โVertical Church Band is framed around the idea that church isn't about us. It is about God,โ states Luke MacDonald, Creative Director of the Vertical Church Band, and son of senior pastor James MacDonald. โThe best songs we can sing aren't about our experience with God or our love for God or hopes for our relationship with God, but when we sing to God about God.โ
That God-centered focus anchors each song on the 13-track CD that features Vertical Church Band worship leaders Andi Rozier, Meredith Andrews, Lindsay McCaul, Jacob Sooter, Seth McConkey, Kyle Fredricks and Heather Headley. Recorded at Harvest Bible Chapel's historic downtown Chicago campus, the project was produced by Paul Mabury (one sonic society, Hillsong United) and Jason Ingram (Tenth Avenue North, one sonic society, Chris Tomlin). James MacDonald served as executive producer.
Pastor MacDonaldโs new book โVertical Church: What Every Heart Longs Forโ (David C. Cook, August 2012), will be issued the same day as Live Worship From Vertical Church. โOur church is been going for almost 25 years and has planted 80 churches or so around the world,โ says Luke. โThis book really is the encapsulation of everything that weโve learned and everything that weโre trying to be about.โ
Live Worship From Vertical Church captures the passion for worshipping God and for spreading the gospel that has made Harvest one of the fastest growing churches in the country. Luke has fond memories of the snowy night the album was recorded in the historic location. โItโs an old cathedral in downtown Chicago, two blocks off Michigan Avenue, and itโs one of only a few buildings that survived the great Chicago fire in 1871,โ he shares. โWe gathered all of our worship leaders and all of our bands from several campuses together, 700 or 800 of the most fired up worshippers in our church. We just blew the place out for four hours singing these songs and I just remember everybody coming away from that feeling like---even if the album never amounted to much---having this night together to worship God was enough. It was worth it, just for that.โ
โIt was a really, really powerful time,โ says Andi Rozier, who was recruited from the U.K. 11 years ago to serve as Harvestโs senior worship leader. โWe were in this building that withstood the Chicago fire and we filled it full of people and the sound was just huge. We were just lifting up the name of the Lord in worship and it was a really, really powerful moment. It really was less about an album recording and more about our church getting together to worship God in a building that God had given us for the advancement of his kingdom.โ
The presence of the Holy Spirit can be felt throughout every song, including the powerful lead single โAll Glory,โ led by Tony Award winning vocalist Heather Headley. โI absolutely love it. Andi wrote such a great song,โ says Headley, whose soaring vocals lead the congregation on the passionate worship anthem.
โMy favorite lyric is in the end when itโs like โAll glory, all honor/All wisdom, strength and power/All glory, all honor/Are yours alone forever.โ When the church sings it, itโs an amazing thing. It gets me all teary.โ
Headley, an acclaimed gospel artist and Broadway star who won a Tony Award for her lead role in Aida, has been attending Harvest Bible Chapel with her husband for eight years. โShe came in and actually auditioned to be a part of the worship team. I was like, โYou probably could have just sent us a picture of you holding your Tony award and that would have been enough,โโ Luke says with a laugh. โThatโs the kind of person she is.โ
The Vertical Church Band is filled with those kinds of people---extremely credentialed, talented individuals with servant hearts. The collection opens with the rousing new anthem โOpen Up the Heavens,โ led by Rozier and Andrews and written by Rozier, Andrews, Ingram, Stu G and James MacDonald. โIโm a worship leader myself and I can tell you that worship leaders are always at a loss trying to find new fresh up-tempo songs,โ Luke says. โโOpen Up the Heavensโ is a really exciting, intense up-tempo song about asking God to bring his glory down. Iโm getting tweets almost every single day now from people around the country that are starting to teach that song. I think it will find its way inside a lot of churches.โ
โWord of God,โ led by Rozier, is another soul-lifting up-tempo number that is fast becoming a favorite among worshippers. โThatโs one of my favorites because I have an emotional attachment to the song,โ says Rozier, who co-wrote the tune with Brenton Brown. โWe started talking about things that we donโt have in our vocabulary of worship. One of things is we donโt sing about Jesus being the word of God because we donโt want to sing a song about the Bible. We donโt want to worship the Bible, but in scripture, Jesus tells us that He is the Word of God.โ
โWe started talking about things that we donโt have in our vocabulary of worship. One of the things is we donโt sing about Jesus being the word of God because we donโt want to sing a song about the Bible. We donโt want to worship the Bible, but in scripture Jesus tells us that He is the word of God. We wrote the verse to the song in about 45 minutes and then spent about 14 months working on the chorus and the bridge. We wrote six different choruses and it was a really fun experience because Brenton and I are both like to make sure our iโs are dotted and our tโs are crossed when it comes to songwriting.โ
One of the most compelling moments on the album is โNot For a Moment,โ led by Andrews and Sooter, who co-wrote the song with Mia Fieldes. โHer passion and her intensity for the Lord is just so evident,โ Luke says of Andrews. โSheโs not just a great leader and not just a great singer, but sheโs also a really great writer. She had a hand in most of the songs on the album. Every song she writes comes out of her authentic intense relationship with the Lord.โ
Live Worship From Vertical Church is filled with memorable worship songs. โThe Greatness of Our God,โ led by Kyle Fredericks and Lindsay McCaul is a soaring, emotional anthem that celebrates the majesty of God. โI Believe in You,โ penned by Matt McCoy and Chris Moeller, is an infectious song driven by a catchy melody and penetrating lyric. Seth McConkey leads as the congregation jubilantly sings โJesus, the One, the One who saved me You are the King, forever reigning.โ Written by Ingram and McCaul, โWho Will Rise Upโ is a poignant ballad underscored by McCaulโs beautiful lead vocals.
โThis is about us wanting to open up a window to what God is doing in our church,โ Rozier says of the album. โItโs not about Harvest Bible Chapel and itโs not about Vertical Church Band. Itโs about Jesus Christ and itโs a huge honor for our worship ministry to be given this opportunity to do this. If you come to our church, youโll hear on stage exactly what you hear on the record.โ
Luke agrees. โThese weren't songs crafted for an album,โ he says. โThey are the songs we sing week to week. We are trying to talk authentically about what our church is really like. The book and music both support that. This is who we are. We are hoping it draws people toward their own vertical experience with God.โ
In their time with Essential Records, Vertical Church band has released ''Live Worship from Vertical Church'' on July 31, 2012'' Vertical EP'', on May 7, 2013 through Essential Records, the album ''The Rock Won't Move'' on October 29, 2013 and ''Church Songs'', on January 20, 2015.
The Rock Won't Move
Vertical Church Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
All my world is washing out to sea
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of the truth
That You are holding tighter still to me
Oh, the Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock of our Salvation
My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My support within the raging flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of Your truth
That You are holding tighter still to me
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock of our Salvation
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, the Rock of our Salvation
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
The Rock won't move, the Rock won't move
And when darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
The Rock won't move, no, the Rock won't move
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
The Rock won't move, no, the Rock won't move
And when darkness seems to hide His face
I rest on His unchanging grace
The Rock won't move, no, the Rock won't move
And the Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone, no
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone, no
The Rock of our Salvation
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, the Rock of our Salvation
Whoa, whoa, the Rock of our Salvation
Lead me to the Rock (whoa, whoa)
The Rock that is higher whoa)
That is greater
The Rock of our Salvation
Lead me to the Rock (whoa, whoa)
The Rock that is Stronger (whoa)
That is Stronger
The Rock of our Salvation
The Rock that is Jesus
The Rock that is Jesus
He will never move
Though we are famous, He is faithful
Lead me to the Rock (whoa, whoa)
Lead me to the Rock (whoa)
Lead me to the Rock
The Rock of our Salvation
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone, thank you, Lord
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock of our Salvation
Whoa, whoa
Whoa, the Rock of our Salvation
Yes you are, you are the Rock
Yes, you are
Jesus
The lyrics to Vertical Church Band's song "The Rock Won't Move" speak of the unwavering and unchanging nature of God. The first verse talks about the feeling of being lost and hopeless when everything around us seems to be falling apart. However, the chorus emphasizes that no matter what happens, God in His faithfulness will never move, and His love and promises to His people will always remain unbroken. The second verse encourages us to find peace and security in God during times of hardship and uncertainty, acknowledging that even in the midst of storms, we can sing and rest in His grace. The bridge further emphasizes the steadfast nature of God as the Rock of our Salvation, greater and stronger than any other foundation.
The title of the song is a play on words, as it can be interpreted in two ways. Firstly, it speaks of God as a rock, solid and unchanging. Secondly, it could also be referencing the story of the resurrection where the stone was rolled away from Jesus' tomb. The song was written by a group of songwriters including Jason Ingram, Meredith Andrews, and Andi Rozier, and was released on Vertical Church Band's album "Live Worship From Vertical Church" in 2013. It quickly gained popularity in Christian worship spaces and received a GMA Dove Award nomination for Worship Song of the Year in 2014.
Line by Line Meaning
When the ground beneath my feet gives way
When everything feels unstable and unpredictable
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
And circumstances seem to be crashing down like tumultuous waves
All my world is washing out to sea
Everything I've built or valued seems to be vanishing like water that recedes with the tide
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
But I take comfort in the fact that I'm protected and safe because God never changes or wavers
Holding fast to the promise of the truth
I cling tenaciously to the assurance of God's promises
That You are holding tighter still to me
And I'm reassured that God is holding on even more tightly to me
Oh, the Rock won't move and His word is strong
God is like a steady, unmovable rock, and His words are powerful and unchanging
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
God's love is unbreakable and unchanging like the firmness of a rock
My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My expectation and confidence lie in the assurance of God's sacrifice on the cross
My support within the raging flood
God is my anchor and bulwark when everything else feels like a chaotic flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
Despite the circumstances that whip around me, I can still find joy in God
On Christ, the Solid Rock I stand
My foundation is solid because I stand on Jesus Christ
All other ground is sinking sand
Everything else is shaky and unstable like sand that shifts without warning
And when darkness seems to hide His face
When it feels like God has turned away or gone silent
I rest on His unchanging grace
I find a place of rest and solace in God's constant and steady grace
Lead me to the Rock (whoa, whoa)
I ask God to guide me to Himself like a mighty rock
The Rock that is higher whoa)
The Rock that stands taller and greater than anything else
That is greater
That is mightier and more powerful
The Rock of our Salvation
The only and ultimate source of our salvation
The Rock that is Stronger (whoa)
The Rock that is more durable and unshakeable
The Rock that is Jesus
The Rock who is embodied in Jesus Christ
He will never move
He will never falter or be shaken
Though we are famous, He is faithful
Even though we might be fickle and inconsistent, God remains faithful always
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone, thank you, Lord
And I thank God that His love is everlasting and steadfast like an immovable rock
Yes you are, you are the Rock
God, You truly are the unchanging and reliable Rock
Yes, you are
There is absolutely no doubt about it
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jacob Sooter, Kyle Fredericks, Landon Macdonald, Tyler Miller
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Nailartloveressie
When the ground beneath my feet gives way
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
All my world is washing out to sea
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of the truth
That You are holding tighter still to me
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't be undone
The Rock of our Salvation
My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My support within the raging flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of Your truth
That You are holding tighter still to me
The Rock won't move and His word is strong
The Rock won't move and His love can't beโฆ
@njokimcl
"When the ground beneath my feet gives way
And I hear the sound of crashing waves
All my world is washing out to sea
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of the truth
That You are holding tighter still to me... THE ROCK WONT MOVE & HIS LOVE CANT BE UNDONE....My hope is in the promise of Your blood
My support within the raging flood
Even in the tempest, I can sing
I'm hidden safe in the God who never moves
Holding fast to the promise of Your truth
That You are holding tighter still to me"
@dandonahue1403
If we Christians would walk in the knowledge of the immutable nature of God's character, His love for us, and the assurance of our salvation in Jesus Christ, then we would live fearless lives of love that would inspire an unbelieving world to turn to Jesus. I acknowledge my own need to walk in that faith. This song does an amazing job of illustrating this for us. Thank you Vertical Worship.
@louisbrucetatarsky9817
I often question my lack of walking in faith. Iโll pray, through the Holy Spirit send the understanding and courage we need.
@kevindavis6839
I sing along loudly with this amazing song, "The Rock won't move, no, the Rock won't move!" That's a wonderful Truth that all followers of Jesus can adopt as their anthem of faith. Our Firm Foundation, Christ the Solid Rock, is the only ground where we can stand that wonโt move or let us down. Thatโs something worth singing about.
@amitkremer7439
I am a jew, and i declare that Jesus Christ is the rock of my salvation that won"t move. amen!!!!!
@cindygillilianbowe3215
Amen
@mongmm.
Amen. Itโs a miracle. Messiah is coming soon again!
@michelesturtevant
@@mongmm. That is excellent, Monica! I really dig the chord progressions of this song. I love, love, love this song!!!
@katal8242
You won't regret
@rebekahkubli8162
Hallelujah โค
@herobear88
Just had my apartment flooded last weekend and God has really used it draw to Him. He Will be there. No matter what happens