The third stanza brings a renewed commitment on the part of the people to boast in nothing, “no gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom” save Jesus, his victory over death through cross and the resurrection (Jer. His dying breath has brought me life-I know that it is finished. It was my sin that held him there until it was accomplished The second stanza is perhaps the most powerful, speaking directly to the torture of the cross and personalizing our part in holding Jesus there until our sins were paid for.īehold a man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders Īshamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. The first stanza explains the incredible love of the Father in enduring a pain so deep that even God himself turns his face away from his son dying on the cross (Rom. One of Townend’s earlier songs, and probably the one that’s most well-known in North America, is “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” (1995). Let’s look at three of these meaningful and powerful songs. Townend’s songs are healthy food that will satisfy pastors, musicians, and congregations. Therefore, we want them to go out feeding during the week on good theological content and on basic Biblical principles,” says Townend (quoted from magazine/?ID=27). “When people leave churches at the end of the service, they don’t go out quoting parts of the sermon, they are going out singing the songs.
For instance, “In Christ Alone” is filled with Pauline language, and “The Season of Singing” is based on a passage from Song of Songs. He plays guitar and keyboard, both of which he uses when he is leading worship.Īlthough Townend is known and respected as a worship leader, his most significant contribution to church life are wonderful songs that are biblically and theologically accurate, including “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us,” “How Long?,” “You Are My Anchor,” and “In Christ Alone.” These songs often cite lines almost word for word from the Bible. He travels often as a featured speaker at Worship Together conferences and edits the magazine Worship Together.
Townend attends Church of Christ the King in Brighton, where he lives with his family. His musical releases include the live worship albums from these festivals along with four solo albums (most recently How Deep the Father’s Love, November 2003). My aim here is to introduce readers to a gifted songwriter who has written many new songs for the church.Īs one of the worship leaders emerging from the United Kingdom, Townend is perhaps best known for his work at Stoneleigh International Bible Week, a large festival that took place for several years in the UK. I came home that night inspired by a new song that is becoming a well-known, modern hymn for the church: “In Christ Alone” (see p. He led the worship, and his voice, combined with a musical sensitivity to the needs of the songs and the Holy Spirit, culminated in a session that I will long remember. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.I first saw Stuart Townend at a Worship Together conference in Waterloo, Ontario, two and a half years ago. No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me From life's first cry to final breath. There in the ground His body lay Stuart Townend, Keith Getty - In Christ Alone - Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ. In Christ alone! who took on flesh Fulness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid Here in the death of Christ I live. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand. In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.