breaking Christian rap artist is Lutheran. But Scherer brings all the energy of hip-hop with deep Lutheran con- victions and themes. Chris Clay (
http://chrisclayworships.weebly.com): This Knoxville, Tenn., worship leader tours the country and is also an on air-personality at the No. 1 ranked gospel radio station in the country: Atlanta’s Praise 102.5 FM. Peder Eide (
www.pedereide.com): Eide has spent much of his career creating and sharing rock/pop wor- ship music with youth, adults and Lutheran congrega- tions nationwide.
His most recent albums try to bridge the gaps between parents and youth when it comes to worship music and styles. As he puts it: “I want to help families worship more than just on Sunday mornings. My vision is to encourage their connection with Jesus while at the same time engag- ing with one another in worship at home, work, school and on vacation.” Lost and Found (
www.speedwood.com): Michael Bridges and George Baum, a duo with roots in Niagara, N.Y., have a style described as somewhere between the Ramones and John Denver and an interactive, humor- ous delivery. If you’ve been to a recent Gathering, you’ve probably sung their “Lions” and shouted out “Slinky!” Their music also translates well to congrega- tional worship.
Home-grown worship bands This year, the Gathering will offer a daylong opportunity for youth to spend time with others from their synod exploring the seven practices of discipleship: pray, study, invite, encourage, serve, give and worship. Each of the ELCA’s 65 synods will also bring a wor- ship band to lead their community that day. Many of these grassroots bands write their own music (available as recordings or in songbook form) and go on tour. A few of the worship bands that will lead synod youth include: Northern Cross (
http://youtu.be/Qg9CkkxEzxU): The youth band of Messiah Lutheran Church, Wauconda, Ill., regularly leads worship at Leadership Lab, an annual youth event of the three ELCA synods in Illinois. Starboarders (
www.starboarders.com): Originally connected to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Atlanta, Star- boarders has grown into a touring band that plays what they call “hope rock.” Their name is a reference to turning a ship around and changing the world. All proceeds from their new album, Chroma, go to provide Lifestraws (filters) in regions lacking clean water, as highlighted in the group’s “Shelter Me” video (http://
youtu.be/YPHIOvqqdlQ).
NE Minnesota Synod Journey Band: The North- eastern Minnesota Synod held auditions for youth with musical talent from its area. It then formed a band to lead synod-based worship opportunities at the Gathering.
Bringing it home
Now consider how that week of service, worship and encouragement for leadership can energize a congrega- tion’s youth. Too often we as congregations “let” the returning youth lead one service, do “their” music and then we return to the status quo. Unintentionally, we’re leaving their gifts and enthusiasm to wither or find another home.
Contrary to what is often said, youth aren’t the future of the church. Youth are the church now. The challenge for adult worship leaders and pastors is to make this a reality. If we truly believe, as Martin Luther said, that the church is present where the gospel is preached and the sacraments rightly administered, then the next genera- tion’s language and music must be heard in our worship. In a time when half of those under the age of 35 were not raised in a faith tradition, have not heard a pipe organ outside of a ballpark and represent the smallest demo- graphic at weekly worship, the musical gifts arising out of the 2012 Youth Gathering are an evangelical addition our congregations need.
Clint Schnekloth, an ELCA pastor who blogs at http://
lutheranconfessions.blogspot.com, suggests several steps for worship planners, including take some risks, develop relationships (this can be done through open mic nights, recitals and networking events), mentor new artists and give musical artists a role to play. Worship isn’t about what we get out of worship but what we offer to God to build up the whole community in faith. So when our youth return, will we be willing to share God’s call to worship with them? Will we allow them to lead and encourage them to sing the new songs of faith in their hearts? My prayer is that we will.
‘Songs for Worship ‘
Would you like to use music by today’s Lutheran musi- cal artists in your congregation? Artist Eric Wefald worked with Lutheran songwriters and bands to pro- duce Songs for Worship, two volumes of complete band charts, audio recordings of all the songs and worship planning helps keyed to the church year. Wefald also created a media library with PowerPoint lyric slides and mp3 downloads. Learn more and get samples at www.
songsformysoul.com.
July 2012 35
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