Thanks for asking about “I Come by the Blood.”

Yes, I think it’s a song worth teaching because of the content. We’ve been singing it for years and have been blessed by the specific reminder that we “dare not trust” in our own righteousness, and that “our every hope rests on what Christ has done.”

I think the key of G works (that’s what we do it in), but A would work as well. I know it’s easy to do the song too fast, which lessens its impact.

Thanks for your encouraging words regarding the Cross Centered Life CD.

In your session “Choosing Songs Wisely” at CMS, you spoke about songs’ “singability,” that a song ought to be learnable in one meeting. You also suggested running songs through a rating system from “shouldn’t use” to “should use in congregational worship.”

I’m wondering where you would place the song “I Come By the Blood” form Songs for the Cross-Centered Life. In my opinion, the lyric is unusually powerful. When singing with the recording or my own accompaniment, it moves me to joy and amazement.

It seems, however, that the chord progression, harmonies, and vocal range of the song make it a bit difficult in the congregational setting. I’ve introduced it twice (with a number of weeks in between) here in our local church - once it was too low and fast, on a later Sunday we slowed it down and raised the key a step and it was more comfortable.

This song doesn’t seem like one that is learnable in one sitting, but I recall during your talk your suggestion that some songs are so rich with meaning and teaching that they’re worth re-teaching until folks’ familiarty level rises. I think this one ought to be learned by all generations. What do you and others out there think?

By the way, the whole record (Cross-Centered Life) has quickly become one of my personal favorites. Perhaps this is due to the centrality of the Gospel message.

Thanks

Rob Denning
Lacey, WA

I had a comment and a question.
First, although I do not prefer the sound and style of the “Savior” album, I am very encouraged by the efforts the Lord has inspired you to take on by being faithful to solid Christ-centered lyrics that seem to be, ironically, lost in contemporary Christmas albums.

Now my question: How do I go about teaching worship through music to high school students that seem to be very ho-hum about the time we spend singing? Does there need to be more connection to what is being taught that night in the Word? Less “content-heavy” songs maybe more repetitive (simple to catch on)?