Michael Tait and Christian Hypocrisy
To Be Honest the Church is as sick as the accusations against Michael Tait
Happy Father’s Day!
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’re not sure what you’ve stumbled upon, don’t worry. My husband has learned I’ll start talking about tacos and end up trying to solve world peace. I’m a lot, but I like to think I’m a lot of fun.
This Substack space rebranded this year because I want to write things I desire to read. My writing life typically features fiction in the form of clean and wholesome small-town romances, but I love sharing. I’m a truth-teller. I try my best to speak the truth in love. I don’t want conflict or to stir hate.
But I’m not going to lie.
The longer I spend time on this crazy planet, the more I realize this world is a mess, and authenticity is rare.
So let’s talk Michael Tait.
Michael Tait was the lead singer of the Christian band Newsboys. If that genre is new to you, Newsboys might be similar to REM or U2 in the pop/rock world to Christians. They have a string of hits, legions of fans, and amazing tours.
When Michael Tait suddenly left the band in January, my antennae was up. Not only was it a fast exit without a lot of explanation, I have been reading Madyson Marquette on Telegram. She is a trafficking survivor who is very open about her past, the torture she incurred, and she names NAMES. What makes her case interesting is that she has not been sued. Not once. And through the years name after name that is exposed like Robert Morris, Bishop TD Jakes, and Tait? All on Marquette’s list of famous Christian people doing illegal, corrupt, horrendous things.
While we continue to put them on celebrity pedestals.
This month it was revealed Tait has been under investigation and the Roys Report published that three men in the music industry have come forward that allegedly Tait groomed and assaulted them. Tait made a statement and said that the allegations are “largely true.” He confessed he had been leading a double life that consisted of substance abuse.
Fans are devastated.
Critics? They are pointing at Tait and once again shouting, “See, Christians are hypocrites.”
You know what?
I agree.
In the reading I have done on this topic I saw that Tait’s double life was “the most open secret in Nashville.” People KNEW. And they said nothing. Did nothing.
Wait, let me get that right. They said nothing, but oh they did a lot.
They pushed him on that stage and kept the “machine” running.
This is where the Church is sick and in need of a Supernatural healing only God can give. Because good people have stood up and waved red flags to no avail. Modern day Nathans to the King David’s have been obedient to point out church-related/ministry sin and the reaction was different than King David in the Bible.
King David repented.
We as a Body, God’s family, His Church, have not.
We keep rebelling.
Because the show must go on, literally for the name of Jesus.
Except I assure you Jesus wants no part of the crimes He’s exposing.
We make these pastors, singers, and influencers celebrities, prop them up on a pedestal and push them on. There isn’t accountability, at least not with healthy fruit that I can see. If there was, would we be seeing news like this?
Here’s the deal.
This list is only beginning.
I think we are going to see a lot more revelations about bad behavior from our favorite Christians. Chances are they started out with Godly intentions. And the world influenced them, and other Christians like me kept trotting them on stage without checking in or caring if they were in trouble.
The idol of appearance is a beast and from my vantage point it’s eating away at the foundation of Christ like termites at a log cabin. There’s no time to stop. There’s no reason to call out bad behavior if the money rolls in, the numbers are up, and all looks great.
I bet Newsboys in December looked great despite the darkness going on in Tait’s life that he knew was about to blow wide open. Appearances. The truth was grave.
It angers me. I’d rather lose ground and make things right than keep the Christian celebrity machine going. Being authentic, keeping everyone accountable, restoring people in sin—-isn’t that gaining ground? Isn’t that moving the Kingdom forward?
As furious as I am, there’s hope.
I’m encouraged Tait didn’t gaslight his accusers or skirt around it. He has a LONG way to go to restore trust and face consequences that need action.
For critics? There’s hope for you, too.
You’re right, the church IS full of hypocrites. It burns me as well. However, it’s not enough to reject God. People will let you down. I’ll disappoint you. You will mess up. So will anyone you know. We’re human.
You don’t go to church for the people. If so, you will be so let down.
Why do I go?
Like the candlelight Christmas Eve service, I want to pass my light on, but in turn, I need a spark as well. I love to mentor, but I need to be fed. I can’t isolate myself. I need community.
My prayerful sense is that big changes are coming. Celebrity culture in the church is going to take a huge hit, and rightly so. Humility will replace pride. Accountability will trump appearance.
Hypocrites? Now is a great time to confess any darkness, sin, issues, whatever is holding you back from being all God created you to be. And if by chance you were made for a stage, stay true to Him.
The world is watching.
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Each week I share new releases from other authors, but this week I don’t have any! However, I released my OG newsletter. That community is growing, and I love to connect with readers. I have a giveaway in this one, so check it out!