Like many people, I was disappointed to hear the allegations against Contemporary Christian Music artist Michael Tait, formerly of dc Talk and the Newsboys.
Tait parted ways with the Newsboys in January 2025 without going into much detail as to why, but many have called it the worst kept secret in Nashville.
According to an investigation by the Roys Report, Tait is accused not only of using alcohol and drugs, but also of grooming and sexually assaulting young men.
After the allegations were made public, the fallout began. The Newsboys released their statements acknowledging the rumors but denying firsthand knowledge. Then, K-LOVE, America’s largest Christian radio network, made the decision to remove dc Talk and the Newsboys from their song rotations, at least temporarily.
On June 10, Michael Tait issued a public confession and apology. He confessed: “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.”
Since his public confession, six more men have come forward with similar allegations, some claiming to be minors when the sexual abuse occurred.
Michael Tait’s influence
I have been a Michael Tait fan since at least 1990. The music of dc Talk and the Newsboys provided the soundtrack for much of my time in youth ministry and beyond. Their music was entertaining and engaging.
However, I would not consider the lyrics of their original songs to be divinely inspired. True, lyrically, the songs are positive, often Christ-centered, and good, sometimes even very good.
But these bands were not worship leaders called and employed by any church or religious body. They were not ordained ministers given the responsibility and accountability of shepherding any flock.
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They were entertainers. They were part and parcel of the Contemporary Christian Music industry that made money—a lot of money. These entertainers also made money and saw their fame and influence increase over the decades.
I concede, their music was and is meaningful to me, and my testimony is God used their music in my life in a devotional sense. So, I don’t want to minimize their importance, but I don’t want to overstate their importance either.
What should I think about all this?
As a long-time fan who contributed to the growth and widespread success of the Contemporary Christian Music industry and of artists like Michael Tait, what am I supposed to think about all this?
I know how I feel. That is not my question. I want to know how I am supposed to think and reflect on many issues involved in this situation. The fallout will and should be felt by many. It should be serious. It should cause us to ask tough questions.
I would like to ask some of those questions. Before I do, I want to say I am not here to judge or condemn Michael Tait. I hope his confession is sincere and he gets the help he needs.
I also want to support those who come forward with allegations. People should be allowed to tell their own stories. I want them to feel heard. I want to respond with compassion.
Finally, I do not know what justice should or could look like for Michael Tait and everyone else involved. I do not know what repentance and accountability should look like, nor do I know whether restoration is possible or wise in this case.
Tough questions
At this point, I don’t have good answers, but I want to ask good questions. Here are some I think are worth asking.
1. I feel hurt and profound disappointment, as if what Michael Tait did involved me personally. Why is that? What did he mean or represent to me?
2. For what do I need to forgive Michael Tait?
3. Is it possible I have put Michael Tait and other CCM artists on a pedestal and held them to an unwarranted standard? If so, how did that happen? Did the CCM industry and parachurch organizations that made use of CCM artists encourage this kind of idol worship?
4. Should Michael Tait, dc Talk and the Newsboys be cancelled? Who should do that cancelling? Should I stop listening to their music? Why would I do that? If I applied those standards to all CCM or worship music, how many more singers, songwriters and worship leaders would I need to cancel on moral, ethical or scriptural grounds?
5. If a Christian songwriter/singer/artist has a moral failure of some kind or has less than ideal character, but the art he or she has produced is profoundly beautiful and useful in the work of the church or parachurch organizations, would it still be acceptable to make use of the art? Do the ends justify the means?
I haven’t seen anything where Michael Tait has come out of the closet as gay. But, if he does, and if he says he always has been gay, is it possible Michael was victimized by a CCM industry that likely knew he was gay but used him anyway to make money—for a very long time?
Reconsidering my role
As I said, I am still reflecting and praying over these things and don’t have good answers right now. I do think the time has come for me to reconsider my relationship as a Christian consumer to those who sell me Christian entertainment, including worship music. Like it or not, I may be part of the problem. Now, I should allow myself to face the music.
Scott Jones is senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Rockport and a member of the Baptist Standard board of directors. The views expressed in this opinion article are those of the author.
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