Greater Vision and non-Christians listening to Southern Gospel?
One of the CDs I picked up at NQC was Gerald Wolfe’s Keys to Quiet Places piano solo CD, primarily since I wanted the Greater Vision titles that formed the rest of the package deal. At any rate, I found the disclaimer to have an interesting presupposition:
© 2006 Greater Vision Music Ministries, Inc., P.O. Box 1172, Morristown, TN 37816. All Rights Reserved. PLEASE READ: If a Christian knew it was illegal or “stealing” to copy this CD for someone who lives outside their household, they wouldn’t do it. Now you know. It is a violation of Federal Copyright Law to copy the music on this CD for anyone who doesn’t live in your house.
Notwithstanding the fact that that is one of the most creative copyright notices I’ve ever seen, the fact that it is specifically directed to Christians raises the question: What percentage of Southern Gospel fans generally, or Greater Vision’s fans specifically, are Christians?
Numerous groups–including Greater Vision–give altar calls at the end of their concerts. That suggests that Greater Vision assumes that at least a few of the people who purchase tickets to their concerts are not Christians.
I suppose this is a post that asks questions instead of answering them. Does anyone have statistics on what percentage of Southern Gospel fans are Christians? (Of course, that begs the question of how wide the definition of “Christian” can be, since some who have an unorthodox theology or are part of a cult have been known to enjoy Southern Gospel music.)
Comment by GospelMusicFan (September 25, 2007, 8:27 am)
Now, we are getting serious about theology, definition of being a Christian as a follower of Christ in wider sense of the word or a relationship with Jeus Christ.
I might not have statistics about people attending Southern Gospel music concerts who do not have a personal relationship wiyh Jesus Christ.
Go to a concert early and have conversations with people in the audience.
You should quickly be able to discern that some people come because “they enjoy the music” or it just another genre of music to them.
Attending a concert does not mean that a person will give way to the moving of the Holy Spirit with or without a altar call.
There are people out there that will exit the concert when they know the “preacher’ is coming to give a message of slavation during the middle of the concert. They come back at the end of the message. That’s the Holy Spirit working but we have to pray that they have not hardening their hearts so the Spirit cannot do its work.
The bigger the audience, chances are that the people will come different background and cultures. Sometimes we have to let our legalistic mentality let go and let God through the Holy Spirit do His work.
You do not have to go to a concert to see the Holy Spirit at work.
I know somone who watches Gaither on television. The person says he like the music and you surely know what the focus is all about.
It is not really all about being a Chistian but if you have true relationship with Jesus Christ based on John 3:16.
There are some hard working Christians in our evangelical churches who need a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
I do not know who they are but only God is the Judge of their motives and inner desires of their hearts.
Comment by Revpaul (September 25, 2007, 1:08 pm)
Okay, I guess you could say I’m of the Baptist cult. [grin]
Perhaps Greater Vision addresses the comment to Christians, assuming that the unconverted would copy the CD anyway with no conscience in the matter.
I go to many concerts and find that at outdoor concerts especially, there seem to be quite a few who come just because they like the music. In conversation I usually get around to “what church do you attend?” The answer often is “well I used to go to so-and-so church, but I haven’t been in awhile.”
So, yes, even though the audience may be predominately Christian, there are often those who really need to hear the message of the songs. And as far as I’m concerned, a simple invitation would be welcome at nearly any gospel concert.
Comment by Revpaul (September 25, 2007, 1:12 pm)
Oh, one more thing — depending on how wide your definition of Christian is, another question you might ask is: What percentage of the singers are Christian.
[big ole grin]
Comment by GospelMusicFan (September 25, 2007, 1:50 pm)
“a simple invitation would be welcome at nearly any gospel concert” would make a good topic on a separate thread as I could argue both side of that issue.
Same goes with a subject being “preaching a message” during a ticketed concert.
Comment by MattPaasch (September 25, 2007, 5:11 pm)
I don’t know about anyone else, but I try to invite my (non-Christian) coworkers and friends to the concerts I attend. I would like to think that others do the same. What a great way to introduce them to the gospel. Plus, it can always open the door for discussions later on.
Comment by Inquirer (September 25, 2007, 5:29 pm)
This surely sheds more light on Wolfe’s comments in the most recent Singing News regarding this notion of “stealing” music from CDs.
Comment by jerry (September 25, 2007, 7:26 pm)
Here’s my view on copyright laws. What is the spirit of the law? The spirit of the law is to prevent sales declines to the artists. Right? In my humble opinion (yes, I’m a Christian) if I give a copy of an SG cd to a friend who will most likely never buy an SG cd in his life that is not preventing sales at all. In fact, if he likes what he hears he’ll buy hundreds and possibly thousands of dollars more of music he’d never even contribute to. That’s my take.
Comment by Matt Paasch (September 25, 2007, 11:18 pm)
Oh yeah… “Hymns of the Ages” has a similar disclaimer on the back!
Comment by Livingbyfaith (September 27, 2007, 6:36 pm)
While I do see the intended purpose behind the disclaimer, what about an individual who may come to Christ through His message delivered through song… the words to which a writer was given with God’s annointing. Do the words and melody belong to the true Author? or the one who transcribed it? Just something to consider. Thanks!
Comment by gospelHog (September 27, 2007, 7:22 pm)
Jerry,
If you are concerned about your friend, AND you want to obey the law, then do what I do. BUY enough copies of the CD to give some away.
That way…you bless everyone AND obey the law. Last I checked, christians and non-christians alike are suppose to obey the law.