Lü Xiaomin never received formal music training. But her worship songs have made her a household name in China’s churches.

But the Easter special was a reminder of how the church influences mainstream music. At the time, American Idol was in its eighth season, and it was the singular singing competition in the burgeoning ...

If you look at the Top 10 songs on the Billboard charts, odds are you’ll find nary a love song. Tracks about heartbreak, friendship and self-empowerment abound, but straightforward ballads about ...

(RNS) — A new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you. (RNS) — On Easter Sunday, the ...

This essay first appeared in the NPR Music newsletter. Sign up for early access to articles like this one, listening recommendations and more. I love the word "heartthrob." It stops you whether you ...

(RNS) — A new study looked at how worship leaders pick music for services — at a time when a handful of megachurches dominate the market. (RNS) — For the past decade, a handful of megachurches have ...