I'm certain I'm not the only one who rejoices at all the opportunities and great new Christian bands and music out there . . . yet thinks there is much wrong with the "Christian music industry." I'm quite sure I'm not the only one who is aware of affairs, divorces, fraud, basic "old nature," and outright arrogance within the church world, and therefore among those in the Christian music scene as well. But what to do?

I have been bellowing (and trying to set an example) about accountability to a strong Bible-teaching church for all Christians in general, musicians in particular, for many years. The more individuals who don't have such spiritual challenge and support fall, the more solid my view seems. But it saddens, sickens, and hurts me that so many of my brothers and sisters keep biting the dust for lack of teaching, blatant rebellion, or both. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church. Our worst enemy is still us.

But there is another issue that I truly believe is a core factor in much of the foolishness that does show up in the Chritian music industry. And it's so basic to our everyday living that I literally have never heard it mentioned by anyone writing about or discussing the industry.

Let's consider just two scenarios common to the music scene. First, Christian recording company executives and their wives establish homes, offices, warehouse facilities, etc., and now must net enough income at the end of the year in order to pay for it. Basic expenses dictate the hiring and firing of staff and, yes, artists. Unit sales become the measuring stick by which many artists and staff are kept or sent packing. Any of these people have a husband or wife? How about children? Bills to pay at home?

Now back to accountablity. Yes, it's business, pure and simple, so let's not pretend that a "ministry" rap works down at the bank. At the same time, what percentage of record company execs (and I mean independent as well as the "biggies" in the Christian industry) truly pray, even consult their pastors, before making such far-reaching business decisions? Of course they must do business with the "bottom line" in mind . . . but at what cost to the lives of those around them? Scenario two: Christian musicians also decide what a "comfortable living standard" is for them, and likewise make choices to stay with a label, hire and fire agents, book or pull out of concerts and tours, etc., on this basis. I know, I know, "It's all for the ministry"! Again, how many honestly pray and consult godly leaders in their churches about tour schedules, taking their familes' budgets into account in order to have a measure of balance in their decision making? When the debts hit, then the tail wags the dog. Music becomes more and more a business, and every gig or other opportunity a potential payday. Ministry? The very concept begins to take a backseat to comfort quotients.

Solutions?

1. Get truly (not simply in your liner notes) accountable to the leadership of a solid, Bible-teaching church. Discuss budgeting for your family as well as "the music ministry."

2. Pray hard before you make major choices, and seek godly counsel from those who will tell you the truth regardless of your response towards them.

3. Live at the "need" level and not the "greed" level. How can you live a less materialistic, more relationship-oriented lifestyle? Are the Joneses really spiritually together? Are they even happy?

4. Christian musicians are first of all servants. In fact, the Word of God calls all believers just that. Does your lifestyle and financial stewardship reflect servanthood or selfishness more? You don't have to live in an intentional Christian community, as I do, to demonstrate this.

5. Face the facts. If you can't afford it financially, then until God somehow provides, you can't afford it spiritually either. "A man's life does not consist in the abundance of his posessions," said our Lord Jesus.

6. You will be "jerked around" from time to time. Forgive and you shall be forgiven.

7. Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these my brothers of mine, you did for me" What are you doing for the poor, the widow, the orphan, the outcast of society? Have you priced yourself out of the ability to reach them with the gospel? What is your record label willing to do in order to make such good opportunities possible?

8. Faith, trust, and surrender are what it has always been about. I meet more and more cynical, bitter musicians every year. In my opinion, we are either obeying God in what we do with music, or we ought to quit pretending that God is the center of our lives.

I am well aware of how hard some of these words are, but I have spent too many hours praying and crying with wrecked musicians who have backslidden. I have read the toll in the eyes of their wives and kids.

But I am also convinced a few solid, sacrificial musicians who are out to serve will come through the fire because it was truly the love of God, and not comfort, that motivated the lion's share of their choices and actions.