Judging Motives

Writers of hymns/Gospel songs in previous generations wrote their music fr use in revivals and churches. McGranahan, Bliss, Crosby or Sankey made precious little $$ for their labors.

In more recent decades, Al Smith and John Peterson are two notables who turned song writing into songbook/hymnbook sales and made a living. Still, most of their work was simply sung in church, with no $$ relation to the composers.

Bill Gaither started a different trend. Hype marketing, concert series, cd's, videos enhanced the $$ from writing Christian music. Still, many songs had rich texts and are used in hymnals. I do not begrude him or others from making a living at it.

But it seems to me (CAUTION: this is opinion) that many of the modern CCM writers and performers could be motivated by $$. They write songs that are simplistic, shallow or innocuous (see thread on 7-11 music) and I've begun to wonder about their motives.

I'm trying not to judge Another's servant. But this music is permeating my church and I'm concerned.

Just thinking out loud and would love other's thoughts on the matter.