Gospel Music Styles

Well friends, as I was sitting here thinking of what to write about, it came across my mind how at times I struggle with playing some of the minor chords in the gospel songs I do.
I don't know if the problem arises because I have short fingers for a guitar player or if it's just the lack of practice on my part. It just seems that I have always had trouble with them.
So in order to compensate for it,I usually have to switch keys (hopefully one that I can do the song in) but a key where that chord is easier for me to do.
At times this is easy then there are times when I have to sit there and think "now what minor chord belongs in this certain key?" Gives me a headache at times. I found this great place on the Internet where you can copy the lyrics and chords,click on transpose and Walla! there you are with all the new chords for that key. All you have to do is type in The Gospel Music Archive,click onto that website and check their list of songs.
Now about different styles of gospel music. There are many different styles out there and sometimes the church you go to kind of determines the style of music you hear within their walls. It's a fact that I'm a big fan of country gospel and it shows through when I do a song.
Here a couple of years back I was attending church in a small town just east of here.In case you are wondering east of where, I live in Des Moines,Iowa. With that being said I'll move on. Every week they would have me get up and do a couple of songs. This one time after the service was over, one of the members came up to me and asked me if I could start making the songs sound more traditional because in her opinion my music just did not sound churchy enough. So now and then I would slip in a song that sounded very "churchy" in order to appease her.
The way I feel about gospel music is that some times a person will be drawn to a certain song, just because of the style,and it may very well be that the lyrics to that song touched someones heart and pointed them in the right direction. Gospel Music not only gives praise to God,but also helps some who are really hurting. I think that's one reason why God has let us create so many different styles so the message is able to be given through music to all.
So I'll leave you today with this video of the late and great Johnny Paycheck doing The Old Rugged Cross. Doing it in the style that he was so well known for. Although I do this song in the more traditional manner just pause for a second and ask youself "How many hearts did this song touch because of the style in which he sang it?"
Take care and may God Bless you.
Your friend,
Mike Rupe Sr.