Contemporary Christian Music - Times Have Changed
When most people think of Christian music, they envision church hymns or old southern gospel music. These are certainly forms of Christian music, but today there is much more available to those who wish to listen to spiritual music.
Trends in contemporary Christian music include Christian rock and rap. Like their secular counterparts, these songs are much more popular with the younger generation who prefer not to be associated with the "old-timer's" idea of Christian songs. Contemporary music appeals to the younger generation who would be embarrassed to admit listening to the same music as their parents. Modern Christian music is rarely distinguishable from the secular version. Even Southern Gospel has undergone a face lift.
The change in the Christian genre was not a sudden one. It has been made gradually over the past 30 years. In the 1970's Amy Grant, Steve Camp and Reba Rambo were all singing popular Christian hits. Amy Grant's unique style has stood the test of time and she is still producing wildly popular Christian songs today. More and more rock and rap artists have come forward to share their form of worship and praise.
Not only have the rock and rap genres begun including spiritual songs - jazz music is also bridging the gap. Jazz music is steeped in the tradition of personal expression and nothing is more personal than someone's relationship with God. Christian jazz allows artist to combine their personal expression of their love of music with their love of God.
Christian music is about praising God. As the music has become more popular, it has drawn more people to Christianity. It has played on popular radio stations, allowing those who would never attend church the opportunity to hear God's message. Today's Christian music allows children, teens and young adults a way to worship that was not available to their parents. They are not attached to the quiet, solemn church services of the past, but they willingly participate in uplifting services filled with music. They will listen to it on their ipods, at parties and most importantly, they will share it with their friends.
While buying Christian music used to be limited to Christian book stores and small, independent music stores, it is widely available today. You can download music from the Internet and buy CD's at any music or large electronics store. You can even get Christian ringtones for your cell phone. There are radio stations in every US state as well as on the Internet dedicated to playing only Christian songs.
While the hymnals in most churches will never disappear, the Christian music sung in those same churches is going to be changing for years to come.
