Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Courage by Stuart Townend 


Townend's new album goes beyond the usual subjects and he continues to be one of our most gifted worship songwriters, writes Andy Goodliff 



Courage Stuart TownendThis is a new album from Stuart Townend. It follows, earlier in the year, a new album — Keep the Banner Flying High — from Graham Kendrick. Both albums demonstrate that these two remain our most gifted worship songwriters. What makes them stand out are good melodies, great lyrics and arrangements that the average local congregation band can play. What I have found increasingly disappointing from the younger generation, like Matt Redman, Tim Hughes et al is that they are generally failing in these three areas where Townend and Kendrick excel. 

Townend’s Courage album emerges following the death of his brother Phil, and he explores the impact of his death in two songs at the centre of the album - Courage and Keep you Here. The honesty of these songs is powerful. The latter features Phil on the vocals, recorded when his diagnosis of terminal cancer was known. Sandwiched between these two songs is a version of the Apostle’s Creed — a statement of belief in the face of pain and grief.

The album begins with a series of praise songs, which shadow later themes. The first song speaks of ‘the saints who lived and died in grace’ and the third song, based on Psalm 145, of God as the one who ‘binds the wounds of those who mourn.’

Track five, I am Here for You, shifts the tone. It is co-written with Stuart’s daughter Emma and is about living with depression and anxiety. Emma co-wrote three of the songs with her father on this album and demonstrates that the Townend gene may continue beyond Stuart.

This is a good album that goes beyond the usual subjects for worship songs and speaks to our mental and spiritual health. I don’t always agree with Townend’s theology, especially that of the atonement, but this is a album full of grace, truth and beauty.  
 

Andy Goodliff is minister of Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend 

 
Baptist Times, 16/11/2018
    Post     Tweet
‘Our aim is to help participants learn peace-making skills’
The Blackley Centre is once again hosting its Paths of Peace Training Course, which equips participants with the skills to transform conflicts in a church setting and beyond. Baptist minister and mediation trainer Joanna Williams explains more
'Our nation's children need the church'
Families are suffering as never before. Ian Soars, CEO of the charity Spurgeons, says churches have a role in reversing the decline in children and young people’s wellbeing - and explains how
Living with limitations
A new blog series from the Northumbrian Collective seeks to grapple honestly and thoughtfully with a question we might prefer not to think about, led by people who experience disability in their day-to-day life. Craig Millward introduces it
The long-lasting echo of Richard Hays (1948-2025)
His name might be unfamiliar to you, but Hays wrote three books that set new directions for New Testament studies in the late 20th century and into the 21st century, writes Andy Goodliff
Visions of Justice and Hope
A new resource from the Evangelical Alliance offers a guided journey into racial justice and practical steps for fostering healing and meaningful dialogue. One People Commission director and Baptist minister Israel Olofinjana introduces it
What can Christians learn from 2024?
Chris Goswami highlights six defining news stories from 2024 that deserve a second look
     The Baptist Times 
    Posted: 08/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 16/12/2024
    Posted: 10/12/2024
    Posted: 16/11/2024
    Posted: 11/09/2024
    Posted: 05/02/2024
    Posted: 16/12/2023
    Posted: 15/12/2023
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast