The Worship Review

This week we hold a wide ranging interview with Jill of all trades, Kerry Baldwin--researcher, philosopher and reformed Christian. She gained notoriety from her pro-life arguments in her debate against eminent economist Walter Block. We discuss Kerry's unique background and experience with worship music. We also muse about men and women singing in the church, among other issues.

Dave joins us again for a collaborative review of Keith & Kristyn Getty's "Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed." Dave is a musician and elder from Northern Ireland who produces music for the church under the name "KDMusic". In this episode, we have the pleasure of contemplating the account of Jesus' resurrection in the Gospel of John and seeing how it informs the text of this song. We also look at numerous other passages which appear to have been considered during the composition of this song. The distinction between contemplative and didactic songs is mentioned and we discuss where this song fits in on that scale.

Apologies for Tyler's audio in this week's episode. I was travelling and away from my typical setup!

Listen to KDMusic for Scripture-rich worship songs: https://kdmusic.co.uk/

Official lyric video for this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX-Xt-vBYPc

Listen to Keith & Kristyn Getty talk about this song and the songwriting process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_UKkoMhxtQ

Lyrics:

[Verse 1]

How can it be, the One who died

Has borne our sin through sacrifice

To conquer every sting of death?

Sing, sing Hallelujah

For joy awakes as dawning light

When Christ’s disciples lift their eyes

Alive He stands, their Friend and King

Christ, Christ He is risen

[Chorus]

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed!

Oh, sing Hallelujah

Join the chorus, sing with the redeemed

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed

[Verse 2]

Where doubt and darkness once had been

They saw Him and their hearts believed

But blessed are those who have not seen

Yet, sing Hallelujah

Once bound by fear now bold in faith

They preached the truth and power of grace

And pouring out their lives they gained

Life, life everlasting

[Bridge]

The power that raised Him from the grave

Now works in us to powerfully save

He frees our hearts to live His grace

Go tell of His goodness

[Outro]

He is risen, He's alive

He's alive

Heaven's gates are open wide

He's alive, He's alive

Now in Heaven glorified

He's alive, He's alive

Heaven's gates are open wide

He's alive, He's alive

Now in Heaven glorified

Dave Whitcroft is a worship leader, pastor/elder and musician in Northern Ireland. This wide-ranging interview covers Dave's music, what is means to make "the church the lead singer", how to balance new songs and old songs in church music as well as other issues both local and global in contemporary Christian worship music.

We are back with a Rend Collective song! Joined by Mike Tapper and Marc Jolicoeur of Series 5, Episode 9 and the study of worship music longevity "Worship at the Speed of Sound", our hosts take a look at the lyrics of Counting Every Blessing. Our conversation explores the use of different verb tenses for the different states of the human experience in salvation, and we praise the song for actually naming blessings to be counted! There is a small square off about the phrase "good to me" (and a look back at Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin). Looking at the practice of borrowing verbiage from classic hymns, we discuss a possible trend in modern worship music to recall and reclaim feelings of tradition in the 21st century.

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82b0Tiy0ykk

Song story: https://www.jubileecast.com/articles/19855/20180810/rend-collective-earns-second-consecutive-top-10-with-counting-every-blessing.htm

Lyrics:

I was blind, now I'm seeing in colour

I was dead, now I'm living forever

I had failed, but You were my Redeemer

I've been blessed beyond all measure

I was lost, now I'm found by the Father

I've been changed from a ruin to treasure

I've been given a hope and a future

I've been blessed beyond all measure

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

Letting go and trusting when I cannot see

I am counting every blessing, counting every blessing

Surely every season You are good to me

Oh-oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh-oooh (You are good to me)

Oh-oh-ooh, oh-oh-ooh-oooh (You are good to me)

You were there in the valley of shadows

You were there in the depth of my sorrows

You're my strength, my hope for tomorrow

I've been blessed beyond all measure

Surely Your goodness pursues me

Surely Your heart is still for me

I will remember Your mercies all my days

Through every storm and gale

For Your goodness, I will ever praise You

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

 are good to me

Sing it out now

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

In my hurting

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

I'll sing it loud

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

Even in the dark

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

Lift your voices

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

All the time

Oh-oh-ooh (You are good to me)

Mike Tapper and Marc Jolicoeur join us to share the results of their recent study, Worship at the Speed of Sound. Data from decades of CCLI rankings show the following trends:

https://worshipleader.com/culture/worship-at-the-speed-of-sound/

Jason joins us once again to talk about Famous For (I Believe) by Tauren Wells ft. Jenn Johnson. On this episode, in addition to discussing the lyrics of this song (for example, "God of exceedingly"), we also have the opportunity to ask Jason some pastoral questions about worship music generally. We talk about pastoral introductions and explanations of songs, the difference between a congregational song and a performative song, and having "cruciform" worship.

Read more about Jason's Book "The Name" and the Identity Mapping program: https://identity-mapping.com/about/

Lyric Video for this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o15X2yZ1LT8

Lyrics:

There is no fear 'cause I believe

There is no doubt 'cause I have seen

Your faithfulness, my fortress

Over and over

I have a hope found in Your name

I have a strength found in Your grace

Your faithfulness, my fortress

Over and over

Make way through the waters

Walk me through the fire

Do what You are famous for

What You are famous for

Shut the mouths of lions

Bring dry bones to life and

Do what You are famous for

What You are famous for

I believe in You

God, I believe in You

Release Your love inside of me

Unleash Your power for all to see

Spirit, come, and fall on us

Over and over, oh Lord

God of exceedingly, God of abundantly

More than we ask or think, Lord, You will never fail

Your name is powerful, Your word's unstoppable

All things are possible in You

Jason Dorsey--pastor and artist based in Redmond (Seattle), Washington--talks about pastoral oversight of worship and the Psalms as a pattern for organizing worship. He also shares some aspects of worship music he finds troubling and why he describes himself as "chief worship leader" of his church.

This week, Vince (from The Berean Test) rejoins us to talk about "Together" by forKING&COUNTRY, a song which was nominated for a GMA Dove Award in 2021. 

Lyrics:

Oh oh oh oh oh

This is for the busted hearts

This is for the question marks

This is for the outcast soul

Lost control, no one knows

Sing it for the can't-go-back

Sing it for the broken past

Sing it for the just found out

Life is now upside down

If you're looking for hope tonight, raise your hand

If you're feeling alone and don't understand

If you're fighting in the fight of your life, then stand

We're going to make it through this hand in hand

And if we fall, we will fall together

Together

This is for the second chance

This is for the new romance

Sing it for the loved in vain, overcame

It's not too late

If you're looking for hope tonight, raise your hand

If you're feeling alone and don't understand

If you're fighting in the fight of your life, then stand

We're going to make it through this hand in hand

And if we fall, we will fall together

Together

When we rise, we will rise together

Together

Ohhh ohhh ohhh ohhh

(We will rise together)

(Listen)

If you're looking for hope tonight

(And you're all alone)

If you're feeling alone tonight

(Can you feel)

If you're in the fight of your life

(I can promise)

We're gonna make it happen, yeah

I will be by your side

(By your side)

Cause love's in the air tonight

(Can you feel it)

Come up and see the light

Whenever ever ever

Just as long as we're together, say

If we fall, we will fall together

(I got you my brother)

Together

(I see you my sister)

When we rise, we will rise together

Together

If we fall, we will fall together

(Take my hand)

Together

(Help me stand)

When we rise, we will rise together

(We will rise together)

Together

Together we are dangerous

Together with our differences

Together we are bolder, braver, stronger

Vince founded and runs thebereantest.org--a Christian music review website which publishes several reviews a week. The Berean Test also features an active community of thoughtful commenters. Colin, Tyler and Vince discuss Vince's story, the challenges of evaluating music in the church and some common problems in the genre.

This week, we take a deep dive into the lyrics of "So Will I (100 Billion X)" by Hillsong Worship. This song rose to prominence—and controversy—in 2018 after its April release. There is so much to discuss in these lyrics! We talk about creation, the breath of life, God's promises, the atonement and salvation. 

Christian Post article: https://www.christianpost.com/news/hillsongs-joel-houston-clarifies-evolution-views-after-sparking-debate-with-worship-song-so-will-i.html

Lyrics:

Verse 1:

God of creation

There at the start

Before the beginning of time

With no point of reference

You spoke to the dark

And fleshed out the wonder of light

Chorus 1:

And as You speak

A hundred billion galaxies are born

In the vapour of Your breath the planets form

If the stars were made to worship so will I

I can see Your heart in everything You’ve made

Every burning star

A signal fire of grace

If creation sings Your praises so will I

Verse 2:

God of Your promise

You don’t speak in vain

No syllable empty or void

For once You have spoken

All nature and science

Follow the sound of Your voice

Chorus 2: 

And as You speak

A hundred billion creatures catch Your breath

Evolving in pursuit of what You said

If it all reveals Your nature so will I

I can see Your heart in everything You say

Every painted sky

A canvas of Your grace

If creation still obeys You so will I

Bridge:

If the stars were made to worship so will I

If the mountains bow in reverence so will I

If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I

For if everything exists to lift You high so will I

If the wind goes where You send it so will I

If the rocks cry out in silence so will I

If the sum of all our praises still falls shy

Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times

Verse 3:

God of salvation

You chased down my heart

Through all of my failure and pride

On a hill You created

The light of the world

Abandoned in darkness to die

Chorus 3:

And as You speak

A hundred billion failures disappear

Where You lost Your life so I could find it here

If You left the grave behind You so will I

I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done

Every part designed in a work of art called love

If You gladly chose surrender so will I

I can see Your heart

Eight billion different ways

Every precious one

A child You died to save

If You gave Your life to love them so will I

Tag:

Like You would again a hundred billion times

But what measure could amount to Your desire

You’re the One who never leaves the one behind