Big Picture

Institutionalized Christianity has been going through a massive shaking these past few years. No one knows exactly what tomorrow holds, but, for the time being, Christendom is in a season of prolonged self-reflection. Escapism is being challenged by realism. Sacred vs Secular dualism by a more integrated approach to life. Status quo by social activism. Judgmentalism by compassion. Exclusion by inclusion. Male dominance by gender equality. Hierarchy by egalitarianism. Racism by the flourishing of BIPOC leadership. Colonization by the rise of former colonies, both geographic and spiritual. The building and the leveraging of ‘spiritual brands’ for mass-influence by a call to return to the way of Jesus, the way of servanthood. On the opposite end of the spectrum we are witnessing the brash doubling down of White Christian Nationalism, its misrepresentation of the teachings of Christ, its rabid pursuit of political power, and the ugliness and polarity it has created. In all of this, an emerging generation of forward-thinking artists and thought leaders have been experiencing an increasing disconnect from the religious industrial complex, the ‘overground’, and been finding shelter in the ‘spiritual underground’. They have come to conclude that it is not going to be possible to rewrite the narrative using the existing operating system, and have been digging deep in search of a theological imagination that could prevent Empire from being replaced yet again with another version of Empire. Notwithstanding, their voices are exceedingly important, with the potential to help society-at-large grab a hold of the future and drag it into the present.

With all of this in mind, Common Hymnal was created as a virtual library to help people navigate these uncertain times and find safe passage into the future by loading them up with insightful content from the spiritual underground.

History teaches us that the future is innovated at the margins. Therefore, our efforts to treasure-hunt the outermost extremities of the Christian world to find these displanted voices, and to stock this library with their songs, stories and ideas, exposing the broader community to the important conversations and philosophical shifts that are happening on the fringe. In providing an outlet for these changemakers, Common Hymnal has been able to curate a catalog that is, for the most part, free of colonial residue - with content that centers life, justice and spirituality; that embraces both praise and protest; that treasures healing, restitution and reparation; with the hope to comfort the disheartened and embolden the courageous.

As a word of clarification, we do not believe that protest is about trolling social media and attacking people who hold different views with rude comments. The most successful efforts at challenging injustice and bringing about systemic change have been led by prophetic voices from the marginalized, the disenfranchised and the oppressed. Hence, our supportive effort in showcasing their work.

We are not pursuing a platform of influence in the Christian bubble, nor are we seeking to recycle familiar practices with new packaging. Neither are we revolting against the ‘overground’. We are, however, convinced that God is at work outside the current structures, and are committed to chronicling some of the creative expression that we are discovering in these spaces. Some people find themselves on the outskirts because of prophetic insight, some because of unfortunate experiences in the system that have caused them to search out a place of safety. With regard the latter, we are fully aware of the risks involved in working with people who are still in anguish from church trauma. Nevertheless, the example of Jesus compels us to journey with them at the speed of their healing process.

When it comes to music, underground believers tend not to be caught up in the current trends, including the freeze-framing of communal worship as an intensely emotional song set where everyone and every song is spiritually valiant, where theatrical production is a given, and where the set list is derived from the priority songs that are currently being promoted by well branded worship movements. Cliches, formulas, hype and spiritual fads tend to be drowned out when there is a hunger for thoughtfulness, honesty and accuracy. Hence this hymnal’s commitment to documenting a culture rather than promoting a genre, a culture that embodies a broad spectrum of ideas, values, convictions, disciplines, expressions, styles and production sensibilities.

This venture is more of a long distance run than a sprint. Speaking truth to power is generally not synonymous with quick success. Prophetic work requires dedication, resolve and a long term view. We are not saying one thing with our mouths while secretly hoping to make it big in the praise and worship scene - in disguise. We are serious about the work and we are in it for the long haul.

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