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Guest post from Jonathan McKee’s blog

Editor’s note: Jonathan posted this blog a few weeks ago, and several of us at interlinc immediatly started sending links to each other with “Have you seen this yet?” notes attached. Jonathan does a great job of pointing out one of the big “elephants in the room” when it comes to music and youth ministry, and we wanted to make sure you had a chance to read this for yourself. Thanks to Jonathan for letting us share this with youth leaders.

Rock, Hip-Hop, Pop … Country? Which genre is young people’s music of choice?

I always hate to answer that question, because it never ceases to make people angry. Maybe that’s because some people don’t like the answer: Rap/hip-hop.

I remember teaching at the National Youth Workers Convention in 2005 and 2006. In one of my seminars about outreach events, I challenged youth workers about their recurring choice of rock bands at all their venues. “How come every time I go to a big Christian event, the band playing is rock or even metal?” I asked. “Do you really think we’re accurately targeting our audience when we bring in a grunge band to try to attract neighborhood kids? Is this really what they are listening to?”

I backed up my inquest with the most recent data at the time, the 2005 Generation M Media report from the Kaiser foundation about media in the lives of 8-18-year olds (which comes out every 5 years- see our summary of the 2010 report here). The researchers did something pretty cool that year, posting a chart revealing what music genres 7^th-12^thgraders in America listen to each day:

(Isn’t it funny how technology changes… note the results from “those who listened to CD’s, tapes, or MP3 players.” Tapes? Hilarious. I remember those days.)

Side note. In the summary they even provided an additional chart and broke it down by race (page 29). Even 60% of white kids listened to Rap/hip-hop each day, the second genre being Alternative rock, which 38% of white kids listened to each day.

So has that changed in 8 years? Has the Hip-Hop influence vanished along with the tape player?

Take a look at iTunes today, as I write this. If you look at the song charts… how much of Hip-Hop/raps’ influence do you see in the top 10 alone? If you were to go by the official definition, only 2 of the top 10 are actually labeled Rap by iTunes (Thrift Shop and Started from the Bottom), but with closer examination, I think you’ll find Hip-Hop permeating throughout the top 10.

Let’s take a closer look at the list … song by song.

1. Bruno Mars’s song When I Was Your Man is No. 1 right now and has been for a while. Bruno is the Michael Jackson of today. His soulful voice is amazing; unfortunately his lyrics are often a little too racy for teenagers. iTunes labels him Pop. I probably wouldn’t argue with that, but he definitely has an R&B sound. This isn’t just because of his race; after all, this next guy on this chart is white and also has a clear R&B sound …
2. Timberlake’s Suit & Tie (feat. Jay Z) is labeled Pop by iTunes, and I wouldn’t argue with the description… but it also has Jay Z “rapping” in it. Hmmmmm … wouldn’t want to label this Rap, would we? I’m not saying we call this song Rap, but the influence is undeniable. SIDE NOTE: Justin’s new album comes out next week (with Hip-Hop beat master Timbaland thanked on about every song). I predict this album being huge. Justin was just on SNL last week and it had the best ratings in 14 months. His album is streaming on iTunes for free this week building momentum. Your kids will be talking about this.
3. Thrift Shop is labeled Rap by iTunes. Nuff said.
4. Rihanna’s song Stay is appropriately labeled Pop. She definitely has an R&B sound and has collaborated with numerous Rap artists (think of her hit Umbrella with JayZ). So she has a Hip-Hop influence, but is probably accurately labeled Pop.
5. Pink’s song Just Give Me a Reason is pure Pop and labeled so. Although it’s worth mentioning that Pink got her start on a R&B label, LaFace Records (who also launched the recording careers of Usher, OutKast, TLC … )
6. Harlem Shake is labeled Dance. But the dance move Harlem Shake has roots in break dancing, an old move called the body quake. Rapper P. Diddy explains it here back in 2002. I would argue strongly that this song and MOST dance songs played in high school dances today have a huge Hip-Hop influence.
7. Pitbull’s Feel This Moment is also labeled Dance … even though he raps (hilarious to me). Moreover, click on his name on iTunes and he’s under the Hip-Hop/rap category. If this doesn’t have Hip-Hop/rap markings, I don’t know what does.
8. Started from the Bottom is labeled Rap, appropriately so (as inappropriate as the song is). More on this song, Lil Wayne’s hit and others in our Youth Culture Window article on music this week.
9. Demi Lovato’s Heart Attack is unarguably 100% Pop.
10. Will.i.am’s Scream & Shout (I recently blogged about what kids are gleaning from this video) is labeled Dance. However, the remix of this song features Diddy, Lil Wayne and other rappers. Hmmmm … Dance?

So we have two songs labeled Rap (Thrift Shop and Started from the Bottom), three songs that I’d add to that list for the reasons stated above (Suit & Tie, Feel This Moment, and Scream & Shout), two Pop songs by people who have a clear R&B sound (When I Was Your Man and Stay), one Dance song with total Hip-Hop influence (Harlem Shake), one truly Pop song from a girl with a R&B start (Just Give Me a Reason), and one all out Pop song (Heart Attack).

What common denominator do you see on the top of this chart?

Hmmmm. And where are the rock songs?

Jonathan McKee is the president of The Source for Youth Ministry and the author of numerous books. He speaks and trains at camps, conferences, and events across North America, and provides free resources for youth workers internationally on his website, TheSource4YM.com.

Looking for ways to introduce your students to some Christian alternatives to their fave music? Our “Hot” selections each quarter include hip-hop, rap and R&B influenced artists. Join YLO Select “HOT” for only $149.95 per year.

Nineteen-ninety-six.  Now that goes back a ways! It was the year “7^th Heaven” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” was released.  “Home Improvement” and “Boy Meets World” were two of my favorite TV shows. Long hair for guys was in, and skinny jeans … what were those?! It was this year that also stands out to me because it was the year I graduated from high school.

I still remember my youth pastor calling the class of 1996 up on stage in front of our church family. We pretended to smile while he probably said some nice things about us.  Then I remember him giving us a graduation gift (this had not been done for previous senor classes). I was a bit surprised to find a cassette tape (yes, I said cassette) of Christian music compiled for the graduating class of 1996.  Little did I realize at that moment that I would keep that cassette for life (yep, still got it!). Christian music was a huge factor in my spiritual life and I’m so thankful for the artists and bands who have spoken truth into my life through music.

June 15, 2000 was my first day on the job as a new youth pastor.  On my desk was a stack of mail for me to sort through (oh how fun!).  As I began to trash most everything, I came across a renewal notice from interlinc. The youth pastor before me had been a subscriber. A check to interlinc was my first request I made from my youth budget to keep the good music coming! Little did I know, the cassette tape I received in 1996 as a graduation gift was put out by interlinc.  Since my first day in ministry I have given my teens the gift of God-honoring music. And that graduation gift I received from interlinc…yeah, I’m still giving that away too!

Thanks for sharing your story Nathan! Click here to learn about this years ConGRADulations! Music & Media Gift for seniors.

THE BIBLE Miniseries (on The History Channel Sunday night) had over 14 million viewers, and it trended #1 on Twitter on Sunday. I know I’ll be watching episode 2 this Sunday night, and we have a link to resources to help you talk about the ongoing miniseries on our website.

The season premiere of Duck Dynasty had nearly 9 million viewers last week. The show prominently features the Robertsons family’s faith, and their desire to whare their values and beliefs is real — on TV and in real life. Don’t miss the show on Wednesday nights.

And the upcoming second season of The American Bible Challenge on Game Show Network (GSN) will be another amazing opportunity for viewers to hear Truth on TV (premiering March 21 on GSN). The show was #1 on the network last year and all signs point to another amazing season. Host Jeff Foxworthy will be joined this year by musical host Kirk Franklin, so be prepared for some great music as well! (We’re offering youth leaders the chance to get resources and clips before the show airs each week to utilize this amazing chance with students … go here to sign up and be an “Insider” for season two.)

So if you can’t watch in real time, make sure you encourage your students to watch and set your DVR … let’s do everything we can to continue this trend.

Did you catch the season premiere last night? Maybe it’s just a good escape from all of the craziness these days, but I am hooked on watching those redneck brothers on Duck Dynasty!

First, I must confess that I have become one of those much-maligned yuppies that Phil Robertson often blames for all of the bad things in America. Ironically, I am originally from South East Texas (where redneck is not a dirty word), and I have fond memories of growing up hunting and fishing with my Dad and brother.  Clearly Duck Dynasty has a bit of a nostalgic appeal for me.  However, one of the important reasons for my addiction is watching how each episode fuses in life lessons that honor the Lord and illustrate His clear blessing on their lives.

Oh yeah, and another reason is the comical musings of Uncle Si, who is the modern day equivalent of “Deputy Barney Fife” from the old Andy Griffith Show. He is high strung (it must be the Sweet Tea) and often in need of “Sheriff Willie” to keep him in line.

Read more about the Robertson clan and get a free copy of their book

While recently traveling back from a conference in Branson, Missouri I ran in to “Mountain Man” while at the airport.  He is the handyman character, who acted in person just as he appears on the show … sloowwww talking and keeping it real. He shared that he was baptized not long ago, and it happened on the evening that they shot the episode where he was in the canoe on the conveyor belt (when the boys were trying to “automate” their operation).  He said that Jase had been witnessing to him for a while, and one day it all “made sense” and he accepted the Lord!

This cool story illustrates the ultimate reason why I love the Robertsons and their hit show. If you have not watched Duck Dynasty I would encourage you to check it out.  It makes me smile and I hope it will do the same for you.

Hey Jack! Check out these “Si-Tunes”

This means that Billboard is acknowledging what we already knew — people don’t just get their music from the radio or from a purchased album/download. Online content consumption is here to stay.

We’ve come a long way from “Friday Night Videos”

If you haven’t yet heard of “Harlem Shake,” let me first welcome you back to planet earth from wherever it is you’ve been the last few weeks. The storyline is becoming familiar by now: a song by an obscure DJ surfaced in this video and the clip was quickly replicated across the interwebs (and uploaded on YouTube). Suddenly the song (or 30 seconds of it) was everywhere, and Billboard took notice.

Students love to discover new music online

And now, as my gift to you … what may be the best version of “Harlem Shake” (or at least one of my personal faves).

So the big question on this day after might be: was it worth all the hype? Did you catch all/part/some of the Grammys last night? I caught a bit of the show, but did some more watching this morning online. If you missed it, here’s a rundown of the big winners last night (and a few random thoughts, ideas and even some freebies thrown in for fun).

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: “Babel” from Mumford & Sons (watch their Grammy performance above)
I’m a fan. So are most youth leaders I’ve talked to this year. Get our re:tuned discussion starter for “I Will Wait”.

RECORD OF THE YEAR: “Somebody That I Used to Know” from Gotye featuring Kimbra
It was one of the hottest songs of the year … the covers and mashups on YouTube were endless. And just in case you still struggle with how to pronounce the Australian singer’s name … here you go. You’re welcome. Download our re:tuned discussion starter for “Somebody That I Used To Know”.

Learn about the “re:tuned” feature in every Youth Leaders Only

SONG OF THE YEAR: “We Are Young” by fun.
This band also won Best New Artist this year. Their song “Some Nights was on my “Coffee Shop Playlist” not long ago.

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: “Set Fire to the Rain (Live)” by Adele
We’ll have to see if Adele wins the Academy Award (for “Skyfall”) later this month too … that’d be a pretty awesome start to the year for her.

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM: “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson (watch her Grammy performance above)
In my subjective opinion, this may have been the best vocal performance of the night. Get our re:tuned discussion starter for the song “Stronger.”

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE: ”Lonely Boy” by The Black Keys (watch their Grammy performance above)
The addition of Dr. John and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band was kind of cool — one of the fun things about the Grammys is the unexpected musical pairings we get to see and hear. Get our re:tuned discussion starter for “Lonely Boy”.

BEST SHORT FORM MUSIC VIDEO: “We Found Love” by Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris
I honestly can’t say much I haven’t already said … read the blog post about “We Found Love”, and the post “We’ve come a long way from ‘Friday Night Videos‘.”

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM: “Gravity” by Lecrae
My response to this one? WOOHOO!!! We first featured Lecrae in Youth Leaders Only in 2006, and we’re excited to see him honored for his talent … not because he needs the hardware, but because of the platform it provides for his message. Watch the video for “Tell The World” from Gravity and get our exclusive Bible study for the song.

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM: “Eye On It” by TobyMac
“Eye On It” was another chart topper this year, landing atop the Billboard chart in September (the first time a Christian album did that since 1997).  Watch the video for “Forgiveness” from the album “Eye On It” and get our free Bible study.

TobyMac and Lecrae are both featured on this year’s brand new ConGRADulations! Class of 2013 gift for seniors

You can find a complete list of the 2013 Grammy winners here. How about you … did you have a favorite moment or song from the broadcast? Any big surprises or let-downs from the show? Feel free to share in the comments.

All of these resources have been featured in recent editions of Youth Leaders Only. Learn more about how you can join and get great music, discussion starters and more to use in your student ministry.

I found a video this morning and wanted to share (shout out to @RCYouthWorker for the link). I think Fr. Robert Barron does a fantastic job of spelling out the correlation between Victor Hugo’s famous story — now a movie — and the storyline of receiving and giving love and grace that Christ calls us to live.

“[Les Miserables] can’t be understood apart from a Christian world view.”

Les Misérables might not be one of those shows you load up the church van and take a group of kids to, but I think it has great potential to illustrate messages about love and grace to your students.

SPOILER ALERT: Fr. Barron does walk through the entire plot line of the story, so if you haven’t seen the movie (or the musical or read the book) and don’t want to know … be warned.

Editor’s Note: This article was featured in the new YLO90 Music Resource Book. You can preview the music included in the new edition of Youth Leaders Only here.

Did we think technology would be more effective in how we share the gospel? Did we think technology would draw us and our youth group closer together?

Did it increase the number of kids who attend our youth meetings? I don’t know about you, but I kind of thought technology would have helped some of this – and it has. But I think we have hoped that technology would do what only prayer and hard work can do.

Teching The Gospel To The Streets
The word “technology” has shrunk to laptop, cell phone, and the internet; not telescopes or laboratories. Not that the latter is outdated, but a teenager would go crazy trying to get a Bunsen Burner to send a text. I also notice the students in my group are not using their technology, or at least their Facebook, to share the gospel with their friends.

As I skim through the newsfeed on Facebook, I occasionally see posts from my students. I love my students, but the vast majority of them are not using technology to share the gospel. Jesus came, died for our sins, rose, and is coming again – that is the good news. A picture of a dog with a “God loves dogs” comment is not the gospel. Posting Bible verses, Christian music videos, and other Christ-centric information is a good start to sharing who we are Christians, but my teens are coming up short of expressing the gospel as fact and as lifestyle. “How To Share The Gospel Online” may be the greatest course our teens will never take unless we offer it.

Read “Five New Ways to Use Tech in Student Ministry”

@ComeTogether
Technology has given us a great tool for connecting and discipling students. I have had some great chat sessions with students who are struggling or looking for answers. Technology makes it easier for my students to share their hurts or voice their questions without feeling threatened. I get texts for prayer requests. Through technology we are able to affirm and respond to each other’s needs much faster and fulfill the “one another’s” of scripture with real impact off line after we see it posted.

Technology draws us together, but it can also rip us apart. Technology has opened a wider door for gossip, bullying, and calling others out. Social media has created an unfiltered, unimpeded avenue that teens can drive down throwing out judgments and opinions like a paperboy drunk on Red Bull. This is where discipling becomes much easier because you know where your kids are spiritually and where they need help and prayer. It becomes harder to address the touchy issues of my group because of a teen’s integration with “their” technology and their “right” to express themselves through these mediums.

Read “Five (more) New Ways to Use Tech in Student Ministry”

#ComeToMyYouthGroupPlease
Technology hasn’t solved the challenge of being good at what we do, it has only allowed us to yell about what we offer, louder. Technology can spread information about our group, activity, or camp, but if our event or meeting is lame, technology becomes a double-edged sword. Many people will know about our activity, if it’s good, even great, But if it’s lame, EVERYONE will know about it. Shouting about activities may work for you, but maybe we can do better.

Maybe we should use technology to tell an epic tale about the work God is doing in our faith community – stories by kids about kids doing amazing things for God and God doing amazing things through them. I’ll take a long-term divine narrative over a series of “Come to…” any day of the week. Scroll through your tech; what story are you telling?

What Technology Still Can’t Do
Technology cannot make us more loving and kind;it can only make us seem that way. Real hugging is better than a Facebook poke. Face-to-face is better than FaceTime. Henry David Thoreau once said, “Men have become the tools of their tools.”

If we don’t want to become tools to our tech we should rethink how we are using it. If we want to reach more students with the gospel, bring our group closer together, and build our youth ministries, maybe we should turn off all the tech and instead pray, think, and read scripture until we have something authentic and powerful to post, tweet, or share.

Check out the Top 10 Ways Youth Leaders Only Can Rock Your Ministry and join the Team! One-year memberships start at only $75.95.

I’m the guy who can help you make your iPhone or Macintosh work for you. Because I don’t have a secretary or executive assistant, I’ve had to learn how to get the most from my personal digital assistants. As a result, I seem to be the person that people call when they need help with their Apple gear or software.

I use my computers (that includes my phone and pad) to communicate, create, learn, troubleshoot, and play. Instant Messaging/Videochatting/Texting/Conferencing makes my farflung friends and collaborators seem like they’re right next to me.

I don’t have a landline for work or home any more – just my cellphone, which I use as a phone, a camera/camcorder, a Dictaphone, a game console, a music/video/book/magazine library, and on and on. I haven’t sent flyers out in the mail in ages – texting is way more efficient. I post pictures on the Internet instead of the bulletin board in the youth room. My phone is used to play songs and videos in the sanctuary at church, in the bus on the way to the beach, and everywhere between.

Yeah, I’m that guy. (I might be a geek, but I’m positively not a nerd!) But being that guy doesn’t mean that I understand, or even fully appreciate, the tsunami of change that the technological marvels we own has brought to youth ministry. My technology makes me more efficient, but I sometimes wonder if it makes me more effective for God’s kingdom. That is the big question of the Technology “flavor” of this Youth Leaders Only magazine. The issue to consider is: with all the technology that we have available to us, will we create a better ministry, or just something cool?

This issue of YLO includes some great new music … check it out here!

Nobody questions the fact that technology has changed our lives and ministries. In this edition of YLO we explore some of the issues that are raised by that change. From ideas for using social media in your ministry to handling the technological A.D.D. that many teenagers have, you’ll find a lot of information in these pages that you can use in your ministry with teenagers.

I hope you enjoy this issue –and if you want to videochat with me, just drop me an email and we’ll set it up!

Editors note: This article appears in the new edition of Youth Leaders Only from interlinc. Click here to preview the box and check out the new youth-ministry-budget-friendly “YLO Select” membership.

You can read Paula’s first five ideas for using technology in youth ministry here.

Check out the Top 10 Ways Youth Leaders Only Can Rock Your Ministry and join the Team! One-year memberships start at only $75.95.

Rally Support and Get the Word Out

1. Pinterest: Use this virtual bulletin board (pinterest.com) to organize pictures and links onto “boards.” Following friends or people with similar tastes can offer you a cornucopia of ideas. What you may not know … Pinterest offers group pinning. Next time you are redecorating your youth room or looking for mission trips, set up a Pinterest board labeled as such and then invite youth and parents to pin ideas and inspirations to your boards. Also try ideas for t-shirt designs, fund-raisers, crafty-type projects, etc.
2. Instagram: This photo-sharing site can foster group spirit if you ask your students to add a specific hash tag with the name of your group. Give students a weekly challenge to post photos with themes such as “God” or “Peace Makers” or “Love in Action”, adding the group’s #hashtag name. Downside – only available for iPhone users.
3. E-mail Marketing: Check out using full-color templates and cool plug-ins from free e-mail marketing sites like madmimi.com. You can make your weekly mail blast interesting and eye-catching. Some services require paid subscriptions for larger mailing lists.
4. Google Business: Set up a free place marker at google.com/places if you haven’t done so yet. Try this – for a one-time set up fee of approximately $250 the experts at google will design a high-tech page for you that will hold up to five videos and ten pictures. More importantly, you can set up a list of key words that will push your link to the top of search results when they are queried in the search bar.
5. Facebook: Did you know that Facebook offers inexpensive advertising? You can set a daily limit on your advertising spending, and push ads onto the sidebar of age-specific users in a pre-defined location. Dollar for dollar, Facebook advertising is much more effective than local phone books or newspaper ads, and effectively targets youth like nothing before. Register for the free “marketing classroom” that gives you the low-down at facebook.com/marketing.

Read Ken McCoy’s “Letter from the Editor” for this special tech-themed YLO

Thanks Paula for sharing some great ideas!