Passion

Passion has grown up. And, luckily for the church, we reap the rewards for their newfound maturity.

If you somehow find yourself completely oblivious to the modern worship movement, then let me just summarize it for you by saying that Sixsteps Records is the dynasty of sorts – including more “name” artists than anyone and releasing one powerful disc after another to complete their worship canon. But until now, it’s partially been child’s play.

Sure there are evidences of the same on God of This City, the latest release. But it’s nothing compared to previous efforts. The most playful we get on this one is Chris Tomlin leading a crowd on the self-explanatory “Sing Sing Sing.” It’s cute, catchy and perfect for a room full of enthusiastic youngsters. It’s also the most immature on what is otherwise an absolutely stunning collection of themes and musicianship.

Back again are all the (Christian) household names – David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman, Charlie Hall, Christy Nockels – along with newcomer Kristian Stanfill. What’s new here are themes that focus on the deeper aspects of faith and the spiritual journey – songs speaking to involvement in social justice (the title track) and a greater perspective of remembrance (“God of Our Yesterdays”). It’s as if the college worship movement is growing up and wrestling with further aspects of life than simply “we love you” and “you love us” anthems.

Still those are here as well and they are equally moving as they are on other discs. “Hosanna” is an exact replica of the beautiful song by Hillsong United and Nockels’ vocal is pitch perfect. Charlie Hall also has some impressive tracks here, including the fantastic “You Are God,” breaking down into an explosive bridge of “You walk with us, you lead us on/ Faith hope and love wakes up with dawn” before simply leading to “Life flows from God, it flows from God” over and over. It’s a rousing time that moves the spirit and the physical body.

The David Crowder Band brings the lead track from their latest, Remedy, with “Glory Of It All,” perhaps one of the strongest tracks DC*B has ever recorded. There isn’t much of a live difference here, so the track is really nothing new if you have the Remedy album. Still, the band’s rendition of “O, For A Thousand Tongues to Sing” is quite fresh in the chorus area – much like Tomlin’s change for “Wonderful Cross” from a few years back.

Of course, Tomlin has the bulk of the face time on the disc and rightfully so. The title track is absolutely moving and left me speechless the first time I heard it. It’s the anthem and answer to a group asking the question, “Okay, we’re gathered. We’re worshipping. What now?” Also, the first track “Let God Arise” is a stadium filler with a breakdown at the end proclaiming “Our God is a God who saves” again and again. It’s a fitting reminder of what God, indeed, can do and has done and will do – almost a combination of “God of This City” and “God of our Yesterdays.”

There’s hardly a weakness on the disc and it’s exciting to have such a talented outfit stretching beyond the touchy feely and moving into deeper theological, missional territory. It’s not that God of This City is a huge departure (Don’t worry!) from the norm. It’s just that they’re growing older.

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