Congregational Worship At Its Best
Posted January 15, 2016
By MikaylaShriver_NRT, Staff Reviewer
Isaiah 26:8 reads, "Yes Lord, walking in the way of Your truth we wait eagerly for You, for Your name and renown are the desire of our souls." This verse has been the theme of Passion Conferences for years, and the verse fits beautifully into who they are as a group. The collective that is Passion has been revered by the Christian music world for years, and with good reason. The brainchild of ardent public speaker and pastor Louie Giglio, Passion has been releasing a live worship recording annually almost every year since the Passion Conference's conception in 1997. Each album is enthusiastically received and well-loved by believers worldwide. Their latest album, Salvation's Tide Is Rising, was digitally released on New Year's Day, and its songs are sure to quickly become radio and worship staples.
Salvation's Tide Is Rising features a number of sixstepsrecords artists such as Crowder, Chris Tomlin and Kristian Stanfill. It also covers a number of musical styles throughout the album, culminating in the very powerful and intricately communal worship experience that is so unique to the Passion Conferences. Tracks such as "Salvation's Tide" (featuring Kristian Stanfill) and "My Victory" (featuring Crowder) open with a glossy, upbeat and alternative sound, perfect to capture attention and prepare fiery hearts for worship. "Surrender," much later in the worship set, maintains the alternative beats at a slower tempo as it focuses on surrendering oneself wholly to God. Other songs, such as "God And God Alone" (featuring Chris Tomlin) and "Remember" (featuring Brett Younker), deliver a very familiar sound with powerful calls to praise, invoking passionate congregational worship in their own way.
Although the entire album is spectacular, one song in particular which stands out within the set is "All We Sinners," featuring Crowder's vocals. The song feels like a mashup of a contemplative original hymn and a folk song, reminiscent of the legacy Crowder himself left behind in his worship-leading days at University Baptist Church in Waco, Texas-- a style the church's worship team still honors to this day. The song's refrain, simple but authoritative, says "Saved, we are saved / The gates of heaven wide open / Saved, we are saved / The keys to the grave have been stolen," a strong reminder that in our sin and death, we were rescued at the perfect moment by a perfect Savior.
The Bottom Line:
Passion Conference is highly esteemed in the Christian world, and with albums like new Salvation's Tide Is Rising, it shouldn't be any other way.
Song To Download Now:
"All We Sinners" (Get it on iTunes here.)
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