Worship Wars, Celebrity & Taste with James Ward

You know Paul, in my lifetime few things have defined churches
more than their music style selection. I’ve seen choosing a
church go from denominational loyalty, “I’m catholic", "We’ve
always been Baptist", "I’m Presbyterian”, to “My church has the
best worship, this amazing band, a really powerful service.” or
“We still sing the old hymns and have the same liturgy we’ve
always had."


In that transition a lot of people were hurt, felt betrayed, were
angry, disappointed and confused. Also in that transition a lot
of people gave up on church, leaving us at the lowest point of
church attendance in our country’s history.


Church hurts. You bet it does. Music hurts. In Church it
does. 


Can we learn something from this? What can it teach us about
churches, about ourselves and, maybe, maybe, maybe something
about God?


I don’t know anyone in this world more qualified to help us
navigate these waters than our guest today. His name is James
Ward. I don’t have time to list his albums, his degrees, the
number of concerts he’s performed or talk about his diversity
with children’s music, hymns, choir music, rock and even his
preferred jazz and blues. I will say one thing: Jim is the most
thoughtful Christian musician I know who has walked through the
times we now call the “Worship Wars” and has come out alive,
filled with faith and wiser for his bumps and bruises.


James, welcome to Church Hurts And…