Creativity is a never-ending, multi-faceted process--especially in music. Music composition in bands is, for the most part, a collaborative effort. This arrangement doesn't necessarily give artists the freedom to create music on their own terms. Solo artists have a lot more liberty in creating their own music.

Some bands split due to creative differences. Some band members just get restless or bored and want to try something else. Other artists take less extreme measures and take a break to record their own music. Some ambitious artists promote their side project, while simultaneously touring and recording music with their band. 

Side projects give artists the opportunity to create music without borders, to fully choose the creative direction. Here are 10 Christian artists who have done side projects at one time or another.

1. Jon Micah Sumrall of Kutless
In early 2015, Kutless frontman Jon Micah Sumrall released his first solo project, Faith and Family. The album is a personal collection of worship songs and love songs that Sumrall wrote for his wife, his family and God. Most songs are musically lighter and intimate and really showcase Sumrall's vocal talents. "Psalm 56" is the album's standout: "You are all I need / You are all I see / I will put my faith in You, when I am afraid / I will not back down / I will put my trust in You / My soul's alive in You." 

Over the years, Kutless had moved away from hard rock to contemporary, until their last album, Surrender. Sumrall's Faith and Family is definitely still softer than any album Kutless has released so far.

2. Jon Foreman of Switchfoot
Jon Foreman considers Switchfoot his day job. On his own, the band's frontman definitely lets his creativity show, particularly on his 2015 project The Wonderlands. This collection of songs is not one single album, but four concept EPs--named Sunlight, Shadows, Darkness and Dawn--each released in a different season of the year, similar to the progressive release of his first four EPs in 2007. 

Altogether, The Wonderlands has 24 tracks, each song representing a different hour of the day. Each EP represents a different mood. For example, the songs on Sunlight are uplifting and encouraging, while the songs on Darkness are darker and more melancholy. "Come Home" from the Darkness EP is definitely a standout: "This is the meaning of life / You were born for the dance not the fight / Won't you come home? / Back to where your heart is."

The Wonderlands is, without a doubt, a very ambitious side project, proof of Foreman prolific song writing abilities--he was able to release a new album with Switchfoot not even a year later. 

3. Todd Smith of Selah
I have never heard of an artist releasing a side project the same day his or her band also released an album, but Selah's Todd Smith just accomplished this feat. He recently released his sophomore solo effort There's A Light on the same day Selah released their second hymns collection. 

There's A Light is an 11-song project that includes collaboration with singer/songwriter Ellie Holcomb. The first single and title track, "There's A Light," has a refreshingly upbeat, modern sound--definitely different than most of Selah's music. Another highlight is "Jesus Is," written while Smith's father was battling Leukemia. Smith recently released a lyric video for "Calling All Fathers," an anthem that calls on dads to man up and live out their God-given roles with confidence and accountability.

4. Michael Sweet of Stryper
In the past few years, Michael Sweet has been working double duty: on one end, he has been touring and releasing material with his band, Stryper, while also touring and releasing solo albums. Most recently, Sweet released his seventh solo album One Sided War, the follow up to his 2015 release I'm Not Your Suicide. 

Sweet's new side project has predominately an '80s metal sound, which is similar to Stryper's music. Many artists want their solo albums to be different than their band's music, but Sweet is one artist who seems to be okay with the similarities.

5. Amanda Cook of Bethel Music
Singers from massively popular church worship bands such as Hillsong United and Jesus Culture have started a trend: releasing solo studio albums. Canadian-born Amanda Cook, one of the famous voices from the California church-based worship band Bethel Music, has followed suit. 

I can see why many worship leaders release their own material. In Cook's case, her 2015 debut album Brave New World has established the singer as a solo artist in her own right. Unlike the live Bethel records, Brave New World clearly showcases Cook's amazing vocals. Similar to Bethel, each song lyrically praises the Lord with passion and reverence. 

6. Steffany Gretzinger of Bethel Music
A year before Cook's debut, Bethel Music's Steffany Gretzinger released her debut solo album, The Undoing. Gretzinger's debut release showcases the singer's raspy yet beautiful vocals in a studio setting. There is something about Gretzinger's voice that I really like. I think her vocals have a unique tone which separates her from other Christian singers. In a saturated Christian music marketplace where many songs sound the same, Gretzinger has the opportunity to establish a successful solo career based on her unique voice alone. Creatively speaking, Gretzinger has poured her experiences and passion into The Undoing, giving listeners an opportunity to reflect on their own journey with God.

7. Spencer Kane of Anthem Lights
Before Spencer Kane joined Anthem Lights in late 2015, the singer had already established himself as a solo artist. Kane's Top 40 style of music fits perfectly with Anthem Lights' bubble gum pop. 

The 19-year-old Kane recently released his self-titled album, Kane. When I first heard about the solo album, I thought it would be a collection of cover songs, similar to Anthem Lights' past EP releases. Instead, the album is fused with a mixture of pop, electrodance and other similar genres that will definitely attract a younger audience. For this side project, Spencer Kane has been able to establish an identity that truly identifies him as Kane.

8. Matty Mullins of Memphis May Fire
If you have ever listened to Memphis May Fire, you will hear loud, gritty guitars combined with singing and screaming, a perfect fit for the post-hardcore genre. In 2014, Memphis May Fire frontman Matty Mullins moved away from the band's metal sound and took the rock-contemporary route for his debut self-titled album.

"I'm grateful for everything we've done with Memphis May Fire, but I was also raised on Christian contemporary pop music," Mullins said in an interview with Alternative Press. The standout song on Mullins' side project is "Come Alive:" "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid of losing touch with the meaning of my life / I'm not afraid to die, I just need to come alive."

9. Matt Baird of Spoken
Similar to Matty Mullins and Jon Micah Sumrall, Matt Baird released a solo album to explore the softer side of worship. When Baird sings with his hard rock band Spoken, his passionate vocals come out energetically loud--complete with heavy guitar riffs. If you compare Baird's 2015 worship project, Keeper of My Heart, to Spoken's hard rock songs, the difference is night and day. 

Baird's praise to the Master of the Universe on his solo worship album is sincere, though I prefer the energy his voice displays in the praise and worship found on Spoken's power ballads--particularly "Calm the Storm," from the 2013 album Illusion. Fortunately, there are moments where Baird's high-powered vocals can also be heard on Keeper of My Heart.

10. Mac Powell of Third Day
Third Day has been churning out albums for more than 20 years, so it's only natural that frontman Mac Powell wanted to take a break to create his own music. He did this in 2014 with his second country album, South Paw. At first listen, I found it odd to hear Powell's voice in a country song. "I've Always Loved You," the last song on the album and a remake of a Third Day song, also reminds me of Third Day's famous hit "Love Song." At times, Mac Powell's voice sounds similar to Cat Stevens.

What side projects by lead singers are your favorites? Did we miss any?