Contemporary band Unspoken's latest music motivates Christian listeners, showcasing their passion for the Gospel. The band returned after a four-year break with the five-song EP God Help Me, released in 2023. The EP draws lyrical inspiration from the Book of Psalms and showcases heartfelt tracks like "God Help Me."
Known for hits like "Reason,""You've Always Been," and "Help is on the Way" from their acclaimed album The Reason, Unspoken continues to emphasize God’s unwavering sovereignty through their music, openly celebrating His rule over our lives.
Their newest full-length album, IV, features the track "What He Says About You," a powerful anthem that reminds listeners of their identity in Christ and conveys the band's unashamed dedication to the Gospel. It's refreshing to see a band passionately committed to transparent, faith-rooted lyrics in an age often characterized by lyrical ambiguity. Every lyric is firmly planted in Scripture, which genuinely resonates in songs like "More Church Than Church." I spoke with Chad Mattson, Unspoken’s lead vocalist, about the inspiration behind this track, their unyielding faith, and the band’s vision for IV.
Please tell me the personal story behind this song.
“More Church Than Church” is about my continued sobriety journey that began over two decades ago. The song features country music artist Walker Hayes, who has been vocal about being in active recovery.
Together with our co-writer Tyrus Morgan, us two former addicts, we wondered at the irony of how basement AA (alcoholics anonymous) meetings often feel more honest than fancy stained-glass sanctuary gatherings. The vulnerability of a 12-step program is usually absent underneath a steeple. This song is about being authentic in God's presence, finding a community, and being there for each other.
Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?
Isaiah 29:13(NIV): The Lord says: “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
James 5:16(NASB): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.”
John 8:12(NKJV): "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, 'I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.'"
2 Corinthians 4:6(NKJV): "For it is the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."
2 Corinthians 12:9(NKJV): "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 5:16-19(NIV): "So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, and the new is here. All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation."
Galatians 2:19(MSG): “What took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn't work. So, I quit being a "law man" so that I could be God's man. Christ's life showed me how and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that. Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God's grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, Christ died unnecessarily.”
What is the takeaway message?
We, including myself, love to masquerade around, pretending that we have it all together, that we’re not struggling with sin, that we’re not dealing with depression. But what I’ve found is there’s a healing that comes through transparency. There’s this powerful thing that happens through confession.
With this record, we want to encourage the body to live what the Word of God says, believe it, and advocate for it. Our goal is to encourage each other in faith.
Lyrics
I wish Sunday mornin’ could feel more like Tuesday nights Twelve steps down to a basement under harsh fluorescent lights All ages, all races all walks of life at 6 PM Stumblin’ in to keep ourselves from stumbling again
Strangers spilling secrets in a circle without walls Tryin’ to reach for Jesus ‘stead of drugs and alcohol.
All sittin’ in a grey foldin’ chair Sippin’ coffee in a white styrofoam cup Ain’t nobody throwin’ stones up in there Can’t judge cause we know we all messed up Ain’t no steeple, just broken people Wearin’ those shame tags on our shirts Where the truth is, truth heals more than the truth hurts That’s more church than church
Suit and tie or tattoo sleeve Don’t matter wear whatever Bring your baggage. You ain’t got to have it all together Twenty years without a drop or fresh off of a bender No need to pretend in a room full of pretenders
Strangers in recovery confessin’ we are weak Desperate for forgiveness and accountability
One day at a time, One day at a time Prayin’ Jesus quench our thirst. That’s more church than church That’s my kind of church
All sittin’ in a grey foldin’ chair Sippin’ coffee in a white styrofoam cup Ain’t nobody throwin’ stones up in here Cause we all know rock bottom sucks Ain’t no steeple, just broken people Wearin’ those shame tags on our shirts Where the truth is, truth is, more than the truth hurts That’s more church than church
Closing Thoughts
“More Church Than Church” by Unspoken reminds us that God often uses trials to bring us back to Him, teaching us to rely on His strength instead of our own. The song encourages us not to pretend we have it all together but to confess our sins and openly admit our need for God by saying, “God Help Me.” This authenticity reflects the reality of life’s ups and downs, emphasizing that things may not go as we hope, yet God remains present and faithful.
Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This powerful verse reminds us that we are God’s beloved children despite our shortcomings.
Embracing this truth, “More Church Than Church” celebrates the freedom God promised. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 proclaims, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Unspoken highlights that we are born anew in Christ, free from guilt, fears, or worries—a hope we can breathe in like oxygen, transforming our challenges for God’s glory.
The song invites listeners to reflect on their journey with Jesus. As followers, we’re called to shine His light in a darkness-filled world. God created light before He created humanity; through Jesus, we can return to that light. This is a call to examine how we reflect Jesus’ light and spend our time before we enter eternity.
The song also touches on the deeply personal nature of worship, emphasizing that worship is a heart condition—a sincere connection between our hearts and God. It reminds us that God wants us to approach His throne boldly, relying on His mercy and grace. Worship becomes a time to pour out our hearts to Him to acknowledge that His strength shines through our weaknesses openly.
The song declares, “One day at a time, One day at a time/Prayin’ Jesus quench our thirst. That’s more church than church." This song beautifully captures the message of God’s love and our daily reliance on Him. It reminds us to embrace God’s hope and strength daily, confess our need for Him boldly, and live as reflections of His grace. Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a long-time Christian music fan and an avid collector. He credits the message of Christian music for leading him to Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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