Artist Spotlight
I have provided a short (far from comprehensive!) list here of contemporary Christian musicians and bands I would commend on the basis of: (1) Biblical substance, (2) musical excellence, and – in many cases – (3) their suitability for congregational singing. If you are a “worship leader” (a pastor, elder, musician, or individual otherwise who is tasked with ordering and leading worship services), this list may prove useful to you as you plan services and prayerfully consider how to aid your congregation’s worship in spirit and truth. Any Christian, however, may benefit from this substantive collection of songs when it comes to their own everyday music listening.
“Keith and Kristyn Getty occupy a unique space in the world of music today as preeminent modern hymn writers. In re-inventing the traditional hymn form, they have created a catalogue of songs teaching Christian doctrine and crossing the genres of traditional, classical, folk and contemporary composition which are sung the world over…” [Read More]
“The Corner Room is making Scripture sing. In just over two years, TCR creator and producer Adam Wright has released four critically acclaimed albums, setting Scripture and hymns to modern music. “When we know God’s Word more deeply, we will know God more deeply.” [Read More]
“Our hope is to help the church recover the tradition of putting old hymns to new music for each generation, and to enrich our worship with a huge view of God and His indelible grace. Indelible Grace Music grew out of ministering to college students, primarily through Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). As these students began to taste more of the depth of the gospel and the richness of the hymn tradition, many began to join the music of their culture with the words of our forefathers (and mothers!), and a movement was born…” [Read More]
“Wendell Kimbrough is a songwriter and performer reimagining the Psalms for emotionally honest modern worship. His music makes space for the whole range of human experience, from lament, grief, and anger to playful, joyful celebration. With singable melodies, steeped in the sounds of folk, gospel, and soul music, Wendell’s songs are sung at hundreds of churches around the world…” [Read More]
“The mission of Sovereign Grace Music is to produce Christ-exalting songs and training for local churches from local churches. We… want to join the many others who are encouraging biblically informed, heartfelt, Spirit-empowered singing in the church. Like Charles Wesley, we wish we had “a thousand tongues to sing our great Redeemer’s praise.” We pray the songs we write will produce the same desire in you, your family, and your church, for the never ending glory of God…” [Read More]
Book Recommendations
Sing! How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church
By Keith & Kristyn Getty
“Why do you sing at church? It’s a question we almost never ask out loud. Yet, it is a question central to the lives of Christians who regularly gather together for worship. Do you sing to God? Or do you “address one another in hymns and spiritual songs,” as the Scripture says? Do you close your eyes? What is your posture in worship? This book is designed with these questions in mind… Sing! guides individual church members together with their congregation on a campaign to declare with one voice, “This is why we Sing!.” [Read More]
Christ-Centered Worship: Letting the Gospel Shape our Practice
By Bryan Chapell
“This accessible and engaging book provides the church with a Christ-centered understanding of worship to help it transcend the traditional/contemporary worship debate and unite in ministry and mission priorities. Contemporary believers will learn how to shape their worship based on Christ’s ministry to and through them. The book’s insights and practical resources for worship planning will be useful to pastors, worship leaders, worship planning committees, missionaries, and worship and ministry students…” [Read More]
Give Praise to God: A Vision for Reforming Worship
By Philip Graham Ryken (Editor), Derek W. H. Thomas (Editor), J. Ligon Duncan III (Editor)
“This call for the doxological reformation of the church is offered to “ministers who lead their congregations in worship, musicians who seek a deeper understanding of the spiritual purpose of their work, [and] seminary students who are clarifying their commitment to biblical worship. . . Give Praise to God continues the legacy of James Montgomery Boice by examining the biblical foundations for worship, the warranted elements of corporate worship, worship in the home and in all of life, and worship throughout the ages…” [Read More]