DJ Hans Daniels – Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post
At a time in our society when traditional values such as religion and philanthropy often take a backseat to the city’s thriving nightlife, Churches are doing what they can to combine the two interests. The Church of Clarendon, a baptist church in Northern Virginia, has gone so far as incorporating a DJ set into their service in hopes that young people might leave the club a few hours early Saturday night to rest up and celebrate Christ the next morning.
What was originally introduced as a one time effort to drive youth into their pews has generated a warm response from young members of the church who are happy to embrace the change. Electronic music in particular has an ever present uplifting and positive quality that blends seamlessly with the energy of an vivacious baptist service. Many members also noted that the upbeat music was a huge improvement to the piety felt during tithe and encouraged them to give.
Hans Daniels (a wedding DJ) sees no problem with spinning his set for the congregation and poses a question for the naysayers, “Why does the music you worship to and jam out to have to be completely separate?”
A Sample Track List in Preparation for Service – Image Courtesy of The Washington Post
Incorporating modern music into religious practice is a concept that is far from new. Christian churches frequently change over the course of time to integrate gospel, rock, hip hop and for DC natives, go-go but many conservative Christians ask themselves, “When does the performance end and the prayer begin?”
Religious beliefs and practices have fueled debates since the beginning of time, so it is no surprise that this recent development has sparked some controversy among the more traditional members of the church. With the belief that loud boistrous music could detract from the spiritual experience and the poor connotation developing around dance music, a few congregates feel that this change might just be too radical.
Source: The Washington Post
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