MP3 Christ Church - Steadfast Make My Heart - A Christ Church Worship Album

A collaboration of professional musicians resulting in a worship album from the community of Christ Church of Berkeley and Rockridge.

10 MP3 Songs in this album (40:16) !
Related styles: SPIRITUAL: Praise & Worship, SPIRITUAL: Hymns



Details:
Why did Christ Church commission a worship album?
In a largely secular culture, one catches glimpses of the goodness, beauty, and truth of God, reflections of his presence in a beautiful landscape, a painting, or a piece of music. Christ Church has been blessed by some very talented musicians that have exhibited God's presence in their craft to our community. It seemed that a worship album would be an appropriate crescendo of their gifts and passions, and would allow us to share those talents with others.

"A worship album is I think first and foremost a tool for continued worship. I've always been fond of saying that when one sings, one prays twice. I'm not sure of how that works out, but it sounds right! It was also a way to build community within our musical team at Christ Church."
- Jeff Rolka, Producer



What was the vision behind the album?
"I wanted to make a record that first and foremost served its purpose as a worship tool, but that also made an artistic statement. I am not one to 'over produce' records. I like to find the right part for the right place in the song and keep the overall amount of information minimal so that the message comes through loud and clear."
- Jeff Rolka, Producer



How and why were the songs chosen?
"The songs were chosen with Robert Heiskell and were picked to satisfy the range of musical settings that I like to employ in a production of this type. Some are much louder, wider and physically more powerful, while other remain introspective and intimate. I believe this wide range of dynamics allows each individual who is listening to find their place in the album. Something that speaks to them and can maybe allow them to open up their hearts to God while singing along." - Jeff Rolka, Producer



Why should we worship?
We worship simply because it's what we were made to do. We all worship something every minute of every day, God no less commands us to worship Him and Him only. It is a lifelong spiritual practice to set our affections on God.




Why music as a form of worship?
Besides prayer, music is probably the oldest form of organized corporate worship. Throughout recorded history music has played a vital role in spiritual formation, not to mention a prominent role in societies in general.There is an obvious connection to an art that, unlike anything else, expresses deep emotional passions and actively engages the person or persons in those emotions.

Music either enhances one's worship of God or it distracts. As with any art form, it becomes an idol that obstructs God's view or a channel that guides our focus. We want our musicians at Christ Church to play in humility, but to play with excellence. As they are able to submit their gifts and passions before God, we as participants are able to celebrate God as the source of all goodness, beauty, and truth.

"It is my hope that this record can spark the question in some minds that brings them to further investigation. For others, it may intensity their already existing faith. It comes as a challenge, because music has been what I worshiped, and I must not confuse it with what it was created to do; honor and acknowledge something far greater than it could ever be."- Jeff Rolka, Producer