Behind the Microphone

“Researchers have found that at least 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse or assault, whether in childhood or as adults,” reports 1in6.

Unfortunately, some of those men and boys have experienced this abuse at the hands of those who claim to be Christ’s followers.

Recently, news has unfolded on the Contemporary Christian music front. A report released in early June revealed that former DC Talk band member and well-known Newsboys lead singer (until his abrupt departure this January), Michael Tait, had engaged in years’ worth of drug and alcohol abuse as well as drugging and sexually assaulting men.

As Tait has been in this industry for more than 30 years, at first, many thought that this might be a mistake.

Yet, on June 10, Tait wrote his confession in an Instagram post. He began by saying:

“Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true. For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it—sin. I don’t blame anyone or anything but myself. While I might dispute certain details in the accusations against me, I do not dispute the substance of them.”

It was true.

For years, someone well-respected in the Christian arena had been captivated by sin’s enticing snare. And it wasn’t a case of one mistake and move on; it was a repeated offense that left behind victims. Two of his alleged victims, reported in The Guardian article, were ages 17 and 19 when they claimed that Tait drugged and molested them.

The Guardian also shared that it had “interviewed 25 people in the Christian music industry, most of whom say they had prior knowledge of allegations that Tait had engaged in abusive behavior.”

Israel Anthem states that he was 13 years old when he witnessed Tait do a sexual act in front of him while in a public restroom. Anthem also shared that Tait’s behavior wasn’t hidden from those in the Christian music industry.

“There are three types of people in Nashville: Those who know the stories about Tait, are survivors and are terrified; Those who validate the stories about Tait, believe them to be true and wait for the day justice happens; And those who will cash a check with Tait despite knowing the truth,” stated Anthem in a Christian Post article.

If true, this is the problem.

Tait, although leaving the band early this year, was using his position to abuse.

Where was the church?

In his confession, Tait continued to say that he had lived a double life and deceived his bandmates and others around him. He also explained that “a small circle of clinical health professionals, loving family, caring friends, and wise counselors—all of whom saw my brokenness and surrounded me with love, grace, and prayer.”

Did his bandmates not see him struggling? Perhaps they didn’t, Tait claims that he had hidden the fallacies from them.

Why didn’t others in the Christian music industry reach out to him? If they knew it was true, why did they not demand sooner that he be removed from the stage?

Did Tait leave to “get help” in January only because he knew this report was on its way out? Was that his last act after 20 years of hiding it so well?

The truth is, I do not have a definitive answer to any of these questions. However, what I do know is that as believers, we are called to help our brothers and sisters when they are struggling, especially when they are dealing with destructive sins.

Matthew 15 offers insight as to how we should respond to sin in the hearts of those who claim to be Christian. Verses 15-18 say,

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Emphasis added.

As the saying goes, “We can pick our sins, but we can’t choose our consequences.”

As believers, we have to be willing to heed the verses found in this passage. We must have the courage and strength to call out sin and help those trapped in it from wounding those who would be (and are) impacted by it.

Many times, those sins don’t just affect the sinner but also bystanders. If the church had called out his actions 20 years ago, how many young men would have been spared?  

In the case of Michael Tait, victims were left in the rubble. But because no one held him accountable, countless other believers who had believed and heard the lyrics coming out of his mouth on stage are also left with feelings of confusion.

Yes, as Tait admitted, it was a sin. I sincerely hope that he is receiving the spiritual, mental, and physical help to help him recover. In the meantime, however, a lengthy written apology doesn’t fix open wounds.

These victims, fans, and others who trusted Tait and his message proclaiming the gospel are left hurting, both spiritually and physically. May the church stand beside them and point them to the healer of all hurt.