Representing Christ Well

We have been united with Christ, and we can realize that we represent Him, which means we are not our own, and our choices should be informed by His Word and directed by His Spirit.  Ephesians 5
says:
1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
3 But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints;
4 neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

Well, that certainly sounds like a tall order - to be an imitator of Christ.  How can we, as mere mortals, dare to act like the Son of God.  We can take steps to conform to that high standard through dependence on Him.  His love is now our love, and His truth is now ours.  If we keep that in mind and remain humble before Him, we can see the presence of the Lord expressed through us.  We have to decide to allow Him to be our Lord, to be in control, to direct us, but the blessings of being one in Christ are incredible!

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We have been called and chosen to be representatives of the Lord Most High, and we should take that responsibility seriously. 2nd Corinthians 5 states:
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.

It is a wonderful opportunity year after year to bring you coverage of the GMA Dove Awards, which recently celebrated its 50th year with this year's ceremony in Nashville.  The first Dove Awards were handed in out in Memphis, by GMA, the Gospel Music Association, and this year's awards show was at Lipscomb University, where it has been for several years, after a two-year stint at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

And, there was plenty of nostalgia during the awards show this year, including a set featuring some of Christian music's pioneering artists.  One of those artists, Steven Curtis Chapman, won his 59th Dove Award in the category, Bluegrass/Country/Roots for his album, Deeper Roots: Where the Bluegrass Grows.  And, there are awards in some 40 categories, ranging from rock to rap/hip-hop, from urban gospel to southern gospel.

Those different sub-genres of Christian music are reflected in the Dove Awards performances and presenters.  And, it reflects the wonderful tapestry of Christian music; rather than an homogeneous assortment of songs and artists, it truly shows a picture of the body of Christ. Mandisa was quoted in a CBN article as saying that she “was actually moved by the unity I saw on display.”  She said in response to the awards show, "I actually felt that the enemy was losing ground in his fight for division in the body of Christ.”

But, the show was not without its more controversial moments associated with it.  The CBN article was centered on this year's Gospel Artist of the Year winner, Kirk Franklin, who has been a tremendous contributor to Christian music.  But, his acceptance speech, when the awards were shown on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, had been edited - as it had been in 2016.  The story says:

GMA removed Franklin’s comments about the killing of Atatiana Jefferson, a black woman shot and killed in her home in Fort Worth, Texas, by a white police officer. Similarly, in 2016, the Christian artist’s mention of the killings of black men Philando Castile and Walter Scott by white police officers as well as the killing of five white Dallas police officers by a black sniper were removed from the broadcast. During both years, Franklin was accepting the award for Gospel Artist of the Year.

In a humble, yet direct, video, Kirk shared his frustration with what had occurred and stated his desire of bringing a solution. Baptist Press quotes the gospel legend as saying:

"After a meeting with the Dove Awards committee and representatives of TBN, I've made the decision after prayer, consultation with my team and my pastor Dr. Tony Evans, to not attend any events affiliated with or for the Dove Awards, Gospel Music Association or TBN," Franklin said, "until tangible plans are put in place to protect and champion diversity, especially when people of color have contributed their gifts, talents and finances to help build the viability of these institutions.

"I am aware that the word boycott often has a negative connotation and finality to it," he said, "but my goal will forever be reconciliation as well as accountability."

Christian artists were quick to commend Kirk for his stance, including this year's show hosts Natalie Grant and Lecrae.  CBN reported:

Fellow Christian artists like Lecrae, Tauren Wells, Jeremy Camp, Jamie Grace Harper, and Natalie Grant expressed support for the 49-year-old entertainer’s decision.

“This breaks my heart and hits home more than you know. Your music blessed my childhood, your humility blessed me as an artist upon meeting you, and your words continue to bless me,” wrote Harper. “This may not have been an easy video to make but it is much needed. Praying for you and your family and team today.”

Grant praised Franklin for using his platform “to speak truth in love” and for “always” embracing “a spirit of humility.” She also thanked him for “consistently calling” believers toward “unity.”

Whether or not all these artists will actually boycott the show is not clear, although Lecrae said, “I only came cause you came,” adding, “You know I’m out.”

As for the GMA, president Jackie Patillo, who is African-American was forthright.  Baptist Press quoted from her apology on behalf of the Gospel Music Association:

"We [GMA] would like to publicly acknowledge that we are deeply apologetic for the missteps that happened relating to the editing of Kirk Franklin's Dove Awards acceptance speech," Patillo said. "We accept the responsibility of our error.

"Although completely unintentional, we understand it caused great harm and deeply wounded many in the African American and Gospel community. As well, it left a general perception that we are not concerned with key social issues that affect people of color," she said. "It is not our intent to disregard or silence any of our artists, and we are deeply saddened by this perception and are committed to change this."

According to CBN, Patillo indicated that time was the driving factor leading to the edit.  I would like to know who actually pressed that "delete" button in the editing room and what they were thinking.

That was not the only controversy surrounding this year's awards, but I haven't seen anything about another one that had me scratching my head.  For the second consecutive year, the Song of the Year was a questionable choice, in my estimation.  Last year, it was Cory Asbury's Reckless Love, a popular worship song that has received quite a bit of criticism for his use of the word, "reckless," to describe the love of God - I thought Cory explained his rationale well in the press room last year, but to me, there were better choices.

And, not unexpectedly, this year, the GMA voted to give two of its top awards: Artist of the Year and Song of the Year, to Lauren Daigle, who had stated earlier in the year that she did not wish to be classified a "Christian" artist.  CBN reported:

In an interview with 104.3 FM, the host asked Daigle if she considered herself a Christian artist, even though her music is becoming more and more mainstream.

“I feel like those labels get put on you by other people,” Daigle said. “I was reading articles, I read them here in there, and one of them said Christian artist and the other ones said just artist. But I think part of me is just an artist because it encompasses everything. That’s kind of how I see myself.”

That's from your new Artist of the Year on a Christian awards show.  The Song of the Year went to You Say, which lyrically fits in the Christian music space, but is opaque enough, I guess, to get general market airplay.  Her comments came after the controversy regarding Lauren's answer to a question about whether or not she believed homosexuality is a sin.  CBN reported:

While on air, Nati also asked Daigle: “Do you feel that homosexuality is a sin?”

“You know, I can’t honestly answer on that,” Daigle responded. The singer added that she had “too many people that I love” that “are homosexuals.”

She continued saying that she recently had spoken to someone about the topic, but “I can’t say one way or the other. I’m not God.”

“So, when people ask questions like that, that’s what my go to is. Like, I just say, ‘Read the Bible and find out for yourself. And when you find out, let me know because I’m learning too,’” Daigle said.

In one unfortunate answer, a popular Christian music artist made a statement that contradicted thousands of years of orthodox Christian teaching, and I would contend, the teachings of the Scriptures themselves.

That leads to our first takeaway related to this year's award winners.  We have to make sure that we are representing Christ well, and that includes the substance of our declarations.  In a Breakpoint commentary on the Daigle situation, John Stonestreet said:

What will you say when someone with the power to seriously damage your career asks you what you think about a culturally popular sin? For that matter, what will you say at Christmas dinner when that one relative—maybe a relative who identifies as gay—asks you the same question?

There are no easy answers in that moment. But that doesn’t mean there are no right answers.

Stonestreet shared his understanding of the situation that Lauren was in.  But, he shared that the whole story indicates "...the deep crisis of authority plaguing evangelicalism right now. First, we should be past the point of answering this question, because the Christian view of sex and marriage should be so clear and our commitment to it should be so well-known by now that there should be no longer any point in asking the question!" The second angle, as he states is this: "When theological training is de-prioritized and even avoided, then our celebrities become our experts. Yes, Daigle should know better. But we should know better than to hold celebrities up as theological authorities."

But we do, and those who minister publicly are in a position of authority, like it or not - their words and actions matter.  And, we should seek to represent Christ well.

Not only in the substance of our declarations, but in the settling of our differences.  Kirk Franklin has what he considers to be a legitimate point of disagreement with the GMA and TBN.  He met with representatives of both those organizations.  He sought counsel with his pastor.  He released a video that humbly explained his position.  And, he stated his desire for reconciliation.  Would I have preferred this would have been kept private?  Absolutely.  But, I certainly understand how it can get tricky when you are dealing with what he considered to be a public situation.

It happens seemingly quite often these days that I find myself saying, "what were they thinking?"  In this case, I do question the rationale for the removal of Kirk's comments, but at the same time, I can sympathize with the editor or editor(s).  The gatekeepers have a responsibility, and decisions made, sometimes in a split-second, can be submitted to scrutiny.  I certainly get that, because, well, I am in that position.  And, at Faith Radio, we have a responsibility to be a trusted source for Biblical truth; I am part of that.  That may mean that some interview material may not be aired.  It may mean that some programmers or musical artists that were once heard on Faith Radio are no longer there.  But, we have a responsibility to present content that is consistent with the teachings of the Scripture and that represent Christ well.  Please pray for and join with us in that endeavor.