An Impression Of Contemporary Gospel Music

When I was 18 years old I was invited to go to a contemporary worship service on the campus of the college I was attending. I wanted to be with my new friends. We attended these musical and bible teaching events every week. I didn't want to end up at any more block parties, "Toga" parties, or hang out with those who majored in being drunk or getting high.. I asked God to come into my life. " You're so big and I'm so small. Come Fill ME."

I had already been exposed to some contemporary Gospel music in my high school when I played guitar with the Folk Music Group for monthly Liturgies. The liturgies were like Catholic Contemporary Worship services. Gospel music became personal. I listened and I liked it. My friends and I listened to Cat Stevens' Morning Has Broken, and Keith Green's "Lord, You're Beautiful", and "You Put Love In My Heart", along with others.

In 1983, an acquaintance gave me my first Amy Grant album. "El Shaddai" was on that album, and I played that over and over. It was in her song lyrics, "Raining On the Inside"and the song lyrics, "I Have Decided" that confirmed my decision that led to confession that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. Later, during my attendance at the youth fellowship did it make it clear of a commitment in my new relationship with Jesus Christ giving me a new way of life. I was able to see Amy Grant in concert a few years later.

In 1984, my musical library expanded greatly. I started attending musical concerts. I went to PA to see Petra. The following summer, I went to see Amy Grant when she came to Columbia,MD. The church I attended from 1984 until 1991 always promoted Gospel Artists. There, I saw Joe English, Phil Driscoll, Michelle Pilar, DeGarmo and Key and in 1986, I saw Leon Patillo.

The CREATION FESTIVAL

In 1994, I went to CREATION Festival, where I saw multiple talents there. Besides the concerts there, I learned a lot from the bible studies I attended. I was realizing the significance of God's Word in music and how it draws attention to the way we should live.

In spite of seeing all these various concerts during the earlier years of my Christian walk of life, The Gospel in the music became a part of my growth. What they are singing about anointed me. Being a poet and a musician led me to write my own gospel tunes. Putting the actual Word of God in my lyrics has become my way of evangelizing, just as my favorite Gospel artists have done.

The Right Message

When listening to various Gospel talents, biblical content of the lyrics is so important to get the right message across to all those who listen. (Unfortunately, there are some recorded artists out there that call themselves "Christian", but there lyrics do not reflect so).

The Hip Hop and Rock sounds of these groups draw attention. If a young person hears the genre that they are accustomed to listening to, then they will listen more intently. The lyrics spread the Gospel and the message of salvation is important to hear. The hearts of the messengers, which are the Christian Gospel artists, will be found to be affected by their lyrics as well. So the Gospel and Christian artists that live up to their lyrics become the right role models as well.

Concerts that the contemporary Christian Music listeners go to are not just musical events but become worship services due to the overwhelming desire to know what they are singing about. There are many concert goers that will depart to return home making the best decision of their life, which is to receive salvation through accepting Christ Jesus into their lives.