In years of
leading worship and music in churches for the better part of 25
years, we have watched the evolution of "contemporary" music for
worship. Its roots were blended in the 60's from traditional folk and
spirituals, combined with the pioneering efforts of songwriters
within the Catholic and Protestant denomonations. The evolution has
progressed to the current wave of wonderful music which grows out of
the evangelical movement. Often referred to as "Praise Music", this
style is being used in performance and worship on a world-wide
scale.
We have found, however,
that there is another culture of faith-filled Christians who choose
to express their praise to God and committment to the teachings of
Jesus with different words, and in a different style than that of the
evangelical Christian movement. I consider myself part of this group,
and have spent the past twenty years collecting, writing, arranging
music that meets the needs of this group.
In offering my songs to
publishers, promoters, artists and record companies, I have been
politely turned down. When pressing for a reason, I have been told
that since my songs don't conform to the commonly accepted style and
theological expression (of the evangelical movement) they reflect a
weakness of faith and a fear of expressing "true" Christianity.
Although I totally disagreed, there was no point in arguing. It was
clear that the time had come to publish and promote this music
myself.
The music in our
catalog is a offering for "the rest of
us" (it's actually for all of us). It is for those who choose to
express their faith in words and actions that don't necessarily
reflect the style of the evangelical cultural. This music includes
faith-filled hymns of praise, challenges to live out the Christian
life in through our actions, and a profound sense of mission in daily
living to be the hands of God in the world.