Passion, White Flag (sixsteps/Sparrow)Released: March 13, 2012 Passion’s latest project continues in their strong legacy of fervent live worship albums. One can never question on these records that this movement continues to be deeply committed to the core of what Christian worship is all about–encountering the presence of God with the people of God. At the same time, White Flag continues to reveal the theological growth and maturation of Passion’s main songwriters and artists–Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Kristian Stanfill, Christy … Read More
Famous Modern Worship Leader Seeks PhD in Theology
Critics who paint modern worship as being thoughtless, a-theological, and mind-numbing are having to come to grips with an increasingly large canvas. Their broad-brush strokes aren’t so broad, anymore. Modern worship is diversifying its portfolio. Could we ever have imagined ten years ago that a major touring modern worship artist would pursue theological education at the doctoral level? No, Chris Tomlin isn’t headed to Harvard.
Worship Leader Magazine’s 20 Most Influential Worship Albums – Reflections
Worship Leader Magazine – January 2012 IssueThe most recent issue of Worship Leader Magazine released their list of the top twenty most influential worship albums of the last twenty years. Many of the album-mentions include articles of reflection and appreciation written by other worship leaders and songwriters in the mainstream worship music industry. The list is interesting and worth some analysis.
Great Hymns Albums Released in the Last Few Months
I swear, I’m having to write these kinds of posts more often. The hymns/rehymn movement continues to strengthen and expand. Here are some great new albums that I’ve been enjoying and appreciating. Sojourn Music, A Child is Born Some very creative rock tunes, great guitar work, unconventional and delightful production choices. Some traditional tunes reworked, some originals. Sojourn is always on the upper side of the art spectrum. A Child Is Born by Sojourn High Street Hymns, On Winter’s … Read More
Songs for the Supper: Great New and Old Communion Songs – FOR FREE
Cardiphonia has produced a feast for the ears to strengthen the Feast of Christ in the modern church’s worship. Not long ago, Justin Taylor, when posting about our song, “Lord, I Believe,” commented: “I’m not aware of many hymns that are specifically designed for celebrating the Lord’s Supper.” This observation is typical and appropriate for those of us (myself included) reared in the modern evangelical church. Our tradition, by and large, has downplayed Communion. We speak of its importance. Some … Read More
Ten New Albums Indicative of Positive Shifts in Modern Worship
When I began cataloguing the growth of the hymns movement several years ago, I had no idea that its growth would be this rapid. Even using just one metric for growth and expansion—the production of albums—the number of artists and churches setting old hymn-texts to new music is much greater than it was five years ago.
Review of Fragments of Grace, by City Hymns
In the early days of the hymn resurgence among young (largely evangelical) Christians, only a handful of groups were making records. Red Mountain Music was one of those entities.
Pentecost Songs: The Way Forward Continues to be the Way Back
The rootlessness of contemporary Christianity is starved for remembrance, but the vacuum of historical connectivity has finally turned on. And the sucking sound is getting louder and louder. For years now, Cardiphonia has been on the leading edge of liturgical renewal in evangelicalism. Before it was “cool” to talk about liturgy and historic practices in Christian worship, Cardiphonia was carving its path in this direction on the world wide web. Its mastermind, Bruce Benedict, I have watched from afar in … Read More
Review of Love Shine Through, by Tim Hughes
Tim Hughes, Love Shine Through (Kingsway)Released: April 19, 2011 Tim Hughes is not necessarily a household name in evangelical modern worship, but his breakout song, “Here I Am to Worship,” has established him as a notable songwriter, despite the fact that his material since then has probably gone under-noticed and under-appreciated. In my opinion, he is on par with the other Brits (e.g. Matt Redman, Vicky Beeching) who continue to trend toward greater biblical and theological depth in their text-writing. … Read More
Review of Here For You, by Passion
Passion, Here For You (sixsteps/Sparrow)Released: March 8, 2011 I remember when I heard my first Passion record—Passion 98—in high school. It was fresh and different. Little did I know at the time that I was listening to a mile-marker in the short history of contemporary worship. Passion and Delirious are the pivot-point on which “contemporary worship” swung to “modern worship.” Thirteen years later, much has changed, and much has stayed the same. Many of the same faces and voices that … Read More