Studying the cultural history of contemporary worship music means I listen to a lot of albums. Arriving at the dissertation stage of my doctoral studies has required listening to 40 years\u2019 worth of music from one of the most significant movements in modern church life\u201d\u201dthe good, the bad, and the downright ugly. It\u2019s a lot of music. And trust me, there\u2019s a lot of ugly.<\/p>\n
But because I also serve as a worship director at a local church, listening to contemporary worship music is not just a scholarly exercise\u201d\u201dit is also serious pastoral business. My people need solid spiritual food from their church music. They need songs that will sculpt their theological imagination and give voice to their praises, prayers, and confessions. The good news is that both as a researcher and as a worship leader, I have found many artists worth hearing.<\/p>\n
To find these artists, I had to go beyond the Top 25 song list from the ubiquitous Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI). Today hundreds of talented songwriters are crafting excellent music that will never land on the CCLI charts. Their craft is just as good as that of the heavyweights, and their songs are more musically and theologically diverse. Consider three that represent the breadth and range you\u2019ll find beyond the charts: Liz Vice, Miranda Dodson, and Cardiphonia.<\/p>\n