Why Contemporary Christian Music Is Important

Why Contemporary Christian Music Is So Important
Psalm 96:1 declares, “Oh, sing to the LORD a new song!  Sing to the LORD, all the earth.”
 
Why is singing a “new song” so important?  Before I answer that question, let me take you on a journey. 
 
I was saved in the 1980s at a summer camp called Centrifuge in Jackson, TN (Union University).  Since then, Christian music has played a major role in my walk with Christ and my spiritual maturity.  Here is a list of artists that have walked with me along my journey (roughly in sequence)…
 
1980s

• Michael W. Smith
• Amy Grant
• Russ Taff
• Keith Green
• Carman
• Mylon LeFevre and Broken Heart
• Degarmo & Key
• Geoff Moore & The Distance
• Rich Mullins
• Sandi Patti
• Twila Paris
• Ray Boltz
• Steve Green

 
1990s

• Steven Curtis Chapman
• 4Him
• Point of Grace
• Darlene Zschech
• Aaron Jeoffrey
• Brent Bourgeois
• Michael Card
• Out of the Grey
• Big Ten Revival
• Brian Barrett
• Caedmon’s Call
• Philips, Craig, & Dean
• DC Talk
• Jars of Clay
• Newsong
• Newsboys
• Audio Adrenaline
• Avalon
• Peter Penrose
• PFR
• Rebecca St. James
• Sierra
• Skillet
• Third Day
• Five Iron Frenzy
• Supertones
• Scott Krippayne
• Smalltown Poets
• All-Star United
• Burlap to Cashmere
• Chris Rice
• Darrell Evans
• Jaci Velasquez
• Delirious?
• Bryan Duncan
• Sixpence None the Richer
• Skillet
• Nichole Nordeman
• Kirk Franklin
• Jennifer Knapp
• FFH
• The Katinas
• Matt Redman
• MercyMe
• Sonicflood

 
2000s

• Reliant K
• Switchfoot
• David Crowder
  
• Chris Tomlin
• Jami Smith
• Jeremy Camp
• Big Daddy Weave
• Desperation Band
• KJ-52
• Building 429
• Casting Crowns
• FEE
• Kutless
• Fighting Instinct
• Lincoln Brewster
• Stellar Kart
• Shane & Shane

 
2010s

• Kari Jobe
• Tenth Avenue North
• Hillsong United
• Sidewalk Prophets
• All Sons & Daughters

 
This is not an exhaustive list; and the list also continues.
 
Christians whom I have never met have taken this same journey with me.  God uses music not just in our local churches, but as a means of teaching something to His Church at large.  I believe that it’s important that we don’t isolate ourselves from what God is doing and teaching us in the universal Church and always remember to “sing a new song.”  What new songs are you listening to that God is using to teach you?  He is probably using those same songs to teach others.