interview.
Tell us something odd/unique about you.
i actually embrace my own ADHD. where others attempt to medicate or use a psychologist to rid themselves of this 'disorder' i actually enjoy the fact that my mind can 'multi-task' (as i would like to call it).
As a Christian who is the lead singer of a successful band, how do you deal with pride?
i am in constant fear of integrating the duality of my life. i like nice neat compartmentalized boxes. stephen the entertainer 'rock star' needs to be JUST the entertainer and no more. stephen the human needs to be human. if they were ever to meet the results would be catastrophic. (pride, feeling entitled, being 'better' than the next person, self indulgent, addictions etc.).
the number one way to rid yourself of pride is a firm foundation planted in the word of God (i.e. humble thyself in the sight of the lord, think of others better than yourself, etc.). the other the secret is constant and confrontational accountability. find someone that will speak life into your bones, while exposing every skeleton in your closet. every person of position/power will come face to face with pride, its inevitable, it’s the results of this battle that will determine the outcome of the war.
Do you think people are born leaders or develop into leaders?
though i firmly believe that it is both nature and nurture that make up who we are i believe when it comes to leadership one is developed, i am a living example. in high school i was a very introverted individual, after i became a christian at age 18 i proverbially 'came out of my shell', i became the head and not the tail. now i help run a non-profit organization that i co-founded (faceless international), i have started an llc, and even a record label (woodwater records). i could have done NOTHING without the holy spirit awakening my true potential.
How can people put themselves into a position to influence culture?
be in the world, not of it. we as christians have a unique way of recluse into a bubble so that we can not interact or influence anyone in the world. God gave us the shield of faith not to hide and retract but to advance and take this world for him. instead i see to many 'christian soldiers' dig a hole and use their shield (their faith) as a roof.
if we really honestly believe God is the creative force in this universe than why are we becoming the imitators of the world? if something is 'cool' in the world it seems us christians are a year behind. if they have a boy band, then we create one to imitate. if they have a catchy logo like 'got milk' we have to follow it up with a cheesy unoriginal 'got God' shirt. i think it’s embarrassing and goes against the very nature of our creature.
christians have attached stigmas onto the arts. we have labeled it 'secular' and in some cases homosexual. we as followers of Christ need to be on the forefront of dance (even david danced), art (have you seen what God can do with a mountain scape?), photography, painting, design, fashion, etc...
embrace the culture, learn, grow, then evangelize through whatever means God has given you talent in. don't allow yourself to be buried under the weight of the unknown or 'bury your talents.'
Why are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
'and this is pure religion to love the widows and the orphans and keep oneself unspoiled from the world.' no other religion compares to the LOVE, grace, mercy, and hope that my Lord and savior Jesus Christ emanates.
What do you do personally to fuel your spiritual life?
since i do not have a home church (because i usually tour 9 months a year) i listen to podcasts, some of them being mars hill, seattle; mosaic, LA; & village chapel, nashville. reading the word, keeping up with my accountability partner, and prayer fuel my spiritual life as well.
What is your hope for the future of the Church in America?
my hope is that we become the first church in history to truly 'judge not' ( lest we be judge) and love others as Christ loved the church. we would revolutionize the world.
please take a second to daydream of a church where you do not have to look like us, act like us, or even talk like us. you can just be what or who you are (a buddhist, lesbian, atheist, or even yes... a democrat) and we would open up are arms wide with an embrace like the father did to the prodigal son. we could welcome them into our inner circle, love on them, and care for their needs. and show them to the feet of Jesus Christ.
REVOLUTION! unlike mankind would have ever seen.
Should we abandon the use of the word "Christian" for a better term? If so, what?
i believe i read that over 68% of america believes they are 'christian', the term has become the most flippant expression ever used in american politics. i am not here to discuss whether we should coin a new trendy term, but ask those that use the term truly live up to what it means 'a follower of Christ'.
What blogs/websites do you regularly check?
cnn.com, gmail, relevant online magazine, idealist.org, & dosomething.com
Which books have shaped your thinking?
what’s so amazing about grace –yancey
orthodoxy- gk chesterton
fire in the belly- keen
knowledge of the holy- tozer
the alchemist- coelho
desiring God- piper
knowing God- packer
What music moves you?
mogwai, the rachels, bon iver, fleet foxes, bloc party, and a few others. but if you want to hear music that will be played as you walk into heavens gates listen to sigur ros.
Any other thoughts or advice? never stop growing and learning. study to show thyself approved. working out your salvation requires both fear and trembling. consider all above yourself. to be heard you must first listen. don’t just pray, take the time to listen. ‘the enemy of best is just fine.’
i actually embrace my own ADHD. where others attempt to medicate or use a psychologist to rid themselves of this 'disorder' i actually enjoy the fact that my mind can 'multi-task' (as i would like to call it).
As a Christian who is the lead singer of a successful band, how do you deal with pride?
i am in constant fear of integrating the duality of my life. i like nice neat compartmentalized boxes. stephen the entertainer 'rock star' needs to be JUST the entertainer and no more. stephen the human needs to be human. if they were ever to meet the results would be catastrophic. (pride, feeling entitled, being 'better' than the next person, self indulgent, addictions etc.).
the number one way to rid yourself of pride is a firm foundation planted in the word of God (i.e. humble thyself in the sight of the lord, think of others better than yourself, etc.). the other the secret is constant and confrontational accountability. find someone that will speak life into your bones, while exposing every skeleton in your closet. every person of position/power will come face to face with pride, its inevitable, it’s the results of this battle that will determine the outcome of the war.
Do you think people are born leaders or develop into leaders?
though i firmly believe that it is both nature and nurture that make up who we are i believe when it comes to leadership one is developed, i am a living example. in high school i was a very introverted individual, after i became a christian at age 18 i proverbially 'came out of my shell', i became the head and not the tail. now i help run a non-profit organization that i co-founded (faceless international), i have started an llc, and even a record label (woodwater records). i could have done NOTHING without the holy spirit awakening my true potential.
How can people put themselves into a position to influence culture?
be in the world, not of it. we as christians have a unique way of recluse into a bubble so that we can not interact or influence anyone in the world. God gave us the shield of faith not to hide and retract but to advance and take this world for him. instead i see to many 'christian soldiers' dig a hole and use their shield (their faith) as a roof.
if we really honestly believe God is the creative force in this universe than why are we becoming the imitators of the world? if something is 'cool' in the world it seems us christians are a year behind. if they have a boy band, then we create one to imitate. if they have a catchy logo like 'got milk' we have to follow it up with a cheesy unoriginal 'got God' shirt. i think it’s embarrassing and goes against the very nature of our creature.
christians have attached stigmas onto the arts. we have labeled it 'secular' and in some cases homosexual. we as followers of Christ need to be on the forefront of dance (even david danced), art (have you seen what God can do with a mountain scape?), photography, painting, design, fashion, etc...
embrace the culture, learn, grow, then evangelize through whatever means God has given you talent in. don't allow yourself to be buried under the weight of the unknown or 'bury your talents.'
Why are you a follower of Jesus Christ?
'and this is pure religion to love the widows and the orphans and keep oneself unspoiled from the world.' no other religion compares to the LOVE, grace, mercy, and hope that my Lord and savior Jesus Christ emanates.
What do you do personally to fuel your spiritual life?
since i do not have a home church (because i usually tour 9 months a year) i listen to podcasts, some of them being mars hill, seattle; mosaic, LA; & village chapel, nashville. reading the word, keeping up with my accountability partner, and prayer fuel my spiritual life as well.
What is your hope for the future of the Church in America?
my hope is that we become the first church in history to truly 'judge not' ( lest we be judge) and love others as Christ loved the church. we would revolutionize the world.
please take a second to daydream of a church where you do not have to look like us, act like us, or even talk like us. you can just be what or who you are (a buddhist, lesbian, atheist, or even yes... a democrat) and we would open up are arms wide with an embrace like the father did to the prodigal son. we could welcome them into our inner circle, love on them, and care for their needs. and show them to the feet of Jesus Christ.
REVOLUTION! unlike mankind would have ever seen.
Should we abandon the use of the word "Christian" for a better term? If so, what?
i believe i read that over 68% of america believes they are 'christian', the term has become the most flippant expression ever used in american politics. i am not here to discuss whether we should coin a new trendy term, but ask those that use the term truly live up to what it means 'a follower of Christ'.
What blogs/websites do you regularly check?
cnn.com, gmail, relevant online magazine, idealist.org, & dosomething.com
Which books have shaped your thinking?
what’s so amazing about grace –yancey
orthodoxy- gk chesterton
fire in the belly- keen
knowledge of the holy- tozer
the alchemist- coelho
desiring God- piper
knowing God- packer
What music moves you?
mogwai, the rachels, bon iver, fleet foxes, bloc party, and a few others. but if you want to hear music that will be played as you walk into heavens gates listen to sigur ros.
Any other thoughts or advice? never stop growing and learning. study to show thyself approved. working out your salvation requires both fear and trembling. consider all above yourself. to be heard you must first listen. don’t just pray, take the time to listen. ‘the enemy of best is just fine.’
posted by Sven at 5:44 PM
2 Comments:
Stephen, thank you for this insight. Your question about how church looks like, I would like to answer with this: I have recently moved and changed churches and this new church is a church plant from Rock Harbor, in costa mesa, ca. Our pastor is 24 or 25, and he will completely forget his message if God changes plans. We meet an hour before service to pray, and if the spirit tries to lead us a different direction we follow. for instance; a couple weeks ago darren (our pastor) felt the spirit changing the service. so instead of "normal" service, we asked those who needed prayer to stand and allow strangers to pray for them, then we had pizza and community! We just had a leadership meeting where we talked about the vision of the church. Turns out there is no plan, no ten point agenda, we are striving to be a spirit lead church. This is the first time in my life (im 20) that I have seen church done "right." How can there be church with no spirit? I believe there are so many that have lost that thinking. The second we stop being spirit lead and start being "human lead" we have failed. I am not sure this is really making sense, but I hope your understanding it. I also liked where you stated that there needs to be a revolution. This has been such a huge theme this past summer, with things happening to certain people, friends given the gift of tongues, prophesy, visions. I believe there is definitely a revolution starting in the way "Christians" live. My roomate once said "there is a new generation of believers on the rise" and I honestly believe that is true!
I am so happy to read this blog, because although I was aware you were Christian, I don't know you personally, I know your music and I always hoped you were a true follower of Christ, who is living it out for the glory of God! not just one of the 68% who claim they are "Christians." Especially since I talked with my friend Billy, about being a Christ follower and touring. He is an ex member of the band Confide, and he would always share how hard it can be to be Christian on in a band. And now that you guys are getting bigger I hoped that it would not change your views on life, and love for Jesus Christ. I believe you ARE doing it right.
(if your ever in the long beach area and would like to enjoy a church that is spirit lead, visit the garden thegardenlb.org)
"embrace the culture, learn, grow, then evangelize through whatever means God has given you talent in. don't allow yourself to be buried under the weight of the unknown or 'bury your talents.' "
YES. Now we just have to get people to realize it.
Post a Comment
<< Home