When Secular Is Sacred
Author – Brian Hehn is the Director of The Center for Congregational Song When the “other” sings the Gospel As someone who is a life-long church musician but who cut(s) his teeth on Ben Folds Five, the Goo Goo Dolls, Nirvana, Ray Charles, The Beatles, and other secular pop/rock artists, I quickly became fascinated with […]
13th of November 2018
Lessons and Carols for the Small Congregation
Author – Ginny Chilton Maxwell is Music Minister at Church of the Ascension in Norfolk, Virginia, where she serves as organist, choirmaster, and elementary music teacher. Lessons and Carols My church has a tradition of doing a service of Advent Lessons and Carols every year. To me, the term “Lessons and Carols” brings to […]
7th of November 2018
Album Review – Chris Tomlin, “Holy Roar”
The Context “Holy Roar” is the newest full-length release from Chris Tomlin. Tomlin is arguably one of the most influential songwriters of contemporary songs for worship, in part because of his intimate connections with Christian radio. Tomlin has been leading worship through song in some capacity since the mid-90s, and his ability to adapt to […]
5th of November 2018
Congregational Song’s Potential Challenges in the (near) Future
Author – Adam Perez is a doctoral student in liturgical studies at Duke Divinity School. The Future of Congregational Song “What do you think the future of congregational song will be like?” This question was posed to me recently. Though the future is difficult to predict (I was hoping for flying cars by now), […]
2nd of November 2018
Singing Coritos: An interview with Rosa Cándida Ramírez and Analisse Reyes
**This article was originally published by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. For the original article, click here. Singing coritos {short songs} in Spanish and English is hospitable in worship. It also opens up worshipers to new understandings of God. By: Joan Huyser-Honig, Rosa Cándida Ramírez, Analisse Reyes Rosa Cándida Ramírez is pastor of compassionate ministries at First […]
31st of October 2018
Album Review – Phil Wickham, “Living Hope”
The Context “Living Hope” is the 8th full-length album by Phil Wickham. It could be counted as the 11th, if you factor in the three “Singalong” live albums he has recorded and given away over his 15-year career. Wickham is the child of a worship pastor, with a Calvary Chapel background. In 2014, while his […]
24th of October 2018
Album Review – Shane & Shane, “Hymns, Volume 1”
The Context While in the midst of the regular production of arrangements of songs for worship through The Worship Initiative, Shane & Shane have taken a break to record an album of re-arranged hymns under their own banner. Shane Barnard and Shane Everett are prolific songwriters in their own right, with over a dozen albums […]
17th of October 2018
Album Review – Rend Collective, “Good News”
The Context Rend Collective, previously “Rend Collective Experiment,” hail from Northern Ireland and are known for their unique instrumentation and singular energy that characterize their live show. Both the interesting instruments and abundant energy are well-represented on their albums. They have released 8 albums in as many years, proving to be fruitful songwriters. A key […]
11th of October 2018
5 Benefits of Starting a “Family Choir”
Author – Ginny Chilton Maxwell is Music Minister at Church of the Ascension in Norfolk, Virginia, where she serves as organist, choirmaster, and elementary music teacher. 5 Benefits of Starting a “Family Choir” When I took my most recent music ministry post, part of my job description was to start a children’s choir. At […]
3rd of October 2018
Participation in Praise and Worship – A Retrospective
Author – Adam Perez is a doctoral student in liturgical studies at Duke Divinity School. Worship War There have been many varied but regular attacks posed by opponents of contemporary praise and worship since its inception in the middle of the 20th century. These attacks have been intense enough to call it […]
