By Ken Canedo

Music ministry. Over forty years ago those two words did not go together in Catholic circles. The Mass was in Latin and pretty much a silent experience. We had some music at the Sunday High Mass or the Wednesday night novena service, usually from a singer or small group hidden in the choir loft with the organ. But Catholics, for the most part, did not sing, and music was not used as a way to reach out to young people.

With the mandate of the Second Vatican Council, Americans began celebrating Mass in English in 1964. A young seminarian named Ray Repp picked up his guitar and began singing the psalms in the folk music style that was so popular at the time. Concurrently, a young priest named Fr. Clarence Rivers sang of God's love in the moving style of the African-American spiritual. Catholic music was suddenly exciting and these new songs found their way into the liturgy.

Forty years later, music has become one the most dynamic tools of evangelization to reach out and inspire Christians of all ages in all denominations. Parish youth ministry and religious education programs are often built around the uplifting beat of contemporary Christian music (CCM), which has also found a place in liturgy.

Contemporary Christian music – both Protestant and Catholic – has become a major force in the music industry. The Dove Awards honor the top Protestant CCM artists. This past week, the Unity Awards were handed out to the top Catholic artists. Like the secular Grammies, the Dove and Unity awards are voted on by industry people and the artists themselves in recognition of outstanding achievement in the year just completed. It is an honor just to be nominated.

Christian music has taken on the trappings of the secular music industry, with hundreds of new CDs being released every month. These new releases are supported by extensive marketing campaigns that include artist performances, radio airplay, print and web advertising, and more. It's a big business, and Christian music artists and fans have to take care not be so enamored of the industry trappings that they lose sight of what the music is all about.

As a contemporary Catholic artist I find it helpful to be grounded in a community. That's why parish ministry is so important to me. My interaction with fellow parishioners and with my youth group feeds my soul and inspires me to compose. I am also challenged to keep my priorities straight by two songs, one new and the other an established Christian music standard.

Instrument, by Chris Padgett, is the new song, from his Golden CD. From a place deep within his soul, Chris sings to God:

My hands, my feet, my life – it longs to be an instrument of praise to you.
My heart, my mind, my strength – it longs to be conducting acts of praise to you.

Chris' use of musician's imagery is very cool. After all, it was God who made me an instrument: my hands that play the piano and bass, my voice that sings the songs, my heart that soars with the beat. As long as I keep that in mind, how could I not give my talents back to God?

The Heart of Worship is the other song, composed by Matt Redman and sung so memorably by Matt Maher. Beloved by young Christians everywhere, this song has a way of bringing the singer and the listener to the true core of Christian music:

I'm coming back to the heart of worship,
and it's all about you,
it's all about you, Jesus.
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it,
when it's all about you,
it's all about you, Jesus.

Dear Lord Jesus, I love you, and I thank you for the wonderful music ministry you've entrusted to me. Keep me humble, Lord. I am your instrument, and it's all about you.