The evolution of culture has welcomed Christ Community Music to the marketplace.
Jay Swartzendruber, editor of CCM Magazine reports today, "We're going to start mixing indie (independent) and general market Christians such as The Fray, Mary J. Blige and Sufjan Stevens in with artists with traditional Christian label affiliation. Rather then define 'Christian music' just by its label or distribution, we're now defining it as Christian worldview music."
Swartzendruber continued, "Many artists of faith who are reluctant to have their music defined by the Christan market have chosen to by-pass it altogether. With this expanded view of 'Christian music', CCM Magazine now celebrates the full spectrum of faith-fueled music and musicians."
This is 'great' news to me and my household of teenagers, the 're-awakening' continues.
It's best described as a church cultural shift, a movement that has the players of Graceland moving out from behind their embattled creeds living out the holistic gospel with compassion filled, relevant deeds.
The best part, this "re-awakening" is lead by the "20-to-30-somethings", as they are determined to make peace with today's post-modern marketplace, a culture full of spiritual hunger. I'm jealous of their opportunity, and saddened by my 43-year-old age differential. I'm one of the missional movements biggest fans.
We need to leave our traditional stereotypes behind and take the gifts that Abba has offered each of us, run to the marketplace, build relationships with ragamuffins just like ourselves. Removing the labels that divide us denominationally, musically or even theologically.
Free ourselves to place ourselves with Jesus in today's authentic friction and critical mass positions of life. When we let go, we become fueled by grace, focused on truth in great love.
We can join this generation at their 'Samaritan Well'. Draw from their water and drink their drinks - because it's our well water too! We arrive at a relationship, whether it be art, social justices, entertainment or a philosophical discussion. We "join" them and stop yelling at them.
We "show up and play", determined to relate with where artistic talents paint a redemptive picture of life. We sing together, cry together and laugh together...and we drink together; a 'grace drink' that Jesus has provided by his love to us, through us and to be sung by all of us to every tune of life in Graceland.
Bring on the bands!
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