Christian Music among the fastest growing in the industry

Contemporary Christian/gospel music (CCM/gospel) has been the fourth-fastest growing genre in the industry across the first half of this year. Its popularity has risen by more than double the industry standard and does not look to be slowing anytime soon. And the most encouraging part is that the growth has been fueled largely by the younger generations, with Millennials and younger accounting for roughly 45 percent of its listeners. On average, fans are spending 56.8 hours a month listening to CCM/gospel, which is an increase of 19 percent in the last year alone. 

And the growth is not just taking place in the US. 

On Spotify, for example, Christian music has experienced a 50 percent growth in America over the last five years, but a 60 percent growth globally. Its popularity is exploding in nations like Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and the Philippines while also growing in countries like India and Indonesia—places not known to be overly friendly to the faith. 

But what is driving that growth? And what can it teach us about the place of our faith within the larger culture?

Using your gifts to glorify God

While there are many reasons for the rapid growth in popularity of CCM/gospel music, two stand out as particularly relevant for us today. 

First, as Billboard’s Jessica Nicholson describes, “Unlike most genres, CCM/gospel is built around a central message rather than a particular sound, allowing for a greater range of musical styles, including the pop of for King & Country and [Forrest] Frank; [Josiah] Queen’s rustic, singer-songwriter style; Tauren Wells’ pop/R&B vibe; and Lecrae’s rap.”

Spotify’s Martiza “Ritz” McCain adds that “The expansion of what Christian and gospel music sounds like has helped grow the listenership and, in turn, the consumption of the genre,” with many of the most popular artists also beginning to gain a following outside of Christian circles. 

In short, Christian artists have found a multitude of ways to express the truth of the gospel and share God’s love without compromising the quality of their music. As such, even when someone may not agree with the message or would not have otherwise gone searching for it, when the quality is good, it earns the chance for that message to be heard. 

The same can be true for each of us as well. Regardless of how God has gifted you or in which areas he has called you to serve, when we are faithful to live out our calling in his strength and to the best of our abilities, people will notice. And we don’t have to be world-class musicians—or even world-class at anything—for that to be the case. 

So make a point not to settle for less than who the Lord created you to be, stewarding your gifts well in gratitude for the God who gave them to you. 

Broadening your reach

The second reason for CCM/gospel music’s growth follows from the first: Christian radio has thrived at a time when many in secular radio have struggled.

For example, In the year between July 2023 and July 2024, there were 22 new contemporary Christian radio stations added in the US. And, as Cole Flynn, the head of marketing at Elevation Worship Records, described, “We’ve seen direct correlations of [streaming] consumption mirror the amount of audience we’re getting at radio.” 

Couple that with the fact that the most popular songs often make their way into Sunday morning worship services and youth groups across the nation and it’s easy to see how utilizing several different platforms has been integral in CCM/gospel’s rise in popularity. 

In the same way, we can’t afford to limit our witness or influence to a single area of our lives. You may be excellent at sharing the gospel and living out your faith around your family and friends, but how well do you do it at the office or at school? Do your neighbors know about your faith? If so, how well would they say you’re living that out? 

Ultimately, Paul’s call to become “all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” means that, if we really want to help people experience the grace, love, and truth of Jesus, then we can’t limit how God can use us (1 Corinthians 9:22). And if he is truly the Lord of our lives, then surrendering to him means saying “yes” to wherever he calls us to serve.

So, as we celebrate the rise in popularity of Contemporary Christian Music and gospel music in our culture today, let’s also remember that God can use the same principles to help us become more effective in our own calling. 

Will you let him?