Worship for the Wrong Reasons

Stories like this one just rub me the wrong:

– A new type of reality television program called “Voices of Joy” will be launched today in a nationwide quest to find America’s most exciting church choir. The competition will pit church choirs from 12 key markets against one another in an intense, but inspiring, series of regional events this spring, followed by nationally televised weekly programs this fall. Over $1.3 million in educational scholarships will be awarded to choirs as they advance in the competition, with the winning group receiving $500,000.

Church music groups across the country are encouraged to submit a tape or DVD of three songs by May 15, 2006 (additional entry information is available on www.voicesofjoytv.com). Eight choirs will be selected from the overall applicants in each of the 12 markets and will be invited to perform in front of a panel of judges in areas including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle, Boston, Washington DC and Detroit. One winning Church choir in each market will be invited to represent their city and compete in the nationally-televised competition this fall, where they will be judged by a panel of experts and the viewing public.

So the Choirs won’t be about worship, they’ll be about scholarship money? The great concern with Christian Music today is when the focus gets off of Christ and onto the Musical Talent. I’m okay with Christian American Idol like shows but doing it with a choir is too much, because it turns the Worship of God by a Church into something that’s about material gain and status.

I have an idea. Instead of this, have a competition for the country’s most humble choir. Everyone who sends an entry loses.

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