Matthew Smith & Indelible Grace

In preparation for the Indelible Grace concert, we have the opportunity to ask lead singer, Matthew Smith, a few questions about his experience, personal recommendations, and insights.

What resources have proven to be most helpful for you as a musician and as one who leads worship in song?

I'm certainly biased, but indeliblegracehymnbook.com is my go-to for charts, etc. when I'm leading at my church. CCLI's SongSelect service is also helpful.

What are some helpful ways you’ve navigated certain healthy tensions in a church’s worship gathering (examples: God’s transcendence and nearness, speaking to the head and speaking to the heart, old hymns and new songs, etc)?

I've found that being aware of the tensions but not focusing on them is key for me. Focus on abiding in Jesus and His word and then love your church in the best ways you know how. Make mistakes and correct them. Sin and repent. Know that you aren't going to navigate those tensions perfectly, and that's ok.

How many songs do you often recommend to be in a church’s song library?

It's good to give thought and planning to how many songs are in a church's library, but I find formulas to be unhelpful. It's better just to be in tune with the congregation and know when to challenge them by introducing new songs without overwhelming them. Most of all, think of the whole makeup of the congregation rather than just your personal preferences. Many older believers have been hurt by having a worship leader who guts the song library of old songs that minister to them, and many younger believers haven't been given voice by worship leaders who are stuck in their ways and unwilling to try something new.

If you could travel back in time 10 or 20 years and speak to your younger self, what would you tell him?

I'd tell myself that anxiety is a bigger issue that he thinks it is, and to get help for it sooner.

What would you say is the biggest need in congregational singing today?

The biggest need in congregational singing is that we don't often sing songs that are honest about what the normal Christian life feels like, but instead offer a superficial, glossy version of Christianity that misrepresents and distorts God and His word. We need to sing about the Lord who suffers with us.

Who are some of your favorite hymn and worship songwriters right now?

I don't pay attention to Christian music, but "Behold" by Taylor Leonhardt is probably the best new worship song I've heard in a while.