Until I was 18 I had never heard of Christian music, much less Steve Curtis Chapman who helped to pioneer the genre. I like the comedian Tim Hawkins who joked about all the Christian types of things we have (Christian books, Christian schools, heck even Christian mechanics). He said, “I don’t need to know my plumbers worldview I just need my pipes cleaned.” I resonate with this because now I believe there are simply Christian people who sing, not Christian music, or Christian radio stations, or Christian publishers, etc. It comes down to the person. And I can say for sure that I‘ve been greatly impacted by the person of Steve Curtis Chapman.
Many years ago younger men I was mentoring would joke that he was the only artist that I’d listen to. And there were practically right. Like many things I don’t naturally expand a variety of tastes. Once I find something I resonate with strongly I stick with it. If we didn’t invent CDs and eventually digital music I would have burned through all my SCC tapes. I remember finding one of his tapes in my car at Sky Ranch Camp literally warped because of the heat and how often I’d played it.
One of many things I like about Steven is that he writes his own stuff and has a story to tell. Each album marks a place on his own journey. He shares that journey vulnerably and honestly. His pastor advises him on his theology. This filter is woefully needed nowadays in “Christian“ music. His legacy is to honor God with his music and draw others to him.
As I approached my 50th birthday I happened to stumble on his website. We were just coming out of the COVID season when there were little-to-no live concerts. It said that he was going to do a simple tour and one of the dates was on my birthday in Arkansas. I immediately bought dozens of tickets and started planning my own 50th birthday party. I then sat down to reflect on the years from when I first heard his songs. Here’s my journal and memories. I wrote them all in the form of a letter to Steven.
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Steven
If possible, please receive this letter from a ‘friend’ not a fan. I don’t want an autograph or backstage pass or to take any time away from you, your family, or your ministry. I am not one of your consumers who buys up the products you sell. I am just one of the many men out there that you have touched and influenced greatly through the years. Here’s a brief reflection on those years and the songs that have met them.
1990 – I first heard your song “More To This Life” my freshman year in college. I honestly didn’t even know what Chrstian music was. Growing up in Dallas, TX, we just had the normal radio stations. Then all of a sudden there’s this KLTY and my buddy was playing your tape for me. That was a major turning point in my life as I was really trying to figure things out and had not even read the Bible before.
1991 – I picked up my dad’s guitar and decided I was going to learn to play. It was a rough start. But eventually I figured out that 80% of the worship songs at our college group could be played with G, C & D. 🙂 But what I really wanted to learn was “Waiting for Lightning”. I’m not sure I ever really got it right. But, I always thought that was such a cool song.
1992 – I have so many memories of songs and just singing along with you. I remember when “You know better” came out. I used to roll down my windows in college and turn it up really loud driving around town. I’m sure I looked kind of goofy mouthing the words. But, you seem to be a guy who has a goofy side too!
1994 – I remember watching a video about how you wrote albums. It described your relationship with your pastor and how much you really thought through what you wanted to say. I really hold in high regard the few artists that write, perform, etc. all their own stuff. When you produce something, I’m assuming it’s significant and not just another album.
1995 – After listening to “Heaven In The Real World” I was really struck by the stories about Chuck Colson and the prison ministry. “Remember Your Chains” is so powerful and a needed message today. When people ask me about politics even today I just quote that sound bite you put on your album: “Where is the hope?…It’s not in who governs us, what laws are passed, or what great things we do as a nation. Our hope is in the power of God working through the hearts of people. That’s where our hope is in this country and that’s where our hope is in life.” (I was able to write that even now from memory…not sure if I got it completely right).
1996 – I led a small group with 7 men. I heard “Children of The Burning Heart” and thought it was fitting so I played it for them. 20 years later I read the passage about the Walk To Emmaus and was so inspired. I wrote a play about it. It’s about all the stories in the Old Testament that point to Jesus. I haven’t published it, but if I ever do, I think I could find one of your songs to fit almost every scene and turn it into a musical!
1999 – I consider myself a very intentional guy. I’m sure many would say I’m a bit intense. That seems to be true of you too? When you said “Never wanted to be mediocre…” I really resonated with that. Of course, God has also grown and matured me over the years so that I can see the balance between raw zeal and wisdom. I have learned a lot there.
2001 – My mentor and father-in-the-faith heard “Savior”. Can’t really describe the impact of that song. When everything is going sideways in life, that’s a really good one to listen to and just pray along with. It’s the ultimate way to surrender. I noticed that you tend to have a devotional ballad to Jesus on most of your albums. I made a specific playlist with just those songs and continue to collect them for times of prayer.
2002 – I went through some hard times. The song “Magnificent Obsession” was truly a constant prayer for me. I’ll never forget driving around in my car one day and hearing it. I totally lost it and started to cry. I had to pull over and just pray the rest of the song in the side of the road.
2003 – I was a pastor at a small country church. I was preaching on Ecclesiastes 5 and thought ‘Hey, there’s a song by SCC that fits perfectly’. So, I learned sign language for the lyrics of “God is God” from Speechless and did it in lieu of a sermon. Seemed fitting.
2004 – When you wrote “Much of You,” I think you gave a great gift to the church. I honestly think that so many songs (even worship songs at church) are about ‘us’ or centered on ‘us’. Boy, when I run to that song I am led to worship and I really appreciate your perspective there.
2007 – I have 2 daughters. So, when “Cinderella” came out that really touched my heart. I have not done it yet, but I would really like to learn to waltz and dance to that one with my daughters (and maybe even teach it to my sons as well).
2009 – I think we were all touched and shocked by the loss of your daughter. I broke down when reading your book and imagining what that had to be like as a dad. I too have experienced some losses in life. And the song “Beauty Will Rise” really stuck with me as did just the phrase itself. After a painful incident at home I took some ashes and broken glass and saved it in my drawer. Then I asked my daughter Abigail to create something with it. So, today, in my bedroom there is a canvas with the phrase “Beauty Will Rise” that includes some of those ashes and glass on top of a sprouting tree (hard to describe it in writing…but I think you’d like it if you saw it!)
2006-2010 – I lived in Africa for four years. I used to run the streets and listen to “Yours” and so many other albums. I know you have traveled a lot and have been involved in missions. I also have a very fond connection to Nate Saint and his story. My mentor gave me some books by Elizabeth Elliot when I was in college. So, that whole album really hit home. When I run to them it really gets me…especially “God Follower”. I also listened to “One Voice” so many times. I was in a church with over 20 nationalities, so it was very fitting. I used to imagine what it would be like to sing that song in church. During that same time I heard “What Now”. I wrote another verse that I just sing at home that has to do with some people in my life. It inspired me to see much clearer what is right in front of me.
2011 – I went to my mother-in-law’s grave and sang an a cappella version of your song “What I Would Say”. I know it’s written to your grandfather but the song still made sense. My mother-in-law died early in my marriage (1998) and there was so much underneath. But, then it all just poured out of me and I balled my way through the song with my wife standing behind me. I can’t really even explain what happened. It was an amazing breakthrough. I go back often to pay respects to her and my father-in-law who died in 2019.
2014 – My wife and I started a tradition of decorating our garage for Christmas as a kind of Christmas dance floor. We danced a lot to “Christmas Kiss” and other songs. I think that album is a really unique gift. There are so many Christmas albums out there (we should have a lot more Easter albums, btw!) But, that one seems to really be outside-the-box and creative (like the cover).
2015 – My wife and I renewed our wedding vows (20th anniversary). She came down the aisle to “Together”. Our marriage has been a very hard journey. I heard your wife’s podcast one time about the dynamics in your relationship. Seems like we may have had a similar journey. I know you sing a lot about your wife. I too write for my wife and have sung her many songs. My favorite one of yours for Mary Beth is “We Will Dance.”
2015 – My oldest daughter Abigail graduated from High School in May of 2015. I write a lot of songs for my kids. But everything I wrote for her just didn’t fit as well as “The One and Only You”. So, I just learned it (as best as I could) and sang it for her. I still sing it for her and she is married now with 2 children.
2016 – I’m a consultant now and work with businesses, non-profits, and churches. I worked with one particular church and I’m very fond of the Pastor and his team. At one meeting we were at a crucial juncture and for whatever reason, I just felt the need to play “Finish What He Started.” So I played it for the team and we just sat around the board room and listened. When the lines come up “But when He’s finished we will a beautiful tapestry and know that nothing has been wasted in the end” tears well up every time (even as I‘m writing now). I still pray that song when I pray for them.
2016 – My kids participate on the cross country team. I had listened to “Run Home” so many times and I shared the theme with them. They ended up making it their slogan for that year and put it on the back of the team t-shirts! I often play that song as I approach the finish line for races I run.
2017 – My boys started listening to Colony House which I thought was so cool! I laughed as I reminisced about all the funny stories you used to tell at concerts about your kids (ex. “Eenie Meenie Miney…and there will be no ‘Mo’ :)). We have many favorite Colony House songs. The lyrics of one of my favorites says, “As this dusty road now settles and I see what lay before, every tear that held a broken dream is now shattered on the floor. And now bursting forth in splendor are the blossoms of second tries because dreams that bear the mark of love are dreams that never die.”
2018 – When I go jogging, I have many playlists with your songs. I cry often when I listen to For The Sake of The Call as I think about the disciples and what their journey must have been like. I ran the Queens Marathon in 2018 and just listened to all your stuff for 2 hours. I love to pray and worship with you on runs.
2020 – Last year I heard “That’s My Dad”. Actually one of my son Ben played it for me in the car on a drive together. Man…talk about a tear-jerker. I treasure my life as a dad and I’m smitten with the love in my heart for all five of my children. My relationship with my dad has only gotten better over the years and you have contributed to that.
2021 – Just woke up to Moment Made for Worshipping in my head. And then went on a long run through the streets of Boston to all your devotional ballads (ex. Savior).
I honestly could go on. I’m sure I’ll think of 2-3 more memories after I send this letter. Like I said, I really don’t want you to read this from me as a ‘fan’. You have always struck me as a man who doesn’t want ‘fans.’ I can only imagine how many others might be reaching out to you from around the world right now.
Well, we’ve never met and this letter may never make it to you directly. But, hey…honestly, I think it was just so helpful to write it for my own benefit. It was crazy to go back over all those snapshots and see the connections. And I’ve shared this with my family and friends as well so they can make the connection too (even my kids who think your son’s music is hip and yours is old school :)). Life is indeed a Great Adventure! And I feel a kindred spirit with you! May God bless you, your family, and your continued ministry. Until He returns and we share in that Glorious Unfolding!
Gordon