The Rt Rev Nick Baines, Bishop of Croydon, has urged churches to use hits by b ands such as U2 and the Beatles in their services. In a book backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, he argues that pop music writers can convey deep theological concepts in a way that is more accessible to the younger generation.
Hundreds of evangelical churches have already turned to guitar-based songs instead of traditional hymns, but the bishop suggests that clergy still need to be more creative in appealing to non-churchgoers.
"For many people the language of the Bible has become inaccessible and yet pop song writers can make a connection with people because their language is fresh," he said. "They are able to open our imagination to a way of thinking about God that we've become deaf to in church language.
"Songs get more into the soul than simply reading an ancient book," he added. "I hope that they would be awoken to God and it would lead them to want to read some of the stories in the Bible."
The bishop said that churches should offer "a menu to people from different backgrounds " and should not be afraid of criticism.
In another passage, the bishop tells how the U2 song, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, helped define his faith.
"The Bible tells a great story, but it is not as accessible as it used to be for a generation that hasn't been brought up with it."
