Michael Jackson (MJ) Tribute This Sunday

[milepost13]

I'm only half kidding, which means I'm half serious...who's with me in throwing a "ooo-hoo" or a 5 second moonwalk from the stage during a song this Sunday? Or, how about a "Beat It" riff in the middle of a song? I'm in!

He certainly led a strange and unfortunate personal life, but Michael Jackson's musical genius and influence are impossible to deny.

Nate

[MandoRon]

Unfortunately, we're doing an acoustic set this week... I think just 2 guitars and piano. Nothing's coming to mind that would fit.

[Smitty]

Deeply troubled, and yet brilliant. His impact and influence are undeniable.

Smitty

[StillGuy]

I'm thinking about doing "Heal The World".

[Viclyn]

I don't know what kind of relationship he had with God but I hope there was an acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord and repentence. I know an individual who was emotionally damaged by him, so it is difficult for me to herald him in any manner. I won't deny he was very talented but his mistakes sort of cancel out any respect I could have for him. The reverberations and lives damaged still continue to this day.

[Keep Singing]

I find out such news from TWC!

[mikeymo1741]

Unfortunately, we're doing an acoustic set this week... I think just 2 guitars and piano. Nothing's coming to mind that would fit.

"Gone to Soon" might be an ironic fit. Or maybe a nice, acoustic version of "Man in the Mirror."

[louca]

Wow Nate, I almost can't believe the one-half of you that wrote that! Surprising.

Lou

[kristamiller86]

The music world sure has lost an icon. I grew up on Michael Jackson on the good ol' vinyl records. My dad was a DJ in the 70's and 80's so I was introduced to some great music as a kid and Michael was my favorite. I will for sure send out a "hee hee Woo" on Sunday for him.

[louca]

He certainly led a strange and unfortunate personal life, but Michael Jackson's musical genius and influence are impossible to deny.

I would agree with the musical genius part for his life up to and including his era of Thriller. But by the time the 90's came around, he actually became a caricature of himself, and I think an embarrassment to his many fans that came to like him prior to that point. The unfortunate part is not only the person he became, but that because of his previous popularity, his personal life was shown publicly. And, unfortunately, we all had to observe it.

Lou

[fmckinnon]

When I think of someone like Michael Jackson, in all of his weirdness, I'm reminded that the musical brilliance and talent that he had was a gift from God. It reminds me that we all have a responsibility to stand before God and say "this is how i used the talents you gave me" ....

And that does NOT necessarily mean that you have to use your talents exclusively in the church ...

Know what I mean?

[milepost13]

Sorry to disappoint, Louca.

I think those of us who live in the US have a very different opinion about Jackson than many in other countries. Having traveled a bit, I can tell you that the most famous modern American icon (even in the late 90's) is Michael Jackson...Michael Jordan was a close second (at that time). I can't tell you how many people, upon learning I was from the US, have asked me "Do you know Michael Jackson?", or how many MJ t-shirts I've seen.

If you follow Twitter or if you check out the RIP MJ facebook groups, you'll see what I mean by reading the number of comments that are being left in foreign languages or broken English.

All that to say, the dude was HUGE, again, in spite of his questionable character and personal decisions. If Elvis is still as big as he is today, imagine what MJ will be 50 years from now. I was never a big fan, as his hey day was a little before my time, nor do I think highly of his personal choices, but, whether we like it or not, I guarantee that the man has had an influence on each of our music ministries.

Nate

[TruePraise]

I am not sure how I would feel about hearing some of MJ's music in our service.
I would not find it worshipful, though some of it was fun. I suppose it really really depends on who your congregation is. I don't think some of ours would be amused in the least, but some might find it interesting, and some could probably care less one way of the other.

His impact in the music/entertainment industry is undeniable, but I am not sure his life is worth "celebrating" in a worship service. I feel very sad at his passing, but mainly because I fear for his soul.

Again, I think it would really depend on who the majority of your congregation is.

[yod1948]

I am not sure how I would feel about hearing some of MJ's music in our service.
I would not find it worshipful, though some of it was fun. I suppose it really really depends on who your congregation is. I don't think some of ours would be amused in the least, but some might find it interesting, and some could probably care less one way of the other.

His impact in the music/entertainment industry is undeniable, but I am not sure his life is worth "celebrating" in a worship service. I feel very sad at his passing, but mainly because I fear for his soul.

Again, I think it would really depend on who the majority of your congregation is.


if it was presented as someone who had everything this world could offer and still lost their soul, it might be quite constructive

[yod1948]

Sorry to disappoint, Louca.

I think those of us who live in the US have a very different opinion about Jackson than many in other countries.
Nate

I hear that Lionel Richie is the biggest thing in Iraq still today.

no accounting for taste, I suppose.

[TruePraise]

I guess it would be like any other aspect of your service....who is your "audience" and "why are you doing it"....

interesting to think about

[Wannabe a Worshiper]

I guess if MJ wrote any songs of worship, or anything that brings glory to God, then it would be OK to use them in a worship setting. But since there is no such song, to my knowledge, I think it would be of the world, not of God to use anything of his in worship.
BTW, his whole family is Jehovah's Witness. It would be a big stretch to call that Christian.

[milepost13]

I'm amazed that MJ's talent alone is not viewed by some people as bringing glory to his Creator...even if that talent was misused at times, it's still a sign that God is a remarkably creative God.

And, I've yet to see anyone make the argument in this thread that MJ was a Christian, or that his music was "Christian"...and, really, I'm not sure what that has to do with anything in the first place?

Nate

[yod1948]

I'm amazed that MJ's talent alone is not viewed by some people as bringing glory to his Creator...


Nate

what about Pam Anderson's body? :p

If you want to live to see tomorrow, I don't suggest honoring her in a church service where ladies are present. ;)

Everything is permissible but not everything edifies. Knowing you from this forum tells me that you are capable of doing a tribute to MJ that will be appropriate for your congregation but it's not a "one-size fits all" kind of topic.

MJ was an idol just as Pam Anderson is. We're getting into grey area here and I can understand why some wouldn't think it's appropriate. It probably isn't in their churches.

[Viclyn]

I think this goes back to a post where I asked what is "wise" worship. Solomon changed his location after God granted Him wisdom. His location changed. God honored Solomon's worship by granting him wisdom, so it didn't seem like God was upset with Solomon for worshiping Him in a place that might have seemed inappropriate, but Solomon changed his location with wisdom. Why? Because maybe that would have been confusing to others who knew that as a place where pagan's worshiped. Solomon then offered a fellowship offering, meaning his first act of wise worship was in sharing with others the sacrifice.

My point is that wise worship considers whether something is edifying (Paul talked about it too) or whether it might cause confusion or stumbling for others. If all of our church was mature enough to see how the celebration of his talent was different then worship of people milling outside of the Jackson family home then I might say it is absolutely no issue. If we could absolutely separate the talent from the person, then I would say it is a no-brainer, but the problem is that might be difficult for probably the majority of people. I know I have a difficult time seeing past some of his personal life stuff to really consider any kind of tribute.

[TruePraise]

Nate, in my mind is has to do with weather it is appropriate in a worship service. That is a call you and your team would have to make. Personally, hearing a MJ riff or seeing a moonwalk, might distract from worship...others might not feel that way.

Yes, his talent was a gift from God, but I don't think he used it as such...just my opinion...he used it for himself, not to bring Glory to the one who gave him the gift in the first place....just my 2 cents...probably about what it is worth! ;)

[milepost13]

OK...I think we've gone off the serious/deep end of this discussion....

Getting back to the OP, I totally threw in a MJ tribute on Sunday, told my band about it ahead of time, and they were the only ones who knew...good times! Anyone else?

Look for a Billy Mays tribute this Sunday...I'm going to try and incorporate the Awesome Auger (https://www.officialtvwebsite2.com/awesome-auger/index.asp?did=1996&refcode=auger) as an instrument...

Nate

[TruePraise]

Glad it worked out! :D

[Mortis_Alaska]

We observed 60 seconds of brisk conversation in memory of Marcel Marceau when he passed a couple of years ago.

[mikeymo1741]

I hear that Lionel Richie is the biggest thing in Iraq still today.

no accounting for taste, I suppose.

...and David Hassellhoff is huge in Germany!

[Stillfreetosing]

I am not sure how I would feel about hearing some of MJ's music in our service.
I would not find it worshipful, though some of it was fun. I suppose it really really depends on who your congregation is. I don't think some of ours would be amused in the least, but some might find it interesting, and some could probably care less one way of the other.

His impact in the music/entertainment industry is undeniable, but I am not sure his life is worth "celebrating" in a worship service. I feel very sad at his passing, but mainly because I fear for his soul.

Again, I think it would really depend on who the majority of your congregation is.

I agree For the past couple of days i have been more and more saddened to the fact that quite honestly i believe he did not make it to heaven. But God of course only knows that.

It is too bad the choices he made thru out his life and how it has hurt others.
I pray for his family and his children.

I also grow up in his music time.

[Stillfreetosing]

also I would not agree with having any of his music or even to be a memorial to him would be fitting in a church setting.

I pray my church they will be wise not to.

[Robert]

I think He did a lot of very amazing music and spectacular performances and showmanship. He also did a lot of songs with a very heart-felt humanitarian content. However....In my bible, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father but by me". I am not aware of MJ publickly giving the Glory to God. I pray that he accepted the Lord before he passed on. But then, his death was sudden. I am guessing that if he had thought about it, he probably thought he had time to do it later. It is now between him and God....

[Smitty]

For what it's worth...MJ did, on at least two occaisions, publicly thank God for his talents and abilities. That said, I don't know if church is/was the place to honor him. I didn't, but I did say a prayer for him and his family.

Smitty

[Robert]

As did I. Most of us just hope that he was right with the Lord. Michael had some problems....but how could we not love him?

[skyescraper]

Did any of you who watched the MJ memorial notice that at the beginning, the choir sang "Soon and very soon we are going to see the King" (entire first verse) and THEN the casket was brought out...? My husband pointed out the irony to me. Was that intentional?

BTW, I was struck by Rev. Lucious Smith's words during his closing prayer - the part where he said "And now the king of pop must bow to the King of Kings..."

[yod1948]

I gotta admit...didn't watch more than a few minutes of MJ coverage

But my wife had it playing in the background yesterday and I did hear one of Martin Luther King's daughters giving the gospel for all MJs fans to hear.

That is always a good thing.

[chipshot0701]

He was an awesome performer. He was held to such high standards and became reclusive, lonely and all the money in the world didn't help so he spent it all in order to try and make himself happy.

I don't want that for anyone.

Two quotes.
We make it our goal to please the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:9

Hold fast to the Lord....He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders.
Deuteronomy 10:20-21

[Rahel]

Today somebody in the church used Michael Jackson's death as example for what we can take with us when we die. He said, I think like somebody said here, that the king of pop has to bow now before the King of kings. And he asked us: What could he take with him as treasure into the place where he is now?

I hope that I do not step on anybody's feeling now and maybe this makes more sense for Germans, as Germans are people where everything goes through the brain first, but this came up in my thoughts: He even could not take his brain with him....