CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL: Check It Out

Today, people of all ethnic backgrounds enjoy Black Gospel music. Total revenues for Gospel exploded from $180 million in 1980 to $500 million in 1990. Kirk Franklin and his various choirs soared to the tops of secular charts in the 90s.

If you are interested in incorporating more contemporary (or traditional) Gospel songs into your group's worship times, build a relationship with your campus' Gospel choir or a local Black church and learn from them. Seek the input of African Americans already in your fellowship or church for what they know from their experience.

Secondly, you can listen to the recordings of popular Gospel performers such as Kirk Franklin; Fred Hammond; Walt Whitman and the Soul Children of Chicago; John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir; and Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir. Integrity's Hosanna! Music has done some fantastic recordings in conjunction with Fred Hammond and Keith Staten called "Praise in the House" and "Worship in the House"-these songs are familiar to a diverse audience. Also, check out the Black Entertainment Television (BET) program "Bobby Jones Gospel Hour."

A Gospel choir sound is harder to recreate without a Gospel choir, but you can adapt choir songs for communal worship. Some contemporary songs can be or are done in unison. If you want to teach parts: Have people up front who can sing each part (SAT), teach the parts one section at a time, and before you know it you'll be making a beautiful noise unto the Lord!

Audio clip: "Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory" (Track #10)"

Gospel music is a powerful bridge: of people to God and of people to each other. Those who don't know God are usually willing and excited about listening to or learning Gospel songs and in this way become connected to God. Many non-Christians participate in Gospel choirs because they find the music uplifting and hopeful-and hope is what we all desperately need.

We, in the U.S. church especially, also need Gospel music because of how it can bridge us to one another and bring healing to the wounds of a racially torn past. From the days of slavery until now, African-American spiritual music has been God's gift to those who would have ears to hear.