On my recent vacation to the Vineyard my husband and I attended a church service. It was one of the most unique services I have ever experienced. They called it a “teen mass” which translated into let’s add some rock n roll to the story of Jesus!

Instead of a typical choir and organ they had a small all-female rock band. The band performed the hymns as well as some of the prayers as rock songs. There were even screens above the altar so you could sing along. One priest in particular was especially into the singing and dancing.

The Our Father just isn’t the same when accompanied by a dancing priest and a 4 piece band. I’m not knocking the rock n roll Jesus approach I am just saying that it is not for me. I like my prayers to be a bit more mellow than that.

It made me wonder though, is this what some churches are doing to appeal to young people? Is adding some rock n roll to mass making Jesus cooler? I must admit the rock n roll mass did stick in my head all week long. I could not get those songs out of my head! I guess that was the point.

I should have asked one of the actual teens at that mass - “Hey, does this music want you make you come to mass more often?”

I don’t think Jesus needs any help in the cool department but whatever works right? If rocking out to the Our Father gets people in the pews then go for it! For me, I’ll stick with the non-rock n roll Jesus for now.

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