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A lot of contemporary Christian music (which mostly uses a rock beat) is justified and rationalized because the proponents claim they are becoming MORE focused of the Lord and less on themselves.

One elderly believer in a church I used to attend confided that he hated how the music in the church had been hijacked by the rock proponents. Someone else pointed out it seems to be all about "I, I, I" and "me, me, me".

I never really thought about it before. I began to pay attention. If you look at traditional Christian music, the focus is on Jesus. Compare that to even some of the softer contemporary Christian music, such as Open the Eyes of My Heart:

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you, I want to see you

"I" and "me" are used four times - just as many as references to the Lord.

Or just randomly select a song. I went to www.todayschristianmusic.com and picked the first artist (Audio Adrenaline) and this song came up: Leaving Ninety-nine. Here are the lyrics:

I'm lost and broken, all alone on this road
the wheels keep turnin', but the feelin' is gone
when I fear I'm on my own
You remind me I am not alone
when You said

I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you
for you alone
I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you

it's dark and lonely and the path is unclear
can't move my feet because I'm frozen in fear
then you say, "My child, my child -
I am always here, I'm by your side"

I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you
for you alone
I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you

you're never too far down
I promise you'll be found
I'll reach into the mud and mirely clay
pursue you to the end
like a faithful friend
nothing in this world can keep me away

I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you
for you alone
I'd leave ninety-nine
leave them all behind
to find you

This is just a random pick. I have never heard the song. I am just assuming it is played with a rock beat because nearly all contemporary Christian music is. The point is that the emotional focus is on the singer not the Lord. "I, me, my" are used repetitively in this example six times in the first stanza, twice in the second. In the chorus and third verse, the speaker is reversed as this is supposed to be Jesus speaking. So here "you" refers to the singer. It is used three times each in both the last verse and in the chorus. So tally it up. In the course of this song, the singer refers to himself 20 times and to the Lord 16 times (using a pronoun). It is also significant that "God", "Jesus", and "Lord" are absent from the song. The fact He is being referenced is inside information. The audience only knows this if they are already familiar with what the Bible says. This ambiguity is common in contemporary Christian music.

2 Corinthians 3:12-13a Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: and not as Moses, which put a vail over his face."

I am not picking on this song or artist. It is a random example. I can go down the list and find song after song is the same. While claiming to be songs about the Lord or to the Lord, the singer is a prominent part of the subject matter.

Is it wrong for a song to reference the singer? Of course not. But when the claim is made that we just want to "forget ourselves and concentrate on Him and worship Him" I suggest that traditional hymns have far less focus on "me, me, me" and "I, I, I".

Do I need to get over myself? Perhaps. And perhaps contemporary Christian music is not the best remedy.

Ohfercryinoutloud.

Look........you so miss the point, it's unbelievable. I have no doubt you are a sincere and passionate believer. I also have no doubt you haven't the slightest understanding of music or contemporary praise and worship.

I've been playing guitar since 1969 and have been a lead guitarist in evangelical churches for over a decade, so I think I'm qualified to address the topic.

Let me first tell you what I tell my praise and worship team members (I'm not the worship leader, but as A) the lead guitarist and B) pretty much the oldest guy on the team, they listen to me...): I tell them that if we do our jobs properly, the congregants won't remember a single thing we played. We are there to usher them in; to help them enter into worship of the Lord. I don't stand on that stage several times a week......every week.......for years......free.......giving up untold hours of rehearsals and performances for my ego. If I wanted to feed my ego while slinging my axe, I'd be in some metal band downtown (and I have the chops to do it).

I'll never be an evangelist, preacher, or missionary. I know my limitations. However, God gave me a certain gift, and I choose to use it to glorify Him. His Son took a bullet for me 2000 years ago and I owe Him my life. This is how I pay Him back (even though He doesn't demand or even ask that of us). I do it because I choose to give to Him, period. In short.......I'm playing to an audience of one, when you get down to it.

Contemporary Christian music is based heavily upon the evangelical movement that emphasizes a personal relationship with God; with the Lord. It's an intensely personal and VERY real relationship. The use of "first person" so much in such contemporary songs reflects this; you sooooooo missed the point. On the other hand, mainstream, denominational churches are withering on the vine and dying out by the thousands because they just don't get it.

Stand, get your hymnal, and sing along with the old lady on the organ or piano........right. Been there, done that. Tell me how worshipful you feel while doing it or afterward.

Then come see a service like ours....or any thousands of churches around the world like ours.......and YOU tell me the difference. You are looking for incredibly picky little arguments that attempt to say we do this because we're a bunch of self-centered spoiled children; while the noses-in-the-air traditionalists turn their backs, face empty pews, and sing old hymms (that were VERY often based upon popular music of their day.......including drinking songs; fact.....look it up).

No thanks. I can praise the Lord with a band that includes three electric guitars, acoustic guitar, drums, two or three keyboards, flutes, trumpet, percussion, and a group of phenomenal singers. We're loud and proud of it.

We have the most powerful message on this earth......the message of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lord.....and I'll be damned if I'll play it like some wimp. I crank it up, wail it out to whoever will listen....and hit them square in the chest with the POWER of Jesus' message. He wasn't a wimp......and neither will my music for Him ever be.

By the way.....as a result.......our church is growing so fast it's unbelievable and we're seeing people saved by the hundreds ...hundreds......every month. Guess that doesn't matter to the 'purists'; seeing people saved just doesn't count to them, I suppose.