Hip Hop

Well, we still aren't sure which church to plant ourselves in. We've been going back and forth. We've been to two Sundays at Emmaus Road Covenant (we like their small size and the friendliness of the people), and today was our third Sunday at Sanctuary Covenant (we like the diversity and the fact that everyone isn't middle class and white). Both have good biblical teaching. And the worship is good at both (though we're adjusting to the different styles we get at Sanctuary--which is good). It's still not an easy decision.
Today was a Hip Hop Sunday at Sanctuary (normally just the third Sunday of the month--they're doing 2 this month). The music wasn't as wildly different than I imagined (there was one rap song, but there was also Lord I Lift Your Name on High and We Fall Down). But there was dancing throughout it--breakdancing, popping, etc. I was quite impressed with the kid who was about 12 years old, up there spinning on his head and doing flips. There was also a graffiti artist on stage for the bulk of the service. I don't always get the art, but it's really fascinating to look at and watch being done.

Hip Hop tends to have a negative image because of the people who bring violence, racism and degradation of women to the culture. Of course, hip hop, in and of itself, isn't bad. And as we saw this morning, it's possible to develop a redeeming culture. After all, isn't that the church's mission to the world?