“Shout to the Lord” on American Idol

Now, I have to admit I am long since tired of the song “Shout to the Lord” but it was a pleasant suprise to hear it as a featured song on last night’s “Idol Gives Back” show and as the lead performance of the result show tonight.  What struck me the most about the song was hearing performed in the “Idol” setting.  It was the perfect example of how the lines between the sacred and secular are blurring.  Sure, there were probably some that were offended at the blatant use of Jesus’ name in a popular television show, but I think for most it probably seemed quite natural.  People are open to Jesus and open to spirituality but are becoming more and more skeptical of the church as we know it.

I try very hard to observe culture deeply and I am working hard at learning to ask better questions.  So as I was observing this collision between church and pop culture and the question that I can’t help but ask is, what can we learn about being the Church from something like “Idol Gives Back?”  I’m not talking about musical styles or light shows or over the top personalities.  I’m talking about things like where the Church should be spending our time and resources beyond the worship gathering.  We don’t have a platform the size of American Idol, but how might we through the efforts of our local church communities impact the world, using our blessings to be a blessing to others?

Any thoughts?