Back in the 1990’s I was a big DC Talk fan as well as the Newsboys. Michael Tait was a part of the trio who made up DC Talk.
During that decade Christian music really changed. From my perspective, Christians bands mostly stopped copying mainstream pop and developed its own sound. Bands like DC Talk were entering the top 40 pop charts.
To the disdain of a hundred thousand youth pastors, Toby Mac left DC Talk to start a solo career. Fast forward about ten years later and Michael Tait became the Newsboys front man.
Recent credible news reports have not been good for Tait. This news has nothing to do with ticket or music sales, but rather, serious criminal activity which been uncovered. (The kind of stuff addressed in 1 Corinthians)
Steve Taylor is a writer and producer, and he has done extensive work with the Newsboys. Recently, Mike Cosper interviewed Steve on the podcast “The Bulletin”. One part of the interview really caught my attention.
They were pondering those whose faith was greatly influenced by the band DC Talk. The music of DC Talk accompanied a faith and commitment growth spurt in some youthful Christians. This places a direct link between the music of DC Talk and their faith. Further, for some believers, this ties Michael Tait as a source of faith influence. Yet, this same Michael Tait, has allegedly been doing some illegal and immoral activities.
What about that? What does it say about those whose faith grew by means of a person who has credible evidence of serious wrong doing?
I found myself in the same situation. A few years ago, the same Mike Cosper from the podcast mentioned above did the expose on a faith hero of mine, Mark Driscoll (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill).
In the early 2000’s I was a prodigal man who had strayed far, far from home. With the introductions of iPods and subsequently podcasts, I began listening to Mars Hill sermons while working out. Mark Driscoll was the preaching pastor at Mars Hill and he had a preaching style I had never experienced before, and it drew me in.
Over the next two years of almost daily listening to Mark Driscoll preaching, I was brought to repentance. So drastic the change in me that a desire to enter pastoral ministry began to emerge.
Then I heard the expose of credible accusations leveled towards Mark to which he would not respond. There were times while listening to the abusive details that I pondered if Mark Driscoll was even saved.
What does that mean about my faith? Could I REALLY be changed by a man who was possibly, not even saved himself? How could someone like this be used to grow me so much?
Then, clear as a bell, Balaam came to mind (Numbers 22-24). God used a donkey to get His message across. That donkey never went to seminary (or tabernacle). That donkey was just . . . a donkey.
That moment was both exciting and humbling. Exciting because the real change in me, brought by the Spirit, was of God and not because of Mark Driscoll. Humbling because, now as a pastor myself, I MUST realize I am not center. God’s message is center. I just deliver that message. In the same way Balaam’s donkey delivered the message.
For those of you who may stumble across this page and find yourself as one of those whose faith really grew because of DC Talk, Newsboys or Michael Tait, do not be discouraged. Your faith DID grow. You are not imagining it.
The ENDS by which brought about your faith is GOD. The MEANS by which God worked could be through Billy Graham, Mark Driscoll, Michael Tait . . . or even a donkey.
The most important part in this situation is the ends!
S.D.G.