About Songs Of Rage

The name “Songs of Rage”, doesn’t perhaps sit easily alongside other church titles and we like that, because we’re a church for people without a church, with a focus for the people not reached or perhaps not interested by the “normal” church. It was initially used as a play on the name “Songs Of Praise”, but on reflection, the name takes on greater significance.

Rage n : violent uncontrollable anger.

It’s easy to think that Christians should never get angry. In its common form, rage is generally negative and is usually associated with a frustration which can lead to violence; an example might be “Road Rage”. It is true to say that this type of rage is not in the character of God and therefore Christians should avoid any such behaviour.

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” (Proverbs 29:11)

However this is not to say that we should never get angry or indeed rage…

Rage n : a vehement desire or passion.

We all get angry, it is simply an emotion which tells us that we are unsatisfied with something. It is as valid as happiness. The question is, what do we do with our anger or our rage?

In Mark 3:1-6, we read about Jesus healing a man with a crippled hand. The Pharisees wanted to trip Jesus up by getting him to work on the Sabbath. Jesus throws it back at the Pharisees by asking the question, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” The Pharisees had no answer and the Bible tells us that Jesus “looked around at them in anger and being deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts said to the crippled man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ ” The man did so and it was completely restored.

Jesus did get angry. His anger was born out of the injustice, but it is not harboured or stewed over, instead it leads to an act of kindness, restoration and justice.

The rage in Songs of Rage is about identifying with injustice, pain, hurt and suffering on a personal and global scale that goes beyond petty irritants and cries out to God for change. We call on him to equip us to be the people of peace who will help bring justice, relieve suffering and make the world a better place. “Your Kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10)

Alternative music is often criticised for being too angry, it often asks tough questions of society and individuals, but in general, it leaves the listener searching for answers. Songs Of Rage identifies with where the anger is coming from and on many points would agree with song writers. As Christians, SoR believe that there are answers and they can be found in Jesus Christ.

What are you raging about?

Forty or so years ago, a disillusioned fragment of society revolutionised modern popular music. Their abrasive sounds rooted in Rock ‘n’ Roll were perhaps not entirely unfamiliar, yet sounded unlike anything that had been heard before. The wild guitars, snarling, politically charged lyrics, together with an ‘in your face’ attitude and utterly unique DIY image was called “Punk Rock.” Its influence would breathe new life into the burgeoning rock scene and transform music culture for generations to come.

Punk: (Slang) A young person, especially a member of a rebellious counter culture group. Of poor quality; worthless. A type of Rock ‘n’ Roll with loud energetic music and often harsh lyrics criticizing traditional society and culture.

Two thousand or so years ago, a disillusioned fragment of society, revolutionised the way we think about, know and express a faith in God. These revolutionaries of their day led an underground movement of people committed to following the counter cultural teachings of a man named Jesus who called himself the Christ. Their abrasive message, rooted in the Jewish faith was not entirely unfamiliar, yet sounded unlike anything that had been heard before. Their wild acts of love and snarling, sometimes politically charged message, screamed not of a revolution of government or world power, but a personal revolution of the heart. These Christ followers or “Christians” as they became known, would influence and breathe new life into the burgeoning religious scene and transform cultures for generations to come.

Songs of Rage is not a church exclusively for ‘punks’. We have simply tried to understand the roots of the culture we are in and use language that identifies with that.

Fresh Expressions was launched in 2004 as both acknowledgement and response to changing patterns of culture and worship in society. In recognition that traditional Sunday morning worship was no longer the norm for many, and that the nature of communities was changing, Fresh Expressions seeks to provide a church experience to people in different places – and in the kind of networks that more keenly reflect today’s society. Whether school or cafe based, youth or alternative worship focused, or offering worship mid-week instead of weekends, Fresh Expressions helps Christianity blossom in a variety of new ways. (extract from article on fresh expressions)

We know it can sometimes be hard to seek advice, sharing your story is difficult.  For confidential support and someone to listen to your problems, here are a list of helpful links:

Connect Christian Counselling

Offering a professional counselling service, with a Christian ethos, that is open to all.

www.connectcounselling.org.uk

Telephone: 01276 24210

Samaritans

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.

www.samaritans.org

Helpline: 08457 909090

Step By Step

Empowering homeless people and those facing adversity. We work with young people aged 16 to 25, (in some cases older than this), through a structured combination of services including accomodation, training, development and counselling

www.stepbystep.org.uk

www.stepbystep.org.uk/emergencyaccomm.htm

Surrey Drug Care

Surrey Drug Care is a dedicated group of trained volunteers, running a 24-hour telephone help line service for Drug and Alcohol users, their families and friends

www.surreydrugcare.org.uk

Confidential helpline: 01483 300112

Songs of Rage is supported by a number of members from churches across Aldershot, Camberley and The Windle Valley. We closely supported by Holy Trinity, Aldershot.

Holy Trinity, Aldershot website: http://www.htca.org.uk/

Windle Valley Youth Project website: http://www.wvyp.org.uk/

St Michael's Church, Camberley website: http://www.stmichaelscamberley.com