Liquid Church's "Pop God" Combines Religion and Rock
The nondenominational Christian church has begun incorporating pop music songs into services for the purpose of drawing parallels between biblical teachings and popular song lyrics
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At the 11:30 a.m. service on Sunday, rather than reading hymnals, the congregation of Liquid Church was singing along to a bluesy song about heartbreak, scorn and regret.
This is the new norm for the nondenominational Christian church, which meets Sundays at the Heldrich. The "Pop God" series combines popular music with themes in the bible in search of similar messages.
On Sunday, the featured song, performed live by the church band, was "Rolling in the Deep," by Adele. Following the performance of the song, a sermon by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas was televised at all three Liquid Church campuses, comparing the Old Testament's Book of Hosea to the song.
Accompanied by grandiose audio and visual presentations, Liquid Chuch bills itself as a "contemporary" approach to church services, filled with music, in a relaxed setting, and led by an approchable staff and clergy.
The group currently holds services in three locations - the Heldrich in New Brunswick, the Morristown Hyatt, and John Walker Middle School in Nutley.
According to Pastor Mike Leahy, the New Brunswick location has about 700 parishioners attending services there. The group moved to the Heldrich about two years ago, previously holding services at the New Brunswick Hyatt, parishioner Bill Gibson said.
The group also has a youth program, called "Liquid Kids," while is held at the same time as services, and a youth group called "Infuse."
Gibson said one of the church's ideals is to approach popular culture and apply it to their worship, rather than rejecting it. Thus, the Pop God series.
According to Lucas, the Book of Hosea tells the story of a man ordered by God to take an unfaithful prostitute as his wife, as a literal representation of the relationship God had with his followers at the time.
In the scripture, God is angry at his followers for drifting away from their faith, but he can't stop loving them, Lucas said.
Adele's song of heartbreak fits right into that theme, he said.
"She would be right on Hosea's playlist," he said.
Going forward, the church plans on using the songs "Forget You" by Cee-Lo Green, "Walk Again" by the Foo Fighters and "Grenade" by Bruno Mars.
Liquid Church holds services at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Heldrich.
For more information on the church, visit www.liquidchurch.com.
