Behind CompassionArt -
Since the 1990s, Christian band, Delerious? has been playing gigs, recording albums, and entering into your worship service. Lead singer, Martin Smith, survived a life threatening car crash that changed his life and outlook on worship in 1995. Now, almost 14 years later, Smith finds himself entering into yet another, new and exciting understanding of worship with the project CompassionArt. A project dedicated solely to profitting those in need, Worship Leader sat down with Martin Smith for a peak inside the purprose and progression of
CompassionArt.
WL: You have gathered some great artists to join you in this initial
CompassionArt endeavor, what did you tell them that inspired them to take part?
Smith: The phone calls went relatively easily. I think it's been stirring in all these artists to be a part of something bigger; to connect with each other in a deeper way and do something to benefit people in need.
As song writers we have all benifited from writing songs that the church sings and we all jumped at the idea of giving something back. So we went to Scotland, layed aside our egos and wrote some beautiful songs. The record is now finished and we are all very proud at what God has done.
WL: What does the subtitle of the album, "Creating Freedom From Poverty," mean, and how will this CD help do that?
Smith: The whole vibe of
CompassionArt is that people have brought to the table their skills and gifts to bring awareness to the poverty that millions in the world live in. There are no politicians or CEOs of charities, just a bunch of creative-types that are making music that will release cash to these projects we are supporting, therefore ‘creating freedom from poverty.'
WL: You had a large amount of successful songwriters in one place, what were the logistics of how songs were written?
Smith: I had set up 4 writing spaces in the centre we were staying in, each with a piano. The names were pulled out of the hat on the first evening and we split into 4 groups. I think team 1 was Michael W., Israel and Matt Redman, team 2 was Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman and Stu G, and so on. Everyone had 2 hours to write a song and then play it to the group straight away. It was magical hearing all these amazing songs coming out of every group, every session. We will never forget those moments, ever.
WL: This album seems to have songs written specifically to be sung by church congregations. Why did you decide to focus the writing for the church as opposed to a more commercial market?
Smith: There is a good mix of songs on this record, most are for people to sing on a Sunday morning, but there are also some that people will appreciate on a more thought provoking level.
WL: What is the connection between the songs we sing in church and the people who are hurting in our world?
Smith: Well, worship is not just the songs, but our whole life. So it's not just good enough to sing the God songs, we must also care for the world that God loves and that includes the people in it living in oppression. We can't just continue to proclaim words, we must more importantly engage our lives in finding long term solutions-it's the great purpose of the church, and so that means all of us.
WL: Were there any special moments or memories throughout this process that stand out to you?
Smith: Yep, hearing ‘Highly Favoured' for the first time, recording the Watoto African children's choir, and becoming a team.
WL: How can a local church take more ownership with you in this ministry?
Smith: Well, people are going to want to buy the record and the book as they're great. That in itself will raise money. It would be great as well if people started singing the songs. It's only when people sing them that they have an emotional connection with what the lyrics are saying. Many churches around the world are engaging in rescuing the oppressed whether in their neighbourhoods or on the other side of the world. CompassionArt can just be a partner in that process.
To find out more about
CompassionArt, please visit
compassionart.co.uk
