So God Called You To Be a PopStar?

Money...

Easily the most common denominator restricting Australian Christian artists is money.

Instruments, studio time and equipment cost money, as does promotions, touring and a whole range of other miscellaneous expenses. For independent artists, more often than not it's the singer who pays for everything, and this doesn't take into account artists' own time in songwriting, instrument practice, administration and so much more. 

In my experience, while there is a lot of volunteering, Christian producers, session musicians, photographers and marketers often charge their time back to the singer. They too can be trying to reach their dreams of becoming a 'full-time creative' for God. 

With the oft-unrealised hope of recouping those thousands of production dollars back in Spotify streams after release (at less than half a cent a stream mind you), the quandary for these creatives is whether they are making Christian content as a ministry or an occupation?

Should musicians get paid for their Sunday 'performance'? and how much? Should we question how churches pay royalties singing worship songs on Sundays that were ostensibly written for God?

Keith Green famously sent out tens of thousands of his records to fans for free (or as pay-as-you-want). Carman was well-known for holding his concerts with a zero ticket price; packing out stadiums for what must have been a huge cost. Do modern day music industry practices make Christian music ministries less of an act of worship and more of a commercial enterprise?

I still struggle with those questions at times, but if I flip the perspective, I conversely don't believe that only non-Christian producers and singers should be paid for their time and craft. Moreover there is something to be said about building something for God that is not profit-centred, but instead self-sustaining, and therefore long-lasting. 

Serving Others

One faithful servant I would like to honour is Geoff Mascord who passed just last month. Based in Newcastle, Geoff set up and ran the Musicians Prayer Network for well over 20 years. 

In the words of his local Christian radio station Rhema 99.7FM, Geoff was "a champion of Christian musicians across Australia (who) never put himself in the spotlight... and spent decades praying for artists backstage, supporting musicians in both Christian and mainstream spaces, serving at festivals and events, and encouraging countless creatives in their faith and calling."

I never met Geoff, but it's clear he acted on a calling in his heart to faithfully support Australian Christian musicians behind the scenes. I honour the work he did and it reminds me of Philippians 2:3-4,

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Sacrifice and Collaboration

I get it can be lonely as an independent musician, always looking for your next big break. Often-times artists with 1,000 followers look upwards to artists with 10,000 followers, who in turn are looking up to those with 100,000; each with the hope of releasing a song together, or even a share / collab post on Instagram etc.

This week in Sydney, APRA AMCOS are hosting Australia's inaugural Christian Music Conference. Over 100 Christian artists and music industry professionals will be gathering together to learn, grow and connect with the goal to 'Grow the Genre, and Advance the Gospel'.

I'm hoping that a big outcome from this conference is more collaboration. As is the case with We Are Messengers choosing to return to Australia despite the cost, sometimes this means sacrifice. Instead of individual artists all pushing to have their voice and artistry heard over others, I pray that our local Christian music community gets stronger - even if it means sacrifice and putting others before yourself.

Has God put music ministry in your heart? If so, then ask yourself what this actually means. Does it mean becoming a Christian popstar? Or is providing backing vocals to other Christian artists good enough?

We should strive to build up the body of Christ by working together. So I encourage my fellow artists and industry professionals to actively look around and find other Christian artists you can mentor, or give a leg up to. As 1 Peter 4:10 says,

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

The question is not what God can do for you and your music career, but what do you choose to offer Him?