Sophie Drew with Premier Christian News published an interesting article a few days ago about current worship songs and how only a handful of churches and songwriters seem to dominate the genre.
A new study based on Christian Copyright Licensing International (“CCLI”) and PraiseCharts statistics from 2010 to 2020 revealed that 36 of the 38 most sung worship songs were produced by musicians with ties to Bethel Church in California, Elevation Church in North Carolina, Hillsong Church in Australia, and Passion City Church in Georgia.
The Premier Christian News article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, as a lifelong musician and a worship musician of nearly three decades myself, I’ve noted this issue over the years, and it not only affects churches, but radio stations (e.g., K-Love playing the same artists over and over).
The songs produced by these megachurches are of good or excellent quality, which is not a surprise given the talent level of the musicians, songwriters and sound engineers – many of whom are paid substantial salaries and are afforded top-of-the-line instruments, sound reinforcement and recording equipment.
In fact, early Hillsong music played a large role in this writer’s interest and subsequent ministry in musical worship decades ago, so I’m not suggesting that there is anything inherently bad about this worship music! But what about the local church?
In discussions with church pastors, worship leaders and musicians over the years, there was (and remains) a perception or belief that certain songs have local, regional or global anointing and should be used during services in certain percentages to assure a successful worship service. This may very well be true (at least in part); however, this writer has first-hand experience in a situation where the perceived “need” for using nationally or globally-acclaimed songs was not necessary to give high praise to God!
During 2005, I began attending a local Albuquerque church called New Life City, led by Pastor Alan Hawkins. The worship leader, Gary Archibeck, who still leads worship at another local church to this day, wrote (alone or with others) and sang about 80% of the music used during the worship services – culminating in a live worship CD in 2008 and many great worship services beyond.
In fact, ministry and musical leaders from Bethel Church, Redding, California, came to NLC several times for conferences and special services. They commented how the original worship music seemed timeless, anointed, not tied to a specific age group, and seemed to bring the church together in unity of worship.
The musical worship was strong, biblical and joyous – but it was not published and receiving national or global acclaim. The church developed its own “sound” and the worship was conducted in spirit and truth. It was not about “worshiping” the song leader or any of that nonsense, but moving in the joy of having worship music created within our very own church for our church. Timeless hymns were still played, albeit with the use of modern instrumentation – as good worship music is still good worship music(!) regardless of the era.
The point? It’s so very easy in current times to buy tracks, a CCLI license or two, and never even consider encouraging local musicians to write and offer their own music for worship. I would never suggest that it’s “bad” to avail oneself of modern technology in worship, but how beautiful and genuine it is to give the Lord worship with songs from your own heart and from within your own congregation!
John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Praise Jesus forevermore!