“American Idol” Teachable Moment

A little furor in the world of pop culture gives us something to think about in the ministerial community: “American Idol” contestant Pia Toscano was voted off the show this past week, shocking the judges and the audience and generating a lot of media coverage.

Now, this is a talent show where America phones in to vote for their favorites, so there’s not much of a story there. People either vote for their favorite Idol or they don’t. It’s random. I’m sure there are some fascinating sociological studies out there about why we vote the way we vote — stuff about how populations of people influence each other, and via what means of communication (water cooler, e-mail, social media sites, conversations in the school cafeteria), but that’s not what I want to talk about right now.

I want to talk about connecting.

I have been watching “American Idol” this season because they have very talented contestants this season and great judges who have made it big as recording artists and who seem to genuinely care about the singers. I DVR the show and fast forward through all the filler. No more Ryan Seacrest faux dramatic moments!

Pia Toscano is a beautiful young woman with a fantastic set of pipes. Technically she’s wondrous. She’s got an amazing range, vocal dexterity, and volume like crazy.

But she mostly leaves me emotionally untouched. She’s just very young or maybe inexperienced or maybe just a person who doesn’t communicate anything deep to me with that glorious voice. I wasn’t at all surprised to see her go. It confirmed for me that there really is an ineffable quality of authenticity, soulfulness — whatever it is you want to call it — that connects a singer (or a speaker) with her audience or congregation.

For a singer, the quality I feel most connects with an audience in pathos and vulnerability within great power, artistry and beauty. Judy Garland epitomizes this for me, as does Ray Charles.

For a preacher, I think the quality I most connect with is faithfulness, awe and humility within (again) power, artistry and felicity of language. Like, I don’t care how awesomely genius your exegesis is, I need to feel that human being who is in awe of the living God and grappling moment by moment with God’s claim on his or her life. Pyrotechnics with the voice do not achieve that. Polish and poise does not achieve that. It is an ineffable quality that comes from being grounded in deep faith and spiritual practice. As the old saying goes, “I knows it when I sees it.”

Apparently Miss Toscano has already been offered a recording contract, so her ouster from “American Idol” has turned out to be a great career opportunity for her. I wish her well. Who knows, I may wind up buying one of her records someday. But I doubt it. Give me a few “pitchy” notes and strange tones any time over technical perfection that doesn’t emotionally reach me.