I was listening to another podcast episode of 1 Degree of Andy where Andy Chrisman was talking with songwriter Geron Davis. They both mentioned how lately a lot of worship music is primarily vertical in nature. Of course, that’s a good thing, but we also need music that emphasizes the horizontal aspect that deals with how we deal with each other.

It’s interesting that Geron pointed out that the verse in Revelation that speaks of how the believers overcame by the blood of the Lamb (vertical) and by the word of their testimony (horizontal). If you put the two together, you get a cross.

Of course, there should be music that celebrates God. That’s the purpose of music. But I also think that we need music from a faith perspective that deals with life issues and relationship issues and struggles that we all have. People need to know they’re not alone by hearing their stories told and sung by someone else.

The whole point of the Church, especially the gathering together part, is because we best worship and serve God in relation to each other. Each of us bring unique talents and giftings that complement and complete the others. Where I am weak, you are strong. Where you are weak, I am strong. We’re like individual broken pieces of colored glass that come together to form a beautiful stained glass window that shows Christ to the world.

I’m thankful that it’s not left up to me to figure out my path to spiritual maturity. I’m not left to walk the rest of this life alone. I have those who can encourage and challenge me, who call out the best in me and call me out on the less than best in me. Plus, we have a whole host of heavenly witnesses cheering us on.

Anyway, go check out the podcast 1 Degree of Andy if you’re a fan of CCM music from the golden era of the 70s through the early 2000s, especially the episode with Geron Davis. It’s great.