Is Christian Music Lame?

This question has been front and center, partly due to the meteoric rise of artists like Forrest Frank and Josiah Queen, both of whom seem to openly embrace the title of “Christian Artist” (rather than the idea of being an artist who also is a Christian, but that doesn’t make “Christian Music” per se). A YouTube short has been floating around from Elevation YTH where the question was asked to Forrest Frank, “what do you say to people who say Christian Music is corny?” Forrest replied, “give us one more year”. The unspoken implication is that currently it IS corny/lame. It was said in fun, and I don’t think was meant to be disrespectful to anyone’s art. But it seems like the question and conversation is creating tension in some circles. 

I’ve seen numerous examples of established CCM artists pushing back against this notion that Christian music is/was lame. One CCM artist replied to an Instagram post from another CCM artist/producer saying that he would argue that there’s always been incredible music with themes about and illuminating Christ, and that the problem is that there weren’t as many channels or streams for that music to be heard. I saw another CCM artist say that if a Christian artist uses clickbait like “Christian music is lame” that you should run for the hills because we should be lifting each other up and encouraging each other rather than insinuating that their art is better than others. I say this with an enormous amount of respect to both artists that made these comments because both are PHENOMENAL artists and good humans, however…you’re missing the point. I get it. I understand why you’re interpreting it through that lens. I’m asking you to take a step back, and see it differently.

People are taking this as a personal attack, and are missing the greater narrative. Back in the 90’s and 2000’s there was a thriving CHR market that included bands like DC Talk, Audio A, Jars of Clay, the 5 Minute Walk and Tooth & Nail bands, and LOADS of others. They were making music that connected with younger listeners. It was an incredible season of music. I’ll never forget the first time I heard the Jesus Freak record. I lost my mind. It was game changing. The Third Day record with the bus on the cover in 1996, COME ON! Meanwhile the parents of people who were listening to that music were listening to Amy Grant, MWS, 4Him, Point of Grace, etc. There was something for everyone. Guess what the younger people thought? The other stuff is lame. My 19 year old daughter would much rather listen to Sabrina Carpenter than Lauren Daigle. My 18 year old son would much rather listen to AJR than Brandon Lake. But before you go thinking I’m a terrible parent whose kids listen to trash, guess who’s music my son LOVES? Jason Gray and Josh Wilson. Why? Because they are both unafraid to make music that addresses mental health which resonates with my neurodivergent son. Sadly, those songs largely aren’t getting played on Christian radio because they don’t fit the box. Again, it’s not about the artist or a lack of ability to write great music. It’s about who the music is targeting and what topics those songs are allowed to address.

The reality is that younger people largely (not all, but many) don’t connect to their parent’s music. For the better part of the last two decades the Christian Music Industry has not been focused on making music for younger listeners. There are exceptions to that, but the largest part of the industry has been making music for the “target listener” on CCM radio. When music was made that didn’t fit that mold, it didn’t get played. And during that time Christian radio was a MAJOR driver of getting Christian music to the masses. So for the most part if you wanted to have a career in Christian music, you had to fit into that box. To be clear, I’m NOT calling you a sellout. I’m NOT saying it wasn’t/isn’t great music. I am saying that the music wasn’t targeting younger listeners, and that you did what you had to do to put food on the table for your family.

The last few years we’ve seen a seismic shift in how music is being discovered AND consumed. Artists now how the ability to reach their target audience more easily via DSP’s and social media. With this shift we’ve seen a resurgence of Christian Music that is being made to connect to younger listeners because artists can actually make music that doesn’t fit into the CCM Radio mold, and still make a living. Even better, we’re seeing CCM radio start to break the mold a little. This is a good thing.

There is always some level of overlap in music, and as I said, CCM radio is finally starting to recognize the need to offer a more diverse group of artists. So at the present moment if you tune in to Christian Radio you might hear a song by MercyMe or Chris Tomlin, or you might hear Josiah Queen or Forrest Frank. You are DEFINITELY going to hear Brandon Lake, lol (bro is on fire and I’m here for it). 

So where does that leave us? Was Christian music lame before the current wave of artists? The answer is YES. The answer is also…ABSOLUTELY NOT. The reason both answers can be equally true is because it’s a subjective question that will illicit a very different response depending on who you ask. So here is my advice to anyone who is offended by the question:

1. Go read Brant Hansen’s book “Unoffendable”. I’m actually not joking. If you haven’t read it you should. I’ve read it three times, mostly because I’m SUPER offendable and need constantly reminded that I need to get over myself (removes log from own eye and points out speck).
2. Understand that when Forrest Frank or whoever suggests that the music they are making isn’t lame, it’s not an attack on you (if you’re an artist), or the music you’re playing (if you’re a Christian radio programmer), or the music you’re listening to (if you loved the last two decades of Christian music). The better way to interpret that statement is that he’s saying, “hey all you people who haven’t had anything that you vibe with…now you do.”
3. Champion this shift. As I said earlier, the fact that artists are making Christian Music that is primarily targeting younger listeners, or that is sonically and stylistically different, is a good thing. Younger listeners need this music. Welcome the addition. Don’t make it an “us against them” or feel the need to correct them.

I think we are seeing one of the greatest seasons of Christian music in my lifetime. There are more and more artists that connect with different groups of people. If one group uses language to reach their tribe that you don’t like, consider that it’s not an attack on you, but rather using cultural cliches to break the perception of the entire genre of Christian Music. All in love my friends. We are in this together.