In yesteryear, it was common for aspiring church musicians to pursue degrees in church music. Those paths of study included music history…and for good reason. Traditional church music is a descendant of western classical music. For those of us who have studied classical music, we all can attest that we are better at our craft of making and performing music because we have studied the ebbs and flows of music history. Through the lens of a singer: one does not … Read More
The Same Old List: Evangelicals and Our So-Called “Old Hymns”
This has turned out to be a second installment of concerns over evanglicalism’s limited understanding of and approach to hymns. My first installment was a critique about the limited creativity we evangelicals have exerted in “resetting” hymns. The chief concern of today’s post is this question: Why is it that all evangelicals seem to know of “old hymns” are the late 1800s and 1900s gospel-era songs? Over a year ago, I was leading worship for a group in our church, … Read More
Advent hymn-reflection: “Angels from the Realms of Glory”
(there are other great verses…these are the ones we’re using) Angels from the realms of glory,Wing your flight o’er all the earth;Ye who sang creation’s storyNow proclaim Messiah’s birth. Come and worship, come and worship,Worship Christ, the newborn King. Shepherds, in the field abiding,Watching o’er your flocks by night,God with us is now residing;Yonder shines the infant light: Saints, before the altar bending,Watching long in hope and fear;Suddenly the Lord, descending,In His temple shall appear. All creation, join in praisingGod, … Read More
behind “The Glad Tidings”
The Glad Tidings EP was the vision of the one-man think-tank known as Dave Farmer, foisting his bold ambition upon squeamish me. I produced it, Gary Welker engineered it, and Josh Davis mixed it. The result is a slightly haphazard yet fully enjoyable EP made available for free public consumption. Save track 4, it is in keeping with our vision to set old hymns to new music. Track 1: Lo He Comes (Christmas Deconstructed Remix)“Lo He Comes” is one of … Read More
a great way to fight “American Christmas” in Denver
This past Sunday, I preached on the concept of Advent in general, opening with a “riveting” explanation of Old Testament eschatology (end times teaching) and how Christ expanded and amplified that picture when He came. The main thrust of the message was to encourage us to live in the reality of Christ’s second Advent by (1) confronting the idolatry of our hearts, and (2) subverting culture’s version of “Advent”–marketing, consumerism, “good feelings,” and what not. After talking with many people … Read More
a creative way for modern worship to engage tradition in Christmas
Within the past year, I have been having more and more conversations with pastors who are coming to me for recommendations of worship leaders who understand both modern and traditional worship. At the same time, more are also coming to me asking, “How can we, as a more typical evangelical church, engage liturgy and hymns?” People, if you’re not paying attention to this shift, you’re behind the curve. I often cannot help with the former question. My response is, “Come … Read More
please don’t conflate rock with “entertainment music”
(A humble, open response to church music legend Austin Lovelace) I did not have the chance to attend a valuable piece of church music history. The American Guild of Organists honored the life and legacy of Austin Lovelace on Sunday, October 4 at a wonderful church right in my own Denver back yard. Anyone who has labored intensely in their field for 70 years deserves appreciation, and Lovelace deserves double, because he embodies the finest representation of the “old … Read More
when a worship leader truly worships
Worship leaders struggle with a perennial problem. (At least it’s perceived as a problem.) Our hearts have a hard time being truly engaged on Sunday mornings. We’re thinking about the music and liturgical flow. We’re obsessing over technology and eliminating distractions. I’ve known some who remark that they’ve transcended that and feel utterly free most Sunday mornings to lift up their hearts and minds, raised by the text of songs into the heavenlies. God help me, I’m not one of … Read More
vote to get us on the airwaves!
Hey Friends, Everyone needs to go here NOW and cast your vote for Zac Hicks + Cherry Creek Worship to get played on WAY-FM out here in Colorado: http://kxwa.wayfm.com/index.php/community/97-community/134-my-church-band-rocks-.html And after you’ve voted, pass this link along to everyone you know, and get them to vote. Why? #1: Because Christian radio needs a dose of good theology.#2: Because modern worship needs to hear what old hymns can sound like.#3: Because of the three to choose from, our music is the … Read More
Passion for God Means Passion for Theology
“[It is often assumed] that a study of the nature and character of God will be impractical and irrelevant for life. In fact, however, it is the most practical project anyone can engage in.” – J. I. Packer, Knowing God, 18-19 It should be peculiar to encounter a worship leader, expressively passionate about God in the context of corporate worship, who says things like, “I just don’t get into all that theology stuff. That’s for intellectual-types.” It should be peculiar. … Read More