Why I Left The Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions Of A Former Worship Leader

Lucarini, from first-hand experience, has special discernment in detailing the origin of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and that it is a worldly means of attracting people to the gospel message. Take away the lyrics, the sound is like mainstream rock radio of today with their pagan origins.

I am not a musician but I have seen first-hand the infiltration and effects of Christian rock into the church. In too many churches, one can no longer find an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and a quiet worship with one's creator. The sound is so loud at times, I have left the sanctuary.

I have had friendly discussions with our youth pastor. He said the youth want to hear music they like and we need to do it to attract them back. Well, the elders buy into this, even though some of them come in late purposely because they don't like the music. Go figure ??

The other very destructive part of CCM generally is that we have raised a group of young evangelicals who are biblically illiterate. They sing the words but have no background on where in the bible those lyrics or thoughts can be found. Many are "7-11" songs ... seven words repeated 11 times over. People are attracted because of the music and many probably stay only because of the music. Are they truly growing as disciples in the Lord for which they are commanded? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) In too many churches, the only hearing done by youth is from the band.

The other thing Lucarini touches upon is to read the lyrics of many CCM songs. Many of them could have been written by George Harrison of the Beatles praising one of his Hindu Gods. Essentially many CCM songs are general worship music... just insert the God of your choice as you sing. Where is the exclusivity of Jesus? (John 14:6)

CCM doesn't want to deal too specifically with the blood of Christ, What His suffering on the cross cost the Father, His second coming, and final judgment for every person. The lyrics don't get too complicated.... people won't come back.

Lucarini should be commended for taking a terribly politically incorrect stance but one that is absolutely correct. CCM is paving the way for the ecumenical church of Revelation Chapter 3, one that is lukewarm that Jesus says He will spew out of His mouth. Thank you for your boldness, Mr. Lucarini.

"Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement" is easy to read and should be read by every Christian, whether or not he or she is involved in music. It will give the reader insights into today's music controversy within the Church.

Dan Lucarini's views are made very clear - contemporary Christian music can be hazardous for your faith. It may split your church, it may alienate older believers, and it may even open the door for less than welcome influence, among other things, he claims. He has a zero tolerance for drum kits and electric guitars, saying that their loud noise and "sensual beats" detract from God. He was once in support of the contemporary music, one of the pioneers in fact, but now regrets it. He believes that with classical and organ/piano fuelled hymns, you "can't go wrong". They may be old, but they are wholesome, and aren't associated with any wayward lifestyle.

Though I don't agree with it all (I was particularly baffled by his dislike of drumkits and his obsession with beats being sensual), Lucarini does make a few valid points, particularly regarding the nature of worship. Do we have this modern music in the service to please ourselves, or to please God? We are supposed to be humble before God, rock musicians are often flashy and superficial. Will singers imitating modern music styles in the church take on certain modern musical values while singing that aren't biblically sound? Do we run the risk of idolizing our best singers in the church by putting them up on stage? All good questions to add to the debate, and I'm glad that he was brave enough to bring them up.

I was a bit confused on where Lucarini stood on music as a whole. Sure, he believes showy rock music is inappropriate for humble worship of the Lord, but does he still listen to rock music at all? If not, what does he listen to? He lists a few bands he USED to listen to (Deep Purple, Emerson Lake & Palmer, etc), but doesn't say much about his listening habits nowadays. Is he disapproving of those who listen to rock music outside of church too? Is it possible to be a Christian drummer? If he believes that traditional music can't fail, what does he think of the instruments and musical styles that King David used to play? Is it possible to have music like that in a church? I'm curious to know what he'd think. He also blames Satan a lot for the choices people are making, which gets a bit grating at times. Surely we can take a little more responsibility for our actions and our mistakes?

Readers' opinions will be divided, as they are here in the reviews. It's a hot topic in the churches. Lucarini does his best to give a level, well thought out opinion, based on his own experience and understanding of scripture. Even though I don't agree with it all, and it isn't quite the whole issue, this book did give me a lot to think about and consider. He's not stirring or judging the church as much as getting it to think. To get someone to think for themselves about an issue is the best thing a piece of Christian literature can do. I thought (and have been thinking) fairly hard since reading this.

If music is an issue in your church, I recommend you give this a read. I also recommend you read any other opinions (and scriptural references) on the subject, as this isn't the whole issue. Talk to other believers, see what they have to say. And, of course, check the Bible.

His basic premise maintains that using CCM in praise and worship is a man-centered phenomenon that should be exposed as such, because it is worldly, it lacks a strong biblical foundation, and it ignores God's explicit instructions for acceptable worship. Furthermore, it ironically produces attitudes which are often counterproductive to sincere worship, and it encourages carnal lifestyles. Detailing past experiences which he deeply regrets, Lucarini sends a clear warning to traditional churches: Switching to contemporary worship services will inevitably incite battles with the spirits of immorality, divisiveness, and deception.

Lucarini's definition of CCM includes such music styles as soft rock, pop/rock, easy listening, classic rock, and heavily syncopated music with rock influences such as jazz, rap, blues, hip-hop, punk, ska, or modern country & western. Far from condemning ALL CCM, however, he brands rock music, the most prevalent style of CCM today, as most inappropriate for worship, because of its incessant beat, its worldly performance styles, and its invariable association with sexual promiscuity, drug abuse, violence, and rebellion against authority. He biblically refutes, among other opposing arguments, that by adding Christian lyrics, we can separate secular rock music from its immoral associations and sanctify it.

Much of the book paints a vivid portrait of the philosophy and mindset of those who embrace CCM. Thus, God accepts any contemporary music style, so they reason, because God always accepts us as we are (implying that we can retain our worldly lifestyles and preferences after conversion). Such philosophy further implies that our tolerance for worldly affections and behaviors is far more important than exercising biblical discernment. These concepts especially pervade so-called "seeker-sensitive" churches, which justify CCM as an evangelistic tool. Lucarini cautions us, however, that, "We cannot drag our favorite worldly music, dress and language into the church, and expect a blessing." Pastors who insist on introducing CCM into traditional churches have already decided that some of their flock (dissenting "Traditionals") are worth losing. Ironically, they brand dissenters as "divisive" and order that they either be silent and accept the changes or find another church directly. To Lucarini, such pastors have developed an arrogant disregard for the conscience and discernment of others.

Because CCM lacks a firm biblical foundation, Lucarini takes the Word of God and easily dispatches the following typically deceptive arguments posed by CCM apologists: "CCM is a matter of personal preference;" "Music is amoral;" "All music is inherently good;" "The Bible mentions nothing about rock music;" "We can use all things to reach people;" "Praise music is different from worship music and should be more upbeat;" "Even Martin Luther and the Wesleys used `contemporary' music;" "CCM is easier to sing than traditional hymns;" and "God uses CCM to save and disciple teens."

It goes without saying that this book, though factual, will anger and offend CCM advocates. Yet I regard Lucarini's presentation as honest, sincere, and certainly without malicious intent. He simply urges churches to purge CCM from their services and return to music that is God-centered. As an organist who witnessed similar events transpire in my former church, I heartily recommend this book with a firm, "Amen!"