Art in the Church and World
Long time singer-songwriter in the Christian world, Sandra McCracken, joins us this week to talk about art and faith, art in the world, and art in the church. The conversation covers things like, Why is the art of music and film (seemingly) the only main mediums used in church’s today? and How can Christian creatives be encouraged to use their art not just in church, but the world also? and What’s the first step in creating art (specifically songwriting)? Because of her many years of experience in this area, she brings a seasoned answer to these questions. Whether or not you call yourself an artist, we all are creative, so this conversation will benefit you.
Who’s Our Guest?
Sandra McCracken’s prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer has brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound. Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along. For her music and all other news, check out sandramccracken.com.
Episode Links
Sandra’s latest album (Fall 2016) is called God’s Highway.
Also, stay tuned for Steadfast Live (coming this August 2017), check out all her music, and download chord charts at sandramccracken.com.
Read It
*Below is an edited transcription of the audio conversation.
With me today is singer-songwriter Sandra McCracken. On her site, it lists at least seven albums she’s done, but on Spotify, it shows three more going back to 1999. Maybe there’s a reason why those first three aren’t on her site, but either way, she’s been doing this for a while. Anyways, thanks for being here today Sandra.
Thank you so much. I’m glad to be with you.
First things first, who are you? How did you meet Jesus and what is your life look like right now?
Well, I am from St. Louis Missouri. I’m the youngest of five kids, big family. We had a lot of cousins and extended family, so I grew up really finding that belonging in the context of community. Came to Nashville in about ’95 and became interested in songwriting. I was pretty much interested in music from a young age, just even hearing it on stereo and everybody in my family playing songs for me that they loved. Music and faith and family were all interwoven, so that’s become my craft or the place where I feel called vocationally,
to make art in the form of music.
Then my mom had become a Christian a few years before I was born and taught me the Scriptures from a very young age, and prayed with me. I don’t really remember a time before that. She had a lot of energy and excitement, even, as a young Christian, the excitement that says, “Oh, I want to pass this to my kids,” so I was the beneficiary of that. It’s been a huge part of who I am and how that, the Scripture and even hymns and songs got in my memory and in my heart from such a young age.
When you say that about your mom, my sister and I have a similar story where my parents became Christians about two to three years before we were born, so they were really kind of gung-ho and on fire for their faith, which is really great for that to translate into us at a young age, so that’s really cool.
Since we’re going to be getting into faith and a...