It's sad, these days a singer almost isn't considered an artist until they have a sellable CD. Until you have recorded your material - you are just a singer with some songs. Its seems you become a legitimate artist, once your CD comes out. Imagine a preacher saying until I release my sermons on CD and DVD - I am not a 'real' preacher. Don't get me wrong, CD's are helpful - but unless there is something very real and true residing in you and your music - a CD will do nothing for you.

There are so many people out there with CD's in hand, calling themselves artists. It's so easy to record these days. Imagine being born 200 years ago, no radio, no CD, no press kits, just you and what God has called you to do. How different would your ministry be? Would you still be doing what you are doing today? Would you still be singing, if  you have to walk 3 days between engagements? Would the power of your ministry be so desired that towns many days away would request your presence? Would God's annointing on you be spoken of in the streets? Would word of mouth spread the news of the impact of your music?

Out of the abundance of the heart - the mouth speaks and sings. Many Cd's are testimonies of the artists' talent. But why waste money on a recording project when you have nothing to say. Will your CD simply be another tea-coster in the bargin bin of the local christian bookstore? Don't rush into the studio until you have heard something from Heaven that you feel led to share. Focus on ministry - not recording.

Simple Steps to a CD project...
Bloom where you are planted. Start in your church and your neighbourhood churches. If they don't care for your ministry - that may be a sign - but don't quit if you know God has called you to this. Be kind to every congregation and pastor kind enough to invite you in. (you will want to be invited back one day). Write songs and  see the ones that the  audiences/congregations respond  well to. Keep note of those songs. As you minister from place to place, people will (hopefully) begin to ask if you have a CD. Get their email address, and tell them you will email them when it comes out. When you have collected a few hundred email addresses - then start thinking about a CD. Tell your email list that you are thinking of recording. Tell them the costs and prayer requests you have. (Who knows maybe you will get some donations).  After you can rattle off 10-12 fantastic songs that God seems to use in amazing ways in your concerts/ministry times - make a plan to record those songs... even live recordings can be cheaper and better than studio recordings (depending on the genre).  Go back to those people and churches - this time bring you new CD, peform some of those songs, and show them some new material - the process starts again. I dare a few bands to record after spending at least a year in live ministry.

Hillsong records songs that have been tested in a church setting. By the time the song is recorded, most of them are quite familiar to the church. Many songs don't make the album. The album comes out and we marvel at the great songs... well they have a large focus group. They know what works before the invest in a recording. Why not try something similar? Can you be an artist without a CD?
 
A CD should be a collection of material that God has used to minister to people through you already. It captures a snapshot of your ministry to date. Sure if you have a budget to just go and be creative in a studio - go ahead. I believe some christian music is captured for art's sake - with no stage ministry intended, but most is for public ministry. But most indie artists are better off putting the money towards a live ministry, perhaps a small demo... once you are out in fruitful ministry - then think about recording. Ministry first, CD later... most of us do it the other way...