The Hypepriest Riding the Bieber Wave Judah Smith’s message of compassion earned him many famous followers. Is he out of step with other Evangelicals?

Tomorrow on SWAJ: @drleahpayne.bsky.social interviews @samkestenbaum.bsky.social about his jarring piece on the Hype Priest Judah Smith:

www.vulture.com/article/juda...

14 Books on Church History: A Guide to Your Spiritual Heritage Church history is a vast subject. Where does one begin? Ryan Lytton gives the best titles to start one’s study of Christianity’s colorful past.

Thanks, Ryan Lytton, for including God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music as one of 14 Books on Church History: A Guide to Your Spiritual Heritage!
www.logos.com/grow/nook-be...

That’s Ben Franklin!

George Whitefield gets quite a glow up in the new film A Great Awakening

George Whitfield

After 30 Years, Skillet Rocks On - Christianity Today The veteran band reached alienated youth group teens of the ’90s. Now the kids of their first fans are listening too.

Just as a side note, with Skillet I'd suggest reading
@kkramermcginnis.bsky.social's story from last year: www.christianitytoday.com/2025/01/skil...

Also, for more on @drleahpayne.bsky.social's book: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...

Christian media adapts as influencers reshape Nashville-based industry With explosion in podcasting and video streaming, Christian media leaders in Nashville are once more at an inflection point.

"I think of his (Cooper) podcasting and media presence as an extension of the type of music that he did. It’s combative, it’s confrontational. Some people see that as a contradiction, but I see continuity,” @drleahpayne.bsky.social told me. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...

There are so many fascinating details in this photo essay of the Asbury Outpouring by Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz:

lisaweaverswartz.com/2023/02/22/r...

Christian media adapts as influencers reshape Nashville-based industry With explosion in podcasting and video streaming, Christian media leaders in Nashville are once more at an inflection point.

I was happy to talk with @liamsadams.bsky.social of The Tennessean about how CCM figures like John Cooper of Skillet have emerged as conservative influencers in the 21st century:

www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...

The Sound of Revival at Asbury University Ichthus & The Asbury Outpouring: Revivalism through song, then & now

New from Yours Truly on Substack: reflections on my recent trip to Asbury University, with a special shout out to the gorgeous and insightful photo essay of the 2023 Asbury Outpouring by Dr. Lisa Weaver Swartz!

substack.com/home/post/p-...

The Normals Approach to Christian Music (ft. Andrew Osenga) Podcast Episode · Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music · April 1 · 56m

Thanks so much to @andrewosenga.bsky.social for talking with @andrewgill.biz and me on Rock that Doesn't Roll about The Normals, the worship biz, and so much more!

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

I had never appreciated how much CCM was tied into Republicsn social and political life.
In the UK the Christian scene always felt more left-wing. Bands like Eden Burning, Tribe of Dan, Fat&Frantic, Billy Penn's Brother, etc.

Thank you so much for reading!

Just finished this fascinating account of CCM by @drleahpayne.bsky.social. I stumbled across names that I'd forgotten and a whole world I never knew existed.

Great to see this in print, celebrating @drleahpayne.bsky.social 's excellent book, with @randalljstephens.bsky.social and friends.

And thank you to Church History/Cambridge University Press, for publishing this American Society of Church History roundtable in the edition with the coolest possible cover:

www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Church History cover

Thank you to @randalljstephens.bsky.social, Joao Chaves, @johnmaiden.bsky.social, and David Stowe for critically engaging God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music - honored doesn't begin to cover it!

Asbury lectures

Asbury books

Asbury chapel

Thank you to the good people of @asburyuniversity - esp the Joe Pitts Center for Public Policy- for the invitation to speak about politics & the modern worship biz, CCM, & the Asbury Outpouring! It was lovely to connect w/ friends old & new in beautiful Kentucky! 🐎🐎🐎

What an honor to think about CCM and its many meanings with some of my favorite scholar colleagues!

Our roundtable on @drleahpayne.bsky.social ‘s excellent book just appeared in Church History: Studies in Christianity and Culture.

When I told the TSA agent that I was surprised not to have a long wait, she shrugged and said “we’re built different here”

I’m unapologetically obnoxious about how much I love the PDX airport- arrived 2 hours early because of warnings about TSA delays and was through security in 10 min with plenty of time to enjoy the carpet and live music 🎶

I’ve thought about it. It’s pavement’s cut your hair.

Good Riddance is probably the mainstream choice, I agree - lotsa graduations had that one

(deep breath) .... Saddle up your horses!

If I'm being honest to my teenage self: MxPx "I'm OK, You're OK"

I'm also thinking about this song because I slept on tix for the D.C. show and it sold out :/

90s kids: what song would you choose instead of Iris for your teen photo flashbacks?

Asbury university poster

This Thursday I’ll be at Asbury University talking about the politics and power of the modern worship music business - come say hi if you’re in KY!

Black Moses by Caleb Gayle cover

My Sunday Interview with @calebgayle.bsky.social about his new book Black Moses: a Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State is out now! Listen here, and pick up your copy of Black Moses wherever you buy books.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

VIP Passes: CCM and the Worship Biz Part 2 of my conversation with Alex MacDougall

Thanks to the legendary Alex MacDougall for sharing his reflections with me on substack - Maranatha!, the Swirling Eddies, and VIP worship passes are just a few of the topic we covered! open.substack.com/pub/drleahpa...