The Current and Future Contemporary Congregational Songs Genre

This chapter brings the three layers of analysis together in dialogue, summarising the findings and articulating the nature of meaning-making as it relates to the contemporary congregational song (CCS) genre. It explores the contested nature of the genre and the conflicting messages that come through the research, including the balance between the new and the familiar, the tension between popular music and vernacular music priorities, and the negotiations between what is perceived as secular and sacred. This chapter contains a definitive descriptive section of the current global CCS genre. It also examines the evolving nature of the genre and its future trajectories impacted by technological advancement, the globalisation of Christian musical worship, and key CCS producers and megachurches. Finally, it discusses the functional nature of CCS and their place in the personal and corporate musical worship of Christians.