LEADERSHIP
“I CAN’T USE THAT SONG!” | Tom Kraeuter
I get asked more and more frequently these
days about whether or not a church should use
songs from ______, and honestly, you can fill
in the blank with numerous different options –
because their theology is off or their practices
seem weird or their pastor fell in sin or any
number of other reasons.
First, let me say that the specific idea of using or
not using a song on Sunday morning because
of its association with a certain person or group
is not mentioned in Scripture. It’s just not. We
can make an inference about something from
Scripture, but at the end of the day, this is not
an issue worth dividing over.
Now, if the theology of the song is off, I’ll be Those two guys are never going to agree on even mention David, whose many song lyrics
the very first to tell you not to use it. But if the infant baptism or once-saved-always-saved are part of the Bible. His would not even be an
theology of the song is good – and it is only the theology. In fact, they may look at each other indirect association. The songwriter himself was
association that is being questioned, that is a and think that what the other believes is weird. an adulterer and murderer. That surely should
different matter entirely. Yet they will both be spending eternity with be enough to render his songs unusable, right?
God. They are brothers in Christ regardless of But apparently, from God’s perspective, that’s
Personally, I want my congregation to sing what they think is crazy or even unscriptural not the case.
good, theologically-rich and scripturally-sound theology on the part of the other. So, if they’re songs. There are so many songs that aren’t in both songwriters and worship leaders, and Here’s my bottom line: If the song stands on its
that category that I tend to latch onto one when they each write good, theologically-rich and own merit, use it. If it doesn’t, don’t.
I find it. And that’s regardless of the source. scripturally-sound songs, should they refuse
“But some of the other theology of that group
to sing one another’s songs? That would be And if you decide not to use a song because
absurd. of association, don’t judge someone else
or organization is weird and I don’t want our
who decides it’s okay to use it. Check out 1
people to get their music or teachings thinking “But what about the group whose leader has Corinthians 10, about eating – or not eating –
we endorse them.” Wait. If the song is declaring fallen in sin?” Here let me quote Jesus: “Let he meat sacrificed to idols. Paul said, “Why should
the cross as our access point to God, if it talks who is without sin cast the first stone.” Exactly my liberty be determined by someone else’s
about Jesus’ death and resurrection as the where is the sin-line that would make a good, conscience?” (1 Corinthians 10:29) Lighten up.
substitutionary atonement for our sins, then theologically-rich and scripturally-sound song Sing the song or don’t, but don’t insist that your
it would certainly appear that that group is unacceptable by association? If the pastor decision be followed by everyone else.
Christian. Whether they have some other weird says a cuss word in a moment of frustration, stuff that they teach, they are our brothers and is that enough to not use a song associated sisters in Christ. with that person? If a leader is seen at a bar,
has he crossed the line where a song would no
And I’m not even talking about just “fringe” longer be acceptable? If the songwriter himself
groups. I have two friends, one is Southern has frequent lustful thoughts, does that make
Baptist and the other is conservative Lutheran. his songs unusable? And perhaps I shouldn’t
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May 2020
Tom Kraeuter
Tom Kraeuter is a Bible teacher, worship leader, and
mentor to many through...
MyWorshipLeadingCoach.com
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