Keith Getty is best known for having authored “In Christ Alone,” one of the most popular modern worship songs. Still, his calling ultimately crystalized around a particular realization about worship in the modern church: “This is the first point in history that what is being sung by the church is not being decided on by the leadership of the church.” Once he recognized that, he began to seek out a way to turn the tide of how worship leaders choose their music, and what characterizes that music.

Now an independant artist, Getty’s hymns have a distinctly theological focus. By eschewing what he sees to be worldly trends and focusing on lyrical density, breadth, and depth, Getty has composed a series of hymns that churches around the world have embraced.

But Getty is just as invested in how his songs are sung in church as whether they are. He’s a proponent of congregational worship, an approach that makes the members of the church the focus of worship rather than the performers on stage.

We talked to Keith Getty about how children’s choir changed his life, the problem he has with Wall Street, and the ways he leads his own family in worship in his day to day life.

This episode of The Calling was brought to you by the Christian Standard Bible. To learn more about the Christian Standard Bible, visit CSBible.com/CT.

Keith Getty Is Still Fighting the Worship Wars

Justin Giboney vividly remembers the moment he realized he needed to distinguish himself from the mainstream democratic party. As a delegate representing the 5th congressional district in Georgia, he took part in a voice-vote to remove the phrase “God-given” from the phrase “God-given rights” in the democratic party platform. “We voted on it by voice vote,” said Giboney. “It was so clear that the people who wanted it out were a lot more excited and a lot more energized than the people who wanted it in.” 

For Giboney, creating the And Campaign was a way to formalize the inevitable realization that the truth lies somewhere in between party lines. It’s an attempt to fundamentally change the way Christians interact with politics, encouraging them to let biblical values, rather than party politics, lead their involvement in the national conversation. 

While his goals are ambitious, Giboney understands this will take time. That’s why he’s settling in, demonstrating patience in his rhetorical strategy, and investing his time and vision in institutions like the And Campaign. Ultimately, Giboney is leaning into hope. He’s a happy advocate for politics done right.

On this episode of The Calling, Justin Giboney talked to CT’s Richard Clark about why he felt called to politics, when to speak up on social media, and the encouragement that keeps him going.

Christianity Today

Justin Giboney Is Bringing Christian Hope to Politics

When asked to describe his calling, Civil Rights leader John Perkins launches instead into a detailed explanation of his long and morphing relationship with the Bible. Perkins’ story moves from confusion to clarity, and ultimately ends in resolve and redemption. Having grown up in poverty, Perkins found hope in the promises of God, and he took them to heart.

But he didn’t just take the good stuff to heart. He also took to heart the challenges and warnings scripture had for both him and his world. In his later years, Perkins demonstrates a distinct comfort with the kinds of tensions we find in scripture: between repentance and hope, justice and forgiveness.

In 1960, Perkins and his wife Vira Mae moved from California, back to Mendenhall, Mississippi to put into practice his philosophy of what it means to minister to the poor. Though he spent much of his energy implementing a daycare center, a church, a youth program, and many other benevolent programs, in his community, Perkins also took a prominent role among ongoing Civil Rights activism. As a result, he built up his community while also running into a host of physical push-back, oftentimes being imprisoned and even beaten for his beliefs and actions.

Along with his wife, he started a foundation dedicated to justice, reconciliation, and community development. Now 88 years old, he’s focused on clarifying and documenting the experience and wisdom he’s developed over the years.

In the final episode of CT’s The Calling, host Richard Clark talks with Perkins about his experience growing up in the midst of unjust laws, the double-edged sword of forgiveness, and his fear of falling short of faithfulness in the end.

John Perkins On The Day He Finally Understood The Bible

The Calling host, Richard Clark is back with a brand new podcast to check out. Subscribe now!

Living and Effective

Introducing: Living and Effective

The Way to Glory

Introducing: The Way to Glory

One church leader, one calling, one honest conversation.

An interview show about the nature of church leadership, the inherent struggles that come with that calling, and the many different ways God has shaped individuals to work within his church.

Every episode features a long-form, highly personal interview with a church leader. 

The Calling

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