A Note From Brian McLaren:

I’ve always loved music. From my teenage years through college I played in bands and wrote songs. I recorded a few albums of original music in the late 70’s and early 80’s, back in the pre-digital days of tape and LP’s. After graduate school, I taught college-level English and then in 1982 my wife and I and a small group of good friends planted a new faith community where I served as a pastor until 2006. In the early days, I was often the worship leader one Sunday and the speaker the next, so music remained as an important part of my life and work. In the mid-90’s, I began writing books which led to invitations to travel around the world to talk about the subjects of my books. In 2006, I became a full-time writer, speaker, and networker.

Through all these changes, I kept writing songs as part of my own spiritual practice – songs of prayer, hope, doubt, struggle, celebration, and worship. My songs were usually unheard by anyone except myself and God, but occasionally I shared a few with my faith community for use in public worship.

Some years ago I wrote an article called “An Open Letter to Worship Songwriters,” expressing some frustrations and hopes regarding the worship music commonly used in our churches. Since then I’ve been pleased to hear from many songwriters from around the world who took up the article’s challenge by writing new music to fill the various voids it addressed. Tracy Howe (of The Restoration Project) was one who responded. She introduced me to a network of creative worship pioneers working below the radar of the music industry. This collection brings together Tracy and friends to share music that we hope will inspire people of faith to live as agents of God’s love and justice in our world, in the way of Jesus.

A Note From Tracy Howe:

It is not often an artist/producer finds herself with a group of musicians so capable that the sky is the limit of imagination (at least with an indie album budget!).  But as we gathered together in the small studio in woodland park, co and began to practice together and arrange each piece, the project took on dynamics, emotion and power I don’t think any of us expected.  It became a week of worship, hope, and joy and is a testament to the heart and talent of the artists involved.  We had only five full days to track the album but were able to track most of it live, again, something that was amazing to witness as some of the songs took on great complexity.  I am so excited to share it now and want to thank Brian for the opportunity to collaborate and produce with him, as well as thank the artists we invited to contribute, people I would recommend to anyone and all of which I am blessed to call friends.

Brian McLaren was the main producer of this project and wrote or co-wrote all of the songs. He also contributed some lead and background vocals and acoustic guitar.  For more information about Brian’s other work, visit www.brianmclaren.net.

Tracy Howe co-produced this project with Brian and co-wrote some of the songs as well. She contributed lead vocals, some background vocals and piano work.  For more information about Tracy and her group The Restoration Project, including music, chord charts and booking info, you can visit her website at www.restorationvillage.com. 

Aaron Strumpel co-wrote some of the songs and contributed some lead vocals, background vocals, acoustic and electric guitar work, and played all the trumpet solos.  For more information on Aaron or to book him, you can visit his website at www.aaronstrumpel.com.

Nuc and April Vega (who are married) and Posido Vega (who is Nuc’s brother) contributed bass (Posido), harp (April), drums (Nuc) and Hand Percussion (Nuc).  For more information about Posido, Nuc and April, or their band, Harp 46, you can visit their website at www.harp46.com.

Tim and Laurie Thornton contributed background vocals, mandolin (Tim), octave mandolin (Tim), harmonica (Tim) and violin (Laurie).  For more information on Tim and Laurie and their band, The Blackthorn Project, include how to book them, you can visit their website at www.theblackthornproject.com.

Dave Wilton mixed the whole project and in the process contributed background vocals, acoustic and electric guitar, organ, auxiliary percussion and keys and programmed loops and sound effects for some of the spoken word pieces.  For more information about Dave as an artist, or for information on his production company, visit his website at www.aboyandhiskite.com.