My First Silent Disco

When I rededicated my life to the Lord in 1991, I had been a nightclub disc jockey for over five years. By that time, I lost interest in my work. The constant exposure to alcoholics and the repetitive requests for the same old songs had taken a toll on me. For a while, I continued dancing in clubs. I still enjoyed vibrant light shows and hearing modern sounds, but I hated being around smokers and listening to profane lyrics. Since then, I’ve deejayed at a few Christian gatherings.

Two nights ago, I went to my first-ever silent disco at a church in Burnsville, Minnesota. It was an event where people danced while listening to music on wireless headphones. I arrived in time to enjoy free Mexican food. A short while later, the music started. The headphones had two channels of music to choose from. One had the DJ’s performance on the main stage. The other channel had a preset playlist fed through a sound system in the back of the church sanctuary. The room was lit up with colorful lights while cool animated graphics were displayed on video screens behind the DJ. The latter reminded me of a Kraftwerk concert.


The silent disco was organized by my friend Ben Krey, who celebrated his 40th birthday. Ben was one of the DJs who performed that night. In between sets, we removed our headphones to hear speakers share their testimonies and offer prayers for the attendees. One benefit about silent discos is that you can chat with others without loud music blaring in the background. While I took off my headphones, it was weird watching people dance without me hearing the music.


Throughout the night, we were exhorted by the DJs to use our God-given creative talents. Two individuals painted prophetically. There was also a “Kids Zone” where children played games, doodled on a wall, and got their faces painted. This was nothing like the Sunday school classes I endured during my childhood. One woman at the silent disco even had a bubble machine! 


I wish churches would have more gatherings like this. While it’s important for Christians to spend quality time in prayer and reading their Bibles, we should also make time for some fun and relaxation. God wants us to enjoy our lives.


“So I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry; for this will remain with him in his labor all the days of his life which God gives him under the sun.” - Ecclesiastes 8:15

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