Musical ministries not offering their music for free, et cetera.

Something I find interesting is the amount of Christian artists who are mildly successful offering their music for free via mp3s or whatever. It's a small amount, I can maybe count them on my one hand. (I'm not taking into account people that have little audience that couldn't make much of a profit anyhow-- that's not saying they wouldn't though.)

It makes me sort of sad though. Keith Green & Don Francisco, are all I can think of.

The people signed to big/medium labels I'm not taking into account-- they couldn't give away their music for free if they wanted to for most part at least online (if they bought the CD [which they can i'm sure for a large discount price] and gave it out they could, I suppose-- but most don't offer that as they'd be asked by a ton of people for it etc.-- that's normally just not on their minds)

Of course offering your music for free doesn't mean you're somehow "all-that" spiritually-- but it is nice and puts a smile on my face when I see people do it. Doesn't happen often.

I mean did Jesus charge people to come and listen to Him? Oh but he needed to eat every night, right!? Jeez. Where'd he get the food on his ministry trips? Man! Does this guy Jesus think money grows on trees? Hehe. The Way of Jesus is to depend upon the Lord for our provisions, whether we got a job or we got a full-time ministry traveling abroad or sitting at home inviting homeless folks to spend the night at our houses. So I think things should be free when they come from ministries such as these and preaching and teaching ministries. They should be when the person can provide them easily at least.

I find it a metaphor for the decline of not necessarily songwriting (that's fine depending where you look) but just plain ole' dependency on God.

Thoughts? Comments?--

(I stress though that this isn't a thread really for the "decline" of Christian music or whatever-- that's been discussed in length before.)

Edit: I'm expecting many people to chime in: "Well most Christian artists who are mildly successful are on labels that wouldn't dare allow them to put their music online for free!"-- True, I know. But isn't that the artist's fault?-- To get into a situation where that could happen, etc. It'd be like a preacher/teacher/prophet, say Katz, signing a book deal with a publishing company-- he gets wide distribution, but they won't let him put his book online for free for people to read (which he does).

Jordan

I think the excuse that most Christian artists and record companies make is that 'Keith Green was the exception,' and that most Christian artists couldn't live on offerings alone.

I have been blessed by the music from ChristOurLife.ca, and it's all for free downloads

I think the excuse that most Christian artists and record companies make is that 'Keith Green was the exception,' and that most Christian artists couldn't live on offerings alone.

Of course people have their entertainment that they need, or materialistic possessions-- that God wouldn't provide for (generally speaking). And their in debt or something like that. (God could provide for that, not inferring he wouldn't)

Correction: The Restoration Project doesn't offer their music for free, just 30 second samples.

Jordan

I have been blessed by the music from ChristOurLife.ca, and it's all for free downloads

Jordan

Interesting topic....
It could be a heart problem.... lack of faith, unbelief, the love of money, but I really don't know.
I have heard though of some churches trying to get "christian" bands to play at their churches, but werenot able to because the demands were too much. Thay wanted to get paid thousands of dollars for one show, be flown to and from the event first-class, be put up in the executive-penthouse suite at the local Hilton for the duration of their stay, be wined and dined, etc, etc. But these are just stories I have heard.
It would be nice though to get a few comments from musicians in the industry.
How about those "christian" bands that have ungodly agents? They want to make a buck too.
How bout Christourlife's CD called Living Sacrifice.... Go to their [url=http://www.christourlife.ca/]website[/url], check it out, and download it if you want. It's awesome and it's free :-D ! Thanks ChristOurLife!!!

Be blessed,
Richie

Maybe the difference here is we are talking about artists vs people who share the gospel in song (and what do you call them?) An artist sells his work for a living whereas people who sing to minister do not share the gospel for material rewards. A person really interested in souls does not minister for profit, does he?

Then you will get into the question of copyrights: should it be or not? To answer my own question, I believe every writer has the right to it in order to protect his work. To copyright it means no one can alter it to suit their philosphical viewpoint and thus make the original writer say something he/she never intended. Yet, most groups sing copyrighted songs do they not? And you know, it costs money to copyright your work.

Brother, I am afraid this is a question for which easy answers are elusive.

ginnyrose

I think this is an issue between the artist and the Lord. Keith Green gave his music away, and that was his conviction. He made a lot of artists back then very uncomfortable. But I've heard the argument go the other way... the artist is making a living. They are producing a product.

Completely correct. An artist is by definition not in ministry, because "they are producing a product" for profit. In contrast, one who is in ministry cannot and does not charge. These folks are not "artists", they are ministers. The two cannot be mixed without harming or destroying the ministry of Christ. An important point to remember is that not just artists, but also ministers, need to eat. The first is career, the second should be following God's lead, wherein God will provide (usually through human means, unless you are Elijah).

But the thing is, if you put your trust in God-- will he not provide? People lack such an understanding of God's ability to help us.

This is so true, and thank you for the reminder. We have to live in this world, but we are not of this world. I believe God provides if we cast away selfishness and materialism and seek His Will and don't work on our own strength alone.

Most of the music I listen to is Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, CeCe Winans, Steve Green, Andrae Crouch, and a few others - my CD collection is not extensive by any means but I find music that is inspired by the Holy Spirit has staying power. I can listen to it over and over and over again and it will be a blessing every time. To me it's not entertainment, it's a vehicle to get me to the Throne of Grace and a vessel which God uses in my life to help me to praise Him. I get all the entertainment I need by spending time with my beagles. :-)

I will not judge the artists on this issue, I don't know the circumstances, there may be contractual issues that prevent them from giving away their music for free, etc. By the grace of God, I have the means to purchase the CDs and have also at times given them away to share with others when prompted by the Holy Spirit.

So what am I trying to say here? Certainly, I work for a living, and I credit the leading of the Lord and His Grace for my job, being able to function well at it, where He has placed me at this time and place in my life, etc. I absolutely fault no one for making a living, isn't that what we are commanded through the words of Paul to the Thessalonians?

2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 says:

"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing."

Just my thoughts on the issue. Blessings to you all.

Mia and Bailey, Dugan, Buddy and Agnes the beagles.

jordanamo wrote:

It makes me sort of sad though. Keith Green & Don Francisco, are all I can think of.

Jordan

Hey Jordan,

I think that 2nd Chapter of Acts also gave away their music. Don't quote me on that one, but I think they did after Keith Green talked to them.

Jordan

Firstly I must thank Jordan and Richie for sharing those links. What a blessing. We have a very small assembly and none of us play instruments. We sing along with cds - and it's still a joyful noise unto the Lord!! So it will be nice to add to our collection.

It is a great shame that Christian artists today do not copy of those that have gone by. I didn't know of Don Francisco's generosity, but I love his scripture in song approach. So inspiring!!

We have a singer here that you may not have heard of. Colin Buchanan. He comes out bush every few years and does a free concert in the park. Everyone goes. It's good because most people here don't attend services and at least they get exposure to the Word.

Without wanting to turn the thread every-which-way, someone commented about assemblies not being able to afford to hire bands. I watch the Christian channel and to be quite honest it seems that most of the assemblies have their own bands. Lots of people on stage, lots of special effects and smoke, different types of costumes and lot of adoring fans. I guess not all of us have visited these places. It seems all concert and 15 minutes of preaching. That's fine if that is what people prefer.

Jesus needs no gimicks, He is the main attraction! Freely we have received - freely give.

This one's a toughie. There are authors who are preachers and songwriters who sign rights over to publishing companies because they have no financial means to self publish. Those songwriters of whom you speak who never get known are not necessarily lacking skill but have chosen not to sell the rights to others and (as in my case [though I'm not a great songwriter I just write songs and tell stories as a way of expressing my faith]) the reason is they want you to be able to use them freely. Because of this they do not have the publicity that others have. Partly, it seems to me you may have to be prepared to give the unknowns an ear. If you want to hear free Christian music just go to google or another search engine and type "free Christian music". You will find there are quite a few sites offering free music and I'm sure you will find something to taste.

I have often thought of putting my music on a webpage for free download but, I'm afraid I have no idea how to set up one and am unable to pay the ongoing costs of renting space from someone else. So, till God provides I must be content with what I have and am able. Mostly they are Scriptures in song and written in chorus style but I love singing them and am finding other ministries outside our church asking if they can use them. This surprised me but, of course I allowed it with one requirement - that my name is displayed on the song. This is to protect the Church from losing it's freedom due to piracy.

May God bless you with the joy of singing the same way he has blessed me,

Kerry

Jim Peters of Moorebank, Sydney here in Australia came to our church to minister as an artist. He gave some free samples of his music but he was certainly more generous than that. He brought others with him and they did a phenominal amount of maintenence and blessed the church. Let us not forget that "the labourer is worthy of his hire" and it appears from Paul's testimony that even the Apostle Peter took the liberty of being provided for as he ministered the Gospel. Even though I give my music for free and have not love I am but a sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.

"Beloved, let us love one another",

Kerry

deleting, added to the wrong forum...

Godly music is extremely important. We should be listening to them as well as the great sermons here together. They have blessed me greatly. Thanks Greg.