Last weekend I read an article in the Faith & Values section of the Lexington Herald-Leader titled, “Many Christians turn a deaf ear to Contemporary Christian Music (CCM).” This article was basically stating that a very small amount of Christians exclusively listen to music similar to what we are singing here today at Wellspring.
What grabbed my attention the most, was not the writer’s commentary, but rather the remarks made by local church leaders, as either quotes within the article or comments submitted online in response to the article.
A local Disciples minister and ecumenical leader shared that they felt most CCM is “musically sappy and theologically thin” and that “it doesn't inspire, doesn't induce awe and wonder, and doesn't teach.”
A Music Director of another downtown congregation said they “found that much of the CCM was more suited for watching or listening to, instead of “congregational singing.”
My first thought, was WOW! we need to invite these folks to Wellspring. (Don’t you think?) Today is only our 7th gathering as a community of faith at Wellspring. As one of the lay leaders who plan these monthly worship experiences, I will say that we are very intentional in choosing the songs and every other aspect of the worship. We want you to feel inspired, we want you to be in awe and in wonder, and we want the words you sing and hear - to teach you.
A 15th century French mathematician, Blaise Pascal, observed that “the people who have the greatest influence in shaping the hearts and minds of any generation are not the folks who write the laws, but those who write the songs.”
As musicians for this worship experience, myself and the entire Wellspring Band are not here for you to watch or listen to. We are here to lead you in singing songs of praise as “you” worship. It’s not about us. I think songwriter, Matt Redman, says it best that “Worship can never be a performance, but an overflow of your heart.”
Our desire is that you discover that the music draws you closer to God and that you feel God’s hope, God’s peace, God’s joy, and God’s love as you sing.
Those of you who know me, primarily associate me with either music, or my family. I am a fourth-generation member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I was born & raised here at Central. My grandmother is a retired, ordained minister. My grandfather taught Sunday School here at Central, and was on staff as a custodian, both here and at Transylvania University. My mother grew up here. And now my wife, Teri and I are raising our 2 children here. Central defines who I am as a person. I love singing the bass parts of the hymns each Sunday morning. Next week you’ll see me singing with the Chancel Choir on “The Messiah.”
CCM is relatively new to me. Growing up at Central I was not around it much and it wasn’t until I was in college that I began to listen to songs from that genre. About 10 years ago I started getting opportunities to lead music at church camps and other youth gatherings throughout Kentucky. These experiences introduced me to the music, and gradually the more I listened, the more the music really impacted me. In fact, I would say it has shaped my faith more than anything else.
I travel by car a lot for my job, and I’m definitely one of those guys you will see cruising down the Bluegrass Parkway, singing and drumming my heart out. Most of the time, I’m listening to the music that we are singing here at Wellspring, or a favorite CCM artist of mine. What makes those moments so great for me is that before long I realize that I’m in worship. Right there. Alone in my car. Just God and I. As I sing songs of prayer and thanksgiving. And it never fails, that the words and melodies of those songs always leave me in awe and wonder of my relationship with God.
CCM can also nurture our life in difficult times. Before giving birth to our first child, we had a miscarriage with our first pregnancy. We had lots of questions. And we received no answers. Our faith was being tested, and we were losing hope. A few days later we went to a concert by CCM artist Mark Schultz. In the middle of the concert he performed his song “He Will Carry Me.” This was a song neither of us had heard, and before he even reached the second verse - we were both in tears. It was like our prayers were being answered, as this song gave us the inspiration we needed to get through those difficult days. Here are those opening words that touched our lives:
“I call, you hear me.
I’ve lost it all, and it’s more than I can bear.
I feel so empty.
You’re strong, I’m weary.
I’m holding on, but I feel like giving in.
But still You’re with me.
And even though I’m walking through,
The valley of the shadow.
I will hold tight to the hand of Him,
Whose love will comfort me.
And when all hope is gone,
and I’ve been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need,
And He will carry me.”
Whether you enjoy CCM, or not, I simply invite you to be vulnerable to the blessings that do exist in these songs. Be ready to listen, even as you sing as a congregation, because God is speaking through them. Mark Schultz. George Frideric Handel. These are two of many musicians that have shared God’s word in their music compositions. Open your ears. Open your mind. Open your heart.
I leave you with words written by Mark Schultz, which are part of the Soundtrack of My Faith:
“Live with the wonder of a child. Pray with your arms thrown open wide.
Love with a love that knows no end. Until I see you again.”
