I see nothing wrong with making gospel music enjoyable and letting youths have fun with church. I saw Kirk Franklin on television a little while back and he made an interesting point. He said that all too often religion focuses on what you can't do rather than what you can. If all we tell our youth is that once they become saved, they have to give up all of the things that they enjoy, what is their incentive to want to accept God into their lives. Saved or not, teenagers, and grown folks for that matter, want to be able to have a good time. I see nothing wrong with letting people know that they can have a good time while being a faithful and active member of the church. Being a Christian should be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I know that it is for me
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My pastor is a young man and he recognizes this point. Our church has a youth choir that performs lively, and upbeat songs. We sponsor a basketball camp and tournament and praise dancers. We don't have a step team, but I think that would be a great idea. Not everyone can sing, but we can all praise the Lord in our own ways. If you have to make your "joyful noise unto the Lord" by clapping your hands and stomping your feet, I say do your thang. I would much rather have our youth doing these things within the church than with community/secular groups.
As far as gospel rap, I don't really have a problem with that either. But, some of the songs that I heard were more secular songs with the word "God" thrown in every other verse. I heard one song, I think it was by BBJ, talking about "I'm the originator of this gospel rap thing." I thought that line was inappropiate and more suited for a regular hip-hop song.
As long as it's gospel, true gospel, I don't see anything wrong with it. You have to reach people the way that you can reach them. Not everyone will respond to Mahalia Jackson or the Mississippi Mass Choir. There have been a few times that I have been listening to a gospel song that touched my so deeply that I was brought to tears. One song actually helped me redevote myself to the Lord. There's nothing in the world wrong with that.