A Space for Struggle in Youth Group Culture

I put “As The Deer” to the tune of Bush’s “Glycerine” and “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” to “When I Come Around” by Green Day. I don’t recall if any of my peers recognized the inspirations behind these arrangements, but I do remember feeling self-satisfied at my creativity and hoping that others recognized my coolness. I think I also used these “secular” songs because, through them, I could summon up enough emotional commitment to feel like I was actually worshiping God, like I meant something close to what I was singing. The traditional arrangement to “As the Deer” didn’t make me feel anything at all, but “Glycerine” was close to my heart.