Praise music is music that has been written to express either a personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life and faith. The many themes of Christian music includes a combination of lament, worship, penitence, and praise. The genre of music heard is different depending on where it is being played. Like other forms of song the development, the performance, meaning, and the characterization of Christian music can vary because of the cultural differences and social context. Praise music is created and expressed for lots of reasons, such as listening pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, or as a product for the store.

The most prevalent uses of Christian music are at worship or other religious services. Most Christian music involves singing, whether by the whole congregation or a specialized subgroup—such as a duet, trio, quartet, madrigal, choir, or worship band. It is frequently accompanied by instruments, such as an organ, piano, guitar, or other solo instrument, and occasionally by a band or orchestra. However, some denominations or congregations still prefer unaccompanied or a cappella singing. In the West, the majority of Christian denominations use instruments of various types to accompany their worship.

Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is the marketing, from the late twentieth century to the present day, in Western Christendom of various genres of music, often related to soft rock, for home-listening and concert use. It can be divided into several genres and sub-genres, although the dividing lines and relationships between music genres are often subtle, sometimes open to individual interpretation, and occasionally controversial. These genres, sometimes referred to as style, like other forms of music may be distinguished by the techniques, the styles, the context and the themes, or geographical origin. Specific subgenres of CCM may include but are not limited to: Progressive Southern Gospel, Christian country music, Christian pop, Christian rock, Christian metal, Christian hardcore, Christian punk, Christian alternative rock and Christian hip hop.

Below is an overview of different types of Christian music:

Gospel

Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music. Like other forms of Christian music the creation, performance, significance, and even the definition of gospel music varies according to culture and social context. Gospel music is composed and performed for many purposes, including aesthetic pleasure, religious or ceremonial purposes, and as an entertainment product for the marketplace. However, a common theme of most gospel music is praise.

Country

Christian country music, sometimes referred to as country gospel music, is a subgenre of gospel music with a country flair, is also known as inspirational country. Christian country over the years has progressed into a mainstream country sound with inspirational or positive country lyrics. In the middle 90's, Christian country hit its highest popularity.