and enjoy the life that they have, because this is the only thing that we have that we can say is ours. Everything else that we have right now, when we’re gone, it doesn’t matter. This life is the only thing we have that we can say is ours.”

For Poems aficionados, Black and Read All Over, isn’t the only offering this year. Poems has teamed up with Atlanta based producer, Dust to form PND or Poems and Dust. The duo’s first offering Dirty Words (www.myspace.com/panddmusic) will be released sometime late 2009.

For now, Black and Read All Over hits shelves at the end of July.

“Do what you love. Period.” Poems said. “I’m doing what I love. This is what I’m putting all my energy into and everything you hear from me is inspired by life itself in general. You’re not going to hear any false tales from me. What you’re hearing is me.”

———–
Josh Gloer is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Currently he’s a writer on his sixth season of MSNBC’s Lockup: Extended stay. He has also written for MTV, TLC, TruTV, HGTV and Oxygen. Josh has been a journalist for about 12 years, doing celebrity interviews with actors such as Djimoun Hounsou, Dennis Farina and James Marsden; and bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Orgy and sax guru, Carl Grubbs. Josh’s work has appeared in Filter, Car Audio & Electronics, Zink!, Item and many other publications and websites. This fall, his fiction is scheduled to appear in an anthology of LA writers, including Charles Bukowski. www.joshgloer.com

By Esther Rathnam

Last time, we discussed about Our God being a jealous God, as one of the reasons behind this recession. Indeed, this recession is helping bring back many a wondering souls to its rightful place, at the feet of God.

Today, we are going to see that another finding from this recession is that Our God is Sovereign. Yes, I’d like to scream it from the hill tops that our God is indeed Sovereign at all times. He was Sovereign when the economy was doing well and HE is still Sovereign when our economy is rapidly failing. The Bible tells us in many places that apart from HIM we can do nothing. Matthew Chapter 6:25-34 is definitely worth the read. We are told not to worry for none of us have the power to change our current, past or present situation, only God can do that.

How does knowing HE is Sovereign help us? Romans 8:28 tells us And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Yes my friends, this horrible, worrisome recession will also be worked for your good. Our God has the ability to turn something ugly into something beautiful. This recession is yet another means of His doing something good in you.

So stop worrying about the recession and seek ye first your God, turn to Him and look to Him to see you through this recession. Not convinced yet? Turn your thoughts back to the Israelites! What did God do for them? He rescued them from Pharaoh, parted the red sea, provided manna and quail, water from rocks etc. When the Israelites were convinced that there was nothing that could save them, God intervened and did the impossible but first He brought them to a state of nothing, a state of pleading, much like the recession.

How do you survive the recession? Trusting in His Sovereignty. God brings you to nothing to recognize that you have everything you need for survival. Like the Israelites, we are often tempted to put our trust in everything but the Lord. We depend on our own strength and steal God of his Sovereignty and Glory.

How is God glorified through a recession? The same way He was glorified when Gideon’s army won by just blowing the horn and hitting pots and pans against a strong Midianite army! The same way He was glorified when a young David with a sling conquered a mighty Goliath, the same way He was glorified when Pharaoh’s army was swept by the waters of the Red Sea. God is glorified when man is brought to nothing, when man is stripped of all confidence in self and relies only on the Grace of God which ultimately proves that HE is always Sovereign.

This recession God is calling us to acknowledge His power and authority. We are not to doubt God’s Sovereignty nor are we to steal His Glory.

By: Samantha Zavala

It is something special to find someone who is passionate about what they do. Someone who is unashamed to speak about life. Someone who perseveres to reach their goal. This person is Jade Harrell.

Jade comes from Middleburg, Florida. When I spoke with her, she reminisced about her country upbringing and loving every minute of it. Jade had said that she did grow up in a strict household and certain values were to be maintained. She was raised in church and always was singing in the church choir. Going to church was a major routine in Jade’s life. Church kept her grounded and would prepare her for her present music career.

As a teenager, Jade had been teased on a consistent basis. She attended a predominantly black school where there was a certain status quo. Jade was not a part of the status quo. According to her peers, she acted “white.” It also didn’t help that she was a frequent churchgoer and had a relationship with God. She was and still is a firm believer in abstinence, which just seemed to fan the flame. She was an outsider for sure. One of the names that she was called on a frequent basis was “Sister Mary.” Jade was a reject. It was from these experiences that Jade drew her inspiration from for her album Class Reject. Jade was a reject because of her Christian beliefs.

“Life is a classroom,” says Jade.

She explains that as Christians, we are like class rejects because we are rejected by the world. We uphold a higher standard and that is what separates us from the rest of the world. So being a reject is not a bad thing. It is actually good in this connotation.
I had also asked Jade if she had any other aspirations other than singing when she was younger.

“I always knew that I was going to be a recording artist,” she said.

She described how even though she knew she was destined to sing, she would have to be forced to do it. Fear would come over her. But she still did it. She knew that God have given her a talent and that it was her calling for her life. There was a Scripture that always came to mind when she would have difficulties in this particular area. It was Philippians 1:6, which tells us that God has begun a good work in us and that we will carry it to completion. That was her driving force to continue on.

As far as her musical influences, she had many. They ranged from Mary Mary and Kirk Franklin, to country legends like Johnny Cash and Rascal Flatts. There was a wide variety of music that she was exposed to that she came to love, with the exception of heavy metal. And the various styles that these artists are known for are some of the same styles that are present on her album. Jade has expressed that she has multiple interests in various types of music, so that would also be said of her albums. She may feel like doing a country album one day, or she may decide to do an R&B album. Wide audience appeal is one of the goals of her music. Reinventing her music allows for a widespread appreciation of good music and she feels if you meet people where they are at, they too will also have a greater appreciation of the music and the message. So Jade has created her own genre, in a sense, which is “Individual.”

This has not come easy for her though. The Christian music industry has its challenges too. Performing at the GMA’s almost made her reconsider her career. And she said that she has often had people ask her if she is a Christian artist because of the sound of her music. Some people think she is mainstream or that she is a secular artist.

“The lyrics are what make a song secular or Christian, not the music behind it,” explains Jade.
And she makes an important point. A lot of Christians think that secular music is the sound, when it is actually the lyrics. Mainstream artists get more radio play and don’t have to fight so hard. But mainstream artists are also told what to do and to make sacrifices that may go against what they want to do. And that is something that Jade refuses to do. Sure, it would be easier to go mainstream, but Jade has a message that she wants to get out to the world. And God has given her the means to do it. That is what one of the songs on her album talks about. The song is Unseen, and it talks about the alternatives and the compromises that we may choose to see if the grass is really greener on the other side. Jade wants to reach millions of people but wants to do it through the means of a Christian artist because she doesn’t want to compromise the call on her life.

Another thing that I asked of Jade was to sum up her character in one word.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “Water.”

And I was intrigued. She chose water because she said that during this time in her life she has found that she is able to adapt whenever she needs to. There were many times that she could have given up when things didn’t go her way. There were family hardships that took her by surprise. But she chose to adapt instead. Even in a hectic life, she has been able to keep a balance and stay focused on the things that truly matter.

Jade will soon start work on another album. I was curious to know how to keep up with her and what she is doing. Jade says that fans can keep up with her via MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, and at revolutionart.us. Be watching because Jade is on the move.