Using Secular Music In Worship

"The fact is that secular music speaks to people--seekers, unchurched, and churched alike ... because many secular songs articulate universal human needs. The reason so many songs are written about love is because it's a universal desire, and one that the Bible affirms when it tells us that God's very nature is love. A secular song in church is so attractive, then, because every attendee is likely to be familiar with it and comfortable listening to its truth ... Most people expect a teacher to use non-biblical stories to illustrate a biblical truth ... At Saddleback [we use] secular songs as illustrations pointing people to biblical truth."

-Rick Muchow

So how would that work? I did a set of worship plans recently for a Rockbridge class and here is how I could see us using secular music to illustrate biblical truth and help get the people attuned to where we are headed in a thematic way.

Here's a worship plan I wrote recently for a class at Rockbridge Seminary.

Today's service will focus our attention on the power of Almighty God to heal our hurts through the power of Christ.

How Long (U2) - Praise Band and team

During the time the congregation is filing in and preparing for worship, we'll set the tone for the service as well as connect the biblical theme to the culture by doing these warm-up songs.

Psalm 12 - Lay Reader

The idea again is to begin building the atmosphere for examination and reflection on today's theme.

Prayer - Associate Pastor

Blessed Be the Name - Congregation and praise team

Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) – Congregation and team

Distribution of pottery shards to each attender. Sharpies are in each chair back. As the video of "Everybody Hurts" runs, we ask each member to write a hurt that they have had in their life on the shard of pottery.

Everybody Hurts (REM) - video (run until 4:52)

Message for today – iHurt – Hebrews 2

Call for response – congregation asked to come forward and bring their shard of pottery as they come. They exchange the shard for the unleavened bread and juice.

Potter's Hand - Praise Band

The artists take the shards and start placing them within a frame prepared for the purpose. Once everyone has come forward and returned to their seats after having taken communion, the arts pastor lifts the completed mosaic of a cross to show the congregation what God can do with their hurts.

Prayer of Thanksgiving by the pastor.

Offering and Announcements

I'm Trading My Sorrows – Congregation and Praise team (closing and dismissal)