Steady On - Blog

Steady On Blog

General musings from Jeff about music, faith, and whatever else is going on the world of "Steady On".

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Remembering Caedmon's Call

This is going to be a very self-indulgent post, but I get to do that because it's my blog (*evil grin*).

To be clear, I'm not saying Caedmon's Call has gone anywhere when I say I "remember" them, but I wanted to take time to think about how foundational and encouraging their music has been in my life. A couple of their songs came up in random shuffle the other day, and I just started listening to all of their albums again. What a fantastic Christian band they are!

I have so many memories tied to these guys (and gal)- it was always neat watching their fan base grow and having a sense that they were "our band" because they used to lead worship at the Bible study we went to. And in time I even got to meet a few of the guys and talk music with them (and get a few to play on the first Steady On CD).

But my respect for CC started before I ever had any of those experiences. Back when my roommate showed me "My Calm/ Your Storm" I was hooked. Yes, they were really talented and had a great sound- acoustic guitars, fantastic rhythm section, and gorgeous three part harmony. By the lyrics- oh man, they were just so honest and thought provoking. How many Christian CDs start off with a call for God to move them out of their comfortable faith and then follow it up with a bunch of songs that are just that? And lyrics like "What error could you invent with more power than the cross?" Boy, that one will always stick with me.

And of course, you had Derek Web writing all those edgy songs. I remember when he introduced "Thankful" at a Sunday even worship service (and this was before anyone thought it was cool to be a Calvinist) and I thought - "Yikes- great song, but it'll never be on the radio!" Oh how wrong I was. Derek has never been afraid to ask questions and make us think, sometimes with a bit of attitude. And when he went Reformed, he did it in a big way! He may not always be right, but he's honest. In fact, the whole band has a refreshing air of honesty.

I listened to three of their CDs on the way to and from work today (I'll be SO glad when that drive is over!) and I just left so encouraged. Whether it was the original era or the days with Andrew Osenga, they've always had a way of putting together music that shows real struggles by real Christians. I heard these lines from Andrew this morning and they hit me fresh

And I stay up late, cause I cannot sleep
I don’t wanna face the quiet, it’s just God and me
Cause I’m waiting for the gavel handing me the sentence down
Cause I don’t believe forgiveness or even repentance now
There was no judgment in your eyes
Just the silent peace of God that felt so real in you

You know, I know there are Christians who can identify with those moments of struggle, but it takes REAL guts to sing about it. But I'm glad they did because it is so healing to hear when you've been through it and it's a testimony to all the faithful friends who've seen us through the times of emptiness.

A few years ago I remember watching a video about a guy who made his living playing poker and the pretty brutal accompanying lifestyle, and his live-in girlfriend was playing a CC song on the piano. I was impressed that their music had reached way beyond the typical audience of CCM music, and that she was singing these amazing lyrics:

My faith is like shifting sand
Changed by every wave
My faith is like shifting sand
So I stand on grace

Right there is some great Reformed theology being proclaimed in a movie watched by a bunch of people with very little interest or understanding of Christianity. Such is the power of great music to pierce through and move the unmovable.

If you've never looked at this band or listened to their music, do yourself a real favor and pick up their early albums (and later ones too, if you like what you hear) and just be encouraged. I think/hope that their transparency and intelligent way of talking about faith has influenced the way I write music. I doubt I will ever have the directness of Derek or the intellectual musings of Aaron (who wrote a lot of their early material), but at the least I can bring ME to the table, and I'm glad their music is there to encourage me to do that.

Thanks For Another Great Show!

To all of those who attended the online show last night- thanks for being a part of our evening and making it a wonderful time of music and worship. We really enjoyed playing the songs for you and hope we'll be able to do it again soon. We are really enjoying that ability to play for people across the country (world?), and as we get more experience with Stage It, we'll only be able to do better shows. For example, last night we couldn't really see the chat as well as we would have liked, so that's something we hope to address in the future; seeing your feedback while we play is one of the great parts of this format!

We did see that a few of you have asked about doing longer shows- we are talking to Stage It to see if that can happen, especially as we start selling more and more tickets.

We have some really exciting things coming up, especially now that we've sent two of the tracks from the new album to the sound engineers for mixing. We don't know when it will be final, but we're working hard and it's get closer! Meanwhile, keep watching for new videos posted to YouTube and new blog posts.

Thanks again for a great evening. We loved playing for you and hope to do it again soon!

Is Christian Music “Safe”?

One of the local stations here in Atlanta once ran an ad campaign (no idea if they still do) claiming to be “safe” for the whole family. I have to say, such a term applied to Christianity really gives me pause. Now, I understand why the station does this- it’s a marketing move to attract families that don’t want to hear the worldly music and foul language/situations found in secular music. That actually is a fine goal, but I wish it weren’t tied to the notion of being a Christian.

I have two issues with deeming Christian music “safe”. The first is that it simply isn’t. Singing about spiritual matters does not automatically put a song into a category that requires no discernment, though that’s what calling it “safe” implies. Unless there are trustworthy gatekeepers guarding the music that gets put out in the name of Jesus, we are talking about the HIGHEST potential for danger there is if we do not approach the music with discernment. When it comes to the topics of the world: dating, sexuality, greed, idolatry, fun, politics, etc. there are a wide array of good and bad topics, but at the least we know we have to listen with a discerning ear. But music about God- that seems to be the MOST dangerous of all topics if bad theology or unloving attitudes get baked into the music. And is the record company primarily motivated by good discernment of what is spiritually good? Are the radio stations? I have no doubt that there are many good Christian individuals working in these places, but at the end of the day, spirituality is a dangerous subject that requires discernment, and the record companies are always going to print what sells- that’s what they do.

So I think it isn’t “safe” to just tune out when a Christian song comes on- in fact, this might be the place where we need to pay attention the most. In the music of the world it can be easy to spot the lies, but with music about God, how easy is it for something to slip in that we don’t even realize because of all the good stuff that’s also there (like, for example, say a modalistic view of the Trinity)? I’m not suggesting that Christian artists are nefarious and trying to lead us down the wrong paths, but by in large music is a young person’s game, so we aren’t hearing content developed by mature, weathered Christians (this is true of my own music as well) and there’s no one really guarding the spiritual core of what is CCM. So I think it would be very dangerous to turn off our sense of discernment just because some song plays on Christian radio.

The second issue I have with labeling Christian music as “safe” as that it creates a very dim view of what Christianity is. It paints a picture of a way of being that is much like the world, only with the edges softened. Christian music is the diet version of what the world has to offer- it might not taste as good, but at least it won’t kill you. This can be an easy perception for people to gain of Christianity in general, and largely because a lot of Christians live this way. We are the same as everyone else, but there are lists of things we don’t do that the “pagans” do. We are just the fat free version of the world. Does that sound like a great testimony?

But this is not the New Testament view of what being a Christian is. We are salt and light. We shine in the darkness, preserve the truth, and agitate when that is what it takes to do God’s work. I am not my unchristian neighbor with the edges filed off- I am a whole new creation, dangerous to those who serve evil and empowered by the Creator of the universe. There is nothing “light” or “safe” about me.

Now I don’t want to be overly critical here. I get what Christian stations are trying to do, and I understand they are trying to appeal to families with children who just don’t want to hear the garbage on the radio that leads to uncomfortable questions and conversations. As much as I understand that, though, I think it is super important we don’t get lulled into the idea that what we do with faith is in any way “safe”. When we get faith wrong, people get hurt- badly. When we accept lies and are not properly discerning, we can become dangerous and hindering to the faith of others. Spiritual abuse is a real thing and VERY damaging, and I believe it starts with people accepting and not questioning- a lack of discernment. My goals is not to be a “safe” Christian who participates in a “safe” bubbled subculture, but one who the darkness fears to see coming because it knows I come with the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit- and that I’m not afraid to use these things. We may strive to be a lot of things as people of faith, but let’s not make “safe” be one of them.

Is Steady On A Christian Band?

I guess the answer to this question is pretty obvious- there's no mystery that the music of Steady On is faith based. But the better question might be, WHY is Steady On a Christian band? Or maybe even what is it that makes it such?

In some respects, it is only because there are lyrics and lyrics have the potential to speak truth that this question even somewhat pertinent. Music is an art form, but certain kinds of art can be more didactic than others- some Christians insist that music be very specific and obvious or it isn't worth much at all. These folks want clarity and to know that the songs are about Jesus. Can the same person enjoy other forms of art that are less clear- like say an abstract painting, or do they insist that every painting obviously be about Christ? And for some, the goal of listening to Christian music is because they want to enjoy art that is "safe", a line of reasoning that I will write about later in a separate post.

In my opinion, art exists for its owns sake. It does not need to be about Jesus to have worth. Music is one form of communicating emotions, and when combined with lyrics it can be a powerful way of expressing concrete ideas fused with feeling. Such a wonderful gift it is that we can do this- and by "we", I mean human beings, not just Christians. The ability to make music is truly a treasure whatever we may choose to write about.

A lot of Christians see the content of a faith based song as the primary reason for singing it, and the "artistic" value as secondary. But I'm a firm believer if an artist isn't driven to make the art, then it will not be a compelling experience for the intended audience. Art is about touching people in a way that mere words cannot do– and while there may be concrete ideas in a song, there is always some part that is abstract, subjective, and emotional. If those less concrete aspects are manufactured to serve the transmission of the didactic, then the song really just becomes a vehicle for ideas, not something birthed from genuine passion.

Honestly, if people want to understand what I think is true, then they can come to my blog or just ask me questions. The naked written or spoken word is more than sufficient for that goal. I need not construct a clever argument with an emotional component to try and convince someone of what I think or believe. But when you listen to a Steady On song, you are getting more than just ideas- you are getting that abstract creative side of me too. That creative side is connected with the ideas in the lyrics, even if the point of contact isn't completely defined– and that's what makes it art.

I said up front that Steady On is a Christian band– so obviously we have an agenda here, right? Not really– it's not a goal, it's a description. Because I am moved to write music about faith and as performers we are compelled to sing about such things, it's an outflow of who we are, not a goal we are trying to reach. In fact, I LOVE writing about my faith and I'm glad that what I do has more significance than just a tune I sing. When some truth about God is communicated to someone through song and they see it in a new light, then there is nothing more satisfying than being a part of the communication of that truth. But in the same breath I can say I've never committed to not writing about a beautiful meadow, a love song, or even a political statement: those types of songs are not off limits. Thus far, they are just not the passions I've had inside that needed to be expressed in song.

I write Christian songs because I am a Christian and my faith is important to me. I write Christian songs because I believe music can be encouraging to believers, and encouragement is a passion of mine. And I write Christian songs because I really don't have a desire to write anything else. I have no problem wearing that label, but I hope as long as I do it will be a description of the art I've chosen to make, not a constraint I must obey– or even worse a marketing strategy.

When you listen to a Steady On song, it might not be the best art or about the most earth shattering truths. It might not have the best guitar solo, most impressive melody, or compelling phrases. But however it measures up, the one thing I can promise is that it will always be honest both as a form of art and as an expression of what I think and feel. Steady On may be labeled as Christian music, but it gets its identity honestly, and you can trust me for that.

Thanks For A Great StageIt Concert!

Last night was a great time- I LOVED using StageIt to interact with folks. The personal interaction definitely fits my style and the kinds of connections I like to make with the audience. And it was SO encouraging to see people from all different areas of my life come together and just BE the body of Christ. As I go forward with this music ministry, I hope there will be more concerts like this and more chances to connect and build up one another. In a world that can seem so dark at times, this is the kind of spiritual lift we all need. I hope you guys felt the same!

Jeff

What This Is All About

So why did I, Jeff, resurrect Steady On, and why am I blogging here?

What This Is All About

Many of you know me from my blogging on"A Cry For Justice" and may have noticed that I haven't posted any articles there recently. Don't worry, I haven't left that blog, I've just been incredibly focused on the work of Steady On. Also, I must say with the narrow focus of domestic abuse on ACFJ, sometimes I think we all need a break and time to think about other things. Fortunately Jeff and Barbara, along with some guests, have plenty of articles to keep things moving along.

Steady On has always been intended to be music of encouragement, and I think the old songs still have the power to do that. And the new songs, well, they really fit right in and carry on the legacy. You see, I have been through a VERY dark place and felt pain from those I never thought could hurt me. I've learned that the church isn't always a safe place, but I've also learned that the TRUE church looks much different than I ever thought- and it is a glorious tool of God. I've learned that there were a lot of things I accepted about both God and myself that needed to be purged- and they have been. And I learned that God just doesn't let go.

As I've blogged on ACFJ I've never intended to teach or bring wisdom- I've tried to be honest about where I've been and what it has felt like to be on the wrong side of some very bad teaching about divorce. I've told my story and hoped to validate others who are going through the same things. But most of all I've listened and learned about how much pain earnest believers in the body of Christ have gone through because of some very bad teaching and ideas that really should have nothing to do with Jesus. My involvement with ACFJ has pricked my heart and in a lot of ways the fight against the mishandling of abuse in the church has become a primary mission for me. But even as I've participated on that blog, I've always known that my main voice will never be as a writer, but rather as a musician. Music is how I tell my stories, the stories of others, and testify to what God has done around me. So I wrote new songs- songs that come from my story, but also of the stories I've read on ACFJ.

So I hope to use Steady On to bring encouragement, to honestly tell of the dark places, to remember what it was like to be built up stronger than I was before, and sound a call to not leave anyone else behind, because we are all in this together.

Having said all of that, these messages are not only for victims of abuse- whoever has been through a dark place, whoever has questioned if God was pleased with his or her suffering, whoever has struggled with sin and the frustration of not being the person he or she ought to be: these are your songs too. I hope they will encourage you.

As for this blog, I plan to cover the kinds of musings that just don't fit on ACFJ. My thoughts about worship, music ministry, Reformed theology, or just whatever comes to mind. This is a journey of faith we are all in together, so I hope to shine what little light I've been given to others.

Jeff Sylvester

Sent from my iPad