Contemporary Christian music as a culture:

I will sing a new song to you, O God: on a psaltery and an instrument Psalm 144:9

According to Websters Dictionary, culture means to cultivate or the characteristic features and
values of a civilization or group of people. Culture is the practice of what we believe. Thats why
we can say than Contemporary Christian Music is a culture because the artists sing about what they
believe, and they use too many influences about secular music rhythms.
From the latter half of the 20th century to the present day in Western Christendomespecially in
the United States and in other countries with evangelical churchesvarious genres of music
originally often related to pop rock, have been created under the label of Contemporary Christian
Music ("CCM") for home-listening and concert use. It can be divided into several genres and
subgenres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle,
sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. These genres
(sometimes referred to as "style") like other forms of music may be distinguished by the techniques,
the styles, the context and the themes, or geographical origin. Specific subgenres of CCM may
include (but are not limited to): Christian country music, Christian pop, Christian rock, Christian
metal, Christian hardcore, Christian punk, Christian alternative rock and Christian hip hop. Called
Christian pop or gospel in a generalized form, this is a relatively new musical movement and has
now evolved into a large number of musical genres by region that comes in a Christian context.
This movement appeared as a form of evangelization for the young but the genre is best known and
seen in the Evangelical or Protestant proselytizing movements, often using rhythms similar to those
in secular music.

CCM is not a musical genre like the other genres. When a song is identified as "Christian" it takes
into account the lyrics and the song-writers and performers, rather than musical style. Therefore,
one can say that CCM is diverse and there are Christian songs that are sung to the rhythm of salsa,
reggae, rock, folk, hip-hop or rap, ballads, pop, singer-songwriters and even extreme music such as
punk or heavy metal.
Christian music industry
Christian music is supported by a segment of the general music industry which evolved as a parallel
structure to the same. Beginning in the 1970s and developing out of the Jesus Movement, the
Christian music industry subsequently developed into a near-billion dollar enterprise. By the 1990s

the genre had eclipsed classical, jazz, and new age music, and artists began gaining limited
acceptance in the general market.
Christian media
Today, Christian music is available through most available media. Christian music is broadcast over
the radio, television, or the Internet. Christian Albums and video recordings (CD, LP, digital
download, DVD, etc.) have been increasingly more popular and have continued to increase in sales.
[2]

Christian Musicals is another growing area, especially with the help of the internet. Church drama
groups frequently enjoy performing musical dramas which can be downloaded on-line for free use.
[3]
Christian music festival
In the US several Christian music festivals have been organized. They are common in the
summertime and draw many different people, specifically those from organized groups such as
church youth groups and campus groups. In addition to music festivals like those that are part of the
Christian Festival Association, there are also many Christian conferences which focus more on
speakers, but usually also have musical performances, especially for a Worship service.
The Ichthus Music Festival started in 1970. Today festivals are held annually around the world, and
may draw upwards of 100,000 people.
New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival, the largest Christian music festival in the Southern
Hemisphere, began in 1989 and is held annually at Mystery Creek Events Centre outside the city of
Hamilton.
England's Big Church Day Out Festival began in 2009 and has annual attendance of approximately
20,000.
Concerts
Like any musical group or act, many Christian musical artists perform concerts in concert halls,
bars & clubs, or outdoor venues, as well as in Church-related venues. Sometimes it may be for pure
entertainment, other times with the intention of witnessing (evangelizing by bearing witness of
one's faith), and other times may be part worship as well.
References
Jump up ^ Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. 9th ed. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill,
2008. Print.
Jump up ^ Steve Turner (2008-02-27). "Obituary: Larry Norman | Music". London: The Guardian.
Retrieved 2011-09-27.

Jump up ^ "Christian Musicals". Gospel Musicals. Retrieved 29 September 2012.

Jump up ^ "Big Church Day Out". Big Church Day Out. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
Further reading[edit]
Boyer, Horace Clarence, How Sweet the Sound: The Golden Age of Gospel Elliott and Clark, 1995,
ISBN 0-252-06877-7.
Broughton, Viv, Too Close To Heaven The Illustrated History Of Gospel Music, Midnight Books,
1996, ISBN 1-900516-00-4
Albert E Brumley & Sons, The Best of Albert E Brumley, Gospel Songs, 1966, ISBN na-paperback
Amazing Grace
Darden, Robert, People Get Ready: A New History of Black Gospel Music Continuum International
Publishing Group, 2005, ISBN 0-8264-1752-3.
Heilbut, Tony, The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times Limelight Editions, 1997, ISBN 087910-034-6.
Zolten, Jerry, Great God A' Mighty!:The Dixie Hummingbirds Celebrating The Rise Of Soul
Gospel Music, Oxford University Press, 2003, ISBN 0-19-515272-7.
Wikisource-logo.svg "Ecclesiastical Music". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton
Company. 1913.
Enciclopedia Cecilia (in Spanish) Includes a Catholic Encyclopedia about music, wiki-style
Palackal, Joseph, Syriac Chant Traditions in South India
External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to: Christian music
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christian music.
Christian music at DMOZ

The Changing Face of Christian Music

Up until the late 1960s, Christian music invoked images of church, hymnals and organs. Traditional
was the word of the day ... but not anymore. The face of Christian music has spent the last 30+
years evolving and growing. Pipe organs have been set aside for electric guitars and drums.
Hymnals have been replaced by hard hitting lyrics that speak of today and a God that is fully in
control of our times.

Christian music has gone farther than the church and can be found on radio, TV, in concert halls and
at huge rallies and festivals. It has expanded to include a vast array of styles. Rock, metal, rap,
country, gospel, urban gospel, easy listening, and pop are all covered so regardless of your taste in
music style, today's Christian can find something of interest to listen to.

Christian music boasts its own video shows, radio stations, awards, publications and web sites. The
change itself hasn't been overnight. It has taken many years. It has required sacrifices from artists
who weren't afraid to go against tradition and wanted to make music that kept up with the changing
times.

The Beginning of Change

The "Jesus Movement" of the 1970's was when things really started changing and Christian music
began to become an industry within itself. Some of the pioneers of the times were:
Larry Norman - A true pioneer in Christian alternative rock since the 1960's, he is called the "father
of Christian rock" by many.
Marsha Stevens - The leader of Children of the Day is called the "mother of contemporary Christian
music" by The Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music.
Nancy Honeytree - Nancy carries the nickname the "First Lady of Jesus Music", as she was one of
the few female artists to emerge from the Jesus Movement.
Chuck Girard - He was one of the first Contemporary Christian artists, getting his start in a church
in California.
The 2nd Chapter of Acts - This popular group released sixteen albums over a sixteen-year period.
These artists, and others like them, took the music that spoke of Jesus and merged it with the times.
Christian music became more "user friendly" and revival was sparked.

By the early 1980's the Jesus Movement was dying out and another group of artists were coming to
the forefront. Rock and metal music, already popular in the secular industry, was finding a home in
the world of Christian music. Some of the earliest rockers were:

Petra - This group put the rock into Christian rock music.
Stryper - Many credit Stryper as being the first genuine Christian metal band and as the first
Christian band to cross the Christian / secular borders.

Bloodgood - A pioneer of heavy Christian metal, this band appealed to some that had never listened
to Christian music.
Undercover - This punk band brought a new sound that differed from the Christian rockers or the
Christian metal bands.
The Genre Stretches Further

The 1990's saw the dawning of an even broader scope for Christian music. Rock, rap, metal, urban
gospel, contemporary country and pop were represented in a big way. The industry, which had
previously been promoted by smaller, independent labels, stepped into the big time as larger, secular
labels bought out many indies. Much like Cinderella's pumpkin turning into a fine carriage, the
small promotional budgets the indie labels had afforded turned into mega mass promotions with the
heavy hitters. Some of the artists that stepped into the international spotlight of the 90's were:
Carman - Billboard Magazine recognized his influence in Christian music by first naming him the
"Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year" in 1990.
dcTalk - Their fourth album, Jesus Freak, achieved the highest first weeks sales of any Christian
release in history.
Kirk Franklin - His debut release was the first gospel album to sell over one million units.
Steven Curtis Chapman - He had eleven of the top 100 songs on the end-of-decade Christian AC
airplay chart.
Third Day - Billboard magazine called them "not only one of the best Christian bands of the '90s
but one of the best rock bands, period."
Amy Grant - This artist truly crossed the boundaries when she crossed over into mainstream music
with Christian songs.
The 21st Century

Y2K came and went with none of the "end of times" predictions being fulfilled and music grew
even more. Sub-genres, sounds that could keep pace with mainstream and plenty of new bands are
pouring out of the 21st century. Some of the favorite artists of our day are:
BarlowGirl - Three sisters with a great rock sound and no fear of sharing their beliefs.
Casting Crowns - This band has been the most played artist on all Christian radio formats combined
and is the fastest CCM artist to have its first two CDs certified Platinum.
Jeremy Camp - Before turning 30, Camp already had three Gold albums and nine #1 back to back
radio hits.

Relient K - They're on radio, video games and TV!

But is Change Good?

Why the change? What has brought the music that speaks of God and salvation out of its shell?
Theories abound and debate over whether it's a good thing or not seem to be everywhere and have
been for years. As a Christian, a singer/songwriter, and a mom of kids ranging from nine to twentytwo, I think that the answer is easy. God doesn't change, even though the world does. Every
generation has more worries and fears to face than the previous one. People today live with war and
threats of war, more kids having babies, more violence and layoffs ... it's everywhere you turn and
this only scratches the surface of a day in the life. People desperately need something or someone
bigger than themselves and all that they face in order to cope. They want to feel like God is here
and now, not some dusty relic from the dark ages that can't possibly understand the issues of today.
The new Christian music in our churches and on our airways reaches out to us on a level that we
can understand and feel. It shows us that Jesus is still with us, even when we're facing crises that
would have destroyed whole cultures as recently as a couple of hundred years ago. The battle is as
old as time itself but the weapons have changed and Christian music has changed its face, as a
shining example of just one of the many weapons in God's arsenal.

Petra

Hillsong United

Elevation worship

Jesus culture (Sacramento California)

HB (Finland)

Vertical church (Chicago Illinois)