Who could have imagined, 7 or 8 years back, that a TV talent show would launch and capture the imagination of a generation. And capture it did! Whether you watch it or not, American Idol has been so extremely successful that it is now on two, sometimes three nights a week. It has launched the careers of countless musicians. Now the very name has connotations that are negative
with Christian Culture. You know, one of the 10 Commandments says we are to have no ‘idols’ before us. But, the show was an instant success. It would show the ridiculous attempts of some to gain the judges attention. Then it showed the growth of the final 10 contestants as they vied for the final win. The thing about this hugely successful show is that it hasn’t seemingly become self-absorbed. Last year they launched a new project called American Idol Gives Back. They began
to look for people needs around the world and raised incredible amounts of money and donations to meet these needs. They took their fame and met needs. When they revived this project again this year, the response was even greater. They had appearances from a myriad of entertainment stars. I was watching as Ryan Seacrest closed the show that night saying the final 8 would sing ‘Shout to the Lord.’ My ears perked up! Now the first thing my religious ear caught was that they changed the phrase ‘My Jesus’ to ‘My Shepherd.’ But then I watched in wonder as they capped off this incredible human outreach with an overtly spiritual song. Some mentally clicked off when they heard the
word change. Yet they sang the song again the next night with the ‘My Jesus’ phrase back in.

Now I cannot presume to know the motives, good or manipulative, of the producers. The one overwhelming thought was that they were doing exactly what we are trying to do in Faith in Action Sunday. They were involving themselves in the ‘world community’ by finding needs and meeting them. And they were ending this labor of compassion with one of the most powerful worship songs to Yahweh God. Our world is truly looking for something spiritual. They want to connect with more
than a religion. They want to connect with God who changes their selfishness into selflessness. Could it be that ‘seekers’ are not looking to be assimilated into religious groups, but are looking to be equipped by visonary groups to meet the pressing urgent needs of their world? I guess the question is, how do we find Redemption with Christ that is both cleansing and equipping? Hmmm......

Paul Plunk, Minister of Music