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 Keith Getty often presents new hymns at churches and conferences. Photo courtesy of Emily Begg. |
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Keith Getty on Writing Hymns for the Church Universal
Text by Joan Huyser-Honig
Photography by Steve Huyser-Honig
Keith Getty says that what we sing becomes the grammar of what we believe. That’s why he and Kristyn Getty are writing and teaching modern hymns that all ages can sing together…and remember.
Chances are you first noticed the name Keith Getty while singing “In Christ Alone.” It’s the first hymn that the Irish composer/arranger wrote with British songwriter/worship leader Stuart Townend.
Getty, who grew up singing hymns and metrical psalms in a Presbyterian church, had already begun making a name for himself. He orchestrated choral arrangements for movie recordings and produced scores, shows, and albums, such as the New Irish Hymns series, which feature his songs.
Several experiences, however, tugged him back to his congregational hymn singing roots. His pastor in Belfast couldn’t find songs to fit biblical sermons so asked Getty to write some. Getty noticed that, even in dementia, his grandfather remembered "O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go" and other hymns he’d learned as a child.
And Getty fell in love with Kristyn Lennox, a gifted Irish singer, songwriter, and worship leader. For their 2004 wedding, they chose O Thou Who Camest from Above, Charles Wesley’s prayer-like request for the Spirit’s guidance and inspiration.
Keith and Kristyn Getty decided to join their musical talents in creating modern hymns for the church universal, hymns that all ages can sing together in worship. After all, he explains, “What we sing becomes the grammar of what we believe.”
 Keith Getty writes a song and asks himself, "Can all ages sing this melody?" |
Biblical truth, contemporary poetry
“It’s been several hundred years since Christian worship was as shallow as it is today. Christianity is more universal than it’s ever been, but people’s understanding of their faith and the Bible is disappointing,” he says.
Whether writing hymns with his wife or Townend, Getty says two goals guide him. “We try to write theological and Bible truth that speaks in everyday life, as Charles Wesley did. And I try to write melodies that large groups of people can sing. That is my filter: Can all ages sing this melody?
“From a lyrical point of view, we use Bible terms in a poetic way—to give the lyrics class and artistic credibility. But we write in language we would speak, that you can imagine saying.
“A poem that goes ‘my heart to God goes up’ we would not use. But ‘no guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me’ is language we feel reasonably comfortable speaking. You can imagine saying that even though it might be more poetic than usual ‘speak talk,’ ” he says.
Given their Irish heritage, it’s no surprise that the Gettys often capitalize on the power of a story. “People will sing forever if the song takes them on a journey,” Keith Getty says. “The Power of the Cross” takes worshipers on Christ’s walk from Gethsemane to Calvary.
“When I have doubts about the Christian faith in the midst of moral pluralism—and I question faith itself—I find in the life of Christ the most compelling and incontrovertible evidence that his claims cannot be ignored,” he says.
 Which timeless hymns or songs did older members learn as children ... and still sing in worship at your church? |
Getty’s always searching for new melodic ideas. He rarely finds inspiration in Christian contemporary music because “it’s mostly copies of the last five or ten years.”
Instead he looks for melodies that transcend every generation and have been recorded in many genres, such as folk tunes.
“Most of our best hymns are based on folk melodies and tend to be equally accessible to rock and pop bands as well as to organs and choirs and orchestra arrangements.
“The greatest Irish hymn of all time is ‘Be Thou My Vision.’ It’s been recorded over 100 times in a decade by grunge, pop, rock, and worship bands…Its melody and lyrics, some believe, date back to the fifth century,” he says.
Since he grew up singing hymns and never listened to pop music, Getty has spent hours trying to learn a more popular songwriting form from classical songwriters, such as American composer George Gershwin, who leaned on folk music (and jazz and European classical music) for inspiration. He also credits Kate Rusby, an English modern folk singer, for fresh ideas.
“ ’The Power of the Cross’ is really just trying to create a classic ballad using those simple steps that Gershwin used. The actual harmonic structures are quite Handelian. Listen to the verses. The melody never moves a note apart, but we build up a much more expansive chorus. It’s a bizarre mixture of a classic ballad inside what’s really almost a baroque chordal structure,” Getty says.
Writing songs for African Children’s Choir tours with Kristyn made him more aware of rhythm and inspired a lot of their children’s music.
He also borrows ideas from hymnody. “I was very influenced by singing psalms in church growing up. In ‘O Church Arise’ I tried to imitate a modern Lutheran hymn as if sung in contemporary style.
“I love hymnody. We’re trying to preserve hymnody not for the sake of conservation but to reinvent it so it can live and breathe for a new generation.”
 Can you always find songs to fit specific worship elements, such as a call or response to confession, God’s Word, or communion? |
While leading worship, Keith and Kristyn Getty have learned it’s often hard to find songs that fit a particular slot in the service. They ask pastors and theologians what congregations should be singing.
Keith Getty says anticipating how a hymn will be used in worship influences how he orchestrates it. He tries to simplify music so churches don’t need many instruments, people, skills, or rehearsal time to teach it. Congregations learn songs easily if the melody is singable and each verse has the same structure.
He suggests that songs used for a closing hymn, solo, or communion may require a different touch or fewer instruments. The key is for music to serve, not distract, the congregation.
In 2006, the Gettys moved to the United States for two years of touring and teaching. They are hymn writers in residence at Parkside Church in metro Cleveland.
“My goal is to write 12 useful hymns a year for the church universal. I want to keep getting better and hope the songs grow in popularity and get translated into many languages.
“Parkside is so supportive. They put no pressure on us to perform. Parkside is the willing guinea pig for our new songs. We teach the songs to the congregation. That’s the ultimate testing ground,” Keith Getty says.
 Chip Stam says, “I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about the Gettys’ music.” |
In October 2005, after lecturing with Stuart Townend at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Keith and Kristyn Getty shared songs at Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. It was a natural connection because Carl “Chip” Stam teaches music at the seminary and leads worship at the church.
The following Sunday Stam included the Getty song “My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness.” During the next 10 months, the congregation sang 18 different Getty hymns in worship, most of them on three or more Sundays.
“These hymns have changed me. They have deeply enriched the worship of Clifton Baptist Church,” he says.
 Getty songs can work whether your congregation uses organ, piano, or instrumentalists to accompany. |
“Most of these songs capture the heart of the gospel in winsome, thoughtful, memorable ways. Some are celebrative, some are contemplative, but they’re all expositional.
“They’re put on your voice and in your lips in a way that affirms faith. The songs are deeply Trinitarian and have a high view of Scripture and the church. They don’t shy away from the wretchedness of sin or the grace of God,” Stam says.
He likes how songs fit specific parts of worship. “Merciful God” helps people confess sin, “Speak O Lord” prepares hearts to hear God, and “May the Peace of God” works well for a benediction.
“About half the tunes are in a flowing Celtic folk style, like ‘In Christ Alone’ and ‘Across the Lands.’ And half have strong hymnic harmonies and rhythms and bold chord changes, so can sound good on a pipe organ with trumpet descant, like ‘The Power of the Cross’ and ‘Jesus Is Lord,’” Stam says.
The normal instrumentation at Clifton Baptist is flutes, violins, and a rhythm section of guitar, drums, piano, and bass. Sometimes trumpets or sax join in. The organist plays both high steeple and folk styles. Worshipers have sung “Father, We Have Sinned” and “Joy Has Dawned” accompanied only by organ.
“What’s brilliant is that very few Getty songs require a contemporary band. But if you try to sing some Vineyard or Passion songs on the organ, it’s hard to pull off,” Stam says.
 Getty’s “Across the Lands” reminds worshipers that Christ came for each tribe and tongue and nation. Photo courtesy of Kevin Holwerda Hommes, taken at Iglesia Cristiana Reformada de Nueva Suyapa in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. |
He notes that the Gettys’ style doesn’t necessarily fit with the Christian music industry. “Instead they’re creating hymns for churches to tell the stories of the Bible.”
“Are these songs easy to learn? Oh, yes. Oh, yes. But they are not filling into a pop music mold. You don’t hear a Keith Getty song and think ‘Cool, if this didn’t have Christian words it would be a Top 40s song.’
“Getty songs are theologically driven but stylistically set in way that doesn’t draw attention to itself. You sing these songs and focus on worship. At the end of a song like ‘Let the Earth Resound,’ I think not ‘What a great song’ but ‘What a great Savior.’
“ ’Holy Spirit, living breath of God’ draws all to Christ and elevates the Scriptures and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Kristyn Getty sang it at our church, the first time it was ever sung in public. She has a great voice and winsome personality. But you don’t think ‘What a pretty note…or beautiful voice.’ Instead you ask, ‘What is this song about? What is her radiance all about?’ ” Stam says.
 Brush up on new music at The Church Music and Worship Summit or Calvin Symposium on Worship. |
Across town at Highview Baptist Church, which has six campuses and multiple services per campus, worshipers also sing Getty songs.
“ ’In Christ Alone’ is perhaps the greatest song ever written for congregational worship. It’s so full of the gospel and encouraging to believers that it transforms any service in which we use it. We’ve seen it minister to people in many situations, especially to those who are hurting,” says Dan Odle, associate pastor for worship and music.
Odle says some Highview choir members display the words of “In Christ Alone” at work. One member got a chance to share Christ with a co-worker who found the words very moving.
Highview sang “See What a Morning” every week for five weeks leading up to their Easter celebration service. “Our people love how its triumphant tune marries perfectly with its victorious text,” Odle says.
Whether used at Good Friday or communion services, “The Power of the Cross” has “met with tremendous response from our congregation and pastor team,” Odle says.
“There Is a Higher Throne” reminds worshipers to live out a Highview core value of honoring God above all.
And “Across the Lands” reinforces worshipers’ commitment to missions. “We take the Great Commission seriously, sending teams of missionaries all over the world. This song reminds us that ours is not an American religion, but that Christ came to save the world.
“The Gettys are giving us great songs with theologically rich texts, set in a contemporary style that appeals to a broad range of musical languages. I believe twenty years from now, church music will be different, largely because of the kind of music they are producing,” Odle says.
Listen to Keith Getty speak about his and Kristyn’s new album and about the kind of music he loves.
Sign up for the 2007 Calvin Symposium on Worship to hear Keith and Kristyn Getty speak and share their music. Replay a Moody Radio broadcast of them speaking and singing about “The Power of the Cross” on Moody Radio.
Learn why Getty started his New Irish Hymns series; volume 4 is best suited for congregational singing. The songs on The Apostles Creed CD follow the themes of that ancient statement of belief. The website www.gettydirect.com includes frequently asked questions, tour information, hymn lyrics, and their online store.
“In Christ Alone” has been recorded by cathedral choirs, contemporary black artists, and heavy edgy rock bands, translated into many languages and sold on every continent. It also appears in the new Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook (2004).
Listen to lectures by Stuart Townend, Keith Getty and Kristyn Getty on worship music and biblical songs for children. (Scroll down to Stuart Townend.) Carl Stam says, “Kristyn’s Songs that Jesus Said are amazing,” though quite different from the New Irish Hymns.
Sign up for Stam’s e-mailed Worship Quote of the Week. See the hymn sing he designed that paired Baptist Hymnal and Getty songs.
To learn more about principles of good contemporary worship and music, attend The Church Music Summit, from November 8-12, 2006, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Check out worship music tools and insights. Browse essays on the value of hymns, using hymns pastorally, and convergence in worship music. Read this analysis of top CCLI songs and a forum discussion on whether worship songs are failing the church.
Graham Kendrick is another songwriter with theological depth. Bob Kauflin, director of worship development for Sovereign Grace Ministries, has a great WorshipMatters blog post on love songs to Jesus.
Listen to or read Kevin Twit’s lectures on why the postmodern generation is embracing hymns. Twit, a campus pastor, offers updated hymns on sheet music and CD through Indelible Grace Music and Reformed University Fellowship.
Browse related stories on children’s choirs, contemporary worship music, mentoring church musicians, musical theology, planning contemporary worship, and writing hymn texts.
Feel free to print and distribute these stories at your council, staff, worship, or music committee meeting. These questions will get members talking about songs and hymns in worship.
- What do your church’s favorite songs reveal about your theology? How do they form your congregation’s ideas on how to think about God, pray to God, and live as God wills?
- About what percentage of your church music would you define as hymns? If you use hymns, why do you use them? Do the hymn versions you use speak to all age groups?
- Consider watching a few brief video clips on worship music as soul food. Then complete and discuss the Song Diet Evaluation chart.
What is the best way you’ve found to address and talk through principles of appropriate congregational songs? Please write to us so we can identify trends and share your great ideas. Whether you do these or any other things, we’d love to learn what works for you:
- Did you find a resource—visual, online, printed, multimedia, or seminar—that helped your church think through how and why to make changes in your congregational singing?
- If you have surveyed different age groups in your church about their favorite worship songs, what differences and similarities did you discover? How did you publicize findings and address the gaps?
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This article was first published by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, http://www.calvin.edu/worship/stories/.