There are a few things that everyone expects you as the pastor to do. Praising and affirming those things that people on your staff team produce is probably on that list. Which really disappoints me, because I am afraid that you’ll consider what I’m about to say about the new Summit worship CD to be obligatory, and miss my genuine awe over how good it is.
I love:
The rare blend of old and new. New, original, gospel-rich, songs on the same CD with some of the great hymns of the church done in ways you’ve never heard. And put to unbelievable instrumentation. For years I have felt like some of the old hymns had a power in their words that we had not tapped into musically. The musical arrangement of the hymns on this CD captures the power of the lyrics. For example, listen to “All Creatures of our God and King.” It’s been on repeat in my car for about 2 weeks.
The multi-cultural flair. You’ve got the best of Puritan hymnody one minute; Whitney-Houston gone Pentecostal with a gospel choir the next. And you never know what’s coming. And yet it all seems somehow to fit together. And there’s even a great Spanish hymn in there sung by Pastor Raudel that brings tears to my eyes even though I don’t really know what he’s saying. I’m pretty sure it has something to do with God (Dios) and the cross (la cruz). I’m honored that this reflects the multi-cultural dreams and hopes of our church. Wow.
I’ve yet to hear a worship CD with deeper, richer lyrics. I guess I’m biased, but I honestly feel that way. I am brought back to the cross and the glory of God again and again. And at the same time it’s joyous and a lot of fun and the kind of worship that makes you want to turn it up real loud and dance when no one is looking. My daughter said (as a compliment), “Mom, if the words were different, this could be One Direction.” Probably not the affirmation our team was looking for, but sincere praise from an 11 year old. For two great samples, listen to “All I have is Christ,” and “Praise to the Lord the Almighty.”
The instrumentation, vocal mixes, and sound recordings are simply excellent. And you can hear the “Amazing Keyboard-Hammond-B3-organ-smack-your-mama-good” influence of one of our new worship leaders, Branden. I can just see him with his ballcap pulled low over his eyes bobbing his head in perfect rhythm as he plays it.
I love it. My kids love it. My wife loves it. Even my parents are going to love it. Our family can’t stop listening to it. I’m grateful!
Check it out for yourself: Our God Is Unstoppable
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