WinterJam

Most of our Sunday night small group was gone to Winterfest this past week, so Lynn and I had the night off. She had heard that Mercy Me and NewSong were going to be at ODU that night in concert, so we decided to go. What she didn’t realize was that this was the 2008 WinterJam youth festival, and many of the groups had a little more of an "edge" than much of the music we listen to. Groups like Skillet and Barlow Girl were really, really loud. We were sitting in the cheap seats, and it was still really, really loud. We liked the music, and the energy in both the performers and the crowd was absolutely frenetic. While most of the crowd was teens, but there were a lot of older people there head-banging as well. And did I mention that it was really loud?


Three comments (besides that it was loud). First, we really enjoyed Mercy Me. They mainly did stuff from their new album, but they threw in a couple of oldies. I Can Only Imagine and Word of God Speak can still bring chills. I liked the new album too. (New Law: All Christian groups must project their lyrics when doing their new stuff… their old stuff too for that matter.)

Second, hey I don’t do a cover solo of one of the bands hits in the middle of my sermon… so the singer shouldn’t preach. Actually, I like it when the artist witnesses or tells his or her story (one of the Barlowgirls was flatout preaching), and that is especially important to a youth audience. But not every group. And not after every song. And not when they go on and on and on. And not when they had two youth ministers on the tour specifically to speak each night. Come on guys and gals, sing!

Third, the best part of the evening was watching all of those young people so enthusiastic about the music and the Lord. To see that many teens and young adults in one place focused on God-centered things and responding to God-centered messages and singing God-centered lyrics—that warmed my heart. I really wish my girls could have been there. But then, they probably wouldn’t have appreciated the music that much. They think rock is for old people!