Keith Getty urges worship artists to prioritize depth over trends, talks power of Christmas hymns.
Keith Getty | Josh Newman, courtesy Getty Music
In an age when worship music trends come and go, modern hymnwriter Keith Getty is making a different appeal to artists and congregations alike: prioritize depth and scriptural soundness over popularity.
“With the year that we’ve had, what I want to say to my wife, kids and team is — let’s make sure our own walk is strong and admirable,” the “In Christ Alone” songwriter said. “Let’s humbly stay close to the Lord and stay close to our marriage and that kind of stuff. That’s the first thing. And after that, I want to say, ‘Let’s write the songs that will grow deep believers over the long haul. Let's not aim to be cool or trendy. Let's just aim to write beautifully and richly and well about the Lord and all that we do.’”
This philosophy underpins every aspect of Getty’s work, from modern hymns like “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death” to the annual “Sing! An Irish Christmas” tour. This year’s tour holds even greater meaning for Getty and his family, marking a year of milestones: his 50th birthday, 20 years of marriage with his wife, Kristyn, the 30th anniversary of the New Irish Orchestra and their 10th performance at Carnegie Hall.
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