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Contemporary Christian music

October 27, 2023

Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and stylistically rooted in Christian music. It was formed by those affected by the 1960s Jesus movement revival who began to express themselves in other styles of popular music, beyond the church music of hymns, gospel and Southern gospel music that was prevalent in the church at the time. Initially referred to as Jesus music, today, the term is typically used to refer to pop, but also includes rock, alternative rock, hip hop, metal, contemporary worship, punk, hardcore punk, Latin, electronic dance music, R&B-influenced gospel, and country styles.

It has representation on several music charts, including Billboard's Christian Albums, Christian Songs, Hot Christian AC (Adult Contemporary), Christian CHR, Soft AC/Inspirational, and Christian Digital Songs as well as the UK's Official Christian & Gospel Albums Chart. Top-selling CCM artists will also appear on the Billboard 200. In the iTunes Store, the genre is represented as part of the Christian and gospel genre[notes 1] while the Google Play Music system labels it as Christian/Gospel.[1]

History Edit

 
The Stellar Kart group, at a press conference, after the GMA Dove Award in Nashville, Tennessee, USA, in 2007

Beginnings (1950s - 60s) Edit

The growing popularity of rock and roll music 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.[2]

The genre became known as contemporary Christian music as a result of the Jesus movement revival in the latter 1960s and early 1970s,[3][4] and was originally called Jesus music.[5] "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'".[6] However, there were people who felt that Jesus was another "trip".[6] It was during the 1970s Jesus movement that Christian music started to become an industry within itself.[7] "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 book Rethinking 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."[8]

Evangelical artists made significant contributions to CCM in the 1960s, developing various Christian music styles, from Christian rock to Christian hip-hop passing through the Christian punk or the Christian metal.[9][10] Those involved were affected by the late 1960s to early 1970s Jesus movement, whose adherents colloquially called themselves the "Jesus Freaks", as an Evangelical Christian response to the counterculture movements such as hippies and flower children who were finding widespread traction. The Calvary Chapel was one such response, which launched Maranatha Music in 1971. They soon began to express themselves in alternative styles of popular music and worship music. The Dove Awards, an annual ceremony which rewards Christian music, was created in Memphis, Tennessee in October 1969 by the Gospel Music Association.[11]

There was some internal critique of CCM at its advent.[12] The Christian college Bob Jones University discourages its dormitory students from listening to CCM.[13] Others[who?] simply find the concept of Christian pop/rock music to be an unusual phenomenon, since rock music has historically been associated with themes such as nonconformity, sexual promiscuity, rebellion, drug and alcohol use and other topics normally considered antithetical to the teachings of Christianity, especially organized Protestant strains of Christianity in the United States, which emphasize group cohesion at the expense of individual assertion.[12] This controversy caused by evangelical pop music was explored by Gerald Clarke in his Time magazine article "New Lyrics for the Devil's Music".[14]

Larry Norman is often remembered as the "father of Christian rock", because of his early contributions (before the Jesus movement) to the developing new genre that mixed rock rhythms with the Christian messages.[15] 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?".[15] He is remembered as the artist "who first combined rock 'n' roll with Christian lyrics" in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.[15] 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 on Capitol Records,[16] and Mylon – We Believe by Mylon LeFevre, released by Cotillion, which was LeFevre's attempt at blending gospel music with southern rock.[17][18] Unlike traditional or southern gospel music, this new Jesus music was birthed out of rock and folk music.[19]

Pioneers of this movement also included Andraé Crouch and the Disciples, 2nd Chapter of Acts, Barry McGuire, Evie, Paul Clark, the Imperials and Keith Green among others. The small Jesus music culture had expanded into a multimillion-dollar industry by the 1980s.[7][20][21] Many CCM artists such as Benny Hester,[22][23] Amy Grant,[24] DC Talk,[25] Michael W. Smith,[26] Stryper,[27] and Jars of Clay[28] found crossover success with Top 40 mainstream radio play.

Popularity (1970s - 90s) Edit

The genre emerged and became prevalent in the 1970s and 1980s.[29] Beginning in July 1978, CCM Magazine began covering "contemporary Christian music" artists and a wide range of spiritual themes until it launched online publications in 2009.[30][31]

It has certain themes and messages behind the songs and their lyrics, including praise and worship, faith, encouragement, and prayer.[32] These songs also focus on themes of devotion, inspiration, redemption, reconciliation, and renewal.[3] 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.[29] One of the earliest goals of CCM was to spread the news of Jesus to non-Christians.[3] In addition, contemporary Christian music also strengthens the faith of Christians.[3]

Various evangelical record labels have supported the movement. In Christian rock, there is Sparrow Records founded in 1976 in the United States by Billy Ray Hearn, a Christian music graduate from the Baylor University.[33] The songs of Hillsong Music, founded in 1991 by Hillsong Church, in Sydney, Australia, have been translated into various languages and have had an influence considerable in evangelical churches worldwide.[34]

In Christian hip-hop, TobyMac, Todd Collins, and Joey Elwood founded the first specialized label Gotee Records in 1994.[35][36] The founding of the label Reach Records in 2004 by Lecrae and Ben Washer also had a significant impact in the development of Christian hip-hop.

Modern CCM Edit

Contemporary Christian music has influences from folk, gospel, pop and rock music.[29] Genres of music such as soft rock, folk rock, alternative, hip-hop, etc. have played a large influence on CCM.[37]

Charismatic churches have had a large influence on contemporary Christian music and are one of the largest producers of CCM. Hillsong Church is one of the many prominent CCM artists.[38] Contemporary Christian music has also expanded into many subgenres.[29] Christian punk, Christian hardcore, Christian metal and Christian hip hop, although not normally considered CCM, can also come under the genre's umbrella.[12] Contemporary worship music is also incorporated in modern CCM. Contemporary worship is both recorded and performed during church services.

In the 2000s, contemporary worship music with a distinctly theological focus has emerged, primarily in the Baptist, Reformed and more traditional non-denominational branches of Protestant Christianity.[39][40] Artists include well-known groups such as Shane & Shane and Hillsong United and modern hymn-writers, Keith & Kristyn Getty[41] as well as others like Sovereign Grace Music,[42] Matt Boswell and Aaron Keyes. The format is gaining traction in many churches[43] and other areas in culture[44] as well as being heard in CCM collections & musical algorithms on several internet streaming services.

Controversy Edit


Brian Schwertley of the Reformed Presbyterian tradition wrote in 2001 that the inclusion of CCM in a worship service violates the second commandment and the regulative principle of worship because it adds man-made inventions, lyrics, and instrumental music to the biblically appointed way of worshipping God.[45]

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 despite having a clear Christian message.[46]

Paul Baker, author of Contemporary Christian Music, addressed the question, "Is the music a ministry, or is it entertainment? The motives, on both sides, were nearly always sincere and well intentioned, rarely malicious."[47]

"The responsibility of the church is not to provide escape from reality", according to Donald Ellsworth, the author of Christian Music in Contemporary Witness, "but to give answers to contemporary problems through legitimate, biblical means."[48]

James Emery White, a consultant for preaching and worship within the Southern Baptist Convention, made a statement about how many churches that changed styles to using more contemporary Christian music, appeared to have a quicker growth.[49]

According to Vice magazine, CCM "has often functioned as a propaganda wing of the Christian right", presenting views on topics such as the war on drugs, Christian nationalism, mission trips, school prayer, and the LGBT community.[50]

Rejection of the label "CCM" Edit

Several high-profile bands have rejected the label "Christian music," such as Needtobreathe and Mutemath, with the latter suing their record label over being marketed as such.[51] 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."[52]

Notable Contemporary Christian Musicians Edit

Growth Edit

Contemporary Christian album sales had increased from 31 million in 1996 to 44 million sales in 2000. Since EMI's purchase of Sparrow Records, sales had increased 100 percent.[when?] However, the main goal of the label continues to be aspiring to make a positive impact on the world through contemporary Christian music. The company has given back money to the CCM community.[53] Overall, CCM sales in 2014 had dropped to 17 million in sales.[54]

See also Edit

Notes Edit

  1. ^ In the US iTunes store, the section is entitled Christian & Gospel. In the UK iTunes store, it's Gospel. Canada's and Australia's iTunes section is entitled Inspirational.

References Edit

  1. ^ "Google Play Music". play.google.com. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  2. ^ McDowell, Amy D. "Contemporary Christian Music" – via Oxford Music and Art Online. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ a b c d Banjo, 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. S2CID 144756181.
  4. ^ "Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry?". February 17, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
  5. ^ Forbes, Bruce David; Mahan, Jeffrey H. (2017). Religion and Popular Culture in America, Third Edition. Univ of California Press. pp. 9–. ISBN 978-0-520-29146-1.
  6. ^ a b Frame, John M. Contemporary Worship Music. Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997.
  7. ^ a b Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 10. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 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.
  8. ^ Baker, Paul. Page 140. Contemporary Christian Music: Where it came from What it is Where It's Going. Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1985. Print.
  9. ^ David Horn, John Shepherd, Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World Volume 8: Genres: North America, Continuum International Publishing Group, USA, 2012, p. 144, 147
  10. ^ Don Cusic, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 77
  11. ^ W. K. McNeil, Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music, Routledge, Abingdon-on-Thames, 2013, p. 108
  12. ^ a b c Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  13. ^ . Bob Jones University. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  14. ^ Clarke, Gerald (June 24, 2001). . Time. Archived from the original on November 20, 2011.
  15. ^ a b c Hevesi, Dennis. "Larry Norman, 60, Singer of Christian Rock Music". The New York Times March 4, 2008: 1. Print. February 3, 2016
  16. ^ John J. Thompson, Raised by Wolves: The Story of Christian Rock & Roll (2000):49.
  17. ^ Oord, Bill. "Mylon LeFevre Biography". Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  18. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 520. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. Musically, the 1970 album Mylon (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.
  19. ^ 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)
  20. ^ "It's a long way from 'Jesus music' to CCM industry". Canadianchristianity.com. Archived from the original on February 15, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  21. ^ . Pe.ag.org. March 16, 2003. Archived from the original on January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  22. ^ "CCM Legends – Benny Hester". CBN.com.
  23. ^ Billboard Top 50 Adult Contemporary Chart – Nov 7, 1981 – 'Nobody Knows Me Like You' Debuts No. 44 Mainstream. Billboard.com. November 7, 1981.
  24. ^ "Amy Grant – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  25. ^ "dc Talk – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  26. ^ "Michael W. Smith – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  27. ^ "Stryper – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  28. ^ "Jars of Clay – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
  29. ^ a b c d Nantais, David (2007). "What Would Jesus Listen To?". America. 196 (18): 22–24.
  30. ^ . TodaysChristianMusic. Archived from the original on January 22, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  31. ^ "CCM Magazine Subscription Options". CCM Magazine. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  32. ^ Adedeji, Femi (2006). "Essentials of Christian Music in Contemporary Times: A Prognosis". Asia Journal of Theology. 20 (2): 230–240.
  33. ^ Don Cusic, Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music: Pop, Rock, and Worship: Pop, Rock, and Worship, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2009, p. 359
  34. ^ Kelsey McKinney, How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry in God’s name, thefader.com, USA, October 11, 2018
  35. ^ Justin Sarachik, TobyMac’s Influence on Christian Hip-Hop and How Gotee Records Signed John Reuben Over KJ-52, rapzilla.com, USA, February 9, 2016
  36. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition, Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 296-297
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ Evans, Mark. Studies in Popular Music: Open up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church. London: Equinox Publishing Ltd, 2006. eBook.
  39. ^ "Keith Getty Is Still Fighting the Worship Wars". Christianity Today. March 26, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  40. ^ "BRnow.org – Getty worship conference strikes a chord | Baptist News". brnow.org. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  41. ^ "Modern Hymn Writers Aim To Take Back Sunday". NPR.org. NPR. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  42. ^ McEachen, Ben (June 25, 2018). "What do you mean by worship?". Eternity News. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  43. ^ Smith, Rew (November 15, 2018). "Doxology & Theology conference: Churches need to sing the Word of God". Kentucky Today. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  44. ^ "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. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  45. ^ Schwertley, Brian. . Archived from the original on February 12, 2013.
  46. ^ Adams, Ramsay (July 6, 2003). "Christian Rock Crosses Over". Fox News Channel. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  47. ^ Baker, Paul (1985). Contemporary Christian Music: Where it came from What it is Where It's Going. Westchester, Illinois: Crossway Books. p. 133.
  48. ^ Ellsworth, Donald (1979). Christian Music in Contemporary Witness: Historical Antecedents and Contemporary Practices. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
  49. ^ Miller, Steve. The Contemporary Christian Music Debate. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale Publishers, 1993. Print. p.3
  50. ^ Hesse, Josiah (July 14, 2022). "Christian Rock Has Demonized LGBTQ People for Years. Now It Needs Them to Survive". Vice. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  51. ^ . May 5, 2014. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  52. ^ Freeman, Jon (August 23, 2016). "Needtobreathe Talk Christian-Band Stigma, Experimental New LP". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  53. ^ 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.
  54. ^ "Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry?". The Week. June 21, 2017.

Further reading Edit

  • Alfonso, Barry. The Billboard Guide . Billboard Books, 2002.
  • Beaujon, Andrew (2006). Body Piercing Saved My Life: Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81457-9.
  • Di Sabatino, David (1999). The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource. Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies, Number 49. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-30268-5.
  • Du, Paul (2003). "Contemporary Christian Music". The Encyclopedia of Music. New York City: Billboard Books. pp. 422–423. ISBN 0-8230-7869-8.
  • Granger, Thom (2001). CCM Presents: The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music. Nashville: CCM Books.
  • Hendershot, Heather (2004). "Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music? Christian Music and the Secular Marketplace". Shaking the World for Jesus: Media and Conservative Evangelical Culture. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-32679-9.
  • Howard, Jay R (1999). Apostles of Rock: The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music. Lexington, 0-8131-9086-X: The University of Kentucky Press. ISBN 9780813121055.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  • Joseph, Mark (1999). The Rock and Roll Rebellion: Why People of Faith Abandoned Rock Music-- And Why They're Coming Back. Nashville: Broadman & Holman.
  • Joseph, Mark (2003). Faith, God & Rock 'n' Roll. London: Sanctuary. ISBN 9781860744655.
  • Kyle, Richard (2006). "If You Can't Beat 'em Join 'em". Evangelicalism: An Americanized Christianity. New Brunswick, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. pp. 281–286. ISBN 0-7658-0324-0.
  • Lucarini, Dan. Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement. Evangelical Press.
  • Miller, Steve (1993). The Contemporary Christian Music Debate. Tyndale House.
  • Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
  • Romanowski, William D. Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture. Brazos Press, 2001.
  • Sears, Gordon E. Is Today's Christian Music Sacred? Coldwater, Mich.: [s.n., 199-?]. 32, [1] p. Without ISBN
  • Stephens, Randall J. (2018). The Devil's Music: How Christians Inspired, Condemned, and Embraced Rock 'n' Roll. Harvard University Press.
  • Stowe, David W. (2013). No Sympathy for the Devil: Christian Pop Music and the Transformation of American Evangelicalism. University of North Carolina Press.
  • Young, Shawn David (2015). Gray Sabbath: Jesus People USA, the Evangelical Left, and the Evolution of Christian Rock. Columbia University Press.

October 27, 2023
contemporary, christian, music, also, known, christian, occasionally, inspirational, music, genre, modern, popular, music, aspect, christian, media, which, lyrically, focused, matters, related, christian, faith, stylistically, rooted, christian, music, formed,. Contemporary Christian music CCM also known as Christian pop and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music and an aspect of Christian media which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and stylistically rooted in Christian music It was formed by those affected by the 1960s Jesus movement revival who began to express themselves in other styles of popular music beyond the church music of hymns gospel and Southern gospel music that was prevalent in the church at the time Initially referred to as Jesus music today the term is typically used to refer to pop but also includes rock alternative rock hip hop metal contemporary worship punk hardcore punk Latin electronic dance music R amp B influenced gospel and country styles Contemporary Christian musicStylistic originsChristian music Church music Gospel music Jesus music American popular musicCultural originsLate 1960s United StatesSubgenresChristian alternative rock Christian country music Christian electronic dance music Christian hip hop Christian metal Christian rock Contemporary worship music Urban contemporary gospelOther topicsChristian mediaIt has representation on several music charts including Billboard s Christian Albums Christian Songs Hot Christian AC Adult Contemporary Christian CHR Soft AC Inspirational and Christian Digital Songs as well as the UK s Official Christian amp Gospel Albums Chart Top selling CCM artists will also appear on the Billboard 200 In the iTunes Store the genre is represented as part of the Christian and gospel genre notes 1 while the Google Play Music system labels it as Christian Gospel 1 Contents 1 History 1 1 Beginnings 1950s 60s 1 2 Popularity 1970s 90s 2 Modern CCM 3 Controversy 3 1 Rejection of the label CCM 4 Notable Contemporary Christian Musicians 5 Growth 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 Further readingHistory Edit nbsp The Stellar Kart group at a press conference after the GMA Dove Award in Nashville Tennessee USA in 2007Beginnings 1950s 60s Edit The growing popularity of rock and roll music 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 2 The genre became known as contemporary Christian music as a result of the Jesus movement revival in the latter 1960s and early 1970s 3 4 and was originally called Jesus music 5 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 6 However there were people who felt that Jesus was another trip 6 It was during the 1970s Jesus movement that Christian music started to become an industry within itself 7 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 book Rethinking 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 8 Evangelical artists made significant contributions to CCM in the 1960s developing various Christian music styles from Christian rock to Christian hip hop passing through the Christian punk or the Christian metal 9 10 Those involved were affected by the late 1960s to early 1970s Jesus movement whose adherents colloquially called themselves the Jesus Freaks as an Evangelical Christian response to the counterculture movements such as hippies and flower children who were finding widespread traction The Calvary Chapel was one such response which launched Maranatha Music in 1971 They soon began to express themselves in alternative styles of popular music and worship music The Dove Awards an annual ceremony which rewards Christian music was created in Memphis Tennessee in October 1969 by the Gospel Music Association 11 There was some internal critique of CCM at its advent 12 The Christian college Bob Jones University discourages its dormitory students from listening to CCM 13 Others who simply find the concept of Christian pop rock music to be an unusual phenomenon since rock music has historically been associated with themes such as nonconformity sexual promiscuity rebellion drug and alcohol use and other topics normally considered antithetical to the teachings of Christianity especially organized Protestant strains of Christianity in the United States which emphasize group cohesion at the expense of individual assertion 12 This controversy caused by evangelical pop music was explored by Gerald Clarke in his Time magazine article New Lyrics for the Devil s Music 14 Larry Norman is often remembered as the father of Christian rock because of his early contributions before the Jesus movement to the developing new genre that mixed rock rhythms with the Christian messages 15 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 15 He is remembered as the artist who first combined rock n roll with Christian lyrics in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame 15 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 on Capitol Records 16 and Mylon We Believe by Mylon LeFevre released by Cotillion which was LeFevre s attempt at blending gospel music with southern rock 17 18 Unlike traditional or southern gospel music this new Jesus music was birthed out of rock and folk music 19 Pioneers of this movement also included Andrae Crouch and the Disciples 2nd Chapter of Acts Barry McGuire Evie Paul Clark the Imperials and Keith Green among others The small Jesus music culture had expanded into a multimillion dollar industry by the 1980s 7 20 21 Many CCM artists such as Benny Hester 22 23 Amy Grant 24 DC Talk 25 Michael W Smith 26 Stryper 27 and Jars of Clay 28 found crossover success with Top 40 mainstream radio play Popularity 1970s 90s Edit The genre emerged and became prevalent in the 1970s and 1980s 29 Beginning in July 1978 CCM Magazine began covering contemporary Christian music artists and a wide range of spiritual themes until it launched online publications in 2009 30 31 It has certain themes and messages behind the songs and their lyrics including praise and worship faith encouragement and prayer 32 These songs also focus on themes of devotion inspiration redemption reconciliation and renewal 3 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 29 One of the earliest goals of CCM was to spread the news of Jesus to non Christians 3 In addition contemporary Christian music also strengthens the faith of Christians 3 Various evangelical record labels have supported the movement In Christian rock there is Sparrow Records founded in 1976 in the United States by Billy Ray Hearn a Christian music graduate from the Baylor University 33 The songs of Hillsong Music founded in 1991 by Hillsong Church in Sydney Australia have been translated into various languages and have had an influence considerable in evangelical churches worldwide 34 In Christian hip hop TobyMac Todd Collins and Joey Elwood founded the first specialized label Gotee Records in 1994 35 36 The founding of the label Reach Records in 2004 by Lecrae and Ben Washer also had a significant impact in the development of Christian hip hop Modern CCM EditContemporary Christian music has influences from folk gospel pop and rock music 29 Genres of music such as soft rock folk rock alternative hip hop etc have played a large influence on CCM 37 Charismatic churches have had a large influence on contemporary Christian music and are one of the largest producers of CCM Hillsong Church is one of the many prominent CCM artists 38 Contemporary Christian music has also expanded into many subgenres 29 Christian punk Christian hardcore Christian metal and Christian hip hop although not normally considered CCM can also come under the genre s umbrella 12 Contemporary worship music is also incorporated in modern CCM Contemporary worship is both recorded and performed during church services In the 2000s contemporary worship music with a distinctly theological focus has emerged primarily in the Baptist Reformed and more traditional non denominational branches of Protestant Christianity 39 40 Artists include well known groups such as Shane amp Shane and Hillsong United and modern hymn writers Keith amp Kristyn Getty 41 as well as others like Sovereign Grace Music 42 Matt Boswell and Aaron Keyes The format is gaining traction in many churches 43 and other areas in culture 44 as well as being heard in CCM collections amp musical algorithms on several internet streaming services Controversy EditThis article s Criticism or Controversy section may compromise the article s neutrality by separating out potentially negative information Please integrate the section s contents into the article as a whole or rewrite the material July 2023 Brian Schwertley of the Reformed Presbyterian tradition wrote in 2001 that the inclusion of CCM in a worship service violates the second commandment and the regulative principle of worship because it adds man made inventions lyrics and instrumental music to the biblically appointed way of worshipping God 45 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 despite having a clear Christian message 46 Paul Baker author of Contemporary Christian Music addressed the question Is the music a ministry or is it entertainment The motives on both sides were nearly always sincere and well intentioned rarely malicious 47 The responsibility of the church is not to provide escape from reality according to Donald Ellsworth the author of Christian Music in Contemporary Witness but to give answers to contemporary problems through legitimate biblical means 48 James Emery White a consultant for preaching and worship within the Southern Baptist Convention made a statement about how many churches that changed styles to using more contemporary Christian music appeared to have a quicker growth 49 According to Vice magazine CCM has often functioned as a propaganda wing of the Christian right presenting views on topics such as the war on drugs Christian nationalism mission trips school prayer and the LGBT community 50 Rejection of the label CCM Edit Several high profile bands have rejected the label Christian music such as Needtobreathe and Mutemath with the latter suing their record label over being marketed as such 51 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 52 Notable Contemporary Christian Musicians Edit nbsp Chris Tomlin nbsp Rebecca St James nbsp Michael W Smith nbsp Aron ShustGrowth EditThis section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information July 2023 Contemporary Christian album sales had increased from 31 million in 1996 to 44 million sales in 2000 Since EMI s purchase of Sparrow Records sales had increased 100 percent when However the main goal of the label continues to be aspiring to make a positive impact on the world through contemporary Christian music The company has given back money to the CCM community 53 Overall CCM sales in 2014 had dropped to 17 million in sales 54 See also EditChristian alternative rock Alternative rock music lyrically grounded in a Christian worldview Christian country music Music genre country music with Christian message Christian electronic dance music music genrePages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback Christian hip hop Subgenre of hip hop music and Christian music Christian metal Heavy metal music with a Christian message and band members Christian rock Rock music with lyrics related to Jesus and Christianity Contemporary Commercial Music term used by some vocal pedagogists in the United States of America to refer to non classical music encompasses jazz pop blues soul country folk and rock stylesPages displaying wikidata descriptions as a fallback Contemporary worship music Modern genre of music sung in many churches Latin Christian music Fusion of Latin music and various forms of modern Christian music Neues Geistliches Lied Contemporary genre of German music intended for use in churchesNotes Edit In the US iTunes store the section is entitled Christian amp Gospel In the UK iTunes store it s Gospel Canada s and Australia s iTunes section is entitled Inspirational References Edit Google Play Music play google com Retrieved March 26 2019 McDowell Amy D Contemporary Christian Music via Oxford Music and Art Online a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b c d Banjo Omotayo O Williams Kesha Morant 2011 A House Divided Christian Music in Black and White Journal of Media amp Religion 10 3 115 137 doi 10 1080 15348423 2011 599640 S2CID 144756181 Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry February 17 2016 Retrieved August 21 2017 Forbes Bruce David Mahan Jeffrey H 2017 Religion and Popular Culture in America Third Edition Univ of California Press pp 9 ISBN 978 0 520 29146 1 a b Frame John M Contemporary Worship Music Phillipsburg NJ P amp R Publishing 1997 a b Powell Mark Allan 2002 Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music Peabody Massachusetts Hendrickson Publishers p 10 ISBN 1 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 Baker Paul Page 140 Contemporary Christian Music Where it came from What it is Where It s Going Westchester Illinois Crossway Books 1985 Print David Horn John Shepherd Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music of the World Volume 8 Genres North America Continuum International Publishing Group USA 2012 p 144 147 Don Cusic Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music Pop Rock and Worship Pop Rock and Worship ABC CLIO USA 2009 p 77 W K McNeil Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music Routledge Abingdon on Thames 2013 p 108 a b c Powell Mark Allan 2002 Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music First printing ed Peabody Massachusetts Hendrickson Publishers ISBN 1 56563 679 1 BJU Residence Hall Life Bob Jones University Archived from the original on January 25 2012 Retrieved March 21 2009 Clarke Gerald June 24 2001 New Lyrics for the Devil s Music Time Archived from the original on November 20 2011 a b c Hevesi Dennis Larry Norman 60 Singer of Christian Rock Music The New York Times March 4 2008 1 Print February 3 2016 John J Thompson Raised by Wolves The Story of Christian Rock amp Roll 2000 49 Oord Bill Mylon LeFevre Biography Retrieved June 26 2010 Powell Mark Allan 2002 Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music Peabody Massachusetts Hendrickson Publishers p 520 ISBN 1 56563 679 1 Musically the 1970 album Mylon 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 amp B soul and roots rock Di Sabatino David 1999 The Jesus People Movement an annotated bibliography and general resource Lake Forest CA p 136 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link It s a long way from Jesus music to CCM industry Canadianchristianity com Archived from the original on February 15 2013 Retrieved January 26 2013 News Digest Pe ag org March 16 2003 Archived from the original on January 13 2014 Retrieved January 26 2013 CCM Legends Benny Hester CBN com Billboard Top 50 Adult Contemporary Chart Nov 7 1981 Nobody Knows Me Like You Debuts No 44 Mainstream Billboard com November 7 1981 Amy Grant Chart history Billboard Retrieved May 8 2013 dc Talk Chart history Billboard Retrieved May 8 2013 Michael W Smith Chart history Billboard Retrieved May 8 2013 Stryper Chart history Billboard Retrieved May 8 2013 Jars of Clay Chart history Billboard Retrieved May 8 2013 a b c d Nantais David 2007 What Would Jesus Listen To America 196 18 22 24 CCM Magazine TodaysChristianMusic Archived from the original on January 22 2013 Retrieved January 26 2013 CCM Magazine Subscription Options CCM Magazine Retrieved January 26 2013 Adedeji Femi 2006 Essentials of Christian Music in Contemporary Times A Prognosis Asia Journal of Theology 20 2 230 240 Don Cusic Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music Pop Rock and Worship Pop Rock and Worship ABC CLIO USA 2009 p 359 Kelsey McKinney How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry in God s name thefader com USA October 11 2018 Justin Sarachik TobyMac s Influence on Christian Hip Hop and How Gotee Records Signed John Reuben Over KJ 52 rapzilla com USA February 9 2016 Randall Herbert Balmer Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism Revised and expanded edition Baylor University Press USA 2004 p 296 297 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 Evans Mark Studies in Popular Music Open up the Doors Music in the Modern Church London Equinox Publishing Ltd 2006 eBook Keith Getty Is Still Fighting the Worship Wars Christianity Today March 26 2018 Retrieved March 26 2019 BRnow org Getty worship conference strikes a chord Baptist News brnow org Retrieved March 26 2019 Modern Hymn Writers Aim To Take Back Sunday NPR org NPR Retrieved March 26 2019 McEachen Ben June 25 2018 What do you mean by worship Eternity News Retrieved March 26 2019 Smith Rew November 15 2018 Doxology amp Theology conference Churches need to sing the Word of God Kentucky Today Retrieved March 26 2019 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 Retrieved March 26 2019 Schwertley Brian Musical Instruments in the Public Worship of God Archived from the original on February 12 2013 Adams Ramsay July 6 2003 Christian Rock Crosses Over Fox News Channel Retrieved October 6 2010 Baker Paul 1985 Contemporary Christian Music Where it came from What it is Where It s Going Westchester Illinois Crossway Books p 133 Ellsworth Donald 1979 Christian Music in Contemporary Witness Historical Antecedents and Contemporary Practices Grand Rapids Michigan Baker Book House Miller Steve The Contemporary Christian Music Debate Wheaton Illinois Tyndale Publishers 1993 Print p 3 Hesse Josiah July 14 2022 Christian Rock Has Demonized LGBTQ People for Years Now It Needs Them to Survive Vice Retrieved March 24 2023 INTERVIEW Unmuted Did mother Earthsuit beget Mute Math The Hook Charlottesville s weekly newspaper news magazine May 5 2014 Archived from the original on May 5 2014 Retrieved October 4 2023 Freeman Jon August 23 2016 Needtobreathe Talk Christian Band Stigma Experimental New LP Rolling Stone Retrieved October 4 2023 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 Who killed the contemporary Christian music industry The Week June 21 2017 Further reading EditAlfonso Barry The Billboard Guide Billboard Books 2002 Beaujon Andrew 2006 Body Piercing Saved My Life Inside the Phenomenon of Christian Rock Cambridge Massachusetts Da Capo Press ISBN 0 306 81457 9 Di Sabatino David 1999 The Jesus People Movement An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies Number 49 Westport CT Greenwood Press ISBN 0 313 30268 5 Du Paul 2003 Contemporary Christian Music The Encyclopedia of Music New York City Billboard Books pp 422 423 ISBN 0 8230 7869 8 Granger Thom 2001 CCM Presents The 100 Greatest Albums in Christian Music Nashville CCM Books Hendershot Heather 2004 Why Should the Devil Have all the Good Music Christian Music and the Secular Marketplace Shaking the World for Jesus Media and Conservative Evangelical Culture Chicago Illinois University of Chicago Press ISBN 0 226 32679 9 Howard Jay R 1999 Apostles of Rock The Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music Lexington 0 8131 9086 X The University of Kentucky Press ISBN 9780813121055 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location link Joseph Mark 1999 The Rock and Roll Rebellion Why People of Faith Abandoned Rock Music And Why They re Coming Back Nashville Broadman amp Holman Joseph Mark 2003 Faith God amp Rock n Roll London Sanctuary ISBN 9781860744655 Kyle Richard 2006 If You Can t Beat em Join em Evangelicalism An Americanized Christianity New Brunswick New Jersey Transaction Publishers pp 281 286 ISBN 0 7658 0324 0 Lucarini Dan Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement Evangelical Press Miller Steve 1993 The Contemporary Christian Music Debate Tyndale House Powell Mark Allan 2002 Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music Peabody Massachusetts Hendrickson Publishers ISBN 1 56563 679 1 Romanowski William D Eyes Wide Open Looking for God in Popular Culture Brazos Press 2001 Sears Gordon E Is Today s Christian Music Sacred Coldwater Mich s n 199 32 1 p Without ISBN Stephens Randall J 2018 The Devil s Music How Christians Inspired Condemned and Embraced Rock n Roll Harvard University Press Stowe David W 2013 No Sympathy for the Devil Christian Pop Music and the Transformation of American Evangelicalism University of North Carolina Press Young Shawn David 2015 Gray Sabbath Jesus People USA the Evangelical Left and the Evolution of Christian Rock Columbia University Press Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Contemporary Christian music amp oldid 1180738035, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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