More Tough Questions!
USGN article
by Barbi Franklin
January 2000
You might have noticed that I changed the title this month from "Gutsy Questions" to the above. I wouldn't want anyone to think that, somehow, Terry and I were above making some pretty serious mistakes over the years in our ministry, or that we are the only ones asking these questions.
But I believe that all believers, particularly those of us involved in music ministry, need to be prayerfully concerned about the direction that Christian Music appears to be going. Are you aware that, apart from the southern gospel music genre, most of our ministry materials, through which we communicate the "riches of His Word and the fullness of His Spirit," are owned by... secular corporations. Now most of the major Christian publishing companies, major Christian music labels, and even some of our Christian radio stations are owned by unbelievers who don't understand the first thing about our mission or message! When Word Music, which is now Word Entertainment, was sold a few years back, one of the prospective buyers was Seagrams. If that name doesn't ring a bell, your local liquor store can fill you in.
The book of Lamentations describes 5 sins of God's people that brought about the severe judgment of God through the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. This book, written by the prophet Jeremiah, was held in such high regard that the priests read it aloud in it's entirety every year for centuries to the Jews on the 9th day of Ab, on the Hebrew calendar. Many also read it EVERY WEEK at the Wailing Wall. It is even still read during the last three days of Holy Week as a part of the traditional Roman Catholic liturgy. One of the 5 sins mentioned in this important book is that God's people placed God's work and holy things into the hands of the ungodly, who's hearts had not been changed. (Lamentations 1:10) (see also Ezekiel 44:7-9 & Jeremiah 23:14)
What makes us think that we, as God's people, are immune to God's displeasure?? Aren't we being arrogant to think WE should get by with something that, historically, brought such intense judgments by God in ages past? Is there a day of God's house-cleaning coming for the American church in the new millennium?
II Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
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©2000 Terry & Barbi Franklin.