RECLAIMED | KAIROS GLOBAL | JANUARY 2024

Author: Jacinta Heley

Intro: Musician and music teacher, Jacinta Heley takes us through Contemporary Christian music, as it evolved over the decades.

The word ‘reclaim’ comes to me whenever I think of contemporary Christian music, which reclaims contemporary music, both in style and instrumentation for Christ.  

Is there anything more powerful than music to reach the heart of man, especially the heart of youth? As a musician and working music teacher who engages with many teens – I would say, no. There isn’t. Music is like prayer, it is not material yet it has a powerful effect on the soul.  

From the first beats of jazz and rock’n’roll in the early twentieth century to the  new rhythms and electronic instruments, music in the late twentieth century  influenced the culture and changed people’s behaviour. In the 1950s rock’n’roll became a point of difference in the West between the children born after WWII and their parents. Who doesn’t remember the effect of a young Elvis Presley on his teenage audiences or the hysteria surrounding the Beatles in the 1960s? Music captured the heart of youth in the 1950s and 1960s but there was concern it was powerfully moving them away from God.  

Then the Jesus movement began in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Music – new music was a part of this revolution, and it arrived just in time. Combining the electronic instruments and contemporary sound of a generation with words of scripture, it took the contemporary form of music – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums, bass and upbeat rhythm and vocals, to a higher level. ‘Jesus music, also known as gospel beat music in the UK, primarily began when street musicians of the late 1960s and early 1970s converted to Christianity. They continued to play the same style of music they had played.^’1 now the music was directed towards God, the true end of all things. The devil stopped having all the good music.  

Contemporary Christian music of the late twentieth century fulfils the request of St Pius X to ‘Restore all things in Christ,’ which is a continuation of the teaching of St Paul. At this time artists such as Michael W Smith and Amy Grant were rocketing up the charts. This generation now had their own talented pool of musicians who were not causing internal conflict in their listeners due to lyrics promoting a worldly belief system. The thrill of beautiful songs like Adonai from Amy Grant left the listener doing a double take. The form, vocals and instrumentation were pure contemporary, while the words took you to heaven. 

There are however so many talented and well-loved artists it would take many articles to cover them. In Australia, the 1980s and onward saw the rise of Hillsong with Darlene Zschech as singer and praise leader, who led Australia, and then the world in a distinctive contemporary praise and worship style. Rich harmonies, beautiful lyrics emphasising the personal relationship with Christ underpinned with electric bass, drums and guitar used for their highest purpose – to worship the creator. It is not surprising that the time of renewal after the Second Vatican Council, which saw a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit in both the Catholic and Protestant churches, was also a time of renewal in music. 

Australian Catholic nun Sister Janet Mead successfully recorded The Lord’s  Prayer in 1973 which brought scripture directly to many homes. Other Catholic musicians such as Fr Stan Fortuna combined the rhythmically intricate form of rap with clear Catholic teaching on the Eucharist (School of the Eucharist), theology and papal teaching (Everybody Gotta Suffer – Salvifici Dolores). It is difficult to forget the messages of this gifted musician when they are delivered through the hard-hitting medium of modern rap. Tony Melendez has also collaborated with Fr Stan in You are My God complete with beautiful contemporary video on Eucharistic adoration. While it is more common to tune in to a local Christian radio than a Catholic one, all followers of Christ can listen to and enjoy music that falls under the umbrella of contemporary Christian music as it is largely based on scripture.  

There are artists for every section of society whether it is the Newsboys (started in QLD Australia 1985) or DC Talk with their chart topping hit Jesus Freak or Toby Mac and his Diverse City band. Finally, who can forget I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe, a song that has risen right to the top with words that reflect what it is like to finally arrive in heaven? Talented young men and women committed to Christ now no longer need to compromise or leave the music industry. They have forged their own path with songs so good, they are able to keep us all on the narrow path.  

A Catholic mother-of-three, Jacinta Heley is a music teacher and small-business owner in Victoria, Australia.