Springsteen in Church?

I'd like to do four Springsteen songs but am concerned what some of the people would think about secular songs being played in Church and miss the whole point.

The songs i'd like to do are Brilliant Disguise, The Ghost of Tom Joad, Devils and Dust, and My City of Ruins.

1.Brilliant Disguise
This song asks questions like who is that person? and who am i? is this really me? is that really them?

2. The Ghost of Tom Joad
This song is sortof saying we can do more. Why aren't we doing more? What are we becoming?

3.Devils and Dust
This song says "Fears a powerfule thing it'll take you God filled soul and fill it with Devils and Dust" if we become afraid of being a Christian in public (work, school,) then we will almost stop being a Christian.

4.My City of Ruins
My church is going through a rought time and alot of people want to leave the chorus to this song "With these hands I pray Lord, I pray for the strength Lord, I pray for the Faith Lord," and it goes on and more lyrics are "Come on Rise up! Come on rise up!" its really powerful.

would these songs bother you if played in your church? why and why not?

I think it takes a very special secular tune to be useful in church. After all, it must add to the worship experience.

So, how will these tunes do that? How do you think your people will receive them? Will they be able to catch the words or will you provide them? As a fan you have an emotional connection to BS and his lyrics; how will the average non-fan resond?

I suspect the negatives might outweight the positives, but YMMV

I agree. As a part of a regular worship service I'd have a tough time making a connection. If, however, the song were to be used to reinforce a specific message being taught, then perhaps - but only perhaps.

Bruce is a brilliant songwriter. But using his music in worship can send a bunch of folks reelings, and that's not what our job as ministers of worship is, is it?

i really really wouldn't play those songs in church. there are so many songs in the whole of gospel music, you ought to be able to find something equally stirring somewhere, research some old Black Gospel music from days gone by and you'll find something. or write something yourself.

well i wasn't just gonna go up there and sing them. i was gonna give each one an introduction and say why i was playing this particular song.

i apologize if that sounds rude. it was not meant to.

I'd steer clear of secular songs in church.

We did My City's In Ruins to commemorate the first anniversary of 9 /11. I had to rewrite one verse a bit to make it relevant to our congregation and bring it into a worship service. But that song acknowledged and pleaded with God for strength and faith even before I massaged it.

I don't know how you or your church defines worship or how your services are conducted but the other songs you mention great as they are don't really have much to do with worship in my book. I'm a big Sprinsteen fan and pretty open minded (worldly) about such things compared to some I know.

The way I look at it I can talk politics or rock out or worry about my marriage all week long but I can only come together with my church under God's roof a few hours each week.

Also, if you really feel you need to share these songs during a worship service talk to your Pastor and get his input/blessing.

We did "You've Got A Friend" once. We heard Paul Baloche arrange it for a P&W presentation (usually before a workshop). For us, the song was relavent to the "Bring a Teen Sunday".

It is my opinion, that if the song works with the message, then why not? If you have to alter the words a lot, then it could be a bit distracting to the listener.

There are many that say secular songs do not belong in a church. I tend to disagree, but with caution. I don't want to go against scripture. Someone has pointed out that there are some scriptural references that say something like 'if it does not honor God, then it is inappropriate' (that is a far stretch of interpretation of the actual passage). Perhaps someone can help point that out again for us.

how did you rewrite My City of Ruins?

how did you rewrite My City of Ruins?

I just substituted a verse I wrote for the second verse. I wanted to acknowledge the events back east but I also wanted to make it applicable to our town as well.

The finest schools, and the finest stores
And we keep workin' and workin' cause we need just a little more

Now my baby's tired and our kids are wired
we look so rich but we feel so poor
and my city's in ruins

I used those words because our church is in a fairly safe, prosperous area and we really weren't dramatically effected by 9/11. But ruin comes all kinds of ways.

those are pretty good lyrics. i'm impressed.

.... I am maybe a bit on the liberal side here. (I am ultra conservative when it comes to the word, but pretty liberal when it comes to how u share it) Would I use secular music in church? Yes, I would, if it had a purpose. Would I use secular music as worship? No, I would not.

However not every word said in church is about God, Jesus or faith. In the church I grew up, we would often have classical instrumental music played during the service. I see no harm in that, and I don't see any harm in using a secular song with non offensive lyrics in it if it has a point.

I think sometimes it can be good to sing about healty love relationships, understanding and forgivness or anything else good and positive. I mean sometimes people will tell a funny story from the platform, not always directly linked to faith or anything. If you use common sense I don't think it should be a problem to play a secular number every now and then, especially not if you have a story to go with each song.

thanks viking thats what i was trying to say. i didn't want to do the songs for worship but to get a point across. I no longer want to do Brilliant Disguise because i have started writing my own that is similar but inarguably a christian song. But due to school and work i don't have the time i want to actually work on it so i'll do what i can when i can i guess.

first post in this forum ....

have you asked for permission from "the powers that be" i.e. the pastor,or deacons....to sing these songs ?