Should a Church Be ‘Swag Surfin’ Into the New Year? Black Folks are Divided.
Whether secular music with “questionable” lyrics should be played during church is a divisive issue that the The dReam Center Church of Atlanta has found itself in the middle of this past weekend.
For its New Year’s Eve service, Bishop William Murphy counted down the clock to 2024 with a medley of contemporary Hip-Hop songs, including the Fast Life Yungstaz’s 2009 single “Swag Surfin.” Murphy and his congregants did the popular swag surfin dance as the cut from the Stone Mountain, Ga.-based group piped through the facility.
Read more
Cale Yarborough Won The Daytona 500 In A Show Car Borrowed From A Local Hardee's Restaurant
Olympic Cyclist Dies After Husband Allegedly Hit Her With A Ute
“Soooo how do these lyrics tie into the word of God again? 🤔🤦🏾♂️. It’s okay not to be perfect, but you have to own up to it, repent daily, and move on. Don’t stand ten toes on blasphemy 🤦🏾♂️. This ain’t it,” another wrote.
swag surfing in church???? atl has officially lost it
— THEE corporate law baddie (@felicitembaye) January 1, 2024
However, several are defending the use of the track.
“This is my church and I was there! We had an amazing time and Bishop Murphy delivered a great message for going into the New Year! You had to be there to understand! Dream Center ATL is a wonderful church and Bishop Murphy is a great leader!” one commenter wrote.
“All I see is Gods children enjoying themselves — Didn’t hear profanity or any negative metaphors. Leave dem’ folk lone!!!” wrote another.
This isn’t the first time the dReam Center Church has attempted to court young viewers and congregants with the use of music: Using the phrase “Make the Church Relevant Again,” it painted its sanctuary like a pink “trap house” in 2017, modeled after a house that Atlanta rap star 2 Chainz famously painted. Chainz praised the service unveiling the house: “I think it’s dope to be used by God in different ways.”
The whole issue is part of an ongoing battle over the evolving identity of the Black church – specifically between those who believe it should remain “traditional” and those who believe that it could use a little spice to keep up with the times.
Which side do you fall on?
More from The Root
Three Decades Later, Someone Has Finally Beaten Tetris On NES
The Texas Longhorns’ season-long bank heist fell short at the vault
Who is Marvel’s Echo and how is she one of the universe’s most powerful people in the comics?
Sign up for The Root's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
