Getting to the heart of the Hillsong worship ‘revolution’

Extravagant Worship

Darlene Zschech

Bethany House, Ada, 2004, 224pp.

You may not recognize her name (or have a clue how to pronounce it) and you may not know her face (or her distinctive retro chic outfits). But, like presidents and popes, you will have almost certainly sung one of her songs. She is Darlene Zschech, the woman who wrote the song ‘Shout to the Lord’. And chances are, it is not simply her melodies and poetry that have influenced you, for not only is she an accomplished songwriter, Zschech has been the head of the Worship and Creative Arts Department at Hillsong Church in Australia since 1996. (more…)

The surprising face of Hillsong

Thought, Sola Panel

Tony Payne and Gordon Cheng report from Hillsong Conference, 2006.

The sound hits you like a wave. The bass is throbbing. The drums kick through your diaphragm with each beat. The guitars thrum and swell. The lead singer is a good-looking guy with unkempt hair and stubble. He stands, arm raised, head thrown back.

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God is in the house

Everyday Ministry

With songs like ‘Here I am to worship’ and ‘Shout to the Lord’ dominating the playlist in our church meetings, what are we to make of the influx of pentecostal music into our churches? Emu Music Director Philip Percival takes a look at the score and sounds a cautionary note.

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