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Contemporary Christian music

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Contemporary Christian music(CCM), also known asChristian pop,and occasionallyinspirational music,is a genre of modernpopular music,and an aspect ofChristian media,which is lyrically focused on matters related to theChristian faithand stylistically rooted inChristian music.Originating in the United States, it was formed by those affected by the 1960sJesus movementrevival who began to express themselves in other styles of popular music, beyond thechurch musicofhymns,gospelandSouthern gospelmusic that was prevalent in the church at the time. Initially referred to asJesus music,today, the term is typically used to refer topop,but also includesrock,alternative rock,hip hop,metal,contemporary worship,punk,hardcore punk,Latin,electronic dance music,R&B-influenced gospel,andcountrystyles.

Contemporary Christian music
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsLate 1960s, United States
Subgenres
Other topics
Christian media

After originating in the US, it has since become a globally recognized style of popular music.[1][2][3]It has representation on several music charts, includingBillboard'sChristian Albums,Christian Songs,Hot Christian AC(Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR, Soft AC/Inspirational, and Christian Digital Songs as well as the UK'sOfficial Christian & Gospel Albums Chart.Top-selling CCM artists will also appear on theBillboard200.In theiTunes Store,the genre is represented as part of the Christian and gospel genre[notes 1]while theGoogle Play Musicsystem labels it as Christian/Gospel.[4]

History

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TheStellar Kartgroup, at a press conference, after the GMA Dove Award inNashville, Tennessee,USA (2007).

Beginnings (1950s–1960s)

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The growing popularity ofrock and rollmusic in the 1950s was initially dismissed by the church because it was believed to encourage sinfulness. Yet as evangelical churches adapted to appeal to more people, the musical styles used in worship changed as well by adopting the sounds of this popular style.[5]

The genre became known as contemporary Christian music as a result of theJesus movementrevival in the latter 1960s and early 1970s,[6][7]and was originally calledJesus music.[8]"About that time, many young people from the sixties' counterculture professed to believe in Jesus. Convinced of the" bareness "of a lifestyle based on drugs, free sex and" radical politics ", some of the Jesus 'hippies' became known as 'Jesus people' ".[9]It was during the 1970s Jesus movement that Christian music started to become an industry within itself.[10]"Jesus music" started by playing instruments and singing songs about love and peace, which then translated into love of God. Paul Wohlegemuth, who wrote the bookRethinking Church Music,said "[the] 1970s will see a marked acceptance of rock-influenced music in all levels of church music. The rock style will become more familiar to all people, its rhythmic excesses will become refined, and its earlier secular associations will be less remembered."[11]

Evangelical artists made significant contributions to CCM in the 1960s, developing various Christianmusic styles,fromChristian rocktoChristian hip-hoppassing through theChristian punkor theChristian metal.[12][13]Those involved were affected by the late 1960s to early 1970sJesus movement,whose adherents colloquially called themselves the "Jesus Freaks", as an Evangelical Christian response to thecounterculturemovements such ashippiesandflower childrenwho were finding widespread traction. TheCalvary Chapelwas one such response, which launchedMaranatha Musicin 1971. They soon began to express themselves in alternative styles ofpopular musicand worship music. TheDove Awards,an annual ceremony which rewards Christian music, was created inMemphis, Tennesseein October 1969 by theGospel Music Association.[14]

There was some internal critique of CCM at its advent.[15]The Christian collegeBob Jones Universitydiscourages its dormitory students from listening to CCM.[16][17]

Larry Normanis often remembered as the "father of Christian rock", because of his early contributions (before theJesus movement) to the developing new genre that mixed rock rhythms with the Christian messages.[18]Though his style was not initially well received by many in the Christian community of the time, he continued throughout his career to create controversial hard-rock songs such as "Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?".[18]He is remembered as the artist "who first combined rock 'n' roll with Christian lyrics" in theGospel Music Hall of Fame.[18]Though there were Christian albums in the 1960s that contained contemporary-sounding songs, there were two albums recorded in 1969 that are considered[by whom?]to be the first complete albums of "Jesus rock":Upon This Rock(1969) by Larry Norman initially released onCapitol Records,[19]andMylon – We BelievebyMylon LeFevre,released by Cotillion, which was LeFevre's attempt at blendinggospel musicwithsouthern rock.[20][21]Unlike traditional or southern gospel music, this new Jesus music was birthed out ofrockandfolk music.[22]

Pioneers of this movement also includedAndraé Crouch and the Disciples,the Imperials,Michael Omartian,2nd Chapter of Acts,Phil Keaggy,Love Song,Barry McGuire,Evie,Paul Clark,Randy Matthews,Randy StonehillandKeith Greenamong others. The small Jesus music culture had expanded into a multimillion-dollarindustryby the 1980s.[10][23][24]Many CCM artists such asBenny Hester,[25][26]Amy Grant,[27]DC Talk,[28]Michael W. Smith,[29]Stryper,[30]andJars of Clay[31]foundcrossoversuccess withTop 40mainstream radio play.

Popularity (1970s–1990s)

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The genre emerged and became prevalent in the 1970s and 1980s.[32]Beginning in July 1978,CCM Magazinebegan covering "contemporary Christian music" artists and a wide range of spiritual themes until it launched online publications in 2009.[33][34]

It has certain themes and messages behind the songs and their lyrics, including praise and worship, faith, encouragement, and prayer.[35]These songs also focus on themes of devotion, inspiration, redemption, reconciliation, and renewal.[6]Many people listen to contemporary Christian music for comfort through tough times. The lyrics and messages conveyed in CCM songs have had varied, positive Christian messages over the decades. For instance, some of the songs have been aimed to evangelize and some of the lyrics are meant to praise and worship Jesus.[32]One of the earliest goals of CCM was to spread the news of Jesus to non-Christians.[6]In addition, contemporary Christian music also strengthens the faith of Christians.[6]

Various evangelicalrecord labelshave supported the movement. InChristian rock,there isSparrow Recordsfounded in 1976 in theUnited Statesby Billy Ray Hearn, aChristian musicgraduate from theBaylor University.[36]The songs ofHillsong Music,founded in 1991 byHillsong Church,inSydney,Australia,have been translated into various languages and have had an influence considerable in evangelical churches worldwide.[37]

InChristian hip-hop,TobyMac,Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood founded the first specialized labelGotee Recordsin 1994.[38][39]The founding of the labelReach Recordsin 2004 byLecraeand Ben Washer also had a significant impact in the development of Christian hip-hop.

Contemporary Christian musicians and listeners have sought to extend their music into settings where religious music traditionally might not be heard. For instance,MercyMe's song "I Can Only Imagine"was a crossover success in 1999 despite having a clear Christian message.[40]In 2018,Lauren Daigle's 'You Say' was a similar hit.[41]

According to a 2009 study published by Faith Communities Today, 64% of churches that adopted contemporary Christian music in the past five years saw an increase in service attendance of 2% or more.[42]

Modernity

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Contemporary Christian music has influences from folk, gospel, pop and rock music.[32]Genres of music such as soft rock, folk rock, alternative, hip-hop, etc. have played a large influence on CCM.[43]

Charismatic churches have had a large influence on contemporary Christian music and are one of the largest producers of CCM. Contemporary Christian music has also expanded into manysubgenres.[32]Christian punk,Christian hardcore,Christian metal,andChristian hip hop,although not normally considered CCM, can also come under the genre's umbrella.[15]Contemporary worship musicis also incorporated in modern CCM.Contemporary worshipis both recorded and performed duringchurch services.[citation needed]

In the 2000s,contemporary worship musicwith a distinctlytheologicalfocus has emerged, primarily in theBaptist,Reformedand more traditional non-denominational branches of Protestant Christianity.[44][45]Artists include well-known groups such asShane & Shaneand modern hymn-writers,Keith & Kristyn Getty[46]as well as others likeSovereign Grace Music,[47]Matt Boswell andAaron Keyes.The format is gaining traction in many churches[48]and other areas in culture[49]as well as being heard in CCM collections & musicalalgorithmson several Internet streaming services.[citation needed]

According to a 2023 study by Worship Leader Research, of the top 25 most popular song licenses used by churches between 2010 and 2020, nearly 100% came from 3megachurchmusic groups;Hillsong Worship(Hillsong Church),Bethel Music(Bethel Church), andElevation Worship(Elevation Church).[50]

Controversy

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Brian Schwertley of theReformed Presbyteriantradition wrote in 2001 that the inclusion of CCM in a worship service violates thesecond commandmentand theregulative principle of worshipbecause it adds man-made inventions, lyrics, and instrumental music to the biblically appointed way of worshipping God.[51]

"The responsibility of the church is not to provide escape from reality", according to Donald Ellsworth, the author ofChristian Music in Contemporary Witness,"but to give answers to contemporary problems through legitimate, biblical means".[52]

According toVicemagazine, CCM "has often functioned as apropagandawing of theChristian right",presenting views on topics such as thewar on drugs,Christian nationalism,mission trips,school prayer,and theLGBT community.[53]

Label rejection

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Several high-profile bands have rejected the label "Christian music", such asNeedtobreatheandMutemath,with the latter suing their record label over being marketed as such.[54]Of the categorization, Needtobreathe said to Rolling Stone: "Any label is limiting. That one in particular is especially limiting. To me, I think people pass over the band all the time because they read that....I hate the idea that they somehow feel like I didn't make the music for them, that we didn't play music for everyone. Christian record deals came and we said no to all of them. Waited a couple years until the right record deal came, which was Atlantic, which we've been on ever since. But we just said to them in passing when we first started, we want the records to be available to everyone."[55]

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Growth

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Contemporary Christian album sales had increased from 31 million in 1996 to 44 million sales in 2000. SinceEMI's purchase ofSparrow Recordsin 1996, sales had increased 100 percent.[56]Overall, CCM sales in 2014 had dropped to 17 million in sales.[57]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^In the US iTunes store, the section is entitledChristian & Gospel.In the UK iTunes store, it'sGospel.Canada's and Australia's iTunes section is entitledInspirational.

References

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  1. ^Tomlin, Edward (April 10, 2024)."10 Best Hillsong Worship Songs of All Time".Singersroom - R&B Music, R&B Videos, R&B News.RetrievedJune 3,2024.
  2. ^"“Third Day” ３ nguyệt にライブツアー, スタジオアルバム đồng thời リリース ".クリスチャントゥデイ(in Japanese). May 20, 2002.RetrievedJune 3,2024.
  3. ^Llamas, Cora (January 1, 1970)."Pandemic Streaming Inspires New Filipino Christian Music Label".News & Reporting.RetrievedJune 3,2024.
  4. ^"Google Play Music".play.google.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  5. ^McDowell, Amy D."Contemporary Christian Music"– via Oxford Music and Art Online.{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal=(help)
  6. ^abcdBanjo, Omotayo O.; Williams, Kesha Morant (2011). "A House Divided? Christian Music in Black and White".Journal of Media & Religion.10(3): 115–137.doi:10.1080/15348423.2011.599640.S2CID144756181.
  7. ^"Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry?".February 17, 2016.RetrievedAugust 21,2017.
  8. ^Forbes, Bruce David; Mahan, Jeffrey H. (2017).Religion and Popular Culture in America, Third Edition.Univ of California Press. pp. 9–.ISBN978-0-520-29146-1.
  9. ^Frame, John M.Contemporary Worship Music.Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997.
  10. ^abPowell, Mark Allan (2002).Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p.10.ISBN1-56563-679-1.By the '80s, the special-interest network that Jesus music had spawned had developed into a multimillion-dollar industry. Contemporary Christian music had its own magazines, radio stations and award shows. The Jesus movement revival was over.
  11. ^Baker, Paul. Page 140.Contemporary Christian Music: Where it came from What it is Where It's Going.Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1985. Print.
  12. ^David Horn, John Shepherd,Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World Volume 8: Genres: North America,Continuum International Publishing Group, USA, 2012, pp. 144, 147.
  13. ^Don Cusic,Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship,ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 77.
  14. ^W. K. McNeil,Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music,Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. 108.
  15. ^abPowell, Mark Allan (2002).Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music(First printing ed.).Peabody,Massachusetts:Hendrickson Publishers.ISBN1-56563-679-1.
  16. ^"BJU ~ Residence Hall Life".Bob Jones University.Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2012.RetrievedMarch 21,2009.
  17. ^Clarke, Gerald (March 11, 1985)."New Lyrics for the Devil's Music".Time.Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2011.
  18. ^abcHevesi, Dennis. "Larry Norman, 60, Singer of Christian Rock Music".The New York TimesMarch 4, 2008: 1. Print. February 3, 2016.
  19. ^John J. Thompson,Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll(2000):49.
  20. ^Oord, Bill."Mylon LeFevre Biography".RetrievedJune 26,2010.
  21. ^Powell, Mark Allan (2002).Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p.520.ISBN1-56563-679-1.Musically, the 1970 albumMylon(a.k.a.We Believe) is deservedly a Christian classic, a raw example of down-home southern rock. A dominant organ, spicy guitars, and generous use of female background vocals give the project a funky-and-gritty combination of R&B soul and roots rock.
  22. ^Di Sabatino, David (1999).The Jesus People Movement: an annotated bibliography and general resource.Lake Forest, CA. p. 136.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  23. ^"It's a long way from 'Jesus music' to CCM industry".Canadianchristianity. Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
  24. ^"News Digest".Pe.ag.org. March 16, 2003. Archived fromthe originalon January 13, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
  25. ^"CCM Legends – Benny Hester".CBN.
  26. ^Billboard Top 50 Adult Contemporary Chart – Nov 7, 1981 – 'Nobody Knows Me Like You' Debuts No. 44 Mainstream.Billboard. November 7, 1981.
  27. ^"Amy Grant – Chart history".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2013.
  28. ^"dc Talk – Chart history".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2013.
  29. ^"Michael W. Smith – Chart history".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2013.
  30. ^"Stryper – Chart history".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2013.
  31. ^"Jars of Clay – Chart history".Billboard.RetrievedMay 8,2013.
  32. ^abcdNantais, David (2007). "What Would Jesus Listen To?".America.196(18): 22–24.
  33. ^"CCM Magazine".TodaysChristianMusic. Archived fromthe originalon January 22, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
  34. ^"CCM Magazine Subscription Options".CCM Magazine.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
  35. ^Adedeji, Femi (2006). "Essentials of Christian Music in Contemporary Times: A Prognosis".Asia Journal of Theology.20(2): 230–240.
  36. ^Don Cusic,Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship,ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 359.
  37. ^Kelsey McKinney,How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry in God's name,thefader, USA, October 11, 2018.
  38. ^Justin Sarachik,TobyMac's Influence on Christian Hip-Hop and How Gotee Records Signed John Reuben Over KJ-52,rapzilla, USA, February 9, 2016.
  39. ^Randall Herbert Balmer,Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition,Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, pp. 296-297.
  40. ^Adams, Ramsay (July 6, 2003)."Christian Rock Crosses Over".Fox News Channel.RetrievedOctober 6,2010.
  41. ^Jeannie Ortega Law,Lauren Daigle continues mainstream success as Christian song 'You Say' breaks into Billboard Top 40,christianpost, USA, January 15, 2019
  42. ^Tracy Gordon,Is contemporary music key to church growth?,religionnews, USA, September 16, 2009
  43. ^Mumford, Lawrence R. "A variety of religious composition: the music we sing, in and out of church, is more varied and interesting than we've been led to believe."Christianity Today,June 2011: 42+. Fine Arts and Music Collection. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
  44. ^"Keith Getty Is Still Fighting the Worship Wars".Christianity Today.March 26, 2018.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  45. ^"BRnow.org – Getty worship conference strikes a chord | Baptist News".brnow.org.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  46. ^"Modern Hymn Writers Aim To Take Back Sunday".NPR.org.NPR.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  47. ^McEachen, Ben (June 25, 2018)."What do you mean by worship?".Eternity News.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  48. ^Smith, Rew (November 15, 2018)."Doxology & Theology conference: Churches need to sing the Word of God".Kentucky Today.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  49. ^"Hymn Writer Keith Getty Becomes First Christian Artist To Be Appointed Officer Of The Order Of The British Empire (OBE) By The Queen".BREATHEcast.July 27, 2018.RetrievedMarch 26,2019.
  50. ^WLR Team,(Almost) 100% of the Top 25 Worship Songs are associated with just a handful of Megachurches,worshipleaderresearch, USA, March 30, 2023
  51. ^Schwertley, Brian."Musical Instruments in the Public Worship of God".Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2013.
  52. ^Ellsworth, Donald (1979).Christian Music in Contemporary Witness: Historical Antecedents and Contemporary Practices.Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
  53. ^Hesse, Josiah (July 14, 2022)."Christian Rock Has Demonized LGBTQ People for Years. Now It Needs Them to Survive".Vice.RetrievedMarch 24,2023.
  54. ^"INTERVIEW- Unmuted: Did mother Earthsuit beget Mute Math? | The Hook - Charlottesville's weekly newspaper, news magazine".May 5, 2014. Archived fromthe originalon May 5, 2014.RetrievedOctober 4,2023.
  55. ^Freeman, Jon (August 23, 2016)."Needtobreathe Talk Christian-Band Stigma, Experimental New LP".Rolling Stone.RetrievedOctober 4,2023.
  56. ^Black, Beau (March 11, 2002)."CCM's growing pains: a survey of labels finds the message—if not the creativity—is intact".Christianity Today.Fine Arts and Music Collection.
  57. ^"Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry?".The Week.June 21, 2017.

Further reading

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