Most of the lyrics were taken straight from scripture or hymns, and there really wasn’t anything like it happening at the time. For context, this record came out around the time that churches across the country were singing “Shout to the Lord,” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” It was weird and dark. In case you were wondering, that is in fact a didgeridoo, and this is Mars Hill’s first record. One story we certainly could have gone deeper into is the story of Mars Hill Music, which in many ways from the very beginning was rejection of mainstream Christian music culture, and part of what made Mars Hill unique. Obviously, a church’s 18-year history isn’t all going to fit in 12 episodes, no matter how long any episode got. Mike Cosper: One of the challenges of producing this podcast was figuring out what you could and couldn’t cover in the storytelling. Theme Song: “Sticks and Stones” Kings KaleidoscopeĪdditional Music: Brad Currah, Red Letter, Team Strike Force, The Sing Team, Citizens, and Kings Kaleidoscope Producer, Writer, Editor, Host, and Mix Engineer: Mike CosperĪssociate Producers: Joy Beth Smith and Azurae PhelpsĮditorial Consultant: Andrea Palpant Dilley The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill is a production of Christianity Today Learn more about Kings Kaleidoscope here.Īlso check out Citizens, The Sing Team, and Ghost Ship. Finally, find out why Chad told us, “I never wanted to do a duet with Mark.”
Peek backstage for a glimpse of what worship leadership meant in this alternative church culture, and hear stories behind some of Kings Kaleidoscope’s albums. In this bonus episode of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, host Mike Cosper sits down with Chad Gardner, worship leader at Mars Hill, to hear the hard and beautiful stories of the music that defined the community.
Some band members, damaged by various spiritual abuses, would leave the faith altogether. His eventual decision to leave would mean sacrificing community and intellectual property rights over his band’s contributions to the ministry. Often selected for their charisma and talent, Mars Hill bands found that few cared about the condition of their souls or the posture of their spirits.Ĭhad Gardner became a worship leader later in the church’s history, having grown up listening to the church’s music. But like many other facets of the Mars Hill story, there was much behind the music. Most of the church’s founding members thought Christian contemporary music was too saccharine and polished for their tastes, and what evolved at Mars Hill reflected the gritty and dark sounds of the city around them.
Mars Hill’s music grew out of the same counter-cultural ethos that defined the rest of its ministry.
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