Redefining "Christian" Music and Music Ministry, Part 1

As I've mentioned in past posts, I'm a singer-songwriter, so music is a huge, integral part of my life.  I'm also, of course, a committed Christian.  But I don't sing "Christian music," at least not by CCM or Christian radio's definition.  (There are many reasons for that, which I may address in another post.)  I've been doing a lot of thinking/praying/struggling about how God wants me to use my music for His glory.  It's a question I've continually wrestled with, and I'm constantly reevaluating my conclusions over time. At this point, I'm still convinced that I'm where I'm supposed to be, singing in bars and coffee shops and not (necessarily) churches.

I'm of the mind that any music that points people towards God, even unknowingly, could be considered "Christian" music.  It doesn't have to be filled with Biblical imagery or Christian clichés or use the name of Jesus 15 times in a 3 minute song.   Case in point-- I covered the Metallica song "The Day That Never Comes" on my YouTube channel.  Metallica is generally not the first band that comes to mind when you think of Christian music, I realize that.  But because of that song, I was able to share the gospel with a guy on the other side of the world via e-mail.  He's a Muslim, but he was very open to what I had to say (er... write, in this case).  Now I wonder, if I was singing strictly "Christian" music and posting "Christian" songs on YouTube, would I have had this opportunity?  Is this not "becom[ing] all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Cor. 9:22)?

And besides that, I like Metallica's music.  They are great musicians and songwriters, and their songs say things that many, many people can relate to.  I know that as a Christian, I have to be aware of what I'm putting into my mind, and Metallica's music can get rather dark.  But it is real and genuine, which is more than I can say for a lot of "Christian" music.  Life isn't all sunshine and roses and blue skies, but 20 minutes of Christian radio might make you think it's supposed to be.  I'm not sure that's doing justice to the message "Christian" music is supposed to be proclaiming.

More thoughts to come...