BACK TO SCHOOL WITH BRIAN AND JENN JOHNSON by Bruce Adolph
[ WM ] You co-founded Bethel Music Worship School . What distinctives does Bethel Music Worship School offer that are unique to it among the other school choices out there ?
[ Brian ] I think our culture , whether that be the prophetic or healing , focuses on giving people space and room in a service . The space allows people to just be real and honest . David voiced his honest thoughts , but followed with , “ but , God …” and then looked to God with faith . We create an environment in worship where the spontaneous can happen . The Bible shows that every time there is a prophetic song , breakthrough follows .
[ WM ] Worship music has grown into a massive sales category with the recording industry over the years . With so many releases and church music labels , are you concerned that some of the basic truths of real and inspired worship might be overlooked ?
[ Brian ] Yes , I am concerned because worship should be a natural overflow of what God is doing . Worship cannot be a boy-band scenario where you see success in one person or group of people , and then you try to copy and paste it to your own life … in order to create success for yourself .
[ WM ] Tell us about one of your worship songs that you have written that is significant to you ?
[ Brian ] I wrote “ The Battle Belongs ” with Phil Whickham . We wrote about fighting on your knees . I actually have a tattoo of David kneeling on his knees in surrender . All throughout the Bible are scenarios where God is waiting for