Space here will not allow for me to fully develop my thesis on the ubiquitous “ministry v. entertainment” debate, so I will reserve most of my thoughts on that question for another day(s).  But the topic at hand is one of several elements that help comprise my position on that issue, so perhaps we can use this as a starting point for future discussions.

One of Webster’s definitions of entertain is to amuse or divert.  This would seem to be an apt picture of what we do as performing musicians and also an accurate description of what human beings seek to achieve (consciously or subconsciously) through their entertainment choices:  watching a football game, a movie, playing cards, a weekend vacation, a gospel concert.  That is to say that with the stresses of daily life we endure – job, family, health, financial – we seek to momentarily relieve those stresses through some avenue of entertainment.  Even most who put forth that what we do as gospel singers should not be considered strictly entertainment, would concede that this is at least a worthy by-product generated from ninety minutes or so of singing.

Anyone familiar with some of my earlier writing efforts will remember that I am not a minister nor have I been “called”.  (Save for that “holy calling” that Paul describes in 2 Timothy 1:9 which deals with our position in Christ – not a calling to a Christian service endeavor or vocation.)  I am an entertainer. 

As such, it has been most rewarding and most humbling when folks have come up after a concert and told me that they, “really needed this tonight” or “I haven’t laughed like that in a long time”.  That lets me know that with the Lord’s help I have accomplished one of my goals – to help someone forget about their problems and ease their mind – if only for a little while.

Ok, where am I going with this?  Here is what I’ve noticed – countless times.

A gospel performer is on stage and all is going pretty well.  The singing is good (most of the time), the crowd is responsive, some humor is intermingled with some very encouraging songs.  The goal seems to be being achieved.  Then, and most often I think, as some way of making sure everyone knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that they are there to “minister” to these good folk – I call it playing the ministry card - they say something to this effect:  “I know a lot of you here tonight are going through hard times.  Sickness, financial problems, a marriage situation, etc., etc.”.   Oh, they can get very specific.

Every time this happens I can’t help but think of some poor soul out there who is going through one of these difficult times (in fact, most of us are), who hasn’t smiled or laughed in three weeks, and just as they were beginning to relax and enjoy themselves a little, they are reminded of the very thing from which they needed to escape. 

It’s like they get hit in the back of the head out of nowhere with a 2x4.  I want to scream out, “Yes, and they had probably almost forgotten about it until you brought it up again!  Thank you!”

Maybe, just maybe, they could have forgotten about it until they got home.  Maybe until the next morning.  Or maybe, just maybe, they could have drawn enough from that night to get through a few tough days ahead.  But even if they were brought back to the reality of their situation when they got up out of their seat after the show, we have just robbed them of precious minutes of something they need most desperately.

Why can’t we just shut up and sing?