Maybe at your church you've heard: "Contemporary Christian Music? That's 7-11 music. Seven words repeated eleven times!" Or "If it's not in the hymnal, then it's not real church music! Period!" Sound familiar? It should, since those words (or something like them) have been exclaimed at thousands of churches for years. Traditional vs. contemporary. Contemporary vs. traditional. And it goes on, and on, and on.

I thought it would be appropriate to write my first column for NRT on a surprising revelation on the subject that has become near and dear to me. The subject? Contemporary Christian Music (hereon referred to as CCM) and it's place in modern day worship. Little did I know when I started this new adventure (listening to CCM) that I would end up having numerous debates with my own parents over the issue. My father, a Presbyterian Minister for 52 years is gone now, but my mother, age 90, still feels as strongly as ever about the topic of CCM.

So let me tell you a story about a pastor named James B. Finley. Never heard of him? Probably because he pastured a Methodist church back in the early 1800's. His book, Autobiography of Rev. James B. Finley or Pioneer Life in the West, came out in 1853, and was edited by W.P. Strickland, D.D.

In the book, Finley talks about the church that his father and another pastor, The Rev. Joseph Smith (not the Mormon leader) led in Redstone County. This is the way he put it: "The introduction of (Isaac) Watts' hymns was considered a montrous departure from the faith of the Church, and, in some instances, divided Churches and families. My father used them alternately, and thus brought on him and the Rev. Joseph Smith much persecution. But the work of the Lord revived, and his power was greatly manifested in the awakening of sinners." Note: The addition of (Isaac) is mine, and not in the original quote.

Churches and families divided? A departure from the faith of the Church? Persecution brought on towards the ministers because they used radical new songs? Yep, you bet. But here's the kicker. Let me give you the titles of three of those songs: "Joy to the World," "O God, Our Help in Ages Past," and another radical song, "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross."

Does that put our present "radical new songs" in a whole new light? It sure did for me, and it continues to when I hear the likes of MercyMe's "I Can Only Imagine." or Chris Rice's "Amazing Love," or Michael W. Smith's "Open The Eyes Of My Heart," or Israel Houghton's "Friend Of God."

One of the problems I've discovered when talking to fans of traditional worship music is that they automatically assume that if you are a fan of one type of CCM, you must be a fan of it all. And nothing could be farther from the truth!

One of the great realities of CCM is the diversity that is currently displayed with the artists that we see at our local Christian music store. Just because I have a love of Christian music, does that mean I have to love Barlow Girl's music? Absolutely not! GRITS, tobyMac, Switchfoot, Relient K? No thank you. The common bond is that there is a message of the love of God, and a message of what Jesus Christ can do in our lives.

BarlowGirl is not trying to reach my particular age group. Nor is ZOEgirl, for that matter. But later this month I'll be at a Rebecca St. James concert that feature BarlowGirl as the opening act, and that opening act message will reach out to my daughter. Which is why I won't mind attending that portion of the concert, albeit with ear plugs. My current personal choices tend towards Natalie Grant, Ginny Owens, Sara Groves, and for a little variety, the David Crowder Band. So I'm not all mellow in my taste.

Do I propose a solution to all of this? I could, but I don't think it would get anywhere. That suggestion would be that we honestly attempt to understand the variety of Christian music that's out there, and understand that it really all does have a place in God's plan for praising Him. After all, as it's been said many times, it's not about the music. It's all about God. Who said that? Todd Agnew at a recent concert, as well as many other artists I've had the pleasure to hear.

None of us will be around one hundred years from now. But I have absolutely no doubt that in those hymnals that grace the pews, there will be hundreds of selections that are looked upon today by many as "montrous departures from the faith of the Church", and the cause of division in Churches and families. The work "montrous", by the way, is a word from the 1700's and 1800's, and now means the same as monstrous. As in huge.

What's your take on the subject? I'd love to hear from you and have you share your experiences at your particular church regarding the controversy.

In two weeks, we're going to take a look at the Grammys and the Doves. Grammys will be awarded on February 8, and the Dove nominations were just announced this past Wednesday, February 1st. And as always, I notice that the men and women that select Grammy nominations, "just don't get it". And they haven't for many years. We'll try and get them up to speed in two weeks. In the meantime, enjoy those great new releases that came out on January 24. My personal favorite of the newest music? Jennifer Knapp's Live. Great album. Check it out.