After a long career in Christian music, Petra's John Schlitt (left) and Bob Hartman have decided to call it quits.

Very few bands these days last as long as a decade, let alone two or three. But 33 years! Petra has withstood the odds, making music consistently since forming in 1972. Yet no matter who was performing in the group or what contemporary style they were playing at any given time, they remained committed to boldly introducing to listeners of all kinds to Christ. The band ultimately landed in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, sold more than seven million CDs, and won four Grammy Awards and ten Doves. But the band recently announced its plans to call it a day, wrapping up their career with a farewell tour and CD, plus a DVD due in early '06. John Schlitt, lead singer since 1986, and guitarist Bob Hartman, one of the band's founders, recently shared stories from Petra's vast history, the reason for the break-up and tips to rock 'n' roll's new class.

How did the Christian music community respond to you in the early days?

Bob Hartman: For the longest time, we felt like outsiders. When we first started going to GMAs, it was really dominated by Southern gospel. Contemporary Christian music was coming in with Sandi Patty, Larnelle Harris and Evie. Our style was looked at as being a real offshoot that they didn't want to spend too much time with. We felt sort of on the outside until later on when things began to change.

I think it was a real turning point for us when we won the Dove for "Group of the Year." That was the first time a rock group ever won and kind of announced rock's arrival—Christian rock anyway—because at that point there were contemporary styles, but rock was still sort of outside.

How do you account for Petra's longevity in an era of artist disposability?

Hartman: It used to be that Christian artists had longevity, but recently there are so many artists being put forward that they have a much shorter shelf life, and that's a little bit disturbing to me. That hearkens to what secular music does, which is throw darts at a board and see what sticks.

Back in the day when we started, it was really about ministry. There were record companies that actually cared if you had a ministry or not—that you were bringing something to people spiritually that was going to last. I'm not saying nobody in Christian music is like that right now, but even if there are, they're overruled by other things. It's much more about fashion than it used to be.

Your lyrics have always been blatantly spiritual. Why?

John Schlitt: The whole reason Petra became a band was for ministry. If you start watering down ministry, then you've watered down your whole purpose and foundation. I still believe that verse about not being lukewarm in your faith because he'll spit you out of his mouth. Man, I don't want to be spit out of God's mouth! I want to be absolutely on fire and be criticized for it, rather than be lukewarm and have nobody know what you're talking about.

Hartman: I never thought I'd ever be criticized by Christians for being too upfront with the message! Our struggle when we started was the world saying that. They'd say, "We're not going to play them on our radio station because they're too upfront with their message."

Yet you were still embraced by the secular scene, to some degree, during the '80s and early '90s when you were touring major arenas and amphitheatres.

Hartman: I wouldn't call that crossing over. We played big venues because we were drawing big crowds. I think it did a lot for Christian music. People [in the secular music industry] have a respect for numbers, even if the message isn't important to them. I think that's a good testimony for Christian music, especially when the artists go in, are easy to work with, and leave a good mark. I hope we did that.

What have been some of the most meaningful highlights over the years?

Schlitt: I think the tour with Josh McDowell was our peak, which covered the last part of On Fire, all of the first Petra Praise and part of Beyond Belief. That tour lasted forever [1988-90] because people kept hearing and wanting more. It was very anointed and we saw aisles packed full of people coming forward [for salvation]. As a Christian artist, to be able to join forces with Josh McDowell was a very unique, total honor.

What about your most prized awards and achievements?

Schlitt: I think our Beyond Belief year [1990] when we one a Grammy and four out of five Doves. Everybody asks, "Is that really important to you?" Absolutely, especially because the Grammy opened up more doors for us than you could ever believe, like talking on secular stations. We went on CNN as experts for Christian music, and it was really neat to be able to represent the genre like that.

With all you've done and with all your fans, why is Petra calling it a day?

Hartman: The easiest answer is we feel like it's time. The people we had the greatest effect on are now pastors, youth pastors, workers, and missionaries. We feel like the class "graduated."

Schlitt: The generation in control today has their own bands, and for us to try and compete with that music style, I don't think it would be natural. I just don't think it's us. We had our place, and praise God for it. It's been very exciting. Two or three generations have been touched!

Speaking of the current generation, what advice do you have to the new crop of rockers who are picking up where you left off?

Schlitt: We've had a chance to play with a lot of new bands. They've got great attitudes, good Christian walks and that desire to go forward. When I meet bands like that, I say "Guys, you've been chosen to be the leaders of your generation. Now you have two directions you could go—you can either have the guts to go for it and be that leading example of Christ, or you could wimp out and go the easy way and get gobbled up in the meantime. But God's given you a chance to go forward and be a leader in the name of Jesus Christ. Go for it, do it, be excited and don't be afraid."

I want to encourage them because they don't get encouraged through the world. The world's constantly saying "compromise," but my gosh, we should be the leaders and the world should be following us! Why do you want to follow your way right into the pit?

Petra bids their loving fans a fond Farewell at the end of their aptly titled concert recording.

Now that you're on a farewell tour, how are fans reacting to your set list?

Schlitt: So far they've been saying it's been one of our finest set lists where we've covered everything. We're doing lots of hits, some praise and some medleys. There's a rock medley and an acoustic medley, and we like to play off each other a lot. We're wanting to say "thank you" from a bunch of friends, and hopefully we can do that.

So will there be one final concert to say "farewell" for the final time?

Schlitt: There are so many things happening right now, we don't know. Every day our management says, "What do you think about this idea? Somebody called and wants this or that." We'll say, "Cool, but make sure it's the right thing."

What about a potential reunion sometime down the road?

Hartman: We're not planning on it.

But you're arguably the pinnacle Christian rock band that fans would certainly want to see again!

Hartman: Are you trying to talk us out of it?

I'm just trying to play devil's advocate.

Schlitt: There comes a time when you add up everything up. One and one and one are three, and we're done.

What is your reflection of Petra's legacy?

Schlitt: When I first joined Petra, I was a Petra fan and I'd been a Christian for five years. In that five years, I discovered just how much I'd been in bondage and how many of my friends were still in bondage. I know the power of rock and the power of music, period. I can walk on stage and it's very powerful. And to be able to use music in the name of Jesus Christ, it was like, "This is so cool! We can change the world!"

That was me in my spirited youth. I saw it black and white, and there's way too much gray. But I still believe you've got to have the courage and the guts to go for it and be a leader instead of a follower. Be a leader in the name of Jesus and you'd be surprised how much you'll get done!

Learn more about Petra by visiting our artist page for the band, and click here to read our review of their live album, Farewell. You'll find their music at Christianbook.com.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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