The First of Many, Part III

It is this final point that I want to emphasize. There are these fine details of the music that should belong to God, but we're not going to hear them come through when the whole system that births them is defunct. I think Christian music has turned as cold as the secular recording companies that parent it. I think it's nothing more than a money-making scheme for a lot of people, and, for those for whom it is a serious ministry, it's a mine-field of temptation and diminished returns. Did you know that every church that uses any contemporary worship music must pay a minimum of $100 to an organization called the CCLI? If we don't pay money to these "temple merchants", they will sue the church for violation of copyright.

Although not started for entirely the right reasons, the Reformation freed us who are Protestant from a corrupt regime and authority structure. It may very well have been possible to reform the Catholic church from within, but I really doubt it. I have recently begun to feel the same way about Christian music. It is managed under a corrupt and unredeemable structure. We have modeled our businesses after the world, and the world's mark on Christian music is unmistakeable; what a huge mistake! The heart of Christian music is corrupt; with the goal of making money trumping the worship of the Lord.

But, the good news is, we don't have to do it their way. There are General Public Licenses available for music, with no restrictions on performance, arrangement, or copying (only on credit for the composition); we can compose music that is free for all to sing and play! Home studios, with the right equipment and technical know-how, can produce competitive-quality CDs. We have an awesome distribution system called the internet; anyone in the world with a connection can share in the joy of worship with those who freely give it.

The catch is, we cannot use their music; it must be our own. It is illegal to copy or distribute their stuff without their permission, and they won't give it if they don't make any money. It is illegal to make a CD of Christian music for your unsaved friends to use as a witnessing tool. You can't even translate a copyrighted song without explicit permission from the copyright holder. No, it will be the people without recording contracts that bless others with their original music and worship, and, Lord willing, it will be that music that God uses to honor Himself all over the world.

If we put the glory of God before all things, including our own financial security, how much more will God honor our offering and take care of us? Are not the storehouses of heaven infinitely greater than our own? Let us offer our worship to those who cannot afford to pay, and provide the means to be payed if someone wishes to support our ministry. The musician has recieved a gift from the Lord and a privilege to assist in worship. Freely you have recieved; freely give.