[Rev Adam]

I am wondering what music resources people have found that express a Progressive Christian theology? Many of the old standards use metaphores that no longer are life giving. The contemporary "Praise" music is just as problematic. In my community, Taize and some hymns by folks like Ruth Duck and Brian Wren work, but I am interested in broadening our range of options. Please share:

Composers
Hymn collections
Songs for Congregational Singing

or any other thoughts related to finding music that fits with the 8 points of Progressive Christianity. Who knows, maybe we need to commission some composers to write some new songs!

Thank you

[ShinyPebble]

[font=Book Antiqua][size=2][color=#009900]Hello. I haven't been around in a while, let alone answered a post. Yours intrigues me, so I thought I would help you get the ball rolling. Since progressive Christianity is all about getting out of the box, I submit to you this: The Distance to Here by the group Live (Rhymes with dive). It's not exactly for the formal service, more of a personal devotional selection, but it works well for me. If you don't want to shell out for the whole album, let me suggest a selection or two that you may be able to find on the net. Try "Run to the water" and "Dance with you". This music is filled with passionate, life-affirming energy and every time I listen to it my heart just breaks open wide with a torrent of joy and love. I hope it does for you too.][color=#009900]

This post has been edited by ShinyPebble: 10 September 2006 - 10:10 PM

[Gretta]

Rev Adam, on Aug 27 2006, 08:26 PM, said:

I am wondering what music resources people have found that express a Progressive Christian theology? Many of the old standards use metaphores that no longer are life giving. The contemporary "Praise" music is just as problematic. In my community, Taize and some hymns by folks like Ruth Duck and Brian Wren work, but I am interested in broadening our range of options. Please share:

Composers
Hymn collections
Songs for Congregational Singing

or any other thoughts related to finding music that fits with the 8 points of Progressive Christianity. Who knows, maybe we need to commission some composers to write some new songs!

Thank you

[mystictrek]

So-called secular rock'n'roll and reggae and pop and rap and hip hop and "World Music" are actually amazingly spiritual. It is easy to find songs to fit any theme of Christianity in this ordinarily ignored library of music and art. I still love GODSPELL and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. TOMMY and QUADRAPHENIA by The Who are rock operas dealing with deep spiritual issues. There are so many more. Favorite artists include: Beatles (of course), Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Argent (God Gave Rock'n'Roll to You), Todd Rundgren, the Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Bush, Neil Young, SuperTramp (The Logical Song), REM, U2, World Party (I need Your God on My Side). And, as I said, there are so many more.

I believe one of our most direct connections with God is found in the latest hits (not all of them of course but there is gold in those hits, or God in those hits if a little discernment is used.

I did my Doctor of Ministry research on the Church and Rock'n'Roll back in the early 80s. I focused on the themes of Play, Protest, Passage & Prayer. I haven't kept up with the latest hits as much in the last 10 years or so but others here have and I hope they add some names and songs.

[October's Autumn]

I've found more truth in secular music than in the current christian music that is available. From what I can tell Christian music hit a high point with telling the truth in the 90's then crashed and burned.

[Cynthia Sheldon]

I agree.
I have sung "Hands" by Jewel in church occasionally. It's very pretty with guitar.
Here are the lyrics:

If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be we're all okay
And not to worry cause worry is wasteful and useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
Won't be idle with despair
I'll gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

(Chorus) My hands are small I know, but they're
Not yours, they are my own, but they're
Not yours, they are my own and
I am never broken

Povery stole your golden shoes
But it didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, but not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

(Chorus)

In the end, only kindness matters (3x)

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray (3x)

(Chorus)
We are never broken.

[Rev Adam]

Thank you all for your posts...I too find a lot of secular music very spiritual. There is a role for that in Christian worship. Perhaps a list of progressive Christian secular songs should be posted here.

HOWEVER, there is a big difference between a spiritual song that can be performed in worship and a worshipful song that a congregation can sing. This is the difference between an anthem (sung or performed by a solo or group) and congregational singing in tradtional terms. Many secular songs are just too difficult for a congregation to pick up and sing. Again, I think there is a role for secular music in today's churches that is yet unexplored. Some of you might remember what is sometimes called the "fish" book with its mix of 60s protest songs, motown, folk, spiritual and silly campfire songs...the newer versions have incorporated the "praise" music genre which is not progressive. Where is the NEW fish book?

I hope more people will share there ideas on these thoughts and keep the discussion going.

Peace

[Chuck]

I lead the worship at a progressive church in the Cincinnati, Ohio area - Nexus Church. I'm a big fan of a musician/composer named Ken Medema. Many of his songs are very singable and suited for congregations. His lyrics have a depth to them that is extremely rare. And musically his material is top notch. Specific songs we have used include:

Bound Together
I Could Dance For A Week
Long, Long Journey
Shall We Learn To Be Friends

You can find out about him at his web site. My favorite of his recordings are "In The Dragon's Jaws" and "Little Pictures".

We have also used some tunes from Bruce Cockburn. His latest album has a song called "Mystery" that our congregation really enjoys singing.

I'm a big proponent of using "secular" music. We regularly use songs from U2, Van Morrison, Joseph Arthur, and others for our congregational singing. Our music style is definitely contemporary - rock/pop/jazz styles are our preferences.

[Cynthia Sheldon]

Here are the lyrics for "Light in Your Eyes" by Sheryl Crow

Something is happening
Everything's different but everything is fine yeah
This is the good stuff
Yesterday's only what you leave behind
It's only in your mind

You gotta talk to the One who made you
Talk to the One who understands
Talk to the One who gave you
All the light in your eyes
All the light in your eyes

There's no use pretending
You never existed until you saw the light yeah
You're just beginning
You haven't missed it-it's all ahead of you
And you know what to do

You gotta talk to the One who made you
Talk to the One who understands
Talk to the One who gave you
All the light in your eyes
All the light in your eyes

Here comes the world and she is beautifully mysterious
She's got it all and you say "Give it to me"

When nobody's happy
That's not the world I know outside
Where everybody hides

You gotta talk to the One who made you
Talk to the One who understands
Talk to the One who gave you
All the light in your eyes


You gotta talk to the One who loves you
Talk to the One who understands
Talk to the One who gave you
All the light in your eyes
All the light in your eyes

Yeah, thank you thank you!
Yeah, everything great and small
Yeah, thank you thank you
For the light in your eyes


Yeah, thank you thank you!
Yeah, everything great and small
Yeah, thank you thank you
For the light in your eyes
For the light in your eyes

[AllInTheNameOfProgress]

I write songs occasionally for our worship services, and I don't know if there is an interest in this one.y I can send you an mp3 file of our band performing it live...

DON'T HAVE TO CHECK YOUR MIND - Janet Krech

Verse 1:
G Dsus C2
They say their hearts are open.
G Dsus C2
They say their minds are open.
G D C2 G
Testing other's tolerance a fundamental fear .
G D C2 G
Questioning beliefs I hope they don't hold dear.
Bm Em Bm Em
Will it be copacetic? Or seen as pathetic?
Bm G D
Will they write me off, or will they agree?

CHORUS:
G Dsus C2
You don't have to check your mind at the door.
Em D C2
Don't have to hide your doubts anymore.
G Dsus C2
Your questions might just end up teaching me
Em D C2
And opening up new possibilities
G Dsus C2 C
Your mind 's a gift God has given you
G Dsus C2 C
Let's share our questions and uncover truth
G D C2 G D C2
Take your mind and use it -- as a witness to our Lord .

Verse 2:
G Dsus C2
As we learn of Jesus
G Dsus C2
He valued higher thinking.
G D C2 G
His questions and his parables planted new ideals.
G D C2 G
Showing us with thought we can harvest something real.
Bm Em Bm Em
God gave each of us a mind. If we seek then we will find.
Bm G D
Do you think I'm off, or do you agree?


Verse 3:
G Dsus C2
The Spirit's moving forward.
G Dsus C2
A mighty wind comes blowin'
G D C2 G
Gathering in the people's minds so they can know The Way
G D C2 G
Bringing us together as disciples still today.
Bm Em Bm Em
I know it as I kneel. Is it something you can feel?
Bm G D
Will you write it off, or will you agree?

TAG
G Dsus C2
We say our hearts are open.
G Dsus C2
We say our minds are open.



I agree that musicians need to collaborate on worship music that is in synch with the messages we want to present. I have been trying to get the United Methodist church as a whole to do that, but not everyone in the denomination is progressive. I have waded through volumes of "Christian Contemporary" to find songs that have worked in worship for my church recently.

"The Face of Love" and "Deeds" by Sanctus Real
"Lifesong", "Voice of Truth", "If We are the Body","Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns
"Brave" and "Legacy" by Nichole Nordemann
"Word of God, Speak" by Mercy Me

[AllInTheNameOfProgress]

 65535_Don__t_Have_To_Check_Your_Mind.mp3 (2.81MB)
Number of downloads: 10Here's the mp3 file of "Don't Have to Check Your Mind at the Door."
Janet Krech