Re-imagining Community
By Christa Banister

While the concept of community-focused living is hardly anything new, it’s become a prominent buzzword in Christian circles that’s often better in theory than practice.

In the artistic community, it’s even more challenging not to embrace the “every man for himself” mentality. After all, one’s livelihood (namely record sales and headline-making awards) ultimately depends on beating the next guy/girl – even if you’re inevitably in the music biz for the same heavenly-minded purpose.

And that’s precisely what makes the Compassionart event such a landmark effort. Not only have the industry’s top singer/songwriters and worship leaders (from around the globe, no less) carved time out of respective schedules to write songs together to benefit the poorest of the poor, but they’re also getting vulnerable in the process.

In a crowded room of your peers, most artists wouldn’t exactly be forthcoming with new songs, let alone new songs after only an afternoon of writing. And being open to suggestions after the fact? Well, forget it.

But that’s exactly what happening every day at the cozy yet rustic confines of the Cantle House. After splitting into groups and working on their respective ideas, a feedback season held later on allows everyone to offer his/her proverbial two cents – a lyrical tweak here, a more dynamic key change there. And while certainly done in the spirit of love, the commentary is no less honest. It’s not rude and over-the-top like Simon Cowell, but it sure ain’t Paula Abdul either.

As a result of this well-meaning give and take, more than 20 song ideas have emerged in a record two days. Everyone in the business knows that it’s rare for an artist to meet a deadline, let alone a room full of talented ones with a random slate of ideas and only a week to develop them. But when given the rare opportunity to be joined together for one common purpose, the results have been one stellar worship track after the next.

Many of the artists involved have attributed the project’s success to it “not being all about me.” And that thriving community spirit didn’t even stop when the power went out. In fact, it may have even inspired them more.

With a simple array of candles illuminating the room, the vibe is laidback and loose. Only seconds into the first track, it’s clear that everyone from Michael W. Smith to Israel Houghton to Tim Hughes to Darlene Zschech is clearly having the time of their lives.

It’s often been said there is strength in numbers. But that has never been more apparent in songwriting than today. Aside from some really catchy, encouraging tracks, there’s unbelievable improvisation that’s stretching artists out of his/her comfort zones. Steven Curtis Chapman starts off one his collaborations on the piano – not necessarily his go-to instrument. Delirious? frontman Martin Smith has written an old-school Gospel song while Smitty accompanies him with a melody so soulful and inspired that Elton John would be a little jealous. And Andy Park has given the Gospel-era Bob Dylan a run for his money with one of his tracks.

Unintentionally focusing on the theme of holy lament, the discussion of the theological implications of each song’s lyrics virtually assures that these songs aren’t of the cookie cutter praise & worship variety, which is about as refreshing as the emphasis on community itself.

As the week continues, it’ll be exciting to see what stays and what goes. But whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: Community isn’t just a cute concept for the artists of Compassionart. It’s something preached that they’re willing to practice. And the results just may be the new songs you’ll be singing in church in the not-so-distant future.

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