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CAREER OR CALLING // CAN CHRISTIAN MUSIC LOSE THE PLOT? by Alexander MacDougall
In 1971 I joined my first Christian music band. It was called,“ Rebirth.” As part of the Jesus Movement, we played in parks, public schools( sometimes under an“ anti-drug” allowance), backyards, and the few churches that would allow drums, electric guitars and long hair. There were no large-scale Christian music concerts back then. And we weren’ t the only local Christian band autonomously out there. Love Song, The Way, Agape, Blessed Hope, Joy, Selah, and many more played and gave testimony regularly. That was 54 years ago and believe me since then I’ ve seen quite a bit, both from the“ musician” side of things and from the corporate vantage point. I’ ve seen Christian artists, record label executives, church and parachurch ministry leaders, promoters and music support infrastructure, crash and burn.
And why do I bring this up? It’ s because of the recent scandals regarding Michael Tait and The Newsboys, and any coverups attached to the whole disgrace. The ignominy exposes the ugly truth of people losing the vision of why they are involved in the first place, what they are doing in Christian music, who they are doing it for, and valuing a brand over a calling.
As The Newsboys once sang,“ First I misplaced the ending, then I lost the plot.”
Lost the Plot
51 years ago, there were no trappings or aspirations now associated with Contemporary Christian Music. There were no Christian radio charts, no massive worship gatherings, no“ meet and greets”, smoke machines, projection mappings, celebrities or Zeligs. Things were just simpler. It was about a calling then, and the notion of a career never entered our minds.
So, is there a difference between a career and a calling?
I’ ve asked my friend Phil, an industry veteran, for his thoughts on career versus calling. His comments are sensible and seasoned with perspective.
“ When I was 12 years old, I knew I wanted to be a guitarist, singer-songwriter for the rest of 26 July 2025 Subscribe for Free...