Given the chatter on this blog the last few weeks about the future of the Gospel Music Association and the debate over the line between secular music and Christian ministry, I thought it would be interesting to take a deeper look at the question: What is Christian music?
While I was at Gospel Music Week 2009, and in interviews since, I’ve been asking artists and industry professionals that very question. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing their answers.
To kick us off, let’s hear the answer from Dove-, Grammy- and Stellar-Award winning worship artist, Israel Houghton.

Israel Houghton answers the question, What is Christian music?

“I’m not an authority, I’m not the statesman. But I would say, Christian music as I see it, from my angle, is just good music. It’s good melodies, good rhythms. For me it’s interactive.

“And the thing that sets is apart from other music, especially if you’re talking about worship music, is that you’re singing to one person. The affection, the focus, the attention is on God, for the most part. And that’s not the end all, be all. There are other categories where you’re also talking to people and encouraging people, but gospel music, gospel in its definition, is good news.

“And I think we’re living in a time where we hear a lot of bad news, we hear a lot of what’s wrong with the world, and I really enjoy that I get to be a part of the sliver of the industry that is all about giving hope, encouragement and good news to people.

“Regardless of your belief, regardless of your religious affiliation, I don’t care if you’re an atheist, an agnostic, I don’t care. We could all use good news, in the sense of – for us as believers, the cross, what Jesus did at Calvary, is IT for us. It’s the epitome of sacrifice and love. But there are things were people need to hear – “Hey, it’s gonna be OK.” And you can say that on any format, at any time, on any radio station, and I don’t care who you are, we all need to hear it’s gonna be OK.”

For more about Israel Houghton, visit his website.
(And a little personal plug: you can read my article about Israel Houghton in the December issue of Christian Voice Magazine.)