In a previous post I talked about the Sovereign Grace songwriting retreat and where our songs come from. While we’d love to simply produce songs that are being written by writers in their local churches, we’re trying to steward our songwriting resources in a way we think will better serve the church at large. So we talk and pray about what gaps exist in the modern worship song repertoire, or what topics we think might serve our churches and the church at large. That means our albums are more intentional and thematic. We also asked our Sovereign Grace Music Facebook fans for their thoughts and got some great ideas.
So here are some of the albums we’ve been writing songs for, and the albums you’ll be able to listen to Lord willing, in the coming year. All titles are tentative.
1. Alli en la Cruz (May 2010) – This will be our first “non-translated” Spanish worship CD, Alli en la Cruz, featuring the songs and vocals of Mauricio Velarde, a member of Iglesia Gracia Soberana de Gaithersburg
2. Walking with the Wise (June 2010) – a project for kids 6 years old and up based on themes from Proverbs (similar to our last kid’s album, To Be Like Jesus, based on the fruit of the Spirit). Since we don’t assume that all kids who’ll be singing these songs will be Christians, our emphasis will be on proclaiming truths rather than expressing personal experience. We’ll also be weaving our need for a Savior into many of the songs.
3. The Gathering (Nov. 2010) -an album of songs that follow the flow of a “gospel liturgy” (see Christ Centered Worship by Bryan Chappell) that has been around for centuries and is reflected in the Old Testament sacrificial system as well as numerous New Testament passages. The songs can be used as stand alones, or as part of an entire meeting. Potential topics include songs that can be used for call to worship, adoration, confession, assurance of pardon, thanksgiving, intercession, a creed, preparation to hear the Word, baptism, the Lord’s supper, and dismissal. This album will stretch us in terms of themes and also enable us to highlight how the gospel should shape and inform our entire meeting.
4. Risen (Feb. 2011) – songs that focus on the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for our lives. We’ll probably touch on themes related to the second coming as well. Can’t wait to see how this one turns out.
5. Jesus is Able (release date TBD) – This will be a black gospel project, to be released some time this year. The pieces for that are still falling together, although we’re making progress. It will be a mix of previously written Sovereign Grace songs and some new ones. Our goal is to provide the church with more congregational songs that combine gospel-centered theology with soulful passion. This is a project we’ve been thinking about for a couple years now for a number of reasons. We want to serve the African-Americans already in our churches, as well as contribute to more biblically substantive congregational songs in the black gospel genre.
I know I’m going out on a limb mentioning these albums before they even exist. But I’m trusting that God will enable us to produce everything He wants us to. And in the mean time, if you wanted to pray for us, that would be great.
Looking forward to all of them!!
The excitement is building. Looking forward to finding new songs that can help my congregation think right thoughts about God as they worship Him.
Thanks for keeping us up to date so we can be praying for the songwriters, singers, producers, etc. and thanks for the diversity of proposed projects.
I’m really excited about these projects.
Very encouraged by your focus on the kid’s album :)
God bless your plans according to His will
Very exciting! Thanks for letting us know how to pray, Bob, and some of the things we can look forward to!
Wow, talk about an answer to prayer. I’ve been reading Christ Centered Worship and feel like I have had such a needed perspective adjustment. As I’ve been reading, I keep trying to think of songs that we know that would satisfy the certain stages of a gospel liturgy in a robust way. Even if I find “a” song, do we have an abundance of songs that we can rotate over time to continue to see different parts of that liturgy come to the forefront of our worship in song? I’m really excited to glean from The Gathering in all areas.
In particular, I’m looking forward to seeing how the cd will approach a confession song or songs. I believe specific and individual confession, as different from the general (and certainly needed and appropriate) confession of our nature as sinners and our need for a savior, is an area we only really approach during times of the Lord’s supper. I’d even love feedback on how other worship leaders lead their congregation into those times (mwalt@mse.ufl.edu)
Wow. I’m so grateful for these themes and projects. I have appreciated how the acceleration of albums releases (from my perspective) has also seen an increase in quality and richness and diversity in Sovereign Grace Music. Thanks for your leadership.
Not that your plate isn’t completely full, but have you ever thought about an EP (maybe a songbox project) with songs about the church in the community? Maybe pitch that to the NA guys?
Oh, I didn’t say how emphatically excited I am about “The Gathering.” I’ve wrestled with making a “gospel shaped” service in a contemporary setting while keeping it fresh, and I am eager to see SG’s offering.
Can’t wait!
Hey Guys – one missing element in the church has been great, theologically deep, biblical, gospel focused music. Where are the new Isaac Watts? Encouraging songwriting in the church not only feeds the church with great worship content, it spurs on creativity in all the church and beyond. Even More…All of life is under God’s sovereign rule and all things work, play, arts are for his glory! Lets continue to write great music for the glory of God! And let it continue in and out of the church as we influence and bring truth, God’s truth, and see the Kingdom come!
Looking forward to “Walking with the Wise” to use with my Jr Choir next fall, and “Risen” to use with my Sr Choir for the Easter season. I always walk through the theology of the songs with the kids. It leads to great discussions and personal application. Thanks for all your hard work! I will, indeed, pray.
Wow, I am beyond excited about both Alli en la Cruz and Jesus is Able….but especially Jesus is Able – which is strange because my church in Miami would probably benefit more than most by having Alli en la Cruz produced, but I just love gospel music, and sang in a gospel choir durring college – mixing that powerful music, with passionate voices, and rich deep theology – mmmmmmmm yes please and thank you!
I would recommend some James Ward stuff for the Jesus is Able album. You can find some of his stuff (especially his “I’ll be more like Jesus” choral projecdt) at http://www.jameswardmusic.com. Gospel with solid theology…great stuff.
I am especially excited about the “gathering” album. I have been working on writing songs for our congregation to sing. I am writing with a focus on the traditional elements of a worship service. Anyone that would take time to listen to some of those and offer me their thoughts would be great. You can find them here to listen to or download.
Songs for Corporate Worship*Elements
So excited about #3…LOVING that book and was just thinking that more songs to follow the Gospel RE-presentation model would be great.
Thanks, BOB! :-)
-M
Bob, can someone submit a song to be considered for an album?
Leslie, thanks for asking. For now we feel we’re responsible to use songs that have been written by Sovereign Grace writers.
Thanks Bob! I’m looking so forward to hearing the new CD’s. I so love your music, it thrills my heart to hear songs centered around the Gospel, God’s grace and character! I am passionate about deep doctrinal, lyrical content in the songs we use in our church. Just a few Sundays ago I introduced the song “Isn’t He good”. Our church is a new church plant in the midst of a lot of other churches. But I’ve had people coming up to me telling me they can tell a difference in the songs we sing at our church compared to other churches. That the lyrics are God centered and have depth. I am so encouraged to hear that and know we are doing something right! Thank you for provide such great resources for all of us to be able to do that! Keep your standards high. They are inspiring all of us.
I want to add my affirmation especially for the projects where you are intentionally pursuing and confirming the place of multi-ethnic worship. This in and of itself is “in step with the truth of the gospel” (see Gal. 2:11-14). The Black Gospel project will fill a great need. 2 out of 5; 40% – this is a beautiful commitment to helping churches become at least a shadow of Rev. 7:9. God’s blessing to you in this!
Good stuff!