Hymns are about who God is
Gospel is about what he did for us

That isn’t a judgement on the value of either, but the latter is introspective and the former is perspective. But most CCM music is introspective, as you point out, and is more “me” directed then God directed.

What McMillan puts into this song, however, is both aspects. He talks about what god has done for us, but at the same time reveals the enormity of the act that demonstrates who God is. We are all in a world of hurt right now but “we don’t have time to maintain these regrets when I think about….”

As far as “Open the eyes” reference, I think you are right. That is what happens when you just pick the first three songs you see.
Thanks for commenting!

I agree that the 80′s and 90′s produced a lot of “man-centered” worship that I don’t think is very helpful, but I think that the church has vacillated between being man-centered and God-centered throughout its history. You are right though, our current church climate is self-centered enough without singing our own praises on Sunday. We are starting to see a lot of new music, even some of the CCM stuff, that is re-aligning the view to Jesus instead of us. CCM is still behind the curve artistically though, which I’m sure is part of your frustration as an artist; it is mine.

I think you’re wrong in placing “Open the Eyes…” in that list though. While it may be old and tired, I think it is lyricaly humble and prayerful. It speaks to our weakness and inability. There are a good number of songs from that period that I think we be picked up as “the classics” one day…hopefully not “Shout To The Lord” though

-zak

It is solely my opinion and if you connect with contemporary Christian music and it draws you near to the Creator, crank it up! It just doesn’t speak to me.

If the music is honest, I love it. That’s a loaded statement though and I probably should have defined what I meant by “honest.”

Definition:
If the music is honest to me and who I am then I give it value. Thus, music that I love and makes the top of my head explode could be complete drivel to you. It doesn’t make either experience right or wrong. It’s just music and not an absolute.

I love dialogue, Brother Vince.

Each man and woman that is earnestly rejoicing in God’s presence no matter what their style of worship and song is, no matter what they are or aren’t wearing, no matter if they have stage lights or not; has a valid song to sing unto the Lord because hopefully their point is to be heard by only God. Those are the emotions we cannot see or judge by their flavor, culture or style. For the record…I love pogo-stick worshipping unto the Lord when it’s in unison and the power is flowing like a loud tornado. However…I also find times when a single voice plucking a guitar and crying out with a non-tuned voice is also just as powerful and moving. For me and my heart, it’s all about the presence and not the style even though I lean towards certain one.