Tribute

Music is such an integral part of our Christian life.  God calls us to fellowship with and worship Him, and through our vocal praise, from honoring God with our words of exaltation to singing out His praises, we demonstrate our love and devotion for Him, and we ourselves are built up on the inside.  In our services, times of worship can prepare our hearts to receive His Word. The Bible states in Psalm 149 (ESV):
1 Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly!
2 Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
3 Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

I think of those words, "a new song."  I think that implies that our songs to Him are full of power and praise, that our songs have the capability to enable us to experience the presence of God.  These "new songs" throughout the ages have given believers a distinctive experience.

There is a rich history, a tremendous foundation upon which today's Christian music artists are building.

And, that is now being commemorated in a new museum in - where else - Nashville.  It's called the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music, located near the historic Ryman Auditorium downtown.

Appropriately enough, the website that has grown out of Contemporary Christian Music Magazine, or CCM Magazine, provided coverage that contained a personal element.  The report stated:

The ribbon-cutting felt more like a family reunion than a ceremony. As we all filled the streets, hugs and handshakes were spread from those of us who have shared decades of history in the genre.  GMA President Jackie Patillo stood proudly beside Governor Bill Lee as they sliced through the ribbon, officially welcoming this long-overdue space into existence. Steve Gilreath, the legendary Dove Awards producer, served as master of ceremonies and as the driving force behind the creation of the museum. There were artists, executives, and fans everywhere — a cross-section of the very world this museum now celebrates.

The description included these words: "It’s immersive, interactive, and impeccably curated. You can spend time with the touch screen experiences, listen to stories by the artists that shaped the medium, and feel the growing pulse of moments that changed everything."  The article went on to say: "Standing there, I realized this building isn’t just about nostalgia or nameplates. It’s about giving Christian and Gospel music something it’s never really had — a forever home. After decades of tours, church stages, and festival fields, it finally has a place to rest, to be studied, to be celebrated."

The Museum opened on Friday, October 3, just in time for the GMA Dove Awards on Tuesday, the 7th.

Executive Director Steve Gilreath, according to an article at Religion News Service, "has a long history in the Christian music industry," and "hopes the $15 million museum will draw about 40,000 fans a year. He said the museum is designed to help visitors connect with the musicians and songs that shaped their lives."  The article covers the range of styles and memorabilia that can be found in the 11,000-square-foot museum, paying tribute to artists from Vestal Goodman to the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, to Keith Green and CeCe Winans, and even the "Christmas Shoes" made popular by the group NewSong.  Artifacts from artists ranging from Carman to Stryper are featured there, according to CCM.

Patillo is quoted by RNS as saying, "Part of the goal with all of these wonderful stories and all of this great music is to bring hope and to renew faith and to declare the fact that God is alive and full of power, even today,” she said. “So many have been raised in church and may not be going anymore, but some of the songs are the tapestry of their lives.”

On The Meeting House, I have covered some of these destinations that Christians can enjoy and from which we can benefit: from Ark Encounter to Museum of the Bible, from Sight and Sound to the Wonders Museum and Science Center, now to this museum paying tribute to music that exalts God that has been such a powerful force on our society.  An article described this a while back as "Christian tourism."  When you think about it, perhaps that really could have been considered a bit trite and dismissive.  But, the description is fairly accurate?  Why not bring faith and even learning to a road trip?

In the case of the Museum of Christian and Gospel Music, which I have not visited, it can give us a chance to remember and reflect.  The music you listen to on Faith Radio reflects a rich tradition, with songs and artists who reflect a legacy of faith, bringing hope and encouragement, even a spirit of worship today.  What a good God we serve who has provided us the gift of music through which we can connect more deeply with Him?

The Gospel Music Association presented it annual Dove Awards last Tuesday night in Nashville, although the ceremony aired on TBN & its on-demand service on Friday - and on Friday, the results were announced.  Faith Radio artists winning Dove Awards included:

• Brandon Lake for Songwriter of the Year, Artist category, and others, including triple awards for Hard Fought Hallelujah, which won Song of the Year
• Leanna Crawford for New Artist of the Year
• The Jesus Way by Phil Wickham for Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year
• Phil also won for Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year for Hallelujah! It's Christmas!
• DOE for Contemporary Gospel Song of the Year for Holy Hands
• CeCe Winans for Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for Come Jesus Come, featuring Shirley Caesar 
• CeCe also won Christmas Recorded Song of the Year for Joy to the World
• Another Christmas project won Long Form Video of the Year, A Drummer Boy Christmas (LIVE) from for King and Country
• The Nelons won Southern Gospel Album of the Year for Loving You
• The Dove Award for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year went to Tamela Mann for Live Breathe Fight
• Chandler Moore won Gospel Worship Album of the Year for Chandler Moore: Live in Los Angeles
• Musical/Choral Collection of the Year went to Cain for Kids

An interesting - and I might say unnecessary controversy arose when last week, prior to the announcement that he had been chosen Artist of the Year, multi-Dove winner Forrest Frank, according to The Christian Post, "announced in a social media post that he would no longer accept awards for his music. 'As Christians, it’s hard to know where the line is in the sand between being in the world and not of the world,' he said."  The article went on to relate that Frank said, “I was wrestling with this last year. I even said that on stage at the Dove Awards. I said ‘I’m still struggling with the concept of receiving this award, but all glory to Jesus, every name will fade away, including mine, except for one name...’”

The article went on to say:

After informing his fans that he would no longer attend the Doves and the Grammys, Frank expressed hope that he could “be an example to the youth that the trophy is our salvation” and that “the trophy is that my name is listed in the Book of Life and I get to have eternal life.”

Totally get the sentiment.  According to the Christian Post, CeCe Winans responded by encouraging the singer to "follow your convictions.”  But, co-writer of the Dove Award-winning Song of the Year, Hard Fought Hallelujah, country music singer Jelly Roll, who recorded the song with Brandon Lake, called Frank out.  The Christian Post article stated:

In a comment on Frank’s Instagram post, Jelly Roll suggested that Frank’s “stance of nonparticipation” was inconsistent: “Won’t receive trophy from something for Jesus but will take the profits from something from Jesus for Jesus. Maybe I’m missing something here lol.”

In another comment on Frank’s post, Jelly Roll described his point of view as “an interesting take,” adding, “I dig it.” At the same time, Jelly Roll asked Frank, “How do you think this compares as profiting from the same music?”

To get paid for doing ministry is not a sin - I think the apostle Paul made that clear, although he chose to make money at another occupation.  So, I think Mr. Roll has made a false equivalency here.  Both these men have essentially come out of nowhere to highly influence Christian music over the last year or so.  I appreciate Forrest Frank's candor, although I'm still trying to figure out why he was named Artist of the Year by the GMA voters.  I think this "difference" should have been settled privately.  I think we can give recognition to God for how He uses His servants - we just have to keep things in the right perspective and make sure that ultimately, it's the Creator who uses the music and the musician for His glory, for which we can rejoice.