at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Florida a few years back . A couple of days in , a guest lecturer came in who didn ’ t know any of the 30 students in the class . He started talking about options to effectively start a worship service . Then he said , “ You guys realize that you don ’ t have to start your service with ‘ Come now is the time to worship ’; you have other options ”. The whole class started to laugh ( he had no idea that the writer of that song was in his class ). He ’ s looking at the class ; “ Why are you laughing ?” Several of the students point over at me ( we were wearing name tags ). He looks at my tag … and then his face turns red with embarrassment , and he began to profusely apologize to which I responded , “ There ’ s no need to apologize – you are absolutely right ”. ( laughing )
[ WM ] Do you have any other songs of yours that you are planning on giving an anniversary treatment and re-release ?
[ Brian ] I haven ’ t done much of this before , but it does feel like it ’ s the season for anniversaries as the numbers climb . We have almost completed recording a 35 th anniversary version of “ Refiner ’ s Fire ” that we aim to release in January 2024 . I ’ ve changed one of the words in the song ( that over time caused me some concern ) plus I wrote a little bridge for the song that helps reinterpret the song which I ’ m excited to share . And it ’ s a bit crazy to think that I ’ ve been doing this worship music thing for 35 + years !
We are also getting ready for the 30 th anniversary of my first solo album , Father ’ s House . We are planning on re-mastering it and releasing it for the first time onto streaming platforms , plus we are hoping to record a new version of the opening song “ Father To Son ” and release the whole re-mastered album with bonus tracks in 2024 .
[ WM ] Last . As a mentor , give us a word of encouragement for our worship leader , worship musician and tech team readers ?
[ Brian ] I ’ ve always believed that each of us has something unique to contribute . As a songwriting instructor I often say to writers , “ My goal is to help you write the songs that are uniquely yours to write ”. For all of us , our calling is to be rooted and grounded in love , and from that place , to express love through all we do . What makes life interesting is we all express that love in different ways . Through artistic and practical means , we are communicating to each other “ we are not alone ”. I hope and pray that each of you will know and experience the abiding presence of God ’ s love wherever you are serving .
Editor ’ s Note : If you are a songwriter , you may want to check out Brian ’ s free 100 minute course at www . unlockingyoursongs . com . He also offers a full length 20 + hour master class and is planning to release a new low cost “ worship songwriting ” course in November 2023 .
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