Hiya. A few weeks ago, as part of my sermon on 1 Corinthians 4:6-13, I talked about cross carriers. In the sermon I used three stories of people who were cross carriers. One was Geoff Bullock, who was the early face of Hillsong.
We sing his songs here at Opawa. After Geoff wrote the songs, he experienced years of burnout and failure. It led him to fresh understandings of God’s grace. (For more information you could go here to read a recent interview with Geoff Bullock: No Longer the Golden Boy.)
As a result, Geoff has re-written many of the lyrics of his songs, including;
Have faith in God
The power of your love
The heavens shall declare
Just let me say
Refresh my heart
Out of respect for Geoff, and as an expression of the importance of God’s grace, I’d like us at Opawa to use the new lyrics where ever possible. Such a change will need to start with us as worship leaders using the new lyrics. We have changed the words on the PPT file. We have also included the new lyrics here for your use.
I realise that we are really familiar with the old lyrics. I am. So I sort of like this change because in being forced out of all that is familiar, it reminds me that what I am singing is not habit, is not just words, but is important.
If you have a strong reason for using the old lyrics, by all means go ahead, or talk to me. But if our default position could be the new, I’d be glad.
Steve Taylor
Posted by opawa at September 30, 2005 02:15 PMWow!! Thank you so much. I cannot begin to tell you how much I appreciate you understanding "why" I have rewritten the lyrics.. my original songs could never reflect my journey and all that I have seen and heard of and in Jesus. These new version identify "my faith", not the faith of a corportation or culture. They are able, in a small way, to release me, and all who have had grace meet them in the middle of crisis, shame and despair... in the midst of our shared humanity. What more can I say to you guys..?
Thank you so very much.
Thanks Geoff. It's really nice to have your "blessing." We are certainly finding a new sense of power and enthusiasm in our congregational singing, using your new words.
Peace,
steve taylor (pastor)