June 14, 2009

1995?

Posted in Christian, Christian Music, Christianity, Reform, The Church tagged Casting Crowns, CCM, Chris Tomlin, Derek Webb, John Mark McMillan, Matt Kearney, Relient K at 12:24 am by Bryant

In anticipation for a move, I’ve allowed myself to go without an internet connection for a few, maybe 3 weeks or so.  I didn’t think it would be that tough because I’ve never completely relied on facebook as a means for communication, and if I don’t complain about Christian music the world will still go on.  Needless to say it felt like living in pre-internet dominant life… like 1995.  Oddly enough I did find myself watching movies on VHS, a correlation or just an unwillingness to purchase Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on DVD?  So as far as I can tell from my drive from Knoxville to Nashville and from Nashville to Atlanta, not much has changed in CCM.  I did hear a few unheard before (by me) songs in Nashville which is encouraging, but I don’t recall if they were good.

So is there any good CCM out there?  You tell me.

I’ve been in Atlanta since Wednesday, and I won’t be leaving until this coming Friday.  I’m never in a car, and so I’m not in a radio friendly environment.  Oddly enough I’ve been dwelling on some songs by Chris Tomlin and Casting Crowns.  If you have read nearly anything I have written, then you have a decent chance of knowing that I am not a fan; however, I do respect their ministry and them as artists.  I find myself singing their songs in my head, which has to be better than the many terrible alternatives that my mind could be thinking of.  They’re causing me to dwell on whatever is pure, noble, etc.  So they are fulfilling their purpose of singing a song that keeps me focused on Christ… and I honestly did not see that one coming.  Props.

Derek Webb could have released his album by this point online, and I would not have known (due to the offlining).  I have heard some buzz that we can expect something more substantial by early July.  Relient K should be contributing some new sweet sounds in October.

Meanwhile I came across a video from Derek Webb that I is applicable to the purpose of this blog, see below.

A good friend of mine recommended John Mark McMillan.  JMM is an unsigned artist, but he sounds similar to Matt Kearney.  Click his name to go to his Myspace. I found him very relaxing and fun, but I’ll try to give him a more detailed review in the future.

Some fun experiences today:  Chatting with an executive of the Presbyterian Church (USA).  Let me just say that there seemed to be a thousand Presbies flocking at the hotel here for the Big Tent Conference.  Now when I kick it Presbyterian, I try to kick it PCA, but that’s not what this story is about.  We had an interesting conversation about doctrine and how some denominations and churches miss the point of focusing on Jesus.  I wish this conversation could be had with the executives of the Southern Baptist Convention, the Congregational Church, the United Methodist Church, the Church of Christ (but we’d probably argue more about Christian music), etc.  Possibly, if this conversation about focusing on Christ could be had with those that lead the organizations that govern the churches, it could trickle down into the churches and we could be more like what the Apostles established and less like what our non biblical traditions/limitations dictate.  Now I’m not saying our conversation is going to reform the PCUSA, but if we aren’t talking about Jesus then we are probably just wasting our breath.

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