10 Questions with ... Hillsong Worship

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Last week, Hillsong Worship wrapped up the 14-date There Is More tour along with the band's pastor Brian Houston across the US. The tour's namesake derived from Hillsong Worship's latest full-length project, which released in early April via Capitol Christian Music Group. "There is more at stake than we dare realize-souls, communities, families," says HW's Brooke Ligertwood. "Our personal freedom is for corporate revival. There is more of God, and more to God and His love than we can possibly conceive of." Hillsong Worship leader Ben Fielding expounds the band's heart and purpose behind their recent tour and album.

1. What prompted the concept of this album's title "There Is More?"

Ephesians 3:20 teaches us that no matter how great our thoughts, hopes or imagination, God is exceedingly and abundantly above and beyond. Our Pastor, Brian Houston has preached this message for years. It is literally a life changing way to think and approach God. Our album coincides with Pastor Brian's book on the theme (which says it way better than I ever could). I also think of "There Is More" as a great way to approach our worship. We worship an eternal God. There is always something more to discover and to worship. The deeper we dig, the more we discover He is worthy of our worship. And, there is always more.

2. Specifically, what is Hillsong's definition of and vision for corporate revival? What does that look like to you when you say it?

I think wherever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, or wherever His praise is sounded, that God is present. He is present by His spirit that raised Christ from the dead. That is the greatest revival in the history of the world. So, I think there is revival around every corner, if we would surrender and open our lives up to God.

3. There's a lot going on with the album artwork. Can you break down its symbolism as it pertains to the album's purpose?

The central image shows a depiction of God wrestling Jacob. In Genesis 32, Jacob says he will not let God go until he receives a blessing. I think this passion to see God's mark on our lives is a great picture of worship. As we worship, we receive revelation of who God is and who we truly are. As Jacob was given a new identity (given the name Israel), so our identity is grounded in Christ. A number of the songs speak to this idea, such as the first song to be released from the album, "Who You Say I Am."

4. Who is the intended audience for this album? What person do you personally hope hears it?

I hope the songs connect with worshippers and inspire worship, but also with people who don't know God, but might see God for who He is, believe and respond in worship.

5. What was the songwriting process like for this record? Before a song actually makes it onto a record like "There Is More," how many hands touch it? How was it decided what songs made the cut?

A core team of our key writers weigh in on the editing and selection of songs. Ultimately, Brooke Ligertwood, and the producer Mike Chislett make the final call. For years we have said that our church decides, and the way songs connect with our home church is really important to us.

6. Because many of these songs will likely be adopted in local church worship services all over the world, how does the songwriting team bear the responsibility of sharing art that most accurately aligns with scriptural truth? Does that responsibility to be scripturally true ever feel like more of a burden than a privilege?

Our songs shape the theology of the church, and that's a great responsibility. All of our lyrics go through not just the editing process of songwriters, but also through two of our pastors who are wonderfully honest. They challenge the biblical accuracy and clarity of all of our lyrics. They only ever look at the words and never hear the songs before giving feedback. It's not always easy, but I would choose truth over creativity any day.

7. Has there ever been a song that has made it onto a past Hillsong Worship album that the church/worship team would say no longer aligns to its theology/doctrine?

Ha! To be honest, not that comes to mind. I hope there aren't any songs that would fit that category.

8. What song(s) from this album have carried the most meaning to you, personally?

"Who You Say I Am": There are a lot of things and people in this life who will try to tell you WHO YOU ARE...your identity deserves better. What matters most is not what your past, your zip code, your gender, your racial or cultural background, or your marital or employment status says about who you are (read Galatians 3:23-29). What matters is who God says you are! You are loved. You are chosen. You are made in the image of God. God is for you and not against you. You are no longer a slave to sin (the power of sin was destroyed through the death and resurrection of Jesus). But, you are a child of God, a son or a daughter. While a slave might have no permanent place in a family, a son or daughter will belong forever (John 8:35-36).

I wrote this song with Reuben Morgan because I need this reminder (probably too) often...competition for our identity is insidious. So, when you need a reminder of who God says you are, these scriptures are powerful:

• You are chosen - 1 Thessalonians 1:4
• You are called of God - 2 Timothy 1:9
• You are being changed into His image - 2 Corinthians 3:18
• You are a new creation - 2 Corinthians 5:7
• You are the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19
• You are forgiven of all your sins - Ephesians 1:7
• You are redeemed from the curse of the law - Galatians 3:14
• You are blessed - Galatians 3:9
• You are the head and not the tail - Deuteronomy 28:13
• You are above and not beneath - Deuteronomy 28:13
• You are victorious - Revelation 12:11
• You are set free - John 8:31
• You are strong in the Lord - Ephesians 6:10
• You are healed by His wounds - 1 Peter 2:24
• You are free from condemnation - Romans 8:1
• You are reconciled to God - 2 Corinthians 5:18
• You are joint heirs with Christ - Romans 8:17
• You are more than a conqueror - Romans 8:37
• You are accepted in Him - Ephesians 1:6
• You are complete in Him - Ephesians 2:5
• You are dead to sin - Romans 6:2
• You are alive with Christ - Ephesians 2:5
• You have the mind of Christ - Philippians 2:5
• You can do all things in Christ Jesus - Philippians 4:13
• You are the light of the world - Matthew 5:14
• You are the salt of the earth - Matthew 5:13
• You always triumph in Christ - 2 Corinthians 2:14
• You are beloved of God - Colossians 3:12
• You are one with Christ - John 17:21
• You are fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14

"Be Still": This song is based on Psalm 23; especially timely in an age where so many people wrestle with anxiety. Fear is a thief. It will seek to rob you of enjoyment and to steal from your future. Fear comes in many forms. For some it is debilitating, for everyone it is something we must face with God. Sometimes our souls need to be reminded that He is God. He offers peace from fear, rest from striving and grace upon grace. His peace transcends our understanding and His love and goodness will follow us all the days of our lives.

9. How did the recent tour seek to serve the Church on these stops outside of simply performing on stage each night?

I always hope these nights engage the church in worship in a way that has a lasting impact on the city and churches represented. I think our team does an incredible job, but I know it is important to all of us that playing the songs live is much more than a performance. I believe when we worship, God inhabits our praise, and that changes everything. We also do a gathering beforehand that hopefully provides some more in depth discussion of local church worship.

10. A.W. Tozer said, "A church that can't worship must be entertained; and people who can't lead a church to worship must provide entertainment." How does a church like Hillsong strive to create a culture of Kingdom-centeredness during these tours, rather than make it about merely an emotional concert performance?

We pray every night for the people that we are about to lead in worship. It is important that we make time to catch God's heart for the people we are about to worship with. It's more about serving God and serving people than it ever will be about merely performing songs. I must say, I think emotions are a gift from God. They have the potential to help us to experience life and to understand God More deeply. Like anything, including these worship nights, we must first surrender them to God.