With Everything

If you are wondering what I am listening to these days. I've taken an interesting turn. I've never been one to be on the musical bandwagon, but I will pick and choose the music I like and constanting be evolving in that respect. Originally, I disliked Hillsong and Hillsong United, I'm still not a fan of Hillsong, but now Hillsong United will almost always make my Ipod play list. There is a number of reasons for this shift, I was ripe for some change:

1) My friends (thanks Drew) introduced me to their best songs, which are not always done in churches.

2) I was craving something different in worship music...I began to find a lot of music quite boring and empty lyrically. Defaulting to Christian cliches in songwriting has started to become common place in many Christian artists. Where are the song writers??? There is so much in the Scriptures to write about, so many profound themes to explore!

As I listened, I found the newer Hillsong United very rich lyrically, they were willing to explore themes and concepts not usually covered in contemporary worship. For example, songs about justice, songs about active faith, songs about loving what God loves, and hating what God hates. It was a breath of fresh air.

3) I was looking for Christian worship that made healthy use of musical interludes, guitar solos, and heavy/punchy chorus'/bridges, without showboating and misusing these elements to just "rock out".

In no way are they the be-all and end-all, they have their own strengths and weaknesses. Their strengths are worth pointing out however, so that we may grow in excellence, honor God, and reach people with the creative imagination.

1) The inspiration in their music balances both lyrics and instruments. When the lyrics make a profound statement, the music gives it wings. If the music is heavy, those are the times to listen to what the song is saying. Weighty music means weighty words.

2) Their willingness to continually reinvent themselves should be what every Worship Team edeavors to do. There is too much "cover-band" stuff going on in the church. Cheap imitation of even groups like Hillsong United, is like nails straching on a blackboard to me. Usually its just a poor imitation of the real thing. The reason is that churches just want formulas for success and not listen to the Scriptures, the Spirit, and what is going on in their particular Church. It is interesting to note, if you hear a Hillsong United do a particularily popular song, they never do it the same way twice; and yet a church worship team will take one arrangement and do it over and over and over and over again! C'mon dude, make the song your own, try some different riffs, breaks, order the song differently, write a new verse, mix songs together!

Worship Leaders: how is God speaking to your church? Follow Jesus, not a band.

Musicians: don't get your underwear in a knot because "its not like that on the CD". If I had a penny for how many times I've heard that..look out Bill Gates!

Hillsong United does a great job and paving their own way. Trying different forms of music, producing multiple guitar parts, creative drum beats, and broadening their use of lyrics to include topics not normally sang.

3) There is repentance in their music. The Psalms are filled with repentant heart cries. The Psalms speak the language of our heart and mind as we engage with God. From the depths of sorrow to the heights of joy we must teach the church this language of the Psalms. I believe many worship teams and worship leaders have advocated their responsibility in this respect. Let's recover an authentic worship, first in our lives, and secondly in our collective voice. The Church can only be the Church when it reflects every aspect of life.

Here is an example of a recent Hillsong United tune that captured my heart. The lyrics are good, but when it is paired with the music, the lyrics come alive. I'm going to try and imbed the video below, to illustrate this...but if anything I'll make the link to the youtube video. Read the lyrics, and then listen to them play it live and I think you will get what I mean. Technically, only some of the instruments are live...they produce a number of the instruments in a studio and use live tracks together to give the "live" feeling of a song. Nonetheless, take some time to appreciate the balance of song writing, passion, and musical connectedness.

With Everything

Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen

Break down our pride
And all the walls we’ve built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet

PRE CHORUS:

Let hope rise
And darkness tremble
In Your holy light
That every eye will see
Jesus our God
Great and mighty to be praised

God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
Oh the majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name

Chorus:

With everything
With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

Chorus 2:

Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSCE8uLuTJY