The Entertainment Ministry

I find enjoyment in being entertained and I think God created us like that. I might watch a sports game without caring about either team, just to soak up the competition and watch the celebrations. If I go to see something live, whether sports or music, I go because I want to be entertained while feeling connected to something. Believe me, it’s more comfortable to watch sports from my couch, it’s fluffy. Trust, I look cooler sitting sideways cruising down Central Ave listening to music then standing at a rap concert. Again, I go for the entertainment. I go to get off the couch. I go for the experience.

Now, I’ve been apart of the same church for 6 years and have seen a lot ministry. I’ve been and have seen others slowly transformed by things like life on life relationships, bible studies, and all things that spring from the Gospel. I’ve seen folks get money when they needed it, meals, childcare, counseling, and watched many other needs get met through ministry. Who can deny that ministry is good? We need ministry. Go minister. 

Now, I’ve been apart of a hip-hop scene for 6 years too, and have seen a lot of things. I’ve seen over a hundred artists take the stage. I’ve been in the crowd simultaneously chanting with everyone else in camo-shorts. I’ve seen people get more serious about their art. One time I saw someone execute a backflip on stage without missing a beat. My hands have been in the air, my fist have been clenched, my face has been melted. At many Christian Hip Hop shows (are we still calling it that?) I’ve been thoroughly entertained.   

So if you’re reading this and have never seen a rap show (how did you get here?) then allow me to pause… rap shows look like this: a rapper yelling lyrics over a beat while moving around and almost being out of breath. There are generally some call and response aspects where you get a chance to interact with the music in between the verses. It’s dope. When done well, you get excited about what is being said. When done well, it’s entertaining. 

Side note: I try to design a new set before every show. I want to give fans something entertaining that they haven't seen before. 

I consider myself to be an artist. If I have the pleasure of rapping at a show that you attend, then I think that you will be entertained by my artistry. My heart has been impacted by the Gospel, so the life that I rap about springs forth from that reality. I happen to think that it is very entertaining to listen to, and something that you can grab ahold of. You will probably yell with me. For the moment it will feel great. You might even entertain me with your response to my music… imagine that. That’s entertainment. 

I remember being at a rap show and hearing a rapper talk about how many years he was doing "his ministry". Part of me wanted to get upset, but the other part got sarcastic. I wanted to look around and see some young kids he was pouring his life into, maybe his flow was so tired because there were homeless folks that he just housed. Did he use that big microphone to spend a few hours counseling a young man? Were those rap-show flyers in his hands or “right to life” pamphlets being passed out? Maybe the money he didn’t use on good beats was being spent on his foster child. Or maybe the two songs he did (that he forgot some of the lyrics to), is what he meant when he said, “doing ministry”. Let me be clear, I’m not saying that lives cannot be impacted by music. The good news of God’s saving act through Jesus is impactful. If not that, then other messages are impactful. Many rappers are impactful, but I wouldn’t call them ministers just because they rap the gospel. Nor would I call you a pastor because you spent a few minutes giving me some good advice, and the dude on the corner isn’t psychic just because he knows the bus is coming. 

All in all, I like entertainment and so do you. We should like it, but let’s elevate what it means to minister. If you see someone do a few songs and then get off the stage to hold down their merchandise table, then clap for them. Also, make sure you buy whatever it was that entertained you. When you see someone staying up late and sacrificing their own for your good, then cherish them for they are the real Ministers.

The stage needs better entertainers and the streets need more Ministers.