New songs for modern missional worship, rich in Christian teaching and contextualized in modern culture. Contemporary hymns, psalms, songs of lament and praise written by members of the Louisville, KY-based Sojourn Community.

Perhaps no song about the crucifixion of Christ has touched more people than this hymn in long meter by Isaac Watts.  Inspired by Watts' reading of Galatians 6:14, this is a personal favorite of mine, with many lyrical gems scattered throughout (including the all but forgotten fifth verse). May Watts' text help you reflect on the events of Good Friday and its eternal blessed significance to all who believe: When I survey the wondrous cross On ... Continue reading »

In the Christian liturgical calendar, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and occurs, of course, on the Thursday before Easter.  The "Father of English Hymnody," Isaac Watts, dramatized the Last Supper and its significance like no other in the words of this hymn: 'Twas on that dark, that doleful night When powers of earth and hell arose Against the Son of God's delight, And friends betrayed him to his foes: Before the mournful scene began, He ... Continue reading »

They love to eat. I had lunch with Neil Robins at J. Gumbo today, part of Louisville's 4th Street Live entertainment district.  We talked about the upcoming free songwriting seminar he's leading with his wife, band-mate and writing collaborator Kate, and about the upcoming Sojourn worship project that he's producing with Worship Arts Pastor Mike Cosper. For those of you who can attend the April 26 seminar, Neil ... Continue reading »

Here is an excerpt from Sojourn's "Gospel & Worship" workbook, the text used for our Gospel 102 class, taught by Worship Arts Pastor Mike Cosper:           ~                                                                 ~                                                            ~ Some Definitions: "To worship God is to ascribe to him supreme worth, for he alone is worthy."                                                                                                              - Ralph Martin "(Worship is) the dramatic celebration of God in his supreme worth in such a manner that his 'worthiness' becomes the norm and inspiration for human ... Continue reading »

I attended the 11:15 A.M. service this week at The 930, Sojourn's art and community center, and the home to our weekly congregational worship gatherings.  We're working through the book of Romans this year; Teaching Pastor Daniel Montgomery taught from Romans 3:21-24 (sojournchurch.com will post the sermon mp3 soon).  Here's our music set list:  1. "Evergreen," written by our own Neil and Kate Robins (recorded on our Before the Throne ... Continue reading »

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in ... Continue reading »

Saturday, May 10, Sojourn's home, The 930 will host the 2008 Cultivate Beauty Art and Film Festival, a festival that has grown over the years from being a movie exhibition for Sojourn community members to an international film competition and, now, a visual art exhibit as well.  If you would like to participate, the deadline for entries is Tuesday, April 15.  You can download entry ... Continue reading »

"Has it ever occured to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other?  They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other, but to another standard to which each one must individually bow.  So one hundred worshippers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in heart nearer to each other than ... Continue reading »

It is impossible to discourage the real writers - they don't give a **** what you say, they're going to write. ~Sinclair Lewis  this is true.  I tell this to the songwriters in our community, especially the newer ones, all the time.  Over the years I've had some songs performed in churches and various places, and a few recorded, and had a handful of poems and short stories published.  Along the ... Continue reading »

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1 The March/April 2008 issue of Worship Leader magazine arrived in my mailbox not long ago, and I was excited to see that the focus of this issue is "Songwriting For The ... Continue reading »