If you have ever been part of a musical team at church, whether that’s a choir or a band, you know that the job is not to perform but to guide others into praise and worship.
When you look out over a sea of faces, they should be singing, not looking at you. Ideally, the musicians fade away. No vocal acrobatics or drum solos. Nothing fancy or distracting.
And yet, the music has to be beautiful, an offering to the Lord — “a joyful heart singing His praises is a sweet, sweet sound” (Psalm 95:2). Musicians and songwriters walk a fine line between great skill and talent that’s so good as to steal the show away from the Lord.
Some gospel musicians yield to the temptation to be superstars. Others take a humble approach. Your servant-hearted worship leader will seek to create a playlist that lets others sing and hear their own worship, their own joyful offering.
Christian musicians who are mindful of this create music with a structure that is easy to remember and catch on to and songs that are easy for the average voice to follow (that is no vocal acrobatics, nothing too complex, timing that one can follow without too much trouble, and simple intervals).
At the same time, worshipers want to enjoy the music, not fall asleep to it. There should be something in there that catches people’s attention.
Whether you are grieving, or you want to dance and sing, several excellent Christian musicians are good at reminding listeners to keep Jesus in the forefront without sacrificing musical quality.
A lot of gospel-focused acts are even featured on secular talk shows, thanks to the quality of their songwriting and musicianship.
Here are five Christian musicians who fix their eyes and the listener’s ears on Jesus, helping listeners tap into the emotions of their faith and the truth about their Savior.
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1. Mercy Me
Although they formed nearly 30 years ago, Mercy Me came to the public’s attention with
“I Can Only Imagine” in 2001. Since then, this award-winning band has released numerous popular tunes. Some are foot-tappers like “Lifer” and “Happy Dance.”
Others are slower and more contemplative, facing the real difficulties of life while praising Jesus. Consider “Even If:” “I know You're able and I know You can/Save through the fire with Your mighty hand/ But even if You don't/My hope is You alone.”
Sometimes, we all want to ask, “You’re so powerful, Lord, why do you let bad things happen?” These lyrics imply that the band has come to the same conclusion that Peter reached in John 6:68 — “My Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Meanwhile, a newer tune like “Greater” draws directly from the Word of God. “Greater is the One living inside of me, than he who is living in the world” (1 John 4:4). Though it’s impossible not to admire their skill, the group is always pointing back to their Maker.
Mercy Me is musically tight, too. Bart Millard brings a big voice to the front of the stage, but he can soften the sound for ballads and blend with the other voices to produce rich harmonies.
Yeah, they’re a Christian band, but they’ve got skills that have yielded cross-over success. Additionally, these guys don’t take themselves too seriously. Their faith is serious, but the videos are often hilarious.
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2. Chris Tomlin
On the playlist of many modern evangelical churches, you will find at least a couple of songs by this enduring Christian artist. Chris Tomlin’s straightforward voice will take you by surprise: You might think his songs won’t pack a punch.
But he allows the message to take center stage, and the music sneaks up on you at the same time, delivering both the gospel and satisfying tunes, some of which have become instantly recognizable by just a phrase on the guitar or a single lyric. “How great is our God?” is all you need to start an entire congregation singing a capella in harmony.
Tomlin has created a host of songs you cannot help but sing to, songs designed for corporate worship but which also get stuck in a person’s head in the best possible way to come out at times when you need to be reminded of truths about Christ.
For example, whenever you feel forgotten by the Lord, his cover of “Good, Good Father” (originally by the Housefires) stresses that God has a plan, and each of us is a beloved part of it. Yet, “Our God” puts the Lord where he belongs, at the head of all things — famous, majestic, hallowed.
“Our God is greater, our God is stronger/God You are higher than any other/Our God is Healer, awesome in power/Our God, Our God.” That’s why we can trust his promises.
Tomlin also took one of the most famous Christian hymns of all time and gave it a new spin. He added new lines to “Amazing Grace,” a tactic that causes the listener to hear the old words afresh.
His additions also give greater emphasis to the abolitionist roots of Amazing Grace: “My chains are gone, I’ve been set free/My God my Savior has ransomed me.”
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3. Phil Wickham
You might have seen Phil Wickham on television with his skinny jeans and floppy bangs, plus the chiseled good looks of a rock star, and wondered, “Is he really a gospel artist?” He is, in fact, a devout believer who reflects a deep understanding of the Word while also evoking a sense of awe and wonder.
“This is Amazing Grace” tells the Good News in an upbeat, memorable, and succinct style. For example, here’s the bridge: “Worthy is the lamb who was slain/worthy is the king who conquered the grave.” It can’t get simpler than that.
“Living Hope” is a ballad-style worship standard that drops back to a terrible stillness before erupting with the victory of the resurrection.
It’s a pattern that follows the story arc of the gospel itself, where Christ bursts on the scene and draws followers, dies a horrible death, then rises from the grave in triumph. Wickham uses this pattern to great effect in other songs too.
In “You’re Beautiful,” Wickham first paints an awe-inspiring and pleasing picture, comparing Christ to a sunrise, and to the glittering planets in a “moonlit night.” Then he confronts listeners with the shocking and terrible beauty of the cross: “I see you there hanging on a tree.”
This moment is dark and gut-wrenching, and yet placing it after those majestic images implies that Christ on the cross is even more beautiful.
Wickham brings back unalloyed joy with greater force than before. “You bled and then you died and then you rose again for me.” Who can sing that without raising their hands in praise and wonder?
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4. Ellie Holcomb
This country artist can pack a punch or play it cool; she has the range and the skill with her marvelous voice to do what she pleases. Although you really get a taste of her power in “Survival” by Needtobreathe where she features with her husband Drew Holcomb, many of her songs are stirring ballads full of the gospel, even quoting directly from Scripture.
In “Wonderfully Made,” Holcomb challenges the lies we allow ourselves to believe by singing the truth of what God has told us: “You knit me together In my mother's womb/And You say that I've never been hidden from You/And You say that I'm wonderfully made.”
I love her self-control: Holcomb can perform the vocal cartwheels of a diva, but she holds back, receding so that Jesus can come forward.
“He Will” features a light, slow, but steady rhythm that pushes forward slowly, yet with a persistent and solid tempo that gives it energy, like the rock that underscores a patient and determined faith.
This song reminds us of God’s promises to those who are suffering. “He'll bind up the brokenhearted” and will “set the captives free from darkness,” “give beauty for our ashes,” with Holcomb always returning to that catchy promise “He will”.
One of her greatest skills is putting God’s words into music so that they are easier to remember. Sing her songs throughout the day, and you’ll find you’re actually preaching the gospel to yourself.
Photo Credit: ©Youtube/Judah.XEllieHolcomb
5. Matt Redman
That’s where someone like Matt Redman is a genius.
“Blessed Be Your Name” features the repeated theme of its title, taking worshipers through expected and unexpected ground.
Blessed be the name of Jesus whether “the streams of abundance flow” or “I’m found in the desert place.” Not only that but whatever blessing God pours out, “I’ll turn back to praise.” This is a humble offering.
“Ten Thousand Reasons” is equally uplifting and joyous. There are so many reasons to praise, even in the regular day-to-day act of living. Redman journeys through the stages of a day and of a life where a believer finds reasons to be grateful.
He praises the good and bad, and similar to Phil Wickham, he walks you to a place you weren’t expecting.
It’s shocking to be told that “on that day, when my strength is fading/the end draws near, and my time has come/still my soul will sing your praise unending” — singing even when you know your life is about to end.
So many people fear death: to recall that the end is really only the beginning reminds us that God’s ways are not our ways. His Kingdom is nothing like this one. If you were already on your feet, you’d want to lift up onto your toes.
If you ever have trouble conveying the message of Christ to another person, “Better is One Day” makes it so simple. The Christian places his hope in spending life with Jesus, where even a single day is better than a whole lifetime in our broken world.
These artists make the work look simple, but if you’ve ever heard trite songs about Jesus that put your teeth on edge, you know a gift for rousing other believers to worship when you hear it.
But this is just a sample of quality Christian musicians and a taste of their respective portfolios. There’s much more devotion and inspiration to explore.
For further reading:
Listening to Music for the Lord
Why Do Christians Sing Praise and Worship Songs?
Should Churches Allow Hillsong and Bethel Worship Songs?
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Originally published Friday, 08 September 2023.