I’d like to talk a bit about Christian popular music and where it is today. Please contain yourself and stop what you’re doing before you get out any pictues of Stryper and email them to me. Also, I don’t want to see a picture of “nana” wearing her Zubas and Stryper shirt while she does Wii bowling in the rec room at the home. Christian music has changed quite a bit in the last thirty years.

Link to Stryper video.

Yawn? Or, perhaps, “duh” would be more appropriate. What hasn’t changed in the last 30 years? Christian music has moved right along since Stryper and Amy Grant

Link to Amy’s video.

And where has it moved? Some of it moved to a more conservative point of view. Amy and Stryper were opposites in style, but both upset some traditionalists who thought that they were emphasizing entertainment over God. Perhaps. But since the time of King David worship music has been a part of the deal. It isn’t wrong (in my less-than-humble-opinion) to entertain at the same time. That brings the undecided to the altar. The more conservative bent in the music focuses on turning scripture, particularly Psalms, into the lyrics. The music is… well… on the way to the elevator in some cases. And if that music does it for you, that’s great. It’s not what I choose to listen to in my spare time.

Some artists (like Amy Grant) are evolving with the musical tastes of the modern era and they have a body of work that covers decades. They are the ones with great voices, terrific skills in song writing, and a love of God that shows through in their work. They form the underlayment of Christian music stations around the country. And a part of their body of work has crossed over into the secular market as well. That’s wonderful – more exposure and more believers in the end.

That crossover appeal includes a good share of the Modern Gospel Sound. This genre so alive and vibrant that it crosses over into the black secular community easily. This is great music. Here are two samples to show what I mean about vibrant music with a special ethnic flavor.

Marvin’s link

And here’s my church… bet you can guess how cool this is every week!

Link to Shiloh video

But the biggest part of that market is comprised of the artists that tour and get the big-time airplay on Christian Radio. Groups like Mercy Me, Third Day, Lecrae, Casting Crowns, 10th Avenue North, and the list goes on. All of them are amazing musicians and lyricists. They often take the text and lyrics right from the Bible. It’s fascinating to me to be listening to a new song and recognize it as something I read that week while studying the Bible. (Which, by the way, I really should do more of instead of blogging away.)

You wouldn’t know that it was “Christian music” by the music itself. Seriously talented musicians are on the loose here, not just some guy with a guitar singing Michael Row the Boat Ashore on Saturday evening at the folk mass.

Link to Michael Row the Boat Ashore
We’re talking about complete bands, excellent videos, and

stage shows that rank right up there with the major secular artists.

Here’s one from Jamie Grace that gives you a bit of an idea about my point.

Link to Hold Me

And if you’re not a pop music fan, how about some serious rap? That would be Lecrae

Link to Lord Have Mercy

Got the idea? That’s right – Christian music runs the whole gamut of tastes and style. It’s all about testimony through music. Worship music. And it appeals to a huge number of people who might never get into a church on a regular basis but who will incorporate those messages into their hearts and come closer to God as a result.

Blah, Blah, Blah. Sure. Prove it. Oh, I will. This next picture was taken at a Toby Mac and Jamie Grace concert a few weeks ago. And this little girl knew all the words (as did her mother) and danced and worshiped the whole time. That message penetrated her world and while there’s probably a place for Spongebob, there’s a bigger place for Jesus.

That begs the question, “What are your kids listening to while you’re reading this?” And, I’d ask you to think about what you’re listening to when they’re around. It’s a nice change of pace to listen to Christian music when you get the chance. In most countries that’s not even possible. Mull that one over for a few minutes. And then please consider changing your life today with more of the music that’s been around since David’s time. Worship God on your radio. Enjoy that river of life that should be flowing through and in you.

Here’s a link to my favorite Christian station.

Go take a listen. They’re on the web and you can stream them if you’re not near another Christian station. Have a blessed day. (Warning: Don’t blame me if the lyrics or melodies get stuck in your head. It’s His doing.)