Inspirational Music - Songs Of Worship

They date back as far as pre 1800 but began to gain popularity in the 1900’s and later. Their lineage dates back

to early gospel music when American traveling preachers began to sing the songs along with groups of men

(quartets) at tent revivals in the south. These revivals became the foundation for the formation of inspirational

music songs of worship in contemporary worship music today.

The songs began as a combination of hymns and American styles of music such as jazz and bluegrass. They

would eventually become the standard music of worship in the 1920’s from church to church and revival to

revival.

Their natural progression would be influenced by artists of the time throughout the 1950’s with the introduction

to rock and roll and began to focus more on reaching the youth of the generation. The 1960’s were no different

as the hippie generation began its transformation once again into songs of peace and love.

It was not until the 1970’s before songs of worship would take the biggest leap into the next generation. So-

called “Jesus people” where the younger generation and they were not singing the old hymns from the past, they

were writing their own new and more hip versions.

New inspirational music was coming out of the communes and churches like never before from coast-to-coast

in particular in California where a new generation of hip pastors and missionaries were gaining quite the

following of this new young movement. By the late 1970’s and early 80s they had begun to fade a little until the

early 1990’s when they would make yet another transformation.

In the 90’s a completely new generation of inspirational music songs of worship began to emerge and on a large

scale. They went from churches and commune congregations only to big screens in front of the church and a

full ensemble of instruments from guitars to keyboards.

This marked the beginning of contemporary worship music. The new generation of inspirational songs of

worship was now considered similar to pop music and where called “praise songs” or “worship songs.”

Today they are more popular than ever usually featuring a “worship band” as it's called that includes a lead

singer to sing the songs and the words are projected on the big screen for the congregation to participate. These

inspirational songs have become the hallmark of the youth for each new generation, each with their own style

and songs to inspire the next generation of worshipers.

There is no saying which direction this genre of inspirational music songs of worship will go, but rest assured

that it would continue to transform with each new generation and continue to inspire all believers.

These songs are not just for the youth, they are by design to inspire and lift up every Christian of faith no matter

what age. There may be different types of music for each generation hence the diversification amongst the

entire genre and subgenres of Christian, worship, and gospel music but each in its own style will continue to lift

up a generation just as its predecessor.

Written by Gary Harbin www.garyharbin.com Inspirational Music Songs Of Worship