For many churches today, music has become one of the most important factors in attempting to reach unbelievers with the gospel. Writing from his own personal experience as a former worship leader, Dan Lucarini questions the use of contemporary music in the worship of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Apostles of Rock is the first objective, comprehensive examination of the contemporary Christian music phenomenon. Some see CCM performers as ministers or musical missionaries, while others define them as entertainers or artists. This popular musical movement clearly evokes a variety of responses concerning the relationship between Christ and culture. The resulting tensions have splintered the genre and given rise to misunderstanding, conflict, and an obsessive focus on self-examination. As Christian stars Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, DC Talk, and Sixpence None the Richer climb the mainstream charts, Jay Howard and John Streck talk about CCM as an important movement and show how this musical genre relates to a larger popular culture. They map the world of CCM by bringing together the perspectives of the people who perform, study, market, and listen to this music. By examining CCM lyrics, interviews, performances, web sites, and chat rooms, Howard and Streck uncover the religious and aesthetic tensions within the CCM community. Ultimately, the conflict centered around Christian music reflects the modern religious community's understanding of evangelicalism and the community's complex relationship with American popular culture.

This collection gathers the best in contemporary Christian music from the 2000s and 2010s, including songs by Billboard-charting and GRAMMY(R) Award-winning artists like Amy Grant, Laura Story, and Steven Curtis Chapman, as well as current hits from Casting Crowns, Newsboys, TobyMac, and more. All arrangements include full lyrics and guitar chords for added versatility. Titles: All the People Said Amen (Matt Maher) * All You've Ever Wanted (Casting Crowns) * Back to You (Mandisa) * Better Than a Hallelujah (Amy Grant) * Blessings (Laura Story) * Cinderella (Steven Curtis Chapman) * City on Our Knees (TobyMac) * Courageous (Casting Crowns) * East to West (Casting Crowns) * Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me) (Casting Crowns) * God Is on the Move (7eventh Time Down) * Greater (MercyMe) * How He Loves (David Crowder Band) * I Am (Crowder) * I Can Only Imagine (MercyMe) * Jesus Loves Me (Chris Tomlin) * Just Be Held (Casting Crowns) * Like a Lion (God's Not Dead) (Newsboys) * Made New (Lincoln Brewster) * More of You (Colton Dixon) * Need You Now (How Many Times) (Plumb) * Overcomer (Mandisa) * Overwhelmed (Big Daddy Weave) * Redeemed (Big Daddy Weave) * Shake (MercyMe) * Speak Life (TobyMac) * Start a Fire (Unspoken) * Stronger (Mandisa) * Tell Your Heart to Beat Again (Danny Gokey) * Touch the Sky (Hillsong UNITED) * Waiting for Tomorrow (Mandisa) * You Amaze Us (Selah) * Your Great Name (Natalie Grant) * Your Love Awakens Me (Phil Wickham).

Chronicling the amazing rise of this genre from its gospel roots to today's diverse musical sound, this guide offers a complete capsule encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian artists as well as an introduction to the music form. 40 illustrations.

A Handbook of Principia for the Biblical Christian as he faces the music of the endtime. Begins with Biblical principles for music; Biblical separation and music; deals with contemporary music from rock to Gospel to contemporary Christian.

These essays provide bandmember lists, complete discographies, lists of awards, artist-website addresses, biographies of the artists, and reviews of their work."--BOOK JACKET.