Stuff Youth Pastors Like: Hoping For a dc Talk Reunion

The album that changed my life was Jesus Freak by dc Talk. It absolutely blew my mind. Every song was incredible and I wore out my copy. The tour to support the album was incredible as well. I've been to a bunch of concerts and, outside of Dave Matthews Band in Charlottesville, it is still the best show I've been to.

A few years later, the guys from dc Talk released solo albums and they were really good. It was my hope that this was just a temporary bump, but then the hiatus started and continued indefinitely. Toby Mac released a bunch of albums and gets unlimited airplay on Christian radio. Michael Tait released two albums and then became a part of the Newsboys. Kevin Max released a number of independent records, made a movie where he did drugs and cheated on his wife before getting saved, and recently joined Audio Adrenaline.

With all of this moving and shaking in the music industry, youth pastors keep holding out hope that dc Talk will get back together. If they were to release a new album, it would certainly be the top-selling album...of all time.

So, here's my plan: stop buying Toby Mac's music. Honestly, it isn't that good anyway (just kidding). Don't buy the Newsboys (they are good, but seriously, can Michael Tait ever really pull of "Breakfast" or "Shine"?). And, whatever you do, no matter how good the new Audio Adrenaline single is, don't buy their new album. Boycott all non-dc Talk music. This will cause record sales to slide and they will be forced to get the group back together.

This could seriously work.

Recommended Music

Stuff Youth Pastors Like - Lecrae

There is a crazy trend among youth pastors. It involves their love for rap music, particularly rap music created by the new scene of Christian rappers. These rappers include Propaganda, Tedashii, Trip Lee, and the king of them all, Lecrae.

Lecrae has blown up all over the place. His music has been endorsed by Jeremy Lin and Tim Tebow. His album, Gravity, was named one of the top hip hop albums of 2012. It's pretty sweet, by the way.

Lecrae has appeared at conferences around the country. He has done songs with a number of Christian artists, including the David Crowder Band. Lecrae might be the first rapper that I have ever seen to be endorsed by John Piper.

Despite all of his success, Lecrae is one of the most humble guys I have ever seen. He is not about promoting himself or selling his own records. Every time I have seen him perform, Lecrae's goal is to point others to Jesus. He realizes that he is a crooked stick, a tool in the hands of the Maker. Wow!

As a youth pastor, you are legally obligated to own at least one Lecrae album. I own four of them, making me cooler than anyone who doesn't have any. Start with Gravity. It will blow your mind. Rebel is one of my favorites as well.

Here is a video of Lecrae's performance at Passion 2013.

So, how many Lecrae songs do you know?

What Kind of Youth Pastor Can't Play Guitar?

I really need to play my guitar more. I used to love playing guitar. My best friend, Terry, taught me to play a few chords and we jammed together all the time. Terry is quite talented, so it was awfully kind of him to tolerate my shortcomings musically. He even let me borrow his guitar when I went back to college so that I could continue to learn and practice.

Over the years, I learned to play a number of songs, including a few songs by the Foo Fighters, Soul Asylum, and Oasis. I also really enjoyed playing MxPx and Huntingtons songs, but they sounded funny on an acoustic.

Then, for some reason, I just stopped playing. I still have the guitar in my room, but it is covered with dust. I sold my first guitar, then my electric guitar, but I kept the good one. I really need to pick it back up and get busy.

Maybe it is because I can't sing that well that I don't play. Maybe it is the fact that four kids makes finding time to play a bit difficult. Whatever the excuse, I need to start playing again. Maybe I'll do that next year.

I have to fulfill that stereotype, right?