Straight Talk on American Idol

Before the interview, I tried to remain neutral and not offer my personal views on the subject of American Idol. But with the interview now live and with your requests for elaboration, I will speak freely about my take on an Apostolic on the show.

What I Meant…
By saying I’m the better for having interviewed Kaitlin Johnson, I mean that talking with her helped me stretch my mind and expectations. I, too, was at Youth Congress and heard Bro. Strawcutter talk about breaking out of our comfort zones and showing everyone around us who we are by a strong, public example. I am the better for seeing someone take that to heart and act on it rather than just stop at a “boy, that’s good preaching” comment like I did. Kaitlin Johnson reminded me that preaching does make a difference and that we’re supposed to apply the message and do something with it.

And that message is to be the salt and light, which we can’t very well fulfill locked in our homes and our churches. I will personally never try out for American Idol. But I am probably a lot more likely now to send a story out to a national, secular magazine. I still haven’t made a decision about writing a screenplay, but I’m probably a lot more likely now to write something of my own and get it out there because that’s my way to let my light shine. Yes, it is risky and controversial to step beyond our known world, but we work secular jobs with non-Christians everyday, so we are supposed to be able to handle it.

Something to Talk about
Does it raise contradictions to have an Apostolic on television when organizations within our fellowship have guidelines on the subject? I don’t know. Maybe that’s something that needs to be addressed just like other technology topics such as the good ol' World Wide Web. Ultimately, I hope that we use every experience to look long and hard at who we are, what we believe, and become stronger because of it. Our society is engulfed with technology and a mass media culutre. We can only pray that our organization leaders have the divine wisdom and forethought to direct our respective churches in such a way that we best remain a spotless bride.

My Two Cents
I do know that I am the better for talking with Kaitlin Johnson because I have been reminded to

“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;” –Isaiah 54:2

I think the only limitations on our opportunities to serve God are those we impose ourselves. Maybe American Idol is not right for everyone. (Maybe having a web ministry amid the perverse filth online is not for everyone, but here we all are creating dialogue and growing from it.) I respect Kaitlin Johnson’s convictions, and after talking with her, I see a person who created an opportunity to let her light shine and made the most of it.