MARK HALL

How have developments in technology changed the way you approach your art/career?
I am so out of touch with all that stuff. I just get on the bus and go, and they let me know how things are going sometimes. I just keep my head in the game at the church. I know that when I do talk to people at the label, they speak of the challenges that are out there and that everything is moving online; and that is changing the way people buy music.

What hasn’t changed for you over the course of your career?
For me the base of everything that comes out of us musically is the ministry that we have in the local church. Pouring into teenagers. Walking through life with a set group of people in a local church.

What are your plans with your career over the next five years?
I am trying to really stay open. I am trying not to go by what I have seen happen in the past. I think it is easy to see what other people have done and assume that is a rhythm you need to follow. But for me, I see myself still in the church and still a part of Christian music. It is working well now with the balance. We are seeing ourselves going overseas a lot more starting this past year and doing a lot of youth worker training—pouring into leaders in the cities and the countries that we are going into. Really, I try not to get too much of a plan. I don’t want to get too far ahead of where I think God might be going.

What is your advice for the next generation of artists?
[Find] a body of believers and [pour] into the local church. I can’t see anything more valuable than that. I think sometimes you can look so far ahead into the future…that you might miss what God has for you right now. I think one of the first things I tell students when they feel they have some sort of calling in a certain area is just to be cool with what you know. Be cool with what God has given you right now, and bloom where you are planted. If God wants to move you into some new arena of ministry, that is fine, but that is not the next level. You are at the level. You are where God has you right now, and you have to soak everything you have into that.

Where do you see music going in the next five years?
If five years ago you had asked me where the music business was going, I never could have predicted that people would be buying music online just as often, if not more so, as they are purchasing CDs. So I can't imagine what the next five years will hold for the business, but I’m sure it will continue to change. And as far as the future of new artists, I hope that the church will continue to raise up musicians and songwriters to use their talents to point others to a true friendship with Jesus. I am so encouraged by newer bands, like Leeland, who are reaching audiences with a passion for sharing God’s love and sacrifice. And if they are the future of Christian music, I feel good about where we are headed.

Guest Author Profile: Matt Maher 

I remember the first time I heard a Casting Crowns song—it was “Who Am I”; one of the other worship leaders brought it to our planning meeting and said, “We need to use this song for Lent.” That's right—Lent. Can you imagine? A Casting Crowns song being sung at a Catholic church? But it was, and I watched my community ministered to by the Holy Spirit through those words—such powerful words:

“Not because of who I am, but because of what You've done/Not because of what I've done, but because of who You are”

With that song (along with several of their songs), I remember thinking, “How many good songs can one person write?” Apparently, a lot.

About a year and a half later, I walked into a concert with Steven Curtis Chapman, Casting Crowns and Chris Tomlin. I walked in to hear Mark talking in between songs and was really struck by his ability to communicate to this large crowd of people, not as a singer talking in between songs, but as one having a pastor’s heart—the heart of the Father.

Mark has been given a great and humble task of having God’s heart for His people. This is what comes out in all his songs. His greatest gift, in my humble opinion, is his ability to synthesize what the average listener/Christian is thinking and feeling. This, I'm sure, is evident in his years of experience in the local church; that is where the best songs of the church come from—they come from the church. The way Mark puts into words the thoughts, the questions, the hurts and the emptiness that we often feel; God has taken these words and used them to change the hearts and minds of countless people. Songs such as “Praise You In This Storm,” “Does Anybody Hear Her?” and “Every Man,” have a way of impacting our hearts and minds, because they’re saying what we’re all thinking and feeling in our daily lives.

Mark’s band, Casting Crowns, has undoubtedly made one of the biggest marks, ever, on the Christian music scene and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Very few artists come along that have that special “thing” about them, but Casting Crowns seems to have lots of special “things” that make them one of the most remarkable and blessed acts to ever converge on the music scene. The way the band ministers to God’s people, the way the band shares God’s heart through music, the way the band ministers to my heart—they have a special calling on their lives. I'm thankful that they’ve chosen to genuinely share it with all who will listen. God has blessed Casting Crowns in a mighty way.

I'm grateful to God for the gift of Mark’s ministry and craft as a songwriter for the church. I pray God will continue to use his gifts to encourage and build up the body of Christ. —Matt Maher

Matt Maher is a brand-new worship artist on Essential Records. With roots in the Catholic church, Maher has been writing songs for years recorded by artists such as Chris Tomlin, Bethany Dillon and Phillips, Craig & Dean. His debut album, Empty & Beautiful, releases April 8. Log on to mattmahermusic.com for more.