Stuart Townend is known and respected around the world as one of the leading worship songwriters of his generation. Some of Stuart’s songs include In Christ alone, How deep the Father’s love, The Power Of The Cross and Beautiful Saviour. If you’ve heard any of his songs (and there’s a strong chance you probably have!) you’ll know that there’s a theological richness to his lyrics as well as a depth of understanding of the Trinitarian God who we are called to worship. Stuart regularly attends and leads worship at Church of Christ the King. He is married to Caroline and they have three children – Joseph, Emma and Eden. Yohaan Philip, chief editor of the ccklife blog, recently had the privilege of interviewing Stuart and writes:
The first time I listened to In Christ Alone is still such a vivid memory in my mind. It just opened up the cross of Christ to me. It was one of those moments I’d cherish all my life. What a song! There’s something about engaging with glorious truths about God that leaves you awestruck. It’s tough to describe what’s going on in that moment. Stuart’s songs are soaked with doctrinal truths that leave you with a sense of wonder at the majestic God who is mindful of us. When you interact with Stuart, you can’t help but being caught up in his love for Jesus. I want what he has! Stuart’s oldest son, Joseph, is a dear friend. We often have ‘theological discussions’ (when he’s not making you laugh with his wit that is!) and there’s an understanding of God that this young man has which is testimony to the input his father has had in his life. it leads me to my first question..
YP: It’s been great seeing Joseph and Eden play along side you on Sundays. They’re both top quality musicians. You must be a proud dad!
ST: Yes, I am proud of them. Joseph has been playing drums with me for some time now. He’s always been a very solid player, but he’s grown a lot in the last year in terms of sensitivity to the dynamics of a worship time – when to play out, when to pull back, and so on. Eden is only 13, but he’s already showing a tremendous dexterity and sense of rhythm in his playing, so I’m
looking forward to getting him more involved. And I haven’t used Emma at CCK yet, but she’s a pretty mean keyboard player…
YP: Your song In Christ Alone, has touched lives all over the world. How did you come about to write the song?
ST: The song began in a very ordinary way. I had just met Keith Getty for the first time over a coffee at a conference, and he promised to send me some melodies he’d written. So when the CD arrived in the post, I put it on, and was really bowled over by the very first melody; it had a hymn-like stateliness, but a very powerful dynamic and a beautiful celtic feel that made it really memorable. So I immediately decided this ‘timeless’ melody needed a timeless theme, and got to work on a lyric that would take us through the life, death and resurrection of Christ, and what that means for us. It was slow going at first, but I have to admit, by the time I got to the fourth verse I was getting very excited!
It is astounding to both Keith and me how the song has been received. We still get lots of emails and letters about how the song has helped people at times of crisis in their lives, and it’s very humbling to know God is still using it.
YP: The In Christ Alone tour looks very promising! Can you tell me more about it?
ST: It’s actually the continuation of a tour we began last year, which took in venues like Liverpool Cathedral, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, and the SECC in Glasgow. This time we’re at The Waterfront, Belfast, Londonderry, Chessington, Ipswich, Dundee… And our very own Brighton Dome on 27th June! For those who want to come, tickets are available from the Dome box office,
or http://www.brightondome.org, or by phone on 01273 709709. Details of other gigs are available from the www.gettymusic.com website.
YP: You are quite involved with the CCK album, ‘Have You Heard’ which is being launched in July. There’s quite a buzz going around CCK about this new album!
ST: I have to confess I haven’t heard the finished mixes, but everybody who has seems to be raving about it! Simon Brading, Lou Fellingham and Phatfish, and myself all led worship over two nights at CCK, under the creative eye of producer Mark Edwards. It’s fair to say that we are all used to arranging and playing on live albums, but I think Mark helped us to take the songs in a fresh creative direction, and the result is an album that, while capturing the vitality of a worship time, has a musical edge and creativity that makes it a bit special.
YP: We see Stuart the worship leader. Can you tell me more about your personal walk with Jesus?
ST: My Dad was an Anglican vicar, so I was brought up going to church, and understanding what it really meant to be a Christian, because I could see the reality of it in my parents’ lives. But as I became a teenager I began to realise that, although I was surrounded by lots of Christian ’stuff’, there was no internal reality to it – I felt I was still on the outside looking in, if you like – and I knew I had to give my life to Christ. And that’s what I did, and the reality of knowing Him personally completely
turned me around.
And since then, in all the ups and downs, the joys and the sorrows, I’ve found God to be constant in His love and faithfulness, and I can trust Him with every day, whatever the situation.
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The album is yet another uplifting demonstration of the bands faithful commitment to presenting the truth of Christ, and is arguably their best work yet. This is the next chapter in the success story of this prolific band and is sure to contribute another set of soul-strengthening songs to fans old and new. From the blues-rock title track In Jesus, with its grungy rock guitars, chunky Hammond and shatteringly lucid presentation of the gospel, to the equally driving and compelling Mission - the album travels and journeys through a diverse soundscape with the ease and dexterity that fans have come to expect. Lou’s vocals are as soaring and accomplished as they have ever been, negotiating this fresh set of melodies with perfect clarity, while the rest of the band play with a zeal and energy that belies any assumption of the bands slowing down. This is Phatfish as we know and love them.
