worship and loves Him and loves to be in that
worship is it’s just an open memoire to what
place. That was a very defining moment for me
you do in private. So, basically you’re saying,
because, at the time, I never wanted to sing
“Alright Lord, I love you and I want to pour
worship!
out my heart onto You. I want to adore You.”
And you do that in private…or you intercede
[CM] When did you write your first song and
and say, “Lord, I want to worship on behalf of
how were you encouraged to continue writing?
this situation before I even see the finish line.”
You do that in private, but you can’t even come
Lauren: I wrote my very first song when I was
up on stage without having been in that place
about 11 years old. I was in my bedroom and
and just expect it to come out. So, I would say
my parents had already tucked me in. I got
get alone with God and see what your worship
on my floor and wrote this song and I went
language is with Him and then, in that place,
out and told my mom and dad, “I have to
you’ll be able to lead the best. People just want
show you something!” I stood on the fireplace
to go on the journey, so what a privilege it is just
bricks and sang this song to them. I remember
to take people there.
thinking, “Oh this is so cool! I just performed in
front of my family!” That was the first song, but
[CM] You’ve gone from WinterJam tour to the
I don’t remember at all what it was!! Then, as I
Empires tour. With such a schedule, how are
kept growing, I just kept writing in my room all
her heart out before Jesus. It’s symbolic of the
the time. I would say, there was this one song
woman who poured the oil on Jesus’ feet and
I wrote when I was like 17 or 18. We played
wiped it up with her hair. I think in the bible you
Lauren: Last year I traveled about 250 days.
it a year or so later for a church conference.
often see women that were kind, loving, and
There is plethora of challenges that present
Then, before I moved to Nashville, I remember
gentle…but then also these women that were
themselves. The way time functions on the road
my first co-write I was invited to up there. I was
fierce, bold, and brave. I love being able to take
is very different from the way time functions
so nervous! But, it was such a sweet moment.
on those roles and lead worship…leading other
back home. You are constantly battling the
At the end of the writing trip I said, “OK, this is
women that might be discouraged or not know
difficulty of trying to find normality to keep up
it, I’m moving to Nashville and try this!” So, I
how to be bold or brave. It’s a sweet thing for
with the way you used to function, but it all
dropped out of LSU, moved to Nashville and
a woman to get on stage and say, “I’ll be like
changes. You come home and realize what you
started writing for about a year and a half
Miriam and sing that triumphant song to the
have missed in the lives of your loved ones. It
before we came out with the record.
Lord,” or, “I’ll be like Esther and have a moment
makes you feel like you are always trying to play
where I just trust God even when everything
catch up. Once you embrace the change, your
[CM] Do you prefer to write alone or co-write?
looks larger than me. But, know that it will lead
head clears a bit. The challenges of the road
Why?
me to a place of power and leadership.
become profoundly less difficult.
Lauren: I’m right in the middle on that one. I
[CM] I love that my wife sings with me in
[CM] Is there a Scripture you keep coming
love the constructiveness of writing with others.
leading worship. I know there are a lot of women
back to?
It’s very constructive…you can work off of
readers in that same place of volunteering.
the opinions that others give. It brings more
What encouragement or advice would you give
Lauren: Proverbs 16:9 is my life verse. “Man
thought to the table. I love that process. I think
to women serving in that role right now?
may choose his path, but The Lord directs
what I love about writing by myself is that I can
you staying grounded?
His steps.” This verse was introduced to me
really express what I want and not have to “play
Lauren: I have a lot of people that come to
when I was undergoing an illness in my teens.
by the rules!” I guess I don’t prefer one over
me each week talking about the nerves and
I was home-bound for about 2 years. In that
the other.
the fear of singing in front of people…I started
timeframe, God started giving me dreams and
just considering how frequently people were
visions about music and the places He wanted
[CM] From your perspective, how would you
coming up to me. Not only if they’re dealing with
to take me. Proverbs 16:9 reminds me that I
characterize the role of women in worship?
fear, but just in the sense of worship, I would
don’t have to work in my own strength, but that
say…get alone with the Lord, because it is the
His promises prevail in all seasons, through all
Lauren: Well, I think there is something sweet
most important and crucial place to be from.
paths. He will lay down the stepping stones
when a woman is able to get on stage and pour
The thing about being on stage and leading
when we can see the road ahead.
24
Nov Dec 2016
ChristianMusician.com