For all of you easterners, in less than a month, I’ll be contributing a small part to the National Worship Leader Conference (May 18-21) in Virginia, just outside of DC. I’m probably more excited than ever about the lineup of folks. For instance, Tuesday morning, there will be a really nice interplay between David Crowder and Bill & Gloria Gaither. And later on I’ll be interviewing the Gaithers on their years of wisdom about the worship landscape and songwriting. When … Read More
My Interview with Christ Hold Fast
I had a blast doing this interview with the insightful guys over at the Christ Hold Fast podcast. I’ve never had an interview quite like this where we were able to quickly dive into some deep, underserved themes. I do some explaining about how the Reformation’s insights about Law and Gospel play into worship, and some important observations are made about how that relates to some missing pieces in the current landscape of evangelical worship today. Check out the episode, … Read More
How Liturgy is Really “The Work *ON* the People”
Four years ago, philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff initiated what would become a change in my perspective on worship by diving into the etymology of an often mis-defined word. We often hear that “liturgy” means “the work of the people.” Wolterstorff challenges that: Etymologically the word leitourgia comes from two Greek words, leitos and ergon, meaning, respectively, “of the people” and “action.” In numerous books on liturgy it is said, accordingly, that the word originally meant action of the people. And often nowadays an … Read More
Sufjan Stevens’ Insight Not to Be Missed
A Lot Under the Bus Author David Roark has published a well-written article about Sufjan Stevens vis-à-vis the “Christian Music” scene. Roark has located the turn from Christians-as-artists to “Christian artists” in the 1960s, with the Jesus Movement’s evangelistic objectives and youth culture targeting. The bulk of the article is focused on the dichotomy between what artists like Sufjan are trying to do and what the “Christian Art” world is doing. I appreciate the article, but at the same time … Read More
Behind the Song, “It Is Finished”
Like many of you, I’m a lover of good songs. One of the things that I’m always intrigued by is what went into th writing of a song. It’s like reverse engineering…you get to learn about its construction after having the finished product in your hands. For Coral Ridge Music, “It is Finished” is a flagship song. We worked hard on it. Go and read about the theology, allusions, and inspiration that caused this song to be over at LIBERATE. … Read More
Is it Okay to be Singing in Worship about Feelings I Don’t Have?
I’m Singing It, But I’m Not Feeling It A recent, edifying Facebook exchange I had with a friend this week about a lyric of mine got me thinking about the “dishonesty” we all feel when songs and prayers are sung and prayed corporately which DON’T reflect our current emotional frame. It brought me back to the early conversations I had years ago with several rehymn movement pioneers. We all collectively said, “I just can’t do it anymore. I can’t sing … Read More
Behind the Music Over at LIBERATE
Since the album release of Come and Make Us Free a few weeks ago, we’ve been sharing the behind the scenes details about the crafting of each song–the theology, the experience, the process. This week’s song is one that I’ve already done some writing on, and I invite you over to LIBERATE to read the summary of why we wrote “Christ Surrendered All.” It was one of the standout favorites at LIBERATE 2015. Come and Make Us Free by Zac … Read More
Two Posts Not To Miss
So, I’ve been doing a lot more guest-posting, especially over at LIBERATE, but you’ll also see me writing articles a few other places, like Reformed Worship and Doxology & Theology. For those that follow my blog, I wanted to make sure you didn’t miss these articles. A Review of Dan Siedell’sWho’s Afraid of Modern Art “Hearing Art Tell Me Who I Am” First, and most importantly, I want to commend to my readership an unparalelled book that weaves together art … Read More
New Music Roundup – Early 2015
The landscape of great worship music continues to broaden and deepen. Styles continue to diverge, and I’m finding that lyrical depth is increasing on many fronts. This is all very encouraging. This post rounds up the first half, but check back later this week for the rest of the roundup. Citizens & Saints, Join the Triumph I am man-crushing all over this album. Citizens & Saints, along with Dustin Kensrue, are cutting their own path. What I love most about … Read More
A Great Invocation to Kick off Good Friday…or any Service
For our Good Friday service at Coral Ridge this year, we will begin the evening with an Invocation for piano, strings, and voices (though it really could be reset in a bunch of different ways, from choir and organ to folk). It’s called “Come Witness This Gospel to Me,” off our new album, Come and Make Us Free. Personally, it’s my favorite on the album and probably took the most out of me to write, which is saying a lot, given … Read More