Phil Wickham, Brandon Lake Explain Why Young People Don’t Want ‘Slick’ Preaching
By Movieguide® Contributor
Christian Artists Phil Wickham and Brandon Lake believe young people are leaving the church because the Gospel message has been watered down by “slick” preaching.
“I think my generation and younger are less and less convinced by preachers and communicators that are communicating so slick,” multi-time Grammy award winner Lake told The Christian Post.
“I know sticky statements are important because you remember them beyond Sunday. But this generation is looking for something to be communicated,” he continued. “God’s Word is authentic. It’s relevant, it’s complete truth, but I think it’s important how you communicate it so that you can earn people’s trust, that it’s believable, that you’re coming across authentic.”
Wickham explained that people need clear biblical teaching to confront all the information coming their way every day.
He said, “It’s a unique world that we are all in right now compared to all of human civilization. The fact that we have so much information hitting us and then and shaping everything that we see, shaping our view of sexuality, shaping our view of spirituality.”
“It’s like the Bible peels the clouds away so you can see the North Star of Jesus that has been clouded by all the things of this world,” Wickham added. “The Church doesn’t give like just like the simple Gospel, like you forget the power that has to change people’s lives and you’ve got to slick it up,”
That’s why the two are using their “Summer Worship Nights Tour” to share the Gospel with young people.
“That was one of the most beautiful things on this tour; we invited people to start a relationship with Jesus,” Lake revealed. “You’re hearing me and Phil, who didn’t go to school for communication, necessarily…This is just coming from a dudebro who’s in love with Jesus and just wants you to have a relationship with Jesus because we know that that’s what you are made for. It’s coming across probably super broken and imperfect if you’re comparing it to a professional communicator. But I think what I’ve seen is this generation is responding to the authenticity into the realness and the rawness.”
The duo are already hyping up their fans for the summer worship events.
“FAM!!! Is it August yet?!?! We can’t wait to see all of you on the road in August! Last year’s tour was LIFE CHANGING and we can’t wait to experience what God is going to do this year!” Lake posted.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Grammy award-winning artist Brandon Lake opened up with the Rock Church about finding fame during the pandemic with his hit song, “Graves Into Gardens.”
“I think that I am still catching up to when people come up to me and they’re like, ‘Man, your music has changed my life.’ Like it feels like every single time is just still surprising to me,” he began.
“I grew up in the church. My dad’s a pastor,” Lake said of his childhood. “I grew up in a church plant in dirty Myrtle, Myrtle Beach, and we planted a church. I’ve just always been a part of the church, and so when I fell in love with songwriting, it was just always for the church, and I’m still a local church guy, and so for any of the stuff that’s branched outside my local church, it’s just blown my mind.”
“But the ‘Graves Into Gardens’ kind of happened through my passion for songwriting,” he added. “I’d been going to Atlanta a ton, writing songs with this group of people that would later become Maverick City. That led to me talking about a songwriting deal with Bethel Music. Wrote with them, and then they were like, ‘Hold on. We think there’s more here.’ So, they invited me to be an artist with them on their Collective.”
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
