(apologies to Ryan P for this post's title. It was just too brilliant not to use.)
An interesting article about worship bands in the New York Times today. Mr. Ratliff makes the same mistake that most writers covering this kind of music do, however: confusing "worship music" with "Christian music." The distinction has been murky almost since the inception of either genre, but it's a distinction that needs to be made. Here's the difference as far as I understand it.
Worship music is music made and performed for the purpose of worshiping or praising God: its lyrics are usually (but not always, which is one reason we run into trouble) addressed directly to God.
Christian music or ("Contemporary Christian Music") is music made by Christians, usually for one of three purposes (great explanation of this in Apostles of Rock: the Splintered World of Contemporary Christian Music): evangelism, spiritual edification/encouragement of other Christians, or glorifying God through the creation of good art*.
One problem, I think, is that bands and artists who play "worship music" often become rock stars in the "Christian music" world. I don't mean to suggest I'm the final authority on this, but I think it's simply inaccurate to suggest that the band that plays at your average evangelical church service on Sunday is doing the same thing as, say, Jars of Clay or Relient K. I welcome other perspectives.
PS: In case you're wondering, according to Blogger, this post has been "saved."
Ha.
(* Of course, the real purpose of both kinds of music is often to make a crapload of money. But I digress.)
2 comments:
I agree with your definitions and have to say the article was poorly researched if they only talked to one church.
When I lead worship on Sunday morning the last thing I want to be identified as is a "Praise Rock Band". I guess 'Rock' means any group with an electic guitar and drums. I have a zillion more thoughts on CCM and Worship Music...bleh.
"saved"... heh
heh
:D
- g'mon
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