Collaborative approach: Want to write a hit worship song? Invite a few friends to church.
When the CCLI Top 100 chart first appeared in 1988, most of the songs had one writer. Today, the average hit worship song has at least two writers. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
Musical ecumenism: Why Catholic bishops rocked out to megachurch worship hits
The rise in popularity of music from churches like Elevation, Hillsong and Bethel has helped launch a new kind of ecumenical movement. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
Postcards: No drinking and only Christian music during Sunday Gospel Hour at Nashville’s most iconic honky tonk
LUIS ANDRES HENAO, of Associated Press, reports from the Roberts Western World honky tonk…
Sight-Seeing: Learning to lament as a normal expression of faith
NILS VON KALM says it’s time the church re-embraces the call to lament…
On the Screen: Intimate and refreshingly honest, ‘Unsung Hero’ tells the remarkable story of the Smallbone family
DAVID ADAMS finds ‘Unsung Hero’ a well-told portray of one’s family’s journey in God…
Mandisa, Grammy-winning singer and ‘American Idol’ alum, dies at 47
Nashville, Tennessee, US AP Mandisa, a contemporary Christian singer who appeared on American Idol and won a Grammy for her 2013 album Overcomer, has died. She was 47. A representative for the singer told The Associated Press that the singer was found dead in her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday. The representative said the cause […]
Music: In ‘God Gave Rock & Roll to You’, Leah Payne details the rise and fall of CCM
BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, speaks with author Leah Payne about her new book, ‘God Gave Rock & Roll To You’…
Lifestory: Sandra Crouch, influential musician, minister, sister of Andraé Crouch, dead at 81
ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports on the passing of Sandra Crouch, the twin sister and collaborator of Gospel music legend Andraé Crouch…
New Catholic Spanish language record label seeks to catch up to Christian industry
Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to ‘go out,’ Juan Delgado and Pedro Rubalcava launched Via Cantus in February, 2023. ALEJA HERTZLER-MCCAIN, of Religion News Service, reports…
Sherwin Gardner: Caribbean musician’s viral hit song surpasses a billion TikTok views
“It’s like a prayer,” Gardner said of his hit song. “God already kind of answered that – within the first two weeks of the year.” ADELLE M BANKS, of Religion News Service, reports…