Where Are All the Gospel Singers?

Many people, old and young alike, claim that they rarely listen to gospel music because there is not a large collection of good gospel music available. Gospel artists sit in the background while r & b, pop, rock and hip hop artists populate the charts. But why is that? Where are all the gospel singers?

Many of the artists singing secular music today began in the church. However, once they were signed they either stopped singing gospel music or sang it less frequently. Artists such as Fantasia Barrino, Michelle Williams, Toni Braxton, Usher Raymond and Jessica Simpson are among those artists who have set aside churchly things for the things of the world.

Fantasia Barrino began singing in what she classifies as a "shouting church" where she later served as both a choir director and praise team leader. Now she sings songs such as 'Baby Makin Hips' and 'Good Lovin'. Though her music is gospel inspired, her lyrics and new image are not.

Michelle Williams began singing in her local church choir and performed with gospel groups Harmony and Chosen Expression. She was later signed with Destiny's Child who is well known for hits such as 'Bootylicious'. She is now a solo artist and goes back and forth between secular and gospel music.

Toni Braxton began her singing career in the Methodist church that she attended with her family. Before that, her father was a Pentecostal preacher and she was raised in a strict Pentecostal home. Her songs include 'Gimme Some', 'Speaking in Tongues' and 'Love Affair'.

Usher Raymond started singing in his Church Choir which was led by his mother when he was only six years old. He got spotted by a record executive and got signed when he was still in high school. He has hits such as 'Bedtime', 'Nice and Slow' and 'I'll Show you Love'.

Jessica Simpson started off singing in the choir at her church where her father was the youth minister. She later signed with Sony Music Entertainment when she was only 12 years old. She sings songs such as 'A Public Affair' and 'Come on Over'.

No one will deny that these artists have exceptional talent. So why is it that they are not using their talent to glorify God? Why are they instead singing to glorify themselves while entertaining others?

One of the main reasons why singers turn to secular music is because of the money. Secular artists have historically done better financially than gospel artists. Even Christians spend more money purchasing secular music than they do purchasing gospel music. With the large percentage of people that go to church, it is surprising how much support gospel artists receive, or rather, don't receive.

When you look at how young these singers were when they first got into the industry, it is easy to point out that the decision was not one that they made on their own. With their parents being pastors, youth pastors and choir directors, it is shocking that they released their children into the hands of agents that would strip them of everything Godly. You would have thought that their parents would be stern on only allowing them to sing music that glorifies God. Maybe money does speak a bit more clearly than our conscience.

Gospel artists who sing contemporary gospel music receive just as much criticism as gospel artists who have turned to singing secular music. These artists, supposing that they had decided to sing gospel music in a fashion that they felt was expressive of their passion, would have had to deal with more ridicule than they deal with now. There is an ongoing debate about what gospel music is or is supposed to be and the old school, traditional Christians do not accept contemporary music as gospel. It would make one wonder then, what is the point?

Good question. What is the point of singing gospel music with all the opposition it would bring and the lack of support?

The most important thing about singing gospel music is remembering that you are doing it for God, not for people. It should never be about the money, or the support, or the opportunities that come along with being in the industry. Singing is a talent given from God that many, like me, do not have. God expects that we will use the talents that he has given to us for his glorification. Singing is a ministry and if you are able to touch one heart with your voice, that is all that should matter. Singers do not need sold out concerts and fancy cars in order to please God.

Even though gospel singers should not be bothered by the reaction and rejection they receive because of the gospel, we as Christians should also lend a hand. We need to support our gospel artists so that they can keep on spreading the word in the way they do it best rather than put our money in the pockets of those who will spend it on drugs and alcohol. We need to also stop being selfish and thinking about what we prefer. Instead, we need to think of what works and find new, modernized ways of spreading the gospel. We need to stop being judgmental of the artists because they don't sing it like we are used to and because they are not traditional. I do not know about you but I personally have never witnessed someone come to the Lord after the singing of 'Amazing Grace'. If the older generation want the younger generation to respect their musical taste, then the older generation need to respect the younger's.

So where are all the gospel singers? They are in the world, singing secular music. Someone needs to go get them and bring them back to the church!

Definition of Gospel.

From Bible Dictionary

The "good news" of salvation. Certain styles of religious music are also called "gospel."

From Bible Guide

The verb "to announce the good news" (euangelizesthai in Greek) occurs 54 times in the whole NT, of which 25 times it is in the Lucan writings and 21 times in the Pauline letters (including the letter to the Ephesians). The noun derived from this verb, gospel (euangelion), occurs 76 times altogether, of which 56 times are in the writings of Paul (including Ephesians and Colossians).

SOURCES

Usher Raymond

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/1092-singer-usher-biography

Jessica Simpson

http://www.theinsider.com/celebrities/Jessica_Simpson

Toni Braxton

http://www.adherents.com/people/pb/Toni_Braxton.html

Michelle Williams

http://uk.real.com/music/artist/Michelle_Williams/

Fantasia Barrino

http://biography.jrank.org/pages/2785/Barrino-Fantasia.html

Gospel

http://www.answers.com/library/Bible%20Dictionary-cid-34617

http://www.answers.com/library/Bible%20Guide-cid-34617