Old Truth, New Sound
Oct. 23 2007
We love fresh music coupled with old truth. We love it when generations work together to help us see truth in a fresh way. And we love that we get to hear both on a new album from Pat Sczebel and his sons Joel and Josh.
The Sczebels talked to us about their album, creativity, and working together with another generation for God’s glory.
While you read listen in to a free track from their upcoming album called You Are Good. (Or visit our Downloads page.)
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Na: Can you tell us briefly who you are and what you’re currently doing?
Pat: I am a pastor in Langley, British Columbia at Crossway Community Church. My two main roles are overseeing worship and evangelism.
Joel: I’m working at a web design/hosting company in Abbotsford BC, doing coding and client support. I also serve on the worship team and lead worship for our youth group.
Josh: I am an Apprentice Joiner (Cabinetry). I also serve our church leading worship occasionally, serving on the worship team, and I also assist in leading the youth ministry.
Na: What was your process for the album? What makes it unique?
Joel: From the beginning stages of planning and creating arrangements our hope was that we could avoid settling into a one musical style for the album, and I think we achieved that. We listened to a lot of different musicians and musical styles and tried to emulate what we thought were the best parts of each style, and bring them into the album. The musical influences were pretty wide, ranging from rock to folk to country to jazz, and that definitely made the album unique as a worship album.
Josh: Our process for the album was fun. (I say fun because I don’t know what makes it unique. I’ve never done this before). Basically Dad, Joe and I went to the church office one night and locked ourselves in my Dad’s office. My Dad played the songs on acoustic and we talked about what we could do with them arrangement-wise. I had my iPod, and when I would think of an idea we’d couple it with a corresponding song. So we came up with all of our arrangements before we even practiced as a band at all. Obviously, we made lots of changes as we went along in the recording process, but overall, we did much of the arranging before any instruments were played.
Na: Joel & Josh—What has it been like to write songs and lead worship alongside your Dad?
Joel: It’s been great. Ever since the beginning of my interest in music and song writing he has primarily been the one that I’ve looked to for wisdom in pursuing music. He was writing, leading worship, and playing all sorts of instruments before I was even born, so I definitely see him as someone to model myself after. And even more than his musical gifting, I respect the way that he always keeps God’s glory central in his worship leading and song writing—not getting distracted by music, which is really only a means to that ultimate end.
Josh: It’s been fresh. I love music, but I love my Dad more. To be involved in music with my Dad and brother is great. I don’t really write songs, I just keep making suggestions hoping to get my name on one of their songs…but it hasn’t happened yet (kidding). But leading worship or playing bass or drums on stage with my Dad is one of the greatest blessings in my life. It’s fun. We make fun of each other a lot. Dad is old-school in a lot of ways, but joe and I are always trying to beat that out of him. And we are stuck in our ways as well so we need him to pull out a gaither hymn once in a while to keep us on our toes. We help each other.
Na: Pat—What has it been like to write songs and lead worship alongside your sons?
Pat: I love watching them lead worship! It seems like the Lord has blessed them both with this gift. For many years I have prayed for them and asked the Lord to use them for his glory. What a joy it is to watch the Savior working in them . They both have unique gifts… Joel wrote 4 of the songs on the CD, we co-wrote 1, Bob Kauflin and I co-wrote 1 and I wrote the other 4. Josh is writing now as well. They both play all kinds of instruments and love doing that more than most other things
Na: What are some things that hinder generations from working together?
Pat: Pride. Old guys like me can tend to think that we know best because we’ve been around a lot longer. The younger generation can at times feel like they know best because it’s newer, fresher etc. God calls us to humbly work together and see each generation as gifts from God. There’s not one generation more important than another. God’s glory is most clearly seen when various generations come together to exalt the Savior with the gifts he has given. That’s what we seek to do as Dad and sons.
I believe the boys would say that they love playing and singing/worshiping the Savior with their Dad even with my “older” style. And I love watching them creatively arranging and coming up with newer styles. I am constantly being stretched. The goal in it all is that we don’t want to lose sight of who we’re writing about, singing to, playing to. We want our lyrics and arrangements to draw attention to our Savior not just doing fresh arrangements/sounds for fresh sake.
Na: How can different generations position themselves to learn from each other?
Joel: We need to be humble, we need to realize that it’s not ultimately about the musical style, it’s about God’s glory. Younger musicians should position themselves to learn from older musicians, and with discernment try to understand the benefits of older styles.
Josh: As young people we need to realize our need for the older generations. We’re nothing without them. They have more experience in nearly every area. We are fools to think that because we know what looks and sounds cool, we have it all.
Pat: We need to see each generation as a gift from God and humbly seek to serve each other. Embrace various styles of every generation. Love the truth and make it your desire to keep the truth as primary and see music style secondary
Na: Why does the church need both generations?
Pat: That’s God’s purpose. God is most glorified when we find our satisfaction in him more than musical styles, preferences etc. It’s not about the music ultimately, it’s about bringing Glory to God. God’s glory is clearly seen when generations humbly walk together in spite of the many preferences and styles.
Josh: We need the old truth. We need the new ideas for how we reach people with that old truth.
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“You Are Good” written by Joel Sczebel, comes from “You and You Alone”, the fifth CD of Sovereign Grace’s Overflow series. This CD contains songs written and recorded by Pat Sczebel and his son, Joel. The anticipated release date is November 9. Check out the new Sovereign Grace Music website (www.SovereignGraceMusic.org) for more information on this and other projects.