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Entertainment or Ministry: My Thoughts On Apostolics and Music

By Christopher Jones
June 19, 2006

Since the question, “Do Apostolic’s buy Apostolic music,” was brought up recently, many thoughts have run through my mind concerning the issue. I believe the main question that should be asked in the minds of all the readers is, “Is my music considered ministry or just plain entertainment?” So, for the next few minutes, journey with me as we discuss and discern what kind of music we listen to.

In Southern tradition, let me start off with a story. I will never forget the first singer I ever truly remember hearing. I was just a small child riding around in my grandpa’s pickup truck, in which he always had a large collection of country music. The voice I remember hearing was incredible. And if I had to pick three people whose musical ability I admire most, his would be listed. Who was the singer you ask? It was none other than country music legend, George Jones. I’ll never forget telling my parents that I wanted a guitar because George Jones played a guitar. And I wanted to be just like George. When I finally got one I was kind of upset, since I had just seen Bluegrass Legends, The Osborne Brothers, sing and play with such skill and ability. So now what I was really wanting was a mandolin, because I wanted to sing and play just like Bobby…eventually I got one of those too.

I spent much of my childhood in my room practicing. I wanted to be the best. Well, that’s not exactly true. What I really wanted was to be just like the folks I admired so much. So I studied everything I could about them. I became a pretty good mandolin player, and I began to play at bluegrass festivals. I really loved it, having the chance to play with so many great musicians and getting to learn a lot on the mandolin from Bobby Osborne. I thought I was really hot stuff back then. After all, I wasn’t doing too badly for a middle school kid.

By now you are probably wondering, “Where is he going with all this?” And that’s another question that I am glad that you asked. I’ve learned a lot of scriptures over the years. I’ve tried to convert a lot of them to my memory. Funny thing is, I forget them if I don’t keep up on them. But sometimes when I’m playing on the guitar, I can sing songs that I haven’t heard in ages. It’s incredible that we can read scripture all day long and remember almost nothing from it, but we can listen to music and it tends to stick with us for a long time. Ever hear a song on the way to work in the morning or somewhere throughout the day, only to find yourself humming it later that day when you’re walking through Wal-Mart? Our minds have a way of remembering music. Speaking of remembering songs, remember the one, “So be careful little ears what you hear, oh be careful little ears what you hear, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little ears what you hear.”

Now, for years, we as Apostolics have preached against listening to secular music. Should we listen to it? Is it considered a sin if we listen to it? Those are all good questions that each one of us must ask ourselves. But one thing is sure; we know that it is not conducive to good Christian living. On top of that, we’ve all heard stories about how spirits are involved with music, and not just from the lyrics, but the rhythms used and from the artist’s personal lives. There are incredible books and resources on how we need to guard ourselves from the harm of some music, and we could learn a lot from them.

We have discussed how some music is harmful. Also, we’ve discussed how it is easier for the mind to remember song lyrics as opposed to scriptures that we read. And just like when I was a young child, almost all of us want to be like our favorite singer when we grow up! Now to my very first question…is it entertainment or ministry? After all, it could be a pretty incredible ministry, since people remember what they hear and begin humming it later in the day at Wal-Mart.

For the most part, every ‘Christian’ music group considers their recordings, concerts, and so forth to be their ministry. And the purpose of any ministry is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

I remember hearing Bro. Marvin Treece preach at General Conference several years ago in North Carolina. He quoted something that a ‘Christian’ singer/comedian had said. Following the quote Bro. Treece said, “I don’t want my gospel from a clown! I want it from a God-fearing man!” Was he condemning being funny and laughing? Nope. But he was stressing the importance of reverence and our source of the Gospel.

Would you go to church on Sunday to the local Baptist church to hear them preach the Gospel? Probably not. And I’m not saying that it would be wrong to visit with a friend if you were out of town or something. But if some hip new ‘Christian’ group came to town, would you go hear them sing the Gospel? Probably!

So we go out, buy our favorite ‘Christian’ groups’ CD and have some Trinitarian sing us their version of the Gospel. Our children and young people look up to them as their role models and with all types of music, spirits are involved.

The 20 bucks spent on the CD goes to support the Trinitarian artist’s ministry. And if they tithe from their royalty check each month, it probably goes to First Baptist or First Assembly of God.

You’re probably saying, “Man, you are really making a big deal about this.” And usually I don’t on this issue, but when I think of how many of our churches are struggling, about how many missionaries need the funding, and about how many lost souls there are around the world that need to hear the message of Acts 2:38, it kind of frustrates me that we are paying some folks to sing their Gospel of easy believism. And boy do we ever throw a lot of money away on CDs.

We have a lot of great artists in Pentecost. Granted, the recordings are not always the best, but they are getting better and some out there do an excellent job. We always say that we have the best singers in the world…so why don’t we buy their music? And you say, “It’s because I’m looking for a certain song.” Well, our people record some of the same songs. If you just want that certain song, buy it from our people. Let’s support one another.

I’ll close with a question and a scripture for your consideration. Food for thought if you will:

The Question: Is it wrong to listen and support a Trinitarian singing their Gospel?

The Answer: “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach another gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:9).

© 2006, Christopher Jones

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Christopher R. Jones is a native of Dinwiddie County, Virginia. In the last few years, he has published a few books, recorded a few albums, and preached at a few churches. He plays mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, autoharp, piano, and organ. He has just recently moved and become a member of the United Pentecostal Church of Durham, under the leadership of Pastor Johnny Godair. Christopher currently resides in Hillsborough, North Carolina.