Sovereign Grace Music: Worship God Live
Posted by Chris on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 12:04 pm
Several weeks ago Bob Kauflin, on his Worship Matters blog, offered a free copy of the new Sovereign Grace worship CD, Worship God Live to the first 50 worship leaders who would agree to review it on their own blogs. I was one of the first 50, and my blog review is long overdue.
Worship God Live is a collection of 14 new songs, performed by the Sovereign Grace worship band as led by Bob Kauflin and Pat Sczebel. It sounds pretty much like you’d expect a live worship album to sound; the musicians are good, there are the typical lead singers with a larger background vocal group, the style is very similar to what you’d hear from a Passion worship album. Which is to say, good stuff.
As you listen to the lyrics of these songs, you are immediately struck by the depth and richness of the content. These are not the simple, schmaltzy, repetitive, cliche lyrics that haunt the thoughtful worship leader. These songs were obviously written by people who have thought through and understood the matchless grace and wonder of God, and who want to express it in the congregational music setting. As a worship leader, I am encouraged to hear new material with rich content. It is sorely needed in today’s churches.
My chief difficulty with the album comes from the musical part of the songs. My experience in worship music has been that people who lead large worship bands with professional musicians tend to write music best performed by those large, professional bands. Fine and good, if you attend a church of that size and caliber. But for the worship leader in the smaller church, with volunteer musicians of varying ability, they just don’t fit the bill. Recent worship music that has worked well for us has been simpler; How Deep The Father’s Love For Us and In Christ Alone are two good examples. I found myself wishing that this album’s songwriters had taken the little guys into account on at least some of the songs.
All that being said, there is one song on the album that stands out in its quality, singability, and message, and which I will be taking at some point soon to my worship team: Jesus, Thank You. It presents the gospel message so beautifully, and could be used by congregations of any size as beautiful praise to the Savior.
![[caedmonscall.net]](http://rmfo-blogs.com/images/ccneticon.jpg "The official unofficial fan site of Caedmon’s Call.")
![[derekwebb.net]](http://rmfo-blogs.com/images/dwneticon.jpg "The official fansite of Derek Webb.")
![[rmfo-blogs.com]](http://rmfo-blogs.com/images/rmfoblog.png "About the [rmfo-blogs.com] service.")
Hi Chris,
I’m not sure how I found this old post of yours, but you have a very great looking blog! Wow!
I just had to comment on your post. “I found myself wishing that this album’s songwriters had taken the little guys into account on at least some of the songs.” My husband, Mark, and, I think, my son, wrote a couple of the songs on that album, and we ARE one of the “little guys”. Our church is small, and we have a very average, normal worship band. It’s made up of carpenters, moms, teachers, a couple bankers, an electrician and a few other wonderful people who love to help lead people into worship. It never sounds like the album, but the songs always seem to work pretty well for us in worship. Pat’s church is pretty small as well.
So I just thought I’d let you know that we’re with you in the “small guy” crowd. Some of our best times of worship with songs like these are when they’re led with just an acoustic guitar and a keyboard. The Sovereign Grace site has lead sheets. I wonder if there is something that we’re not presenting right, that makes the songs seem too difficult for small churches. Because, personally, I think small churches are where it’s at, but I’m really biased.
Thanks for all your kind, encouraging words about the songs! And may God prosper all that you’re doing for the gospel! Your site is so full of excellent material.
In Him,
Kristi Altrogge
Kristi, thanks for your kind words! I’ll have to go back and revisit the SG album again one of these days - maybe I’ll get a different impression next time. Translating the songs from the album sound to what they’ll sound like with just a piano or guitar in our little church is a challenge sometimes. Still, I am very thankful for those of you who use your gifts to write good solid songs for the church. We are in desperate need these days.