A Different Kind of Sound, a Different Kind of Math
‘Cause I know there’s got to be another level
Somewhere closer to the other side
And I’m feeling like it’s now or never
Can I break the spell of the typical
If you recognize this chorus then you get the heading to this post. It is from the song “Typical” by Mute Math, a group my son and other guys in the band that travel with me turned me on to this year. A remarkable cast of musicians whose lyrics stir me, this song epitomizes the struggle of so many youth I meet who were raised in church. They see a typical kind of faith, not a heroic kind. They are challenged to serve God out of duty, and well they should be, for that is right. But are we challenging youth to live out the compelling story that is the gospel?
I write this at the high school camp of Sagemont Church, a wonderful, massive megachurch led by its founding pastor John Morgan for over four decades now. The youth pastor Matt Setliffe and his wife Rachel are SEBTS grads. Matt is edgy, trendy, and one of the strongest Bible preachers to youth you will meet. The middle school pastor, Grant Rothburg, is a very thoughtful young man I am wooing to do a DMin with me if I can get him to get right with God (I hope you don’t see this, Grant).
God has done some remarkable things this week. It has been great connecting with the band, Spur58. We have never worked together but have been in sync from the start. Last night God gloriously saved numerous youth, including some who came to camp with harldly a clue as to what this thing called Christianity is.
And so I rejoice in the changing of lives by the gospel. Yet I am burdened by the brokenness. Like every youth group I meet, so many of these students come from tragically broken homes. They long for something real, something compelling, something true. Some have already lost a passion for God in their busy church lives, and some have become disillusioned because of their home life. But many, praise God there are many here, who long to run hard after Jesus!
So I say with Mute Math, I KNOW there’s got to be another lever, somewhere closer to the other side, and I’m feeling like it’s now or never. Can I break the spell of the typical? I can and I will. Come with me, won’t you?