“The times, they are a changin’”.  This was the title of a song by Bob Dylan in 1964.  This statement is true of many things that are changing but also applies to Southern Gospel Music.
   It is refreshing that “the youth” have begun to take center stage when it comes to Southern Gospel and in Bluegrass.  We see new and up-coming artists like: Red Roots, The McClellan

Singing Sisters, Master’s Promise and Southern Raised just to name a few.

   Let’s face it, my generation and those older lovers of gospel music are not getting any younger.  If we do not “pass the torch” to the new generation, there won’t be any gospel music.  Another sign of change is the changes in style of established gospel singers like Brian Free & Assurance, Mike LeFevre, Mark Trammel and many others have began to change to a more “up tempo” modern, youthful sound.
   I enjoy these changes.  We cannot and must not change The Gospel or fail to present Jesus in our music, but we need to present it in a relative way in which to show the youth and new, modern Christians that Christ is the same,  The Bible is the same. 
   Although songs like Amazing Grace and other hymns are still true and relevant, today’s Christian likes the modern sound.  There are mixed emotions about modern, “contemporary” music.  Some find that “contemporary” music fails to mention essentials such as the name of Jesus; The Blood and Salvation.  This may be true in some cases but not always so.  We do not change the messge, we just change the delivery.
   The Bible says to “go unto all the world and preach The Gospel”.  It does not say how.  However, it does say to “go to them”.  We seem to only present our music to appeal to only a Christian audience.  We “preach to the choir” so to speak.  The choir  may not need salvation, the world does.  If our music tells of Jesus and Salvation then we are duty bound to find a way to present this message to “the world”.
    Artists like Carman have done just that with songs like “The Champion” .  Don Francisco has also reached out with songs like “The Steeple Song” .  Our own group “God Plus Us” are reaching out with songs making statements toward changes needed in “the church”.  One such song is: “God’s Not Pleased” .
    Am I saying that the current music is wrong?  NO!  Not by any means.  I’m just saying that there can be a variety of the ways of presenting Jesus to the world.  If we neglect or refuse to reach out to “the world” by any means, then we are failing “The Great Commission”.
   In summation, The future of Gospel Music is bright.  Gospel music, just as The Word and Jesus will be around as long as there are Christians.  It is necessary to continue finding new and different ways of reaching others.
   If we only offer music that has been around and do not welcome the new, as long as that “new” follows Biblical teachings and presents Jesus Christ as our head, our Lord and Our Saviour.