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Mumford & Sons: Christian or Not?

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DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
Mumford & Sons: Christian or Not?
© NaimaLett.com/blog


mumford-sons-rolling-stone
© Rolling Stones


Are Mumford & Sons Christian or not?

That’s the million dollar question that won’t go away.

So much so that Rolling Stone magazine featured the multi-platinum-selling British folk/rock super band on its cover last month and posted the following online, “In Mumford & Sons’ Rolling Stone cover story, Marcus Mumford, the frontman, opens up about his faith”.

Who is Mumford & Sons?

Mumford & Sons is the British folk quartet, formed in 2007, known for its waistcoat-wearing, foot-stomping, banjo-banging sound. They won this year’s biggest Grammy Award, Album of the Year, for their 2nd album, Babel, which had the biggest album debut in 2012.

The issue of faith kept rising to the surface because of leadman Marcus Mumford’s family and lyrics. His parents are founders of Vineyard Church in the U.K and Ireland. The Huffington Post noted that “the music of Mumford & Sons, for which Mumford is the main lyricist, is laden with the themes and imagery of faith — often drawing specifically upon the Christian tradition. They explore relationships with God and others; fears and doubts; sin, redemption, and most of all, grace.”

A pastor’s kid who writes lyrics about faith, redemption and grace must be Christian, right?!

Out of Mumford’s Mouth

Not so fast. Marcus Mumford doesn’t necessarily agree. Marcus has said that he does not call himself a Christian. In October 2012, Mumford explained to The Big Issue, “I don’t even call myself a Christian. Spirituality is the word we engage with more. We’re fans of faith, not religion.”

When asked by Rolling Stone if he considered himself Christian, Mumford again responded, “I don’t really like that word… It comes with so much baggage. So, no, I wouldn’t call myself a Christian. I think the word just conjures up all these religious images that I don’t really like. I have my personal views about the person of Jesus and who he was. Like, you ask a Muslim and they’ll say, ‘Jesus was awesome’ – they’re not Christians, but they still love Jesus. I’ve kind of separated myself from the culture of Christianity.”

If we listen to the words coming out of his own mouth, we would do well to stop trying to force Marcus Mumford to admit he’s Christian, closeted or otherwise. He clearly says how he feels.

What’s the Big Deal?

Why is this so important? Why does it continue to be a headline?
Why are we as Christians so desperate to find celebrities to boast the name of our Lord?

Jesus ministered to everybody – poor, rich, famous, infamous. He didn’t get caught up on celebrity, hoping to snag endorsements to legitimize His place as Messiah. By the time He showed up and spoke truth to the top rulers, Pilate and Herod (who didn’t believe, by the way), He was on His way to a bloody cross to save the world.

Jesus says very plainly in Mark 8:34-38, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Those who follow Jesus will follow by way of that bloody cross. And we don’t get to do it secretly. It’s all out in the open where everybody sees and knows. And if we try to keep it secret, we face daily exposure… like reporters that keep asking if we’re Christian or not. Regardless of what you may believe, this walk is one walk that can’t be hidden.

Leave Mumford Alone

Family of faith, let Marcus Mumford be. He’s 26 and says he’s on a “spiritual journey”. His parents are pastors. He was a worship leader growing up and recently married Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan, whom he met at a Christian youth camp. Maybe the most he can do right now, in his current state, is fill his music with Christian references.

Sure, we can pray for him, and I do, as I pray for many artists – known and unknown. But we can also stop trying to hand the cross to him or any other artist that does not want it. Jesus says for each one of us to consider the cost of following Him. If Mumford ain’t ready to be a spokesman for Christ, I ain’t making him one.

Today, I’m asking God to help me be the best ambassador for Him that I can be – to love the artists here in Hollywood and across the world that He’s entrusted to our care, to lead by example in humility and grace, to speak the truth in love, to walk in integrity, etc.

Won’t you do the same where you are?
Naima

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© 2013 Naima Lett. All Rights Reserved

Clear Why You’re Here

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CLEAR WHY YOU’RE HERE
© DR. NAIMA LETT
BLOG | HOLLYWOOD CHRISTIAN

DO YOU KNOW WHY YOU’RE HERE?
Any idea what your purpose is? Got a vision? Personal mission statement? Plan of implementation?

The first time I drove cross country I was a junior Acting major at Howard University. It was January, and I looked forward to exchanging East Coast snow for palm trees and a warm breeze. I packed my candy-apple-red, 2-door Honda Civic to its roof, and set out for my semester abroad at the University of Southern California in LaLa Land.

BEFORE I HIT THE ROAD, I GOT A MAP.

I figured out the best route to travel, how much gas, where to eat, how much money, and safe cities to lodge, since some towns could get a little dicey for folks of hue after dark. Leaving from my dad’s house in the South, I knew there were some obscure towns where you didn’t want to be caught out at night. I planned my trip accordingly and coasted into 80 degrees and a saltwater breeze within 4 days.

What if I had begun my journey without a map? What if I just got in my car and drove- no plan, no money, no food, no lodging? And that’s for a simple 38 hour, 2400 mile road trip.

What if I told you I was driving cross country for the first time and you asked me questions about the trip, and I said, “I don’t know. I think I’ll just wing it”? You’d probably be a little concerned for me… or at least offer to pray because you knew I might not make it.

CAN I ASK THE HARD QUESTION?

How many times do we set out on life’s journey with no map? No plan, no vision, no clear destination. Or we have a destination, but we have no strategy to actually get us there. And then, when others (who genuinely love us) raise concerns, we say they’re killing our dreams or cramping our creativity or trying to box us in?

I’ve found my artist fam to be particularly adverse to planning. We want to be free. We love winging it; and if we love the Lord, we just say, “He’ll take care of it!” And then we look up a year later when we haven’t garnered any work and blame the Hollywood system.

A plan, in and of itself, doesn’t guarantee success. But having a clear vision of why we’re here and making a road map for the journey does make reaching our goals more likely.

Jesus has a very clear purpose. He knows exactly why He’s on the earth (John 12:23-28). And when he advises those who would be His disciples, He insists that they also count the costs.

COUNT THE COST
Entire passage: Luke 14:25-35
Excerpt:
25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and calculate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ …

CLARITY

Jesus is real clear. He knows that interwoven into His earthly purpose is a wooden cross. He tells his disciples upfront that in order to truly follow Him, they also have to be willing to carry their own crosses, which might mean giving up family, possessions, and even their own lives. They could die following Him. And many of them do.

So, He says, before you take this journey with me, calculate the cost. Consider the path. He gives an example of building a tower and asks if they would begin building without first making a plan. He lets them know that if they don’t plan, they will not be able to finish.Jesus means this specifically when it comes to following Him, but I also believe this concept can be applied across our lives.

Let’s get clear on our purpose and calculate the cost. Before we build the building, let’s make the blueprint. Before we jump in the car, let’s get a map.

THE UNEXPECTED

Having a map doesn’t negate unexpected detours and potholes along the trip. Stuff happens. When my husband and I moved to LA a few years ago, the tire on our moving truck blew out a mile from New Mexico. It was 106 degrees. We had to wait for roadside assistance. We were delayed for hours. We had to readjust our schedule. But as soon as we were able to get the tire fixed, we got back on the road. We still had a destination to reach.

Such it is with life. We never expected cancer. But when we hit that pothole, hmmm… volcanic crater, we readjusted, and as soon as we could, tried to figure out how to still reach our final destination.

WHY WE’RE HERE

That was 2002. And my husband and I made a decision coming out of that life detour and the year of marriage counseling it took to put us back together again.

We decided: We might be limping. We might be crawling. God might actually have to carry us across the finish line, but we will finish this race, Fam. We will do exactly what we are purposed to do.

Every person has a purpose and should live on purpose. I’ve been called a dream pusher. I love helping folks find their purpose and follow their dreams without losing their faith.

If you don’t already know why you’re here, let’s figure it out. We’ll take some time and explore over the coming days. Maybe you already know, but you’ve hit a detour. Let’s figure out next steps. I absolute LOVE this! Can’t you tell?!

Your Exuberant Tour Guide with the leopard-print belt and safari hat.
Who says we can’t be stylish on the journey?
Naima

NEXT POST IN SERIES: Build Backwards

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Lent? What you talkin’ bout Willis?

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LENT? WHAT YOU TALKIN’ BOUT, WILLIS?
DR. NAIMA LETT

Why would anybody STILL celebrate Lent today?
Especially a progressive, non-denominational church in 2017!

Why?
Because we, like our global family of faith, look forward to THE Celebration of all Celebrations culminating at the end of Lent: Easter/Resurrection Sunday! Easter is arguably the most important holiday on our calendar, give or take Christmas. Our entire faith is based on that resurrection that resulted in that Empty Tomb!

So, Why Not?
That’s the question! Why not journey with the global family for the next 40 days? Break outside your box. Live dangerously. Walk on the wild side of faith.

This one thing I know: there’s no greater adventure than attempting to sacrifice an “essential” to grow closer to the One Who is Essential. 40 days of giving up anything ain’t easy. Thank God we don’t have to rely on our own strength and fortitude. We can ask for His help. And the rewarding transformation that occurs… so worth it!

What is Lent?
Lent is the 40-day season (46 days minus Sundays) of fasting, prayer and reflection, starting with Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter. It symbolizes the 40 days in the wilderness, testing and temptation that Jesus endured before launching into his public ministry (Matthew 4:1-11).

What do we do?
Some of our Catholic fam don ash crosses on the forehead to symbolize Ash Wednesday and the tradition of repentance in ashes and sackcloth. While symbols are wonderful, they are not required. Non-Catholics usually focus on “What’s on the inside? What’s in our hearts?”

Here are some simple steps to take:
1) DECIDE
Decide if you want to go on the 40 day journey.
Pray and ask, ‘Do I want to make this commitment?”

2) CHOOSE
Then choose one thing that you’d like to sacrifice over the next 40 days.
This can be a favorite food. Some give up meat & dairy. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan (like I am), giving up meat for Lent isn’t a sacrifice :=) Maybe it’s a favorite TV show or hobby. Whatever it is, it would be best if it’s something that affects your life daily. Why? Because when you yearn for it daily, you’re reminded why you are fasting and reminded to pray.

3) FOCUS
Focus on the goal.
In the scriptures, people fasted and prayed for many different reasons i.e. entreating the Lord’s help and intervention, seeking the Lord’s face and presence, repentance and contrition, etc. It’s a spiritual discipline that’s been practiced by people of faith for thousands of years, prior to Jesus. Lent, especially, is a season of reflection and repentance and growing closer to the Lord. Your goal could simply be that: To grow closer to the Lord. Pray and define it. If there is no real reason for you to do this, you won’t. That’s just how we’re built. Define. Get specific.

4) SUPPORT
Get support.
Invite family or a friend to go on the journey with you. At least, tell someone else you’re fasting and praying. You will likely make the entire 40 days if you’re holding each other accountable.

If you have ANY QUESTIONS, please let me know!!!

What you talkin’ bout?!

Talking bout transformation.
Talking about realness.
Talking about deeper fellowship.
You ready?
Let’s do this!

Dr. Naima Lett
The Hollywood Christian®
Hope in the Hills
Author of coming release Confessions of a Hollywood Christian®

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