Gospel Singer, Shei Atkins is going R & B, Find out why!
August 28, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Entertainment, Music
“Although I love God’s people, I can’t waste years trying to break this mentality and use that as an excuse for not doing what God told me to do.” — Shei Atkins
With these and other words, singer, Shei Atkins announced via an open letter published at Gospel Hip Hop site, DaSouth.com, that she is leaving Gospel to become an R&B artist. Atkins, a former Grammy-nominated artist went on to explain her decision-making process (see below) and offered strong opinions about Gospel audiences as “judgmental.”
She finished her personal note with these words:
I want to say that regardless of what genre of music I sing, know that I’m on a mission for God to go out INTO the world and be a godly example. Luke 5:10 says “Fear not, from now on you will be ï¬shing for people.†And that’s what I am doing; becoming all things to all men that I may by all means save some. If you can’t see and understand my vision, just pray for me. Don’t judge me. My music may not be for you, but know that I am reaching people and that I’m on God’s side.
What do you think about Shei’s letters and her decision to drop the “Gospel” label? How can a person tell when they are fulfilling the Great Commission or whether something else is at work? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
Here is a copy of the original letter:
For those of you who don’t know me, I am Shei Atkins. I am the artist of three albums. My ï¬rst one “Life in Stereo†came out in ’04. The second one “The Lita Mae Show†came out in ’05 and my third one “Girl Talk†came out in ‘07. It’s been 3 years since I’ve released an album. I’m currently working on my fourth project “Emotional†which will be out soon.
Why has it been so long you ask? I had to pray and get direction from God and learn some things before I came back out conï¬dently. I was able to write and release my book “Get a Man, Keep a Man” during the break. This has truly been a journey for me. When God revealed to me that He wanted to use me, I wasn’t given a blueprint or a roadmap with exact directions. All I knew was that I loved God, had a passion for relationships and helping women through adversity, and wanted to make music to help bring healing and joy to them.
All of my previous albums have a mixture of R&B and Gospel on them so some people were always confused about what style of music I sang. I just wanted to help people and wasn’t caught up into genres and didn’t know anything about marketing.
I’ve been with my husband for 14 years, and we almost didn’t make it our ï¬rst year of marriage. We survived our storm and what I went through in my marriage ignited a passion in me to help relationships and marriages. It’s evident that families are under major attack. I make songs to help instill love, honesty, faithfulness and communication back into relationships. The thing is that when some people heard R&B on my albums they were like, this is not gospel and the judgment began.
My albums were not what you would call a traditional gospel album. Even though my songs “He Can Fix It†and “Lord I Love You†got major air play, those songs weren’t all of who I am. It was songs like “Temptation†that made me unique and kicked off my career. “Temptation†was very trendsetting and risky with lyrics like “boy you keep on saying just let me stick the h#$d in and you can’t have none.†But it was the truth. I was afraid to do it in the churches at ï¬rst but I know it needed to be heard. The song was very risky but the youth and youth pastors loved it and the word spread about it. I was in high demand to the point where I was traveling in and out of state to sing it and the response was always amazing. I feel that the songs are awesome, because keeping it real and telling it like it is in my music is what made me unique and set me apart. Gospel Radio wouldn’t play songs like “Temptation†but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the song was catching and impacting teens around the world.
My music can’t be put in a box. When it comes down to business, labels want to know how they will be able to market you and make money with your product no matter what your personal vision is. My tolerance level was getting low with the judgment.
I had fans who loved me on one side and people condemning me on the other side calling me worldly, pulling me to the side at some of my shows about my hair color, sending in mean letters, etc. I understand that everyone wouldn’t see my vision, but it got to the point to where I just wanted to give up. I wasn’t doing anything wrong, BUT I wasn’t embraced by gospel all the way, and looking back, I can see where the confusion came in.
The messed up thing about the Christian community is that there is a religious and judgmental mentality inside of it that holds us back and keeps us from loving people when it comes to music. When I took my time off to pray and get clarity of my purpose, God reminded me that romance is His idea and He led me to the Book of Song of Solomon in the Bible. Song of Solomon is a book of love songs and poems from Solomon & His bride to each other. It’s very romantic. They even praise each other and their body parts in the book. That showed me that God didn’t have a problem with romance and love songs, it’s man. The mentality that someone is compromising or backsliding for singing other genres’ was passed down in the church from generation to generation and that is not true. If the truth be told, there are some good and bad apples in gospel as well as other genres’.
Because of my purpose, when it comes down to marketing and promotion, Shei Atkins is best marketed as an R&B artist. Why? Because doing R&B allows me to make the music God put in me to make and be free without boundaries of what I can and what I can’t talk about. Does this mean I will never make a gospel album or sing gospel songs? “No, thats not what that meansâ€. I can’t sing about life, love, and relationships under the Gospel title. It’s not because I don’t want to. It’s because of the mentality a lot of Christians have about music.
Although I love God’s people, I can’t waste years trying to break this mentality and use that as an excuse for not doing what God told me to do. We have the part where we accept Him in our life and become saved. Then we have the part where Christianity needs to be applied. That’s where my music comes in. I deal with life, love and relationships. I can’t speak for anyone else, but that’s my call. Just because you’re saved doesn’t mean you know how to be a wife or a husband. Just because you’re saved doesn’t mean you’re a good parent. If you’re not good with money, it doesn’t matter how saved you are, you won’t pay your bills on time and your bank account will be in the negative, etc. This thing doesn’t stop after salvation. We need wisdom and we need to learn certain principles to apply to our life on earth so that we can live the abundant life God wants us to live and be successful in every area of our lives. But there are so many people without that revelation because we’re so focused on a genre. People write me every day about how to handle different situations in their marriage and relationships or just letting me know how my music has helped their life and relationships. People need what God has put inside of me. Do you know that about 50% of CHRISTIAN marriages end in divorce? But I was judged for singing songs that spoke life into people.
That hurt me so bad. What we have to understand as Christians is that the body of Christ is bigger than a music genre. If you are a ï¬nger in the body of Christ, you can’t look at the toe trying to get it to function like a ï¬nger. Every part of the body of Christ is unique and beneï¬cial and if we all work together, we would be so much more powerful. God is more concerned about HOW you live than WHAT genre you’re categorized in. The word does say you can tell a tree by its fruit. And when a person has a relationship with God, they’ll be cautious of what comes out of their mouth and very cautious of how they use their influence. We are all a work in progress and grow at different levels. You don’t know what God will do in a person’s life. You can’t be so busy judging people that you don’t have time to love them. Even if you don’t agree with what a person does, loving them will win them over way before condemning them will. We have to show people Christ by our love.
Singing background for Kelly Rowland overseas, I got a chance to hang with some very great people such as Wyclef, Kim Burse, (Beyonce’s Creative Director) and many others. From the Kelly Rowland experience, I learned that God places people in our life for a reason and he opens doors for us to go places to be a blessing to others and vice versa. God used Kim Burse to be a blessing to me at a time when I had given up on Shei Atkins because of what I was going through. God used her to be a light & spark a ï¬re in me to let me know that I am special and not forgotten and she didn’t know my situation until I told her. There are people who don’t know God or read His word, but they see us. We can hinder people from seeing God in us if all they see is ï¬nger pointing. I want to say that regardless of what genre of music I sing, know that I’m on a mission for God to go out INTO the world and be a godly example. Luke 5:10 says “Fear not, from now on you will be ï¬shing for people.†And that’s what I am doing; becoming all things to all men that I may by all means save some. If you can’t see and understand my vision, just pray for me. Don’t judge me. My music may not be for you, but know that I am reaching people and that I’m on God’s side.
This story makes my head hurt. Are you kidding me? The scripture that comes to mind is Jeremiah 12:5 if thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how candst thou contend with horses? Where will she run when the secular world doesn’t receive her music? She needs to toughen up her skin and sing for Jesus. I don’t know a lot about the music industry, but I do know about life. Her music just like every other singer’s music will only gather a certain segment of the population. Not everyone is going to like her music just like everybody doesn’t like Rap and Hardrock or Beyonce. Why don’t she just say it more lucrative to sing secular music and stop making excuses. If the going gets rough, you don’t cross over to the other side. You battle your way through the situation and become stronger for having gone through.
Music in and of itself is of God. It is mankind that has perverted it. Music is a spirit. Music draws you to that which is heard/sung about. So I would rather (there is actually no other choice) be drawn and medidate on music that glorifies God because it is Him that I seek and Him that I life for and Him that I give glory to.
For Ms. Atkins – with compassion I say to you it is not about the people. Your gift talent and calling that you. That gift talent and calling is for the Glory of God. While it edifies man – it is for the Glory of God. It doesn’t matter what the people say or think as long as it glorifies God. While I understand you are a professional and by this gift talent and calling is how you make your living, I would ask you to pray and submit yourself to God once again on this decision.
I am glad situations like this are coming out because a lot of independent gospel artist feel the same way. I have said in my blog “The Jesus Hustle” that there is nothing wrong with making money. She is an artist desiring to make money to support her family and there is nothing wrong with that. Gospel Music is a form of entertainment which is a business not ministry. Ministry can come out of entertainment but initially it is a business. From a business aspect this is a good move for her because you can make more money doing R&B by reaching a broader audience. My main issue is honesty, call it for what it is. If you want to make money by doing this full time then say that because ultimately that is what it boils down to. Saying that you want to reach people sounds good, but do they have to pay you for you to reach them? Call it what it is, I want to get paid as a full time singer. There is nothing wrong with that.
Here we go, again! Another artist with little publicity, using another excuse to do R&B (which equals make money). When you are secure in what you’re doing and who you’re doing it for, you don’t talk about it, you do it. Just make music. You’re letting the industry dictate what genre you should be in, and catering to audiences based on what you THINK you should be doing. Follow the other artist who have taken the critisism and just DO what you are made to do. Gospel must maintain a standard. If those who listen to it don’t support you, find out who will. Stop pimping the gospel industry to get a name.
tis all…
Best of luck Sheri. I can identify wirh her frustration. I’ve come to understand our criticizers do not know God’s plan for us. I’m grateful He’s greater than our adversaries and the obstacles they put in our way. We must stay faithful to what He told us! That is the way to please Him.
Sorry Shei for calling you Sheri…
When it comes to the Trinity not even the angels know when the Father will send Jesus back, but some Christians seemed to have a backstage pass into the mind and heart of God. I believe how we live can either help God draw people unto himself or hinder the opportunity. The genre of music does not matter to God, because he judges on actions, words and thoughts (not on musical instrumentals which is the background to every genre). If Shei declaration is Jesus in her actions, Jesus truths in her lyrics and Jesus flows through her thoughts then she should be trying to reach the outer most parts of the world. I think most gospel singers love to sing to church folks because there’s no fear of being martyr. Jesus biggest problem with the disciples was there little faith not declaring the truth of the Father to them. Like Jesus the disciples suffered greatly in translating the truth to different genres of the world. An undercover cop cannot penetrate the deep inner working of a drug cartel till he/she fits the role. You can only collect persecuting evidence if you are on the inside or behind the scene watching it unfold. Blow your cover and you will be martyred. Shei is entering the gang of R&B and Hip Hop and I prayed her strength and wisdom as her message allows God to convert sinners into saints.
I was sadden to hear of this wonderful talent bend and bow to the weight of the religious community’s childish brow beating of a soul in trouble enternally. There seems to be some deep rooted misunderstanding about what this christian walk is all about. I don’t seek to judge, but I can only respond according to what my Bible indicates to me. This is about choice. The choice to live or die. Jesus made a very profound statement concerniing picking up your cross and following Him. ‘If any man (or woman) would follow him, this cross carrying was going to be inevitable. Jesus indicated that you would be dispised, rejected, judged and disliked, but that it was necessary to go through these things, not run away from these things, and that these things would come in our lives as we attempt to live for Him. Church folk are most insensitive poeple on the planet. I have faced issues in my life and come to near crucifiction from “God’s People” that made me justify why I should leave the church and not be bothered. But I was reminded of how Jesus was always dogged by the religious community, and had to stand his ground. ‘Having done all to stand, stand therefore… It is going to be suicide to think that your life will be better walking a different path. I believe that much prayer is in order. If we are judging more than we are praying and loving, we are engaged in the wrong business. Jesus said, “With love and kindness have I drawn thee”. No, we don’t give up our convictions, but we don’t destroy others either. I hope Shei finds the true path and not let what looks like a better way, be a way of destruction. I have a lot more to say, but I will stop here.
Shei just know that there are people who are praying for you. Everybodies internal struggles aren’t the same. Thank God for his grace and mercy. Reveal your heart to the Lord he will Lead and guide you. If the R&B world is where you feel you are being lead be an artist with integrity with no compromise. Even the prodigal son had to go off to a foreign land only to realize the benefits he had back home with his father was much greater. That being said the father saw the son from afar distance and welcomed him home. The Lord will never leave nor forsake you. It’s much bigger than a genre of music. The Lord loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it.
I say do what God has called you to do with no apologies. Just because we don’t understand someone’s purpose does not make it any less their purpose. What is being said in the song is always more important then what genre of music the song is put in. I wish you the best and look forward to hearing your next project
God can and will “convert sinners to saints” by the declaration of His Gospel. Our lives are to be a living witness and testimony to HIS GOSPEL.
My point: Based on what she’s saying, she plans to be a living witness in the secular music industry. However, what she doesn’t realize is that her music, just as some other Gospel and CCM music– and not saying at all that there’s something wrong w/ this– is an INTERPRETATION of Scripture and narratives of life experiences (as she herself has stated of her music– and of which I’ve listened to from her Gospel albums). These types of lyrics are not to be denied their place, and they’re very helpful indeed, it is different from actually singing the Gospel– that shows individuals they are in error and are fallen unless they accept salvation from Jesus Christ and remain faithful to Him. As an aside, it is also different from Gospel music b/c ANY artist– as she herself plans to do– can create “positive,” “clean” songs despite whether or not they are a Christian or relating their song to Scripture. The media has done a good job of, say, making Katy Perry look like an angel with her song “Firework,” instilling short term memory loss in the public with regards to her first single. In other words, anyone can create a “good” song, but…how “good” is it?
Therefore, I say that unless she sings such a Gospel message, HER messages will forever come up short b/c at the end of the day, people may still miss something as they’re trusting in what SHE says and trusting in HER example. I really like Shei Atkins as an artist, nevertheless, I wish her well, and hope that she realizes that she is just as fallible as the ones she’s judged as wrong for judging her.
Furthermore, I know that there’s something wrong in this situation b/c I for one, being a Christian, really liked Shei’s Gospel music; I think that she has taken to heart what some odd remnant of people have said to her in her circle and travels.
I’m not surprised. Honestly, if you listen to her music, she has always rocked this way.
If ur main motive for switch up is PEOPLE, u got it twisted boo! You’re focus should be on the audience of one!
Music is soooooo close to the heart of God…it’s unlike any other job in the world!! People who don’t know that, end up in this carnal position.
Although I feel this way, I do commend her for standing for what she feels.
I jus pray God would reveal the reality of this and lead her back to the CROSS Becuase in essence THAT is what she is abandoning, Not the people!
It saddened me to read this young sisters frustration with the church but is saddened me more to read some of the reactions in the comments about her decision. In fact many of the comments actually validate her decision to make a change. Why must there be the interpretation that the decision she reached has a subliminal motive of money and not the overt reasons which she articulates clearly. There is so much hypocrisy in the church. I would dare say that many of her critics have not only attended R&B concerts but also have the same genre of music in their iPods and cars. It would further not surprise me that those same persons have been quite willing to spend money to attend a secular concert, yet unwilling to spend the same to support a gospel show. I can fully understand Shei’s reasoning and can hear her hurt, pain, and frustration with the church. And let us remember, the church has a long history of rejecting it’s own. There are a plethora of secular artists who left the church for almost identical reasons. Did some get lured away by potential income, sure. But we cannot make that
judgement about all who make that choice. And in Shei’s defense her decision is a change of career, not a change of faith. At the end of the day, she should follow as best she can the direction she feels is divinely ordered for her life and for those who don’t understand, it’s their problem and not hers.
Do your thing God knows your heart and passion.. I will support. Soul saving is out in the world not sitting in the pews. Love your work.
Co-signing on what Nita and LJN said!! Evidently, I believe she had a hidden aagenda all the long. It is ridiculos what she is saying!! The secular world will chew her up and spit her out,after being uses and abused by then. Then, this will be when she comes running back to the church community “begging” for forgiveness and asking for prayer!!
Let God be the judge, and He only!
First of all, congrats Shei because it took a lot of strength to tell the deeply religious world how you really feel and I am sure you did pray and seek God regarding your decision. You are an inspiration to us all. I read your very insightful article and decided to come back and give a quick comment. Oftentimes parents who are so deeply religious can say things to their little children to discourage them from living their full potential and using their God given talents. For instance, if raised in a deeply religious enviroment that child might really have the talent to be the next Michael Jackson or a great actor of film. However, because their parents have put their negative tongues on things, that child becomes too ashamed to persue these goals and end up depressed and sick for the rest of their lives because they NEVER got that encouragement from the people who matters most–family. I feel that parents, no matter how deeply pious or spiritual, need to be a bit more open minded and understand that God given talent can be used in more than just working a 9 to 5 job with benefits. In addition, I feel that as long as our children have no desire to do things that degrade themselves and others and bring the world deeper into perversion..ie..porn, filthy and degrading lyrics, stripping and other foul dancing, etc…then I feel there is nothing wrong with using their true talents outside the church. Who knows..by their demeanour, they can be that shinning light to dark world and even more people will know about the love of God without them being preachy, overbearing, etc. Even if parents disagree with the career moves their kids take, do not judge or condemn, (as long as it is nothing perverted, etc) but take the time to at least see where the kids are coming from first. I guess, in some ways, parent do need to draw the line of support when things are falling too far away from God.
So let me get this right, you have artists like Montel Jordan, Dave Hollister,Jonathan Butler, Regina Belle, Shirley Murdock, and James Engram leaving the secular arenas to clearly declare their transformation and are doing well, and a gospel artist is doing the complete opposite to do the same thing? Confused. If God is in control of your life, then ALL experieces good and bad were clearly outlined before you were born, God doesn’t need our help with anything! As for being “you”, it negates the message of Jesus period, gaining Jesus is about LOSING you! I’m tickeled because there is NO verifiable scripture that supports her perspective, but there is plenty that negates it! Somebody said career? Please don’t go there! All the disciples left their career agendas, to do the Father’s business, read the scriptures, its in there! Another thing, just because you can write about anything doesn’t mean its all God-inspired! I could say so much more, but I end with How do you go from Praise and Worship Leader to Secular Artist? Where is God in that? Find it in the written word and in rhema if you have the answer and share that with us all! In Love
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????????????!!! She is confused and deceived. Yeah, she said it best, “Pray for me.”
That is so sad people just turning their backs on God and expect to be blessed!The bible say that a double mined man is unstable in all of his ways.You can’t be luke warm God rither that you be hot are cold so many of God’s choosen. Vesels are going to lift their eyes up in HELL sad God is to good to his people. To be done like this may the Lord have mercy on their SOULS………..
I have to say i disagree with the article in general. Her argument is baseless. don’t blame the church and its faults as a reason to leave Christian music for secular…if that is the case…she might as well stop going to church period. she is right she is best marketed as R&B. why because because that is what you want…that is not of God. God would not have told you to switch to main stream music..he would have told you to endure with the chuch…apparently God did not speak that scripture…her reason don’t balance with scripture…Shai is right there are judgmental people in teh church…she has probably been one of them. I am glad her marriage has lasted that is what God wanted. but now to turn and say people in the church are too judgmental, therefor i have to switch to R&B is not a valid reason. First and foremost it is not her job to make sure everyone in the church likes her or feels she is going something write. I think she is going to about this the wrong. at the end what message are you sending to other young artists? The message you are sending is not one of sticking it out with the church or enduring, but one when the church don’t like me i need to switch directions.
“What do you think about Shei’s letters and her decision to drop the “Gospel†label? How can a person tell when they are fulfilling the Great Commission or whether something else is at work? We’d love to hear your thoughts!”
I like the question. God calling or purpose for your life will always line up with scripture. Look at what the Apostles taught and what we are doing. When it comes to music it can become very conviluted. Music is so expressive and moving. Its moves the mood. Shai is right the psalms are music, but how far has she read the psalms. Does she see the message in them? What was David and other speaking about. Many of the psalms actually give the musical cord and instrument they played to the song to. My point is God has nothing against music. However, teh article does not seem to speak about that. Its seem to indicate that she has been exposed to life. she has had an opportunity to see some things in the world and now she has questioned why people in the church act this way about her music. Be creative its not a sin, but she is misguided when she states her reason for leaving gospel. She is correct marketing plays a big part, the musica company need to move a product…you can’t move a product that is not selling…so what do you do you appeal to the audienc..PEOPLE…that is mistake #1 when it comes to God. Did not Aaron moses broter do the same? PEOPLE will always lead you the wrong way. Since when did Kelly Rowland become an authority on scripture and theology..if shai is using that as her standard God help her. One thing all of us has to deal with us is our self. We don’t want to deny our selves anything. We think because James say every good thing comes down from the father of lights then he must be talking about blessings. God back and read the book again that is not what James is saying. Shai is right the body of christ should not “look alike” but we should “align” alike in purpose, motive and message. to answer the question stated. How gospel artist will know if they are fulfilling the great commission through their music….look at the results. where are the souls to Christ? I mean genuine souls not a watered down He did it for me so he will do it for you gospel..i mean a genuine Come after me conversion. also Keep Jesus as the Model for the Music. When Christ is no longer the model…the interest and motive will not be sustainable. Christ did not go to the masses as some might think.
Nita says “Her music just like every other singer’s music will only gather a certain segment of the population. Not everyone is going to like her music just like everybody doesn’t like Rap and Hardrock or Beyonce.” EXACTLY! Not everyone will like her music but a CERTAIN SEGMENT WILL! Did yoy know that there are MANY Christians out there who listen to BOTH MANY GENRES of music? I don’t see why she won’t be able to pick up and audience singing CLEAN R&B and inspirational music (both saved and unsaved). Just because a person isn’t saved does not mean that they’re mind or heart wouldn’t be open to hearing her message. I am a singer who has actually shared the gospel at Jazz clubs and concerts after singing Whitney and Sade and you would be surprised to find out how many people are actually open to hearing about God. I didn’t go there drinking, cursing, being sexual and carrying on like the world. I carried myself like a Christian and shared the Word and they clearly new I was different but still listened. Sure there will be many unsaved folks that will Hate on her for repping Christ but that comes with the territory (in fact the world HATES on other wordly people as well and apparently Christians are hating on each other too). But that shouldn’t stop her from singing clean R&B and telling them about Christ on the side. SOMEBODY will listen and SOME may be saved! STOP JUDGING and just make sure that you DO YOUR PART to spread the Gospel in your community, job, neighborhood. I assure you you have FAR MORE influence in there than any Gospel/R&B singer would. If we all do our part and STOP looking for Gospel singers to be the only ones to rep Jesus, we will actually see that revival in the US. We are ALL called to minister. Besides, singing is her JOB just like you have a day to day job to make your living. You don’t go in your work place immediately asking everyone to repent. You do it through First by forming conversations about everyday situations to establish a foundation (marriage, family, job, sports, music, movies) then you bring up Jesus. That’s exactly what she’s doing. I see her vision and I believe that if she keeps God first and continue to live and walk in his spirit she will accomplish this for Gods glory.
Jackie says:” That is so sad people just turning their backs on God and expect to be blessed!” Nobody is turning their back on God. She still professes her Faith in Jesus Christ. She’s just singing a different style of music in ADDITION to her sharing her Faith. If you don’t like it that’s ok but she hasn’t changed her Faith. Mckey 2 says: “First and foremost it is not her job to make sure everyone in the church likes her or feels she is going something write.” Exactly! That’s why she is singing R&B music and she is NOT caring whether YOU like it or not. She wants to be free to talk about many subjects so she’s doing so without other’s permission. From reading a lot of people’s comments and I see why she feels some Christians can be extremely judgemental.
Crystal says: “Gospel music b/c ANY artist– as she herself plans to do– can create “positive,†“clean†songs despite whether or not they are a Christian or relating their song to Scripture. The media has done a good job of, say, making Katy Perry look like an angel with her song “Firework,†instilling short term memory loss in the public with regards to her first single. In other words, anyone can create a “good†song, but…how “good†is it?” Any artist can sing positive music and ANY artist can sing Gospel music and deceive others into thinking they are of God. Its the FRUIT you produce (lifestyle, etc) that reveals whether you are genuinely a believer. Sure Katy Perry did Firework but you can listen to the rest of her stuff, look at the way she acts and carries on, and listen to her interviews and tell she’s not walking with God! Singing Gospel for a living does not make you a true believer and singing love songs does NOT mean you no longer believe in God. She can talk about Christ in her interviews, concerts, collabs, select songs etc and still be an effective witness b/c people look at the WHOLE image when it comes to singers (that’s why you know Katy Perry aint right despite Fireworks). She plans on CONTINUING to talk about CHRIST. She never said she would stop. She’s just marketing herserlf as R&B because its easier to talk about different subjects and God.
Just because someone is labeling their album under a different genre does not mean that they’re going into a whole other direction. From what she says, she’s always had an R&B flair to her albums so changing the label to R&B would not be a big stretch from her style. She says she’s going to keep similar themes and will continue to profess her faith in Jesus so I don’t see the problem. Singing Gospel does not automatically make you a Christian and calling your album R&B is not backsliding especially if it has R&B influences. Christians are so quick to accept what anybody puts out as long as they say its Gospel, even if they are just trying to use the label to resurrect their careers but are quick to judge a genuine believer b/c they want to explore different topics that she feels called to discuss along with her fate. Because many Christians have a very narrow view of Christian music and get funny whenever you write or sing anything that doesn’t explicitly says Jesus in it, she just decided to not deal with that hostility and call it R&B. Can’t blame her.
I meant to say she wants to discuss different topics with her FAITH not Fate.
Mckay2 “.look at the results. where are the souls to Christ? I mean genuine souls not a watered down He did it for me so he will do it for you gospel..i mean a genuine Come after me conversion. also Keep Jesus as the Model for the Music. When Christ is no longer the model…the interest and motive will not be sustainable. She said her music was making an impact and many people were affirming her that she did touch and minister to them with her more R&B tunes. Who are you to say that someone’s conversion is not genuine? Does she need to send you a list of who she won to Christ? How many souls have YOU won lately? How many souls will she expect to win by only singing songs that appeal to people who think like you who already have a relationship with Jesus? If they make the committment to Christ just pray that they keep the Faith. You can still have Jesus as the Model of your songs without explicitly mentioning his name in every track. People will be more convinced of the genuiness of your Faith through your actions and how you treat others and carry yourself. She’s made no attempt to hide her Faith. So as long as she’s not afraid to share the Word in interviews I don’t see the problem.
I read a lot of the posts and was disturbed. But I need not be disturbed, because the Bible is being fulfilled as we speak. Regardless of how any of us feel about the lady changing her ‘label’ it doesn’t matter. What does matter however, is what the word of God says. Christians live by what the Word says. It says a lot about how we should live (holiness), how we should separate ourselves from darkness and sin, and touch, not the unclean thing. Who in their right mind could even begin to think that just because she TALKS about Jesus, its okay. That’s not what the word says. satan knows scripture. He could talk too if he cared to. Are any of us bad enough to tell God that His word doesn’t matter anymore? The baddest one, knock the dirt out of my hand first. (LOL i probably got you there, you had to be around in the 1950s, 60s, or 70s for that one). I do enough stuff without deliberately tempting God to anger. Shari is blatant. She’s right: She does need prayer. And so do we.
I meant Shei not Shari. Sorry about that.