Pioneers of Christian Music

Today, there is a lot of talk about the New Sound and the New Song of the Lord. So much so, that I believe the "old" sound has unfortunately been overlooked. I'm referring to the origins or the pioneers of Christian music that originally hit the scene during the Jesus Movement. Bands and artists like:

· Second Chapter of Acts

· Barry McGuire

· Randy Adams

· Steve Camp

· Pat Boone

· Andre Crouch

· Don Francisco

· Chuck Girard

· Keith Green

· Mylon Lefevre

· Lovesong

· Maranatha

· Ernie Rettino and Debby Kerner

· Randy Stonehill

· John Michael Talbott

· Wayne Watson

These musicians are all considered as the pioneers of Christian music and laid the foundation for what is now referred to as "Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) or praise and worship. However, there is something that I would like to address in this article, that I think needs to be stated, but first I will ask a question to the body of Christ,

"Do we really need a new song?"

Ok, I admit, that may sound like a strange question, but please hear me out. Today's Christian music thrives on being a "new" sound. Whether it is the newest song that sounds like a "Christianse version of the top 100 secular pop charts" or a prophetic free flowing jam of the "new song", there is one area where I feel the "new" Christian music fails to compare with the "old song"; mentioning and declaring the basics of Christianity.

Could it be that the new song has come so far that it has forgotten Jesus along the way?

In my opinion, there are many Christian songs that I hear as the soundtrack to secular television shows, commercials, and movie soundtracks that leave me scratching my head trying to figure out how the song was ever classified as "Gospel" in the first place. Songs about being free, driving fast, or loving life, really don't click with my spirit as a Gospel song that proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Then, on the flip side, we have the "new song, the prophetic song", you know the one that is extremely spiritual and is usually based upon things such as spiritual warfare, declaring our victory over our enemies, or simply exists to showcase our prophetic abilities of hearing the new "word" for the church. Yet I wonder, if these songs are actually fulfilling their role and purpose as being "Gospel" and if anyone actually gets saved listening to them. I also wonder if anyone who isn't "in the church" has any clue what these songs are about.

"Does the world really need a new song?"

How about the song of our salvation? Jesus Christ, glorified and exalted in a way that declares His great love, mercy, and compassion? What about the song that tells of God's mighty acts, or has the incredible ability to reveal a whole book of Scripture in such a way that the hearer instantly learns the Word of God. Isn't that what the Gospel is all about anyway- the Word of God.

I fear that we have strived so hard to make a new contemporary sound that is comparable to secular music, that Jesus and the Word of God are often overlooked.

Now please, don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that all current Christian artists are excluding Jesus or the Bible from their music, but I will say that a large majority of them are, and that is why I am writing this article.

Where are the simple songs of salvation that brings the Balm of Gilead to the wounded soul? I encourage you to really examine the music that you are listening to, and ask yourself if this new sound is truly better than the old one.

We can never get so far in our spiritual walk, that we replace sound doctrine with "new revelations" and this is true for our music as well. I believe that the Christian music industry needs to take a break from being "current" and get back to being "doctrinal".

God inhabits the praises of His people, and there is no better way to commune with

God then through praise, worship, and prayer. However, when it comes to ministering to a lost and dying world through music, I believe that the secular world should be able to tell that you are singing about Jesus Christ and not the wind blowing through your hair. Likewise, if it is Gospel music, then maybe it isn't such a bad idea to actually sing about the Good News of Jesus Christ, like His birth, death, and resurrection.

I don't think that the Christian music industry should keep their focus on a "new" thing, but I think the focus should be on revealing Christ and His glorious work through music. Let's face it; some of the "new" sounds are getting pretty strange. Why not go back to some of the "old" songs and listen to the simplicity of worshipping Jesus, by focusing on who He is, instead of how we can create a "new" or "contemporary" sound that sells great, but leaves listeners without any revelation of the Mighty and Glorious King Jesus.