I know I’m not being original by saying that Mumford & Sons is an amazing band. They’re all the rage right now. Their unique rock/folk style is taking us by storm. Honestly, I love bands that can rock out with a banjo.
I have heard of some churches using their songs in worship sets. This is two things to me: awesome and weird.
Why it’s awesome: I think it’s awesome that churches are using the songs that can speak to even the “unchurched.” Familiar melodies may draw more people in. These songs will likely speak to them more than Open the Eyes of My Heart ever will. Plus, Mumford & Sons lyrics have more depth than the typical praise and worship song. I appreciate songs that make me think and dig down for the real meaning.
Why it’s weird: Part of me thinks that anything the church gets a hold of instantly becomes uncool. Will Mumford & Sons lose their luster because Christians are taking it and running with it? There’s also the question of how “theologically sound” the songs are. I don’t know how much I get behind this, plus I hate theological debates. I’m sure there’s several people out there getting upset at the use of “secular” music within the church.
What I know is this: in my personal life, their music touches me. I don’t know if I’m “worshipping,” but the music inspires, energizes, and challenges me. That’s more than I can say of any worship song at the moment.
Lyrics like these show a surprising amount of spirituality:
Love that will not betray you,
dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man
you were made to be.
But you are not alone in this
And you are not alone in this
As brothers we will stand and we’ll hold your hand
Hold your hand
You told me that I would find a hole,
Within the fragile substance of my soul
And I have filled this void with things unreal,
And all the while my character it steals
So I will continue to let their music inspire me and touch me. I’m encouraged that I’m still able to find any connection with music. A fellow worship leader shared in the comments of this blog how he was reconnecting with music after doing the job of worship leader for so long. He stated: ” I am rediscovering my love of music in general and the inward solace it brings to me.” I think I might be finally getting to that point myself.
This article makes some interesting points about music like Mumford & Sons. It is extremely well written and it sorta puts what I just wrote to shame. I really can’t put it any better than this writer did.
When worshipping in music becomes a “job” it tends to lose it’s meaning. Never give up your quest to seek the Lord even in music as it, too, is a gift from Him. When I look at music and how it was used in the Bible, I am remindd that kings and commoners recognized the “Who” when they sang the words.
I always hated the categorizing of “secular music” simply because so much of it contains such beautiful spirituality. I feel if Christian artists tried as hard to capture God’s glory as secular artists do to capture life’s struggles, the world would be a better place.
My church performed “Falling Slowly” from Once last year. Such a beautiful song. You should consider writing a post about secular songs that inadvertently speak of God’s love/grace/etc.
Just listened to Falling Slowly. I’ve heard it before, but never knew the title or read the lyrics. Very pretty, and deep. Definitely one of those songs that needs a couple listens to even get a real glimpse of the meaning.
Thanks for the post idea. I’ll start thinking about it.
Hey Jamie, I came across your site today while searching for other “meta-Christian” music like Mumford and Sons. I love the non-overt Christian undertones, it’s just enough for me to add in the rest for it to become very meaningful. (which I can’t seem to do with overtly Christian music) — so I wanted to add my comment here to say that I would LOVE to see a list of so-called “secular” music with Christian undertones that people find suitable for worship.
The ones I can contribute to the list would be a bunch of songs off of Florence & the Machine’s “Ceremonies” album, Jon Anderson’s “Change we Must,” “Love Comes Tumbling” off of U2’s Wide Awake in America, and the “Parables and Primes” album by Danny Schmidt.
Thanks for the idea! I haven’t done much on the post suggested above (the Falling Slowly song) but a post about several secular worship type songs is a great idea. Making a note on that right now…
Thanks for visiting!
Glad you’re still finding a connection with music. I love how music can move us…
I’m glad I still have that connection too. Music is a powerful thing.
A couple years ago, I found a couple great resources that broadened my thinking on this, or at least gave better support to something I’d been thinking already. I happen to think it’s legitimate to find these songs worshipful.
So, the first was “Walking On Water: Reflections on Faith and Art” by Madeleine L’Engle (http://amzn.to/16nXjNs). It’s a fabulous, lifechanging book. If you haven’t read it already, I think you really have to.
Second, I started listening the Tolkien Professor Podcast (http://bit.ly/U6VJXe) and got pretty familiar with how Tolkien thought about writing and why it is that true art comes from God anyway.
Both of them were christian authors, and both enjoyed most of their success with “secular” literature.
Both referred to the fact that when you’re creating, you’re not so much making as you are listening to the Maker.
All that to say it’s no surprise that worship can be found pretty much anywhere. I don’t think people could get away from it if they tried.
Great points. I have heard so many good things about Madeleine L’Engle, but havent’ read anything by her. I will have to check her out.
Great points. I have heard so many good things about Madeleine L’Engle, but havent’ read anything by her. I will have to check her out.