Get Truth Rather Than Sentiment Stuck in People's Heads

I recently listened to an mp3 of lectures I have from Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, writers of "In Christ Alone." I wanted to share a quote from Stuart that seems to correspond well with the things I usually try to express here on the blog in regards to the content of our worship music.

"We want people to be going out singing the songs...and we want them to be going out singing the songs that are full of truth rather than songs that are just nice sentiments...It will change them, it will sustain them through their lives, it will sustain you through your life."

We know how powerful a vehicle music can be to touch people's hearts and minds. So it's important that the songs people internalize (get stuck in their head) are full of truth that can impact their lives for the Kingdom. Sentiments are fleeting, but truth, as Stuart mentions, is something that God's people can actually stand on in all circumstances. Stuart goes on to talk about how many lies people in the church often believe about themselves, God, the world, etc. and how the truth that they hear in worship can truly liberate them from the lies that chain them up and keep them from living in the Kingdom of God. This speaks to the spiritual warfare stuff I've mentioned before as well, and how worship in spirit and truth can undo the lies of the demonic that try to hinder the church (the people) from carrying out God's mission here on the earth.

Check out any of these lectures (you'll have to sort through to find the ones from Keith and Stuart specifically) if you get a chance, I was blessed by what these guys had to share and am thankful there's people out there that take writing worship songs so seriously and recognize our need to get away from the trend of songs that are vague theologically and are me-centered and aim mostly at an emotional, sentimental response from the participant rather than imparting a life-long truth that the worshiper can cling to and live by.