Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader [Paperback]

Dan Lucarini (Author), John Blanchard (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 2002

For many churches today, music has become one of the most important factors in both their mode of worship and their attempts to reach unbelievers with the gospel. Writing from his own personal experience as a former worship leader, Dan Lucarini questions the use of contemporary music in the worship of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and shows why he believes many churches have been deceived into using ever increasing worldly means to 'reach the lost'. He has seen at first hand how an emphasis on music, and the ultimate move towards rock music in particular, has caused divisions in the church, and turned the emphasis in worship away from the Lord towards ourselves.

This warm and heartfelt account is intended to highlight these dangers and to help churches wishing to reverse this trend return God to his rightful place as the centre of our worship.

'Dan Lucarini invites us to wrestle with a major issue perplexing churches all over the world today. His diagnosis and prescription is going to anger some, not because of his tone (he is charitable, but firm throughout) but because he is touching a very sensitive nerve in the modern evangelical church. The matters he raises are all real and the cautions he brings are surely timely. If you consider yourself "traditional" in your approach to worship and music in the church, Lucarini provides you with an outline of almost all the key matters that must be addressed in the church's assessment of the usefulness of new musical forms. If you consider yourself "contemporary" in your perspective on worship, Lucarini raises the questions that you need to provide a sound biblical answer to before committing the church to a new direction in its corporate praise.'

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: EP BOOKS; Soft Cover edition (July 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0852345178
• ISBN-13: 978-0852345177
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,447 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

223 of 280 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally- A Resonant Chord of Truth about Christian Music, October 5, 2003

By 

John Wicklund (Twin Cities, MN United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader (Paperback)

Great book and interesting, uncomplicated read. 9 out of 10 Christians would probably label this book as opinionated and destroying the progress of the evangelical movement in the America today. But like many episodes in the bible, the minority are frequently correct but overcome by a tide of well-meaning but deluded people.

Lucarini, from first-hand experience, has special discernment in detailing the origin of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) and that it is a worldly means of attracting people to the gospel message. Take away the lyrics, the sound is like mainstream rock radio of today with their pagan origins.

I am not a musician but I have seen first-hand the infiltration and effects of Christian rock into the church. In too many churches, one can no longer find an opportunity for reflection, prayer, and a quiet worship with one's creator. The sound is so loud at times, I have left the sanctuary.

I have had friendly discussions with our youth pastor. He said the youth want to hear music they like and we need to do it to attract them back. Well, the elders buy into this, even though some of them come in late purposely because they don't like the music. Go figure ??

The other very destructive part of CCM generally is that we have raised a group of young evangelicals who are biblically illiterate. They sing the words but have no background on where in the bible those lyrics or thoughts can be found. Many are "7-11" songs ... seven words repeated 11 times over. People are attracted because of the music and many probably stay only because of the music. Are they truly growing as disciples in the Lord for which they are commanded? Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) In too many churches, the only hearing done by youth is from the band.

The other thing Lucarini touches upon is to read the lyrics of many CCM songs. Many of them could have been written by George Harrison of the Beatles praising one of his Hindu Gods. Essentially many CCM songs are general worship music... just insert the God of your choice as you sing. Where is the exclusivity of Jesus? (John 14:6)

CCM doesn't want to deal too specifically with the blood of Christ, What His suffering on the cross cost the Father, His second coming, and final judgment for every person. The lyrics don't get too complicated.... people won't come back.

Lucarini should be commended for taking a terribly politically incorrect stance but one that is absolutely correct. CCM is paving the way for the ecumenical church of Revelation Chapter 3, one that is lukewarm that Jesus says He will spew out of His mouth. Thank you for your boldness, Mr. Lucarini.

66 of 82 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read!, August 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader (Paperback)

Written from the perspective of "one who's been there," Dan's book openly and honestly explains the philosophy behind CCM worship and why it is a problem within the Church. While he tells of his own experiences as a contemporary worship leader, composer, and musician, he also contrasts biblical worship with today's contemporary worship.

"Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement" is easy to read and should be read by every Christian, whether or not he or she is involved in music. It will give the reader insights into today's music controversy within the Church.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CCM - A Present Form of Worldliness, July 26, 2007

By 

Rev. HW Hastings III (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader (Paperback)

Dan Lucarini lucidly describes the travesty Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) has wrought among the saints. As a pastor who only permits traditional worship formats in the church, I recommended the book from the pulpit to the entire congregation and assigned it as required reading for the board of deacons. The book continues to be refreshing two days after reading it and the Holy Spirit used the content to move me to pray for believers regarding issues I never have before. It is apparent that the author is sensitive to the Holy Spirit's ways with him, that he is a willing vessel to be used by God for His glory, and that God's Word is a priority in his life. The author's humility is evident and his confession of sin in the book will bring conviction by the Spirit on any believer who is positive to fulfilling God's plan for his life. The pupose of the local church is not to attract the world through seeker sensitive music, programs, and worship formats but to edify the saints through expositional Bible teaching & preaching. Then the saints are prepared to go out from the church into the world and evangelize the lost.