Kim Gentes

Glenn Packiam's new solo album "The Mystery of Faith" is the newest project from this songwriter/pastor from New Life Church in Colorado Springs. In a surprising and encouraging departure from past recordings, this album ventures at speaking the central truths of the Christian faith, usable by all Christian churches whether modern or liturgical. In fact, this album presents a modern worship liturgy that can be used as a guide for an entire service or applied in portions, using songs that fit for the kind of themes and services you may planning for.

This is a studio worship album featuring several new songs based, created and presented as a fresh expression of the historic liturgical service! In addition to 8 songs, there are two readings (the Nicene Creed and Prayer of Confession) with musical backdrops for easily adoption into your services. This concept project has value both as a collection of great songs and as a complete service that brings the message of our faith through the progression of these songs. Glenn co-writes with Ian Eskelin, Ian Morgan Cron, Jennie Lee Riddle, and others to craft these beautiful and usable songs.

Walking through each track song by song does not convey the mode of use of these songs. One must experience these songs as a collection and participate as a worshiper, being shaped by the songs as they provide the movement of the central components of worship that have been used in churches for hundreds of years. The proclamation of faith, the creed, the prayer of confession, the blessings to one another, declaration of the risen Christ, the Alleluia - each of these elements are poignant and engaging.

Something must be said about the significance of this project as a gift to the broader church. Many worship writers, leaders and artists claim that they are writing new songs for "the church", but few have gone to the trouble of writing songs for usable application in the framework used by over 50% of the global church- the liturgy. Glenn has sculpted these songs as useful tools to the whole body of Christ. This is a blessing and a joy. And even if your church does not use a liturgical format, there are some excellent songs here for use in modern worship sets.

Again, while this album is meant as a liturgically guided worship service, I found some single songs that I would like to highlight for any worshiping church. First is the song "Our Messiah Reigns". This is the last track on the album, but it is an excellent song for both weekly celebration of the Risen Christ and for the upcoming Easter season. Another strong song is "Grace Flows Freely Down", a joyous song about the power of God's grace. Finally, the song "The Lord Be With You" is an inviting song in which the Body can give thanks together while speaking God's blessing to one another.

For churches using WorshipTeam.com, all of the songs, chord charts, lyrics and audio from this album are already available and pre-loaded for you in the WorshipTeam.com system song database.

If you are not part of WorshipTeam.com and want to listen to audio samples or purchase the album directly yourself, see the Amazon link below.

One of the treasures we have in the United States is the songwriter, equipper and worship leader Paul Baloche. I have had the opportunity to meet with Paul a number of times. He has a desire to encourage and equip the church as much as any worship leader I have met. He doesn't just record albums and write songs- he has developed helpful resources, often pioneering in training, in an effort to truly give away the gracious gifting God has blessed him with. With that kind of heart, one isn't surprised that his recordings and songs have a special place in the heart of millions of Christians around the world. The same genuine pastoral care he has for the local church is conveyed in his songs and recordings.

The album "A Greater Song" shows one of the richest collections of new songs in recent memory. But beyond being just great singable new songs, they are crafted with excellence in lyrics and music. Paul manages to put together a truly great album with "A Greater Song" by not only attending to musical production, but by co-writing nearly every song on the album with some of the best songwriters in the world. Brenton Brown, Matt Redman, Glenn Packiam, Graham Kendrick, Sara Groves, and Don Moen all count Paul as a friend and lend their talents to this cornacopia of new songs harvested for the modern church.

The project kicks off with the very popular Hosanna (Praise Is Rising), a reverberating exaltation that declares with the Palm Sunday tradition "Hosanna, Hosanna, You are the God who saves us." This is a co-write with Brenton Brown, author of Everlasting God, Halellujah (Your Love Is Amazing) and many other songs. The lyrics have captivated congregations around the world and is rising to become one of the most used songs in the Christian church. If you haven't heard this song, take time and do so- excellent, playable and well-written theological lyrics.

The songs continue with brilliance in songwriting and top notch presentation with Because Of Your Love, another co-write with Brenton Brown. This upbeat declaration thanks God for his great love and it rings true with a unity of lyric and beat that emphasize the point. Like all the songs on this album, electric guitarist Ben Gowell works perfect tone and rhythmic placement on the leads and overlays for each section of the songs. They are as enjoyable to listen to as they are to sing along- a real delight.

The tracklist doesn't falter, and you get full load of rock/country/pop ballad and more on this project. Some of my favorite tracks are Thank You Lord (co-write with Don Moen), Creation's King (co-write with Graham Kendrick), and Here And Now (yet another co-write with Brenton Brown). Paul not only recognizes the value of great co-writing in his song craft, but incorporates the beautiful voice of Kathyrn Scott on a couple of tracks.  And this brings me to my favorite song on the album.

Your Name is a co-write with Glenn Packiam (of New Life Church in Colorado). On this recording, Paul Baloche entreats a ballad by way of a duet with Kathryn Scott- a duet that marks simplicity and perfection on the most singable and infectious melody on the album.  If for no other reason, get this recording of this song- it brims with glory, declaration, and not the least- the focus on the Name above all names. You will be launched into praise and worship if you dare to begin singing this encouraging ballad.

A beautiful song and a wonderful album, "A Greater Song" was awarded 2006 Album of the Year by WorshipMusic.com and it is no wonder. Don't hesitate to add this great album to your collection.

Product Link: A Greater Song - Paul Baloche

Review by Kim Gentes