Big Picture

Institutionalized Christianity is going through a great shaking. None of us know exactly what tomorrow holds, but one thing is for sure - the Christian world is in a season of significant change. Escapism is being challenged by realism. Sacred vs Secular dualism by a more integrated approach to life. Status quo by social activism. Judgmentalism by compassion. Exclusion by inclusion. Male dominance by gender equality. Hierarchy by democratization. Racism by the flourishing of BIPOC leadership. Colonization by the rise of former colonies, both geographic and spiritual. And the list goes on. In this process, an emerging generation of forward-thinking artists and thought leaders are experiencing an increasing disconnect from the religious industrial complex and finding a home in the spiritual underground. Notwithstanding, their voices are exceedingly important, with the potential to help the broader community grab a hold of the future and drag it into the present.

With all of this in mind, Common Hymnal was created as a virtual library to help people of faith navigate these uncertain times and find safe passage into the future by loading them up with insightful content from these underground influencers.

History teaches us that the future is innovated at the margins. Therefore, our efforts to treasure hunt the periphery of the faith to find these displaced voices, and to stock this repository with their songs, stories and ideas, exposing us to the important conversations and cultural shifts that are happening on the fringe. In providing an outlet for these trailblazers, Common Hymnal has been able to curate an intriguing catalog of content that centers life, faith, justice and reparation, where praise and protest are inextricably intertwined. Content that is free of colonial residue.

As such, we are not pursuing a platform in the Christian bubble, nor are we seeking to recycle familiar practices with new packaging. Neither are we revolting against the ‘overground’. We are simply convinced that God is doing incredible work outside the current structures, and are serving those who share this conviction - sometimes because of prophetic insight, sometimes because of unfortunate experiences in the system that have caused them to search out a place of safety in the underground. With regard the latter, we are fully aware of the risks involved in working with people who are in recovery, yet we are reassured by the example of Jesus and are looking to him for wisdom and fruitfulness.

When it comes to music, these people tend not to be drawn to the current trends. They are hungry to build out a more exploratory genre that applies faith to all of the realities of life. They are not comfortable with cliches, hype or spiritual fads but hungry for thoughtfulness and honesty. Hence, this hymnal’s showcasing of an eclectic and curious culture, embodied in a broad spectrum of subject matters, styles and production sensibilities.

This venture is more of a long distance run than a sprint. When we say we are ‘underground’, we truly mean it. We are not just being cute, and secretly hoping to make it big in the praise and worship scene - in disguise!!!

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