The concert was slightly out of my preference range. Three bands, one of them a headlining alternative metal, (oops) I mean alternative Christian metal rock band, Disciple. Yes, I know, but still it seems we have to justify for some that there is a category for Christian anything rock and roll, let alone for alternative Christian metal or Christian heavy metal. For many the two words and concepts just don’t go together—Christian and alternative metal or rock’n roll.
My family was actually there to support the family who managed the evening event and whose son was playing the drums in the opening band. Like I said, this was not a preference in the style of music, but support for a family committed to reaching out to young people who will never set inside a church building, let alone a “Christian” concert of churchy-music.
There was even a mosh pit. Now that even crossed my own cultural barrier. For those who don’t know, “Moshing” or as some refer to it “slamming,” refers to when audience members at concert or live performance “aggressively push or slam into each other.” I watched them—the kids, some ranging up into the early 20’s, actually did this and enjoyed the experience.
Now, what was truly amazing to me was the presence of a few, perhaps a half a dozen, “older folks.” Now I am not here to judge age, but they were definitely not the moshers, or groupees, and well beyond the possible 30-somethings obviously enjoying the concert. Most that I am identifying here had grey hair—and yes even I have a little grey, so let’s go with an older-than-fifty-group beyond myself. When I saw the first senior citizen (you know, anyone now old enough to enroll in ARRP, which I am a member!) came through the ticket line, I stood there amazed. No way they were in the right place. But there they were. Now, that began the worship and ministry for me. None walked out, so they knew they were in the right place at the right time and on purpose. I was impressed—Christians far removed from both the style of music and the youth culture that enjoys it, but there they were, supporting a small, but loud expression of outreach to a rather narrow, but growing part of our cultural make-up. I believe I saw Jesus walk in too, to a place where hearts sought him to reach out to younger people, fringed by society and the Christian community, where alternative rockers gave solid testimonies of their faith in Christ, and where a Disciple opened His word and shared how even those with alterative music preferences and who enjoy moshing can have hope and find forgiveness.
Check out DID Entertainment’s myspace page…
Posted by Chip Anderson at 07:54 AM. Filed under: In the Margins • Church Growth, Evangelism • Worship •
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