The big debate begun when a Christian DJ plays worship music or a priest speaks in a nightclub. That must come as a bit of a surprise, as it challenges where we think faith should happen. But as times change so do the way people share their spirituality and we are left pondering why these unlikely locales are the places they are choosing.
Advocates for this type of outreach often have a clear objective in mind such as finding individuals where they already exist. Jesus is not limited to the places of worship he is out with all sorts of people in their natural settings. If the nightclub is a common place for many young people today it makes sense to bring hope there. It is a way to invite all people-especially those who would not set foot inside a traditional church-and offer a moment of unexpected calm amidst the loud music.
However, it is natural for a number of people to feel uneasy with such a trend. Some people are concerned about keeping holy things separate from ordinary, sometimes messy, places. Does the spiritual message become less powerful when it is mixed in with partying? Does the church risk losing its unique character by holding services at places that are usually associated with excessive drinking or other excesses? This is a fair question from people concerned about protecting the seriousness of faith.
Ultimately, whether you like or dislike these efforts often depends on what you believe God calls us to do. Are we called primarily to keep separate from the world or should we try to make the world better from within?
To respect people’s choices about faith we must also respect the different ways people try to spread it. Perhaps the most important thing isn’t the venue but the honest heart of the message and whether or not it truly brings comfort, purpose and connection to people looking for it even when they are out late.
