ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the different facets of how evangelicals use music to 'imagine community' by using 'Hillsong United' as an illustration. In the world of Praise and Worship music (P&W), songs move among churches in a steady stream of new songs springing from various songwriters' inspiration and popular favourites. P&W is of course not the only shared global Christian musical repertoire. The US continent is home to the globally popular worship band 'Hillsong United' which currently influences what songs are being sung by congregations worldwide. It is through bands like 'Hillsong United' that P&W has turned into a highly international music genre, a development backed up by the recording industry and the developments in media and technology. The Christian recording industry has played an important role in expanding the realm and the popularity of P&W within the United States and internationally. 'Social justice' includes poverty, human trafficking and clean water needs both locally and globally, have increased attention among evangelicals.
