Christian Rock?

Can Christians rock? What does head-banging, guitar smashing, shouting and fan-following have to do with Christian music? If you were to ask John Cooper, lead singer for the Christian Rock band Skillet he might say it had everything to do with it. Known for all out shows and no-holds-barred lyrics, Skillet is a Christian rock band that connects with listeners who may have gone through hard times with things like abuse, suicide, broken relationships among other lyrical topics. Skillet uses lyrics and story telling within their music to connect with people who may otherwise turn away from all things Christian Music. You can take one look at their official website and need no further evidence that Skillet is not a stereotypical Christian musical group. You can visit their site here: http://www.skillet.com/ Music at Church can convey stories of shared hurt that can bring people together for healing in community based on mutual understanding.

Access to Music

It is becoming increasingly more simple to find and listen to all kinds of music, including Christian tunes of all genres. Youtube, Pandora, Spotify, even Itunes has the option of listening to radio channels dedicated to genre and interest-specific types of music. It may be that just as records and turn tables have largely faded into the past, as well as cassette tapes, CD’s become less frequently purchased. Convenience-based located at the click of a button from within your own home has brought the world of musical media much closer. Music, regardless what sort it is, can be found easily enough that one is hard-pressed to go a day without hearing it in some form or another either on the way to work or school or the store. With such a bombardment of notes flowing it may be difficult to pay attention to the lyrics of a worn out Church song. Have the lyrics become any less meaningful in light of the increase in musical production? Is that a matter of personal preference? What has the consumer mindset done to Christ music?

Gospel Music

Perhaps another of the more prominent musical styles in Churches through the ages, or at least since the time of African Christianity, is Gospel music. Known to be upbeat and lively, Gospel music can take hold of you and move your whole outlook on a day in another direction. The Soul Stirrers, a group that was active for nearly 80 years is just one example of the liveliness of good old Gospel Music. Characterized by the longing of early American slaves, Gospel songs are filled with requests made to God for strength and deliverance, for peace and promise. You can find a listing of some songs performed by the Soul Stirrers here: http://www.last.fm/music/The+Soul+Stirrers. Gospel music is perhaps one of the simplest forms one can see of people calling out to God in times of great need, as well as times of great joy. Music at Church is used to communicate to the God we serve.

John Newton and Amazing Grace

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see.” These words perhaps known to many carry a weight only truly understood when seen in light of the man who wrote them. John Newton, an 18 century sailor, husband and minister wrote the memorable lines after years at sea aboard slave ships. Newton lost his mother and her faithful guidance while he was young. He turned to a life at sea at the age of 11 and experienced many harsh times since (As can be further explored here: http://www.anointedlinks.com/amazing_grace.html). It was through Newton’s self perceived wretchedness that he wrote this song. Interesting to note is that it is not known what the original melody had been. Some believe it to have originated to the tune of a slave song Newton would have heard in his many years at sea. It became a song song weekly in the Church he served as minister. Music at Church can convey great emotion and with it lessons from the past for future generations.

Music in Church

From old-day hymns to contemporary Christian music and all that lies between, the use of voice in Churches around the world has long been an integral part of common worship. Music in general evokes emotion in people in many ways. Athletes use it to prepare for competition. Dancers use it both to warm themselves up and to portray feeling through their movements. But what is the purpose of music within the Church? What feeling is it meant to invoke, if any? With all the different genres of music popular in the world where does ‘Christian music’ fit? Some Churches hold to the traditional hymns, others cater to the ever-changing moods of contemporary musical consumption. From ‘Amazing Grace’ by John Newton, to the Gaithers, to Toby Mac, Switchfoot, Skillet, Leeland, and Lincoln Brewster there is a great variety of artists and songs to choose from. Though the purpose may remain the same in the incorporation of music, the styles range from one extreme to the other.