It's Tuesday, Summer's here and we're calling out around the world....
This song proves that a catchy melody and fun lyrics make a song that is embraced for generations. In 1964, Martha and the Vandelas, were in their prime as one of Motown's biggest acts. There songs seemed to resonate a theme... (1963's, "Heatwave", and today's featured single, "Summer's here and the time is right for Dancing in the Streets"). Their singles were something that wound up being VERY hot as they climbed the R&B as well as the pop charts from 1963 to 1972.
"Dancing in the Street" was one of several hits from Hitsville, USA. It peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot 100 and has been covered by some of the largest popular music acts of all time, including The Mamas and the Papas (my first introduction to the song), (1966, #73 on the Hot 100), Black Oak Arkansas, (1974), the Grateful Dead (1977), Van Halen, (1982, #38) as well as a duet by Rock icons David Bowie and Mick Jagger, (1985, #7) with one of the most odd music video's ever...
Thus proving that white men should not dance, well, not these two white men anyway...at least the proceeds from the single went to charity...but I digress...
"Dancing in the Streets" also became an anthem for the civil rights movement. While not intentional, the song was taken to mean that black folks were supposed to hit the streets and riot to show support for civil rights. Martha Reeves, was asked about the song's intentions. She described the song as a party song, thus quieting the media about the singer's intentions for her music.
Summertime has the distinction of seeing a dip in attendance in churches all around America. While this doesn't seem to occur in countries around the world, it seems American Christians find other things to do, places to go, and people to be with during the Summer. Yes, every one needs a little time away, and yes, vacations are a good thing, I usually miss going to my home church 3 times a year for excursions with my family. Sometimes on these vacations, I wind up at a friend's church and sometimes I just take the break. Please understand that these days are my scheduled vacation days, not going somewhere just because its the weekend and it's summer.
What does this missing church phenomena during the summer say to our commitment to the "family" of believers to which we have joined ourselves? In Acts 2, they did everything together...Acts 2 New King James Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible. Notice that Acts 2 describes these early believers as being all in one accord, or "as they were all together". Personal opinion: this is something that is very lacking in the American church in 2017. We don't seem to want to be together. We sometimes don't even seem to like each other. If we happen to be in that type of environment where we worship, it seems that our potential for teaching others repentance and the Gospel is hindered at the very least. My point, if we don't love your church family, if we are not continually falling in love with those which we share worship (worship through a small group study, music, giving, and preaching), we should reconsider why we are at that church and make changes if necessary. Pray, that God will lead you to a congregation you can do the above things with and He will show you the way.
Here's an interesting article that you might find encouraging:
Next subject...all we need is music, sweet music, there'll be music everywhere...
Dear friend, it is ok to like music. It is certainly ok to like music in the worship environment of your church. It is even ok to worship with musical style that is not your preferred worship expression.
We are told throughout the Bible to sing. There are no qualifiers on this command. There is no, sing if you like the Bill Gaither song, or sing if you like the song by Chris Tomlin.
The entire book of Psalms was written as a hymn book, if you will, for Israel to worship God through music and poetry. This book comes from a very "real" place in many instances, was written by several folks and very likely was written in different styles. Yet, we never hear about stylistic preferences when it comes to Jewish worship. It seems, perhaps, the focus is on God and worshiping Him. While there was massive idolatry occurring throughout Israel's history, it never seems to be the idol of worshiping a musical style. You never heard, "I really like David's songs, but that Asaph, well I'd just rather not sing if we're doing his music." I'll let you ponder that one.
If I haven't completely offended you so far and you are still reading, please know that I struggle with all of the above. I happen to be a worship leader in our church and unfortunately, have fallen at times to the idolatry of style. Please pray for me. I also struggle with a critical heart towards those who are AWOL on Sunday mornings, evenings, and Wednesday night. (A recent statistic that I read implies that most American church members consider going to church on Sunday mornings 2 times a month as being "regular" church attendance. Really?...oops, there it goes that critical spirit...) Again, please pray for me.
The Bible is a book that has THE story of redemption for mankind. Tuesday's Musical Notes' archive has several submissions that tell THE story in more detail. Check those out if you get a chance.
This redemptive narrative is SO good, we should want to repent of our lack of love for one another and WANT to spend time together with the church to which God has called us, repent of our idolatry of style and SING regardless of the song or style, repent of the image we have of our own self importance, and REMEMBER that everything is about God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. It is about calling out around the world, and telling them about a brand new, very different beat. It's about summer being here, the time being short, and telling THE story that will cause dancing in the streets...and maybe a heart transformation in the process...
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy
