Contemporary Christian music hot this summer (on MainStream Radio)

Stars & Stripes (Pacific Edition) ^ | 17 Aug 03 | Brian Bowers

[xzins]

By Brian Bowers, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, August 17, 2003

MercyMe’s “I Can Only Imagine” has been all over mainstream radio. Superchic(k) provided more music for “Legally Blonde 2.” And Stacie Orrico is a staple on MTV’s “Total Request Live.”

Contemporary Christian music is very popular this summer — but you wouldn’t know it from the news media. Journalists generally aren’t interested in topics involving religion unless there’s a whiff of scandal. Perhaps that’s why a reader asked how to find out what’s topping the genre’s charts.

I can fill part of that vacuum by adding a list of best-sellers to the bottom of this column from now on. Fans will have to turn to the Web to fill in the rest.

The best source is Billboard magazine, but you normally can’t get to its listings on the Internet unless you are a subscriber. If you’re really into it, go to www.billboard.com and sign up.

R&R magazine keeps track of radio airplay. Its Christian listings are at: www.rronline.com/Formats/christ_home.htm.

If you are simply interested in news and trends, check out the site for CCM magazine at www.ccmmagazine.com or the Musicforce page at the site for Christian Book Distributors at www.christianbook.com.

 

Disc tip

“Testify to Love: The Very Best of Avalon,” Avalon. This adult-contemporary group has made a lot of fans happy by putting all of its best music on one CD. With its 12 hits spread among six albums, listeners had to take the good with a lot of so-so. Now, they can focus on the best — with only a little so-so mixed in. “In Not Of,” “Adonai,” “Testify To Love” and the other hits are still catchy and uplifting but the three new songs seem relatively routine. The best is “New Day,” which contains the harmonies and sunny lyrics that make Avalon popular but doesn’t soar to the level of past hits.

 

On the charts

Top contemporary Christian albums as reported by SoundScan, according to The Associated Press.

1. “Almost There,” MercyMe.
2. “Worship Together: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” Various Artists.
3. “Stacie Orrico,” Stacie Orrico.
4. “Spoken For,” MercyMe.
5. “WOW Worship (Yellow),” Various Artists.
6. “Unclassified,” Robert Randolph & the Family Band.
7. “The Beautiful Letdown,” Switchfoot.
8. “Offerings II: All I Have to Give,” Third Day.
9. “Rise and Shine,” Randy Travis.
10. “Adoration: The Worship Album,” Newsboys.

[Theo]

I was really meaning to say why you think the work of a human is better than the work of God (an uninspired hymn vs. God's perfectly inspired Psalter), but somehow got it more restricted to only applying to song-writers, not the singers.

You are right to imply that Scriptural Psalms as "inspired," for all Scripture is God-breathed. By definition, the Psalter is inspired.

I disagree, however, with the assertion that words written after 100 AD can no longer be "inspired." If the Spirit of God is still active and involved and communicating and comforting and instructing and reminding and moving among His people, then it seems to follow that it is possible for Him to bring about "inspiration" among those who are His.

A word to those (not you -- rw) who would interpret me as saying that everything written by Christians is "inspired" -- that's not at all what I'm saying. (Man, why do I feel like I have to write so defensively? Hm.)

[Theo]

Well-said.

[PlutoPlatter]

Thank you for your insight, I was born again in 1982.
My pastor at the time had the wisdom to know I needed music that would speak to me.
So he took this long haired new babe to the christian book store and showed him where to find the Randy Stonehill, Phil Keaggy, Petra, Sweet Comfort Band albums were.
I grew in the Lord and was glad that people like me could be redeemed.
13 years later I picked up the bass guitar that I hadn't touched since high school and was invited to join the worship team at church.... after many years of wondering what my calling was in the Lord I feel like the He gave me a great present by allowing me to worship and lead others in worship.
I am never going to let anyone steal away the good gifts of the Lord.
There are people who will never understand where we are coming from.
I have no reason to repent of my style of worship.
I for one am going to celebrate it.

[montag813]

2. “Worship Together: I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” Various Artists.

I am surprised this isn't #1 given the blanket ad coverage on local cable outlets. Cheesy and unbearable.

[rwfromkansas]

Well, I believe that the Canon completes God's revelation, which also means there can't be any further inspiration of songs.

There's that Reformed influence I guess.

[rwfromkansas]

You can't compare prayer and preaching to singing. They are distinct elements of worship with different requirements.

There is no foundation to say that because preaching is not just reading from the Bible that we can do as we please with singing.

[PlutoPlatter]

The Heart Of Worship (When The Music Fades)
Verse 1
When the music fades
All is stripped away
And I simply come
Longing just to bring
Something that's of worth
That will bless your heart

Bridge
I'll bring You more than a song
For a song in itself
Is not what You have required
You search much deeper within
Through the way things appear
You're looking into my heart

Chorus
I'm coming back to the heart of worhip
And it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it
When it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus

Verse 2
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much you deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is yours
Every single breath

*Bridge*
*Chorus*
*Chorus*

I'll bring you more than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
More than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
You're looking into my heart
Looking into my heart
You're looking into my heart
Into my heart
I'll bring you more than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
I'll bring you more than a song
Public Domain
Words and Music by Matt Redman

[ztiworoh]

I noticed Robert Randolph in there, great musician, not really exclusivly Christian music though but he gets catigorize there because he began in Gospel music. He's an AMAZING slide guitar player and his newest stuff sounds like a mix between Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder, great groove music, very funky, you people should check him out.

[hocndoc]

Thank you, Sir. Comes from much teaching - purposeful and inadvertant - by the members of Baptist and Church of Christ groups I've "discussed" these topics with before. And, I hope that "Breath" with in me.

[hocndoc]

I think we'll have to disagree on this one, because I don't see any reason in the Bible or my life experience to support your distinction.

Although, some of the women silencers might like your distinction between singing and teaching (another grin). (don't worry, my typing is silent - no clicks.)

[PlutoPlatter]

Did You Feel the Mountains Tremble
Delirious

Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one.

Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the saving one.

And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
And young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord

Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice.

Do you feel the darkness tremble?
When all the saints join in one song.
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokenness.

And here we see that God you're moving.
A time of jubilee is coming
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide you heavenly gates.
Prepare the way of the risen Lord.

[Theo]

Well, I believe that the Canon completes God's revelation, which also means there can't be any further inspiration of songs. There's that Reformed influence I guess.

Ah, that helps me understand your perspective a lot! I'm not sure that's consistent with Reformed doctrine, though (the part about God no longer in the business of "inspiring" things). Gives me something to research. :-)

[PlutoPlatter]

I Can Only Imagine
Bart Millard

I can only imagine what it will be like
When I walk by Your side.
I can only imagine what my eyes will see
When Your face is before me.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine when that day comes,
When I find myself standing in the son,
I can only imagine when all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine

Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus?
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence?
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.
I can only imagine.

I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You . . .
I can only imagine.

[1L]

it's just that most of the CC "artists" would sell their souls to the devil if they could break big on the secular charts.

Be specific as to which ones you are referring to along with proof to back that up. There's nothing stopping them from releasing secular albums. And while I will admit that the quality of CC music in the last 5 years has deteriorated (the quality of pop music in the last 15 years has deteriorated much more), if they can make a living with a CC label, they can make as good or better a living with a secular label.

[xzins]

It's OK, but it doesn't float my boat.

[PlutoPlatter]

Here I am to worship
Tim Hughes

Light of the world
You stepped down into darkness
Opened my eyes, let me see
Beauty that made this heart adore You
Hope of a life spent with You

Here I am to worship

Here I am to bow down

Here I am to say that You're my God

You're altogether lovely

Altogether worthy

Altogether wonderful to me


King of all days
Oh so highly exalted
Glorious in Heaven above
Humbly You came to the earth You created
All for love's sake became poor


I'll never know how much it cost
To see my sin upon that cross

[LTCJ]

God gave us the Bible so that we could learn about Him, not so that we would parrot the old words without end (that way lies the 'discussion' about which translation to use). We have his Spirit living in us. We can express our joy and thanks and teach using symbols and words and sounds of today, as long as it is to His glory.

Well said, sir.

If my Lord created me to be an elaborate dictaphone machine, meant only to parrot Him on a theme, it is a revelation not yet broken on me. Until such a time as that dawns, my expression of worship and love for Him will not be limited by anothers' words or notes. By the same token, if my ear resonates the Spirit of Christ in me it is because it harmonizes with the Spirit of Christ in my brother. The pattern of that harmony did not begin with Beethoven or Mozart and nor will it end with Rich Mullins or Third Day.

[rwfromkansas]

lol.....yeah hopefully those folks who say women are to just shut up and do nothing in worship will buy a clue and realize just teaching is a no-no.

We will have to disagree. I could bring some Scriptures into it (there are OT passages that talk about not offering anything before God unless he tells you to do so etc.), but I am too lazy to do that right now. School is starting up in a few weeks and I don't want to be doing research already....:)

[Theo]

Be specific as to which ones you are referring to along with proof to back that up.

He probably could, but it's probably best not to do so. It is good to be "discerning" about what we listen to, and to evaluate individual performers, but it can get a bit scary to identify individuals as "willing to sell their soul to the devil."

Now, if you want to identify particular performer's *songs*, or things they've said, or ways they've behaved, that's another thing. If you want to critique the different ways that Sandi Patty and Amy Grant have behaved in light of their marital unfaithfulness, vs. the way that Michael English did, that seems all right to me. If you want to critique the heretica song "Above All" that Michael W. Smith sings, that's probably fine.

But it's dangerous to say that someone's "selling their soul to the devil"....

[hocndoc]

Thank you. (I'm a Ma'am. I just love the computer, 'cause it, like God, doesn't see the body, only the Spirit)