On worship leader Seth Condrey’s latest album, Keeps On Changing, he addresses God’s faithfulness through the ever-changing circumstances we face in our lives. In addition to songwriting and worship leading, Seth is part of a North Point Community Church plant in Costa Rica. We caught up with Seth recently to discuss worship, outreach and seeking after God.
You have recorded and led worship in both Spanish and English. Are there differences between leading worship in Spanish or in English? How does being bilingual work together to make you a more effective worship leader?
The thing that I’ve learned from leading in two languages is the power of words. One thing that it’s taught me is to focus on what I’m actually singing.
Many times, in our own heart language, we “phone” it in, and we forget the weight and the power of what we’re actually singing. But to cross into another language and watch lyrics transform peoples lives, lyrics that once for me had no meaning at all, has really caused me to see the power of God through songs written to honor him and worship him.
Your family recently moved down to Costa Rica as part of a North Point church plant. What connections do you see between worship and outreach?
To me it’s all one and the same, worship and outreach.
I would say that the relational side of outreach—personal conversations, relationships—is an aspect of worship that paves the way for the corporate time of worship built on truth and trust.
Over time, as people watch your life off the stage, if they see Christ there, it seems that they are more prone to respond to Christ when you’re on stage behind the mic singing about truths and what He’s done.
On your most recent album, you reflect on the ups and downs we all go through. How has God’s faithfulness through it all been a source of inspiration for your songwriting?
The songs that I write are written because of God’s faithfulness in the past, in the present and, it’s really faith, that He’ll continue to be faithful always. To write songs from our experiences of following Christ, to write “Christian” songs, is an act of faith in itself based on God’s faithfulness that we even have something to say about what He’s done in our lives.
And recently, my prayer has become, “God, make me faithful!” So that the songs that I write can continue to have power and influence for years to come.
Seth Condrey first came into relationship with North Point Community Church as worship leader for its Spanish-language service, a role that evolved into leading weekly worship at one of North Point’s five Atlanta-area churches. At the time, his resume boasted four projects, two of which were Spanish-language albums, including 2008 GMA Dove Award winner for Spanish-Language Album of the Year, De Corazon a Corazon. In 2012, Condrey recorded North Point Music’s first Spanish-language album, North Point en Vivo con Seth Condrey, reflecting North Point’s commitment to provide resources to churches globally and of Condrey’s passion for the Spanish-speaking world. His latest record, Keeps on Changing, released Aug. 27, 2013 and is a personal reflection on the ups and downs of his, and every Christian’s, ever-changing faith journey.
For more information on Seth Condrey, visit www.facebook.com/sethcondreymusic or follow him on Twitter: @sethcondrey.
