Is That Song Theologically Incorrect or Just Theologically Incomplete?

I saw a great post on worship today from Zac Hicks calling on us to distinguish between those songs that are theologically incorrect, and those which are theologically incomplete. As Zac points out, "Sometimes in our zeal for truth, we blur that line and dismiss songs with a prophetic kibosh, branding them with the scarlet letter of "bad theology" when the truth is that they are not wrong, just incomplete."

Far too often this is more a reflection of our biases than our gospel fidelity. Zac argues that by differentiating between theologically incorrect and the theologically incomplete, we can guard ourselves from this, understanding that whatever songs we sing in worship, we need to use them in their proper doxological context.

He goes on to elaborate on the benefits of making this distinction:

The incomplete-wrong distinction opens up new possibilities for engaging songs that seemed to be ruled out before.  It becomes more about weight and balance within a whole service (or within a whole series of services).  This distinction also allows us to assume a more humble posture with our brothers and sisters from traditions which differ from ours (and God knows we could use more humility!) without compromising on what we feel is solid, biblical truth.  It seizes on 1 Corinthians 13's encouragement that, within the body of Christ, "love hopes all things."  So before you dismiss a song outright because you believe it's "wrong" (which it still might be), stop and ask yourself if this song wouldn't be more "right" when given its full doxological context. 

Click here to read the whole post, and if you are involved in the planning of worship services, I strongly recommend that you to regularly visit Zac's blog.

How the Doxology Shapes Us

Far too often I talk to people who base the quality of a church's worship solely upon the type of music they sing on a Sunday morning. There are those who argue that the music and atmosphere of church should be similar to that of a rock concert, while still others can't even imagine calling it "worship" if it doesn't include a pipe organ.

In a world that is full of voices saying all kinds of things about what worship is (and isn't) or should (and should not) be, Zac Hicks is one of my favorites. The subtitle of his blog is "Seeking cultural relevance, biblical depth, historical engagement, & theological reflection in worship," and he somehow actually finds a way to bring these diverse yet admirable goals together!

Zac will certainly never be accused of being a member of the "organ only" club, but he still maintains a high view of the history of worship and the value of traditional liturgy. Today's blog entry was no exception as he extols the benefits of singing the ancient words of the Doxology as part of our worship. I love the way he begins:

One drop of water on a rock has little effect, but a steady dripping will eventually wear a hole into a seemingly impenetrable stone.Singing the Doxology every week is like getting a steady drip of life-giving Trinitarian water over hardened hearts.

So true. So profound. Click here to read the whole post, and gain a sense of how singing the Doxology can shape not only our worship, but our very selves.

Roots and Wings: The Story of Indelible Grace

Yesterday I got my copy of Roots and Wings: The Story of Indelible Grace. Like countless others, I have been richly blessed by the music of Indelible Grace. Rightly described by my friend Zac Hicks as "the galvanizing force behind the Hymns Movement," this group of artists led by Kevin Twit has set much of the rich hymnody of the Church's past (including many long forgotten hymns) to fresh, new music.

The first disc of the two DVD set includes the 1 hour and 14 minute documentary gives a behind the scenes look at the history and work of Indelible Grace, interspersing interviews with performances from Indelible Grace's 2010 hymn sing at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The second disc contains another hour-and-a-half worth of interviews, as well as three more performances.

Watching the documentary was both educational and edifying, and prompted me to thank God once more for the blessing that Indelible Grace has been in my life and the ways he has used them to stir up the affections of my heart.

Whether your church's worship style is as "contemporary" as they get or the most "traditional" in town, I recommend watching the preview below and consider learning more about Indelible Grace, perhaps even purchasing the DVDs or some of their music.

Additional note: If you live in Colorado, Oklahoma or Arkansas, a new tour has just begun and Indelible Grace may soon be in your neck of the woods. Check out their tour schedule here.

A Song for Reformation Sunday

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, my friend and fellow-pastor, Zac Hicks, recently released the album Without His Aid with the worship team at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church outside of Denver.  Once again I highly recommend it.

Zac points out at his blog that the first song on the album is especially suitable for Reformation Sunday, which is coming up this weekend. It is entitled Sola and focuses on "the five solas" of the Reformation: 

• Sola fide – faith alone
• Sola gratia – grace alone
• Solus Christus – Christ alone
• Sola scriptura – Scripture alone
• Soli Deo gloria - to God alone be the glory

Check it out below and click here to learn more about the album or, even better, to purchase it.

New Zac Hicks Album: Without Our Aid

Last December I told you about my friend and fellow pastor, Zac Hicks, who had won the Church of the Servant 2010 New Psalm Contest with his arrangement of the 100th Psalm "All People That on Earth Do Dwell."  That song as well as eleven others are included in the album, Without Our Aid, which is being released today by Zac + Cherry Creek Worship.

Zac is a talented musician and composer as well as a deep and biblical thinker who rejects the triteness all too common in contemporary Christian music, striving to incorporate a profound and developed theology into his songs.  I encourage you to click here, check out the new album, and if you like what you hear, purchase a CD or download the MP3s.

Click here to read all about the album at Zac's blog and check out the promotional video below  which sheds a light on Zac's heart and this album.


Without Our Aid: Behind the Album - Zac Hicks from Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church on Vimeo.

Sing to the Lord a New Song!

Congrats to my friend and fellow pastor, Zac Hicks, who recently won the Church of the Servant 2010 New Psalm Contest.  Zac's new arrangement of the 100th Psalm "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" was deemed tops among entries submitted from around the world.

Zac is the Associate Pastor of Worship & Liturgy at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church near Denver.  He is a talented musician and composer as well as a deep and biblical thinker when it comes to liturgical matters. Along with the worship team at Cherry Creek, he produced the album The Glad Sound, which is a collection of ancient hymns reset to new melodies and modern instrumentation.  Their second album, Without Our Aid, is slated to be released next September, and will include "All People That on Earth Do Dwell" as one of its songs.  In the meantime, you can check out what Zac terms "a crude demo" of the song here.

For more information, check out Zac's blog post about the award.

Take up Your Cross and Sing!

Zac Hicks is the Minister of Worship and Liturgy at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Denver. Cherry Creek hosted the EPC's General Assembly last week and Zac did a great job leading music in our various worship services.

Over at his blog, Zac has started a series on John Wesley's rules for singing. The other day he had a great post on congregational singing and the need for us to refrain from a consumeristic approach to it. Zac warns us against "the individualism and idolatry of self" in making reference to John Wesley's exhortation that we all sing in worship, even if we are personally uncomfortable doing so:

For the person who says, “I just don’t like singing…I don’t get a lot out of it.” Wesley’s answer is, “It’s not about you. Deny yourself and take up your cross.” What a different approach to worship! Worship (specifically singing) is not a product to be consumed by some and left on the shelf by others. It is something we all must do, even if it means it is at times (or permanently) difficult for us.

You can read the whole post here.