Bryan Sirchio is uniquely qualified to write about progressive Christian worship music. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he was ordained in the United Church of Christ and served as a pastor. Since 1987 he has traveled extensively doing concerts and leading worship services and retreats through his own Crosswind Music. Sirchio has released 12 CDs, 3 study guides, and 4 songbooks. He is currently writing his first book: Progressive Christian Worship Music: What It Is, Why It’s Needed, And Where To Find It. To learn more about him, consider friending him on facebook, following him on twitter, or reading his blog.
Recently, Sirchio wrote an overview of his upcoming book. In that article, he defines progressive Christian worship music as “music with lyrics which has been created to be sung, in the context of a worship, by groups of Christians whose biblically based faith has led them to embrace a more ‘progressive’ world-view.” He also lists the six characteristics of this music, which will receive chapter length consideration in his book:
- An Emphasis On Both Praise And Justice
- Inclusive Theology
- Inclusive Language
- An Emphasis On Both The Individual And The Community
- Emotional Authenticity
- Fresh Images, Ideas, and Language
So What?
How well does the music used in worship reflect your congregation’s theology?
What resources do you find most helpful in locating music that fits Sirchio’s definition and six characteristics? (He suggests and provides links to five possibilities, including his own company, in his article.)