In fact, Smith and Third Day are joining forces for a special "Come Together and Worship" tour this November, in 12-14 major markets. "Our goal is that what happens will be on a new level, that it takes us all to a place of worship that we've never been," said Smith. "That's our prayer for this tour. I've said it before in concerts: I've never seen a wave like this pass through our country like I'm seeing today. And the amazing thing is that it's being led by the youth. I'm seeing kids - 10, 11, 12 - completely and whole-heartedly worshiping God. It's what motivates me every night. It's the future of our church."
This year's 33rd Annual Dove Awards, which aired live on PAX TV April 25, was hosted by St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner and recording artist Yolanda Adams. Broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House, the Dove Awards recognize achievement in all genres of contemporary Christian and Gospel music, and is the premiere television awards show for the contemporary Christian and gospel music industry.
Smith set the tone for GMA week Sunday night. At a worship service that opened the annual celebration in Nashville, Smith exhorted artists and industry executives to return to the basics of faith and grow together in fellowship.
According to Smith's spokeswoman, he reinforced "what Christian music is really all about, what we started doing before there were so many distractions." He called on the industry to serve the Kingdom and help others. "We need to pray for each other and stand together." Smith said he was encouraged this year by a noticeable lack of competitiveness that had marked previous years. "I really think the industry, and motives, are changing," Smith reportedly added.
Frank Breeden, the president of GMA, told Crosswalk.com via phone that his organization recently formed a spiritual advisory council to address the spiritual condition of the people in the industry.
"That means building a facility that will allow for prayer needs to be communicated through e-mail, and weekly prayer meetings at two strategic locations in Nashville that are closest to most of our employees," he explained. "It's a grassroots program for people who have a felt need to build a sense of relationship with each other on a basis other than just business.
"We know that as we are constantly helping to spread this message of the gospel through music we, as servants of that message, need to be fed as well," Breeden said. "We certainly are not trying to replace our local churches, but we're trying to offer something in the middle of the week that acts as an oasis."
Breeden noted it's also been a way for Christian musicians to reach out to the country music industry in Nashville.
In addition, it helps to raise awareness of the need for small groups, "... where you have the ability to build a relationship with a few friends at a very intimate level, so that you can share your deepest needs, whether they be for prayer or for spiritual growth," Breeden explained. "It's the part of our lives that is not just business but also spiritual."
According to Breeden, the GMA Spiritual Advisory Council has been meeting with local pastors to lead the effort, "letting them know that we feel we are accountable to our local churches and that we are unique members in their congregations. A lot of us, especially the artists, are gone on the weekends and don't have the ability to plug into a local church. So we're trying to raise awareness about what our special needs are, among the professionals who have to minister to us."
In that vein, Breeden pointed out, this past weekend Michael W. Smith put together a short retreat at his farm just for artists, "with no managers, or label people, or booking agents." About 70 artists came, according to Breeden, "and it was a real time of intimacy, sharing and fellowship.
"These artists very rarely see each other when they are not surrounded by their handlers," he added. "It was a chance for them to be honest with each other and tell each other what they are feeling and what their fears and hopes are. It was a very successful time for them to get together. Then they turned around and the next night, led us all in worship."
Breeden also referenced Smith's comments from the stage that Sunday: "He said he felt a whole new sense of community," which is also one of the key words in GMA's new mission statement.
"I don't think Michael W. Smith knew about that yet," Breeden noted. "It was happening on the artist side of the industry, and we were talking about it on the corporate side. It was a nice convergence of both ends - it's even nicer that it happened around worship."
"In God We Trust"
Dion Lopez, a music publisher with offices in Nashville and Los Angeles, agrees that a lot has happened in the last year to unify people and draw them toward God. Lopez works with Mark Heimermann, co-writer of the song, "In God We Trust," which is featured on the Dove Hits 2002 compilation CD.
According to Lopez, a fair percentage of industry executives are "reuniting with their spirituality. And when that deepens in anyone, it will be reflected in their work." Across the industry, said Lopez, there seems to be a greater appreciation of "where we have come from and why the industry exists in the first place. For others, church is church, Christian music is not church. They happen to work in a business that serves Christians."
But, Lopez noted, it's still a "great time in the industry. Leadership is taking place in a stronger, faith-based way, especially in terms of how we treat others."
"In God We Trust" made its debut on Christian radio stations nationwide earlier this month and features Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, dcTalk, Rachael Lampa, Jaci Velasquez, Avalon, Anointed, Selah and more. An additional 50 artists participated in the choir for the song, which was inspired by the events of Sept. 11 and written by Mark Heimermann and Wayne Kirkpatrick.
The project is unique in that it grew out of a partnership between EMI, CMG, Word Entertainment and Provident Music Group. All proceeds will be donated to reputable charities, including the Todd M. Beamer Foundation.
"Come Together"
Unified effort has long been at the heart of Third Day's message, and again, it seems fitting that the band received the Dove award for Group of the Year, while lead vocalist Mac Powell was named Vocalist of the Year. Their 2001 release, "Come Together," not only blends the group's diverse musical styles, but the very words describe its current success - and the way its members hope the church will act.
Powell told Crosswalk.com in an interview last fall, "Unity is something that we all need to be reminded of. The church can get so much more accomplished if we come together than we can on our own as individuals."
Unity is essential in a band, too. "It's really God who has kept things going and even got us together in the first place," Powell explained. "None of us knew each other. We lived on completely opposite sides of the city. It was really neat to see God's hand in the whole thing, bringing it all together and sustaining it."
As the members of Third Day collaborated with other artists on a number of projects the last two years, they found the words "come together" reverberating in their hearts. "Just coming together and hanging out with other Christians, seeing the ministry they've been called to, and knowing their heart for people and God, has encouraged us and united us," Powell said.
