Kampala — AS gospel artistes continue to complain about lack of financial support, debate is going on among born-again Christians that Gospel music has lost its value, owing to the overwhelming secular influences. But has the soul music genre really lost its spirituality? If this is true, what should be done to bring the gospel artistes back on the divine track?

According to Pastor John Ssewanyana Graham, the director of Frontline Ministries, most gospel artistes have lost track of the fundamentals of Christian music. He attributes this to lack of commitment and direction.

"Our artistes lack the due support they need to receive from us, their pastors. Many times we neglect or don't understand them. Because of this vacuum, they have failed to identify the right producers. This is why many gospel songs now carry elements of secular music," Graham said.

"Our artistes have continued to copy rhythms and instrumentals of secular songs, which distort and ultimately jeopardise the essence and ideals of gospel music. They have also adopted secular dress codes, which do not rhyme well with sanctity," he added.

To counteract this, Pastor Graham has started a project, Gospel League Music Awards, to give direction to gospel artistes. "We aim at helping artistes identify and develop their musical talents.

We go to different churches all over the country and encourage the artistes to register with us. We then transport them to selected venues, where they are given the opportunity to perform. Today we have a total of 300 artistes registered."

Pastor Graham clarifies that evangelism is the essence of Gospel music, which is why the artistes must not transplant secular jargon or slogans into their songs, even if they do this out of naivety.

"All of us have a task to protect and promote gospel music owing to its role in evangelism. In fact, by 2020, gospel music will be prevailing over secular music," he prophesies. "The secret of gospel music is its power to speak and respond to people's problems, contrary to most secular songs which are vulgar and do not communicate positively to the people."

Pastor Graham says his project will ensure that gospel artistes don't drift from God's plan. Their character must also rhyme with the message of their songs.

Pastor Joseph Sserwadda of Uganda also acknowledges the influence of secularism in gospel music.

He, however, advises that the gospel artistes should not be restricted to singing absolute gospel songs because this will restrict the market of their music to only Christians.

"Gospel artistes have, for a very long time, cried over the low proceeds from their music. This is because their market is limited to our churches. I think it is high time our artistes penetrated the secular market by singing songs whose message cuts across the church boundaries. Songs like Bugembe's Kani, will sell outside the Church," Sserwadda said.

"If a song's lyrics are not vulgar or, if its message does not contradict the teaching of Jesus, I think it should be sung."

"Born-again Christians are also used to singing songs of lamentation. Christians are tired of such songs that make them weep. They want to hear something new and more relevant. In my church, we have now shifting from urban contemporary gospel songs to the old Christian hymns like Nsanyuse Yesu y'annazaak'ebibi and believe me, the strategy has worked."

Pastor Simeon Kayiwa, of Namirembe Christian Fellowship also backed Dr. Sserwadda's idea. Kayiwa said that secular songs that don't carry controversial messages are good for the Christians, which is why artistes who sing them should not be demonised.