Joseph's Song-Michael Card

This song was sung by a member of both the youth ministry and adult choir of my parish last night.

Whatever happened to Michael Card? He was all over Christian radio 15 to 20 years ago.

That is a good question myself, since these last few days I have been able to have a computer of my own once again. Thanks for asking.

I played and sang this at both of our Christmas Eve services last night.

Michael Card's Website

From the Bio at his website:

In a career that spans 25 years, Michael Card has recorded over 23 albums, authored or co-authored over 19 books, hosted a radio program, and written for a wide range of magazines. While he has penned such favorites as “El Shaddai”, “Love Crucified Arose”, and “Emmanuel,” he never imagined selling more than 4 million albums or writing over 19 #1 hits. The popularity of his work seemed a stark contrast to his goal in life, to simply, and quietly teach the Bible.

Although music provided him the opportunity to share insights gained through extensive research, writing songs alone limited what he felt called to share. Card would frequently agonize over having to condense the vast depth and richness of scripture into a three-minute song. And so he fell, quite naturally, into the field of book writing where he has garnered numerous awards.

Never one to compartmentalize his spiritual life, Card's quest for community slowly seeped into his professional life as he began to write articles and books on topics that captured his imagination through conversations with Bible teachers, friends and contemporaries in both Christian music and the academic community.

Brennan Manning, Dr. Calvin Seerveld, Dr. Larry Crabb, Kirk Whalum, Dr. George Guthrie, Don Wyrtzen, J.I. Packer and the late Dr. William Lane from people known for their academic biblical contributions to Grammy-award winning musicians, Card is the first to note what an amazing community of friends and contemporaries he has had the opportunity to learn from and grow with both personally and professionally throughout his career.

"Thomas Merton said, 'The least of learning is done in the classroom,' and he’s so right," says Card. "The bulk of what I've learned whether academically, musically or personally is through interacting with other people, which is why I think community is so important to our growth as Christians."

In everything he does, Card seeks to encourage his audience to join him in his own journey to know and be known by God by asking questions and entering into meaningful discussion with one another. Card's vision is to edify the body of Christ around the world by sharing experiences and resources in the context of community in order to help facilitate the growth of smaller and more intimate communities within his audience's own churches and neighborhoods.

To that end, Card has branched out beyond the music which made his name known within the Christian community into the various mediums he uses today; another reason why Card sees the importance of continuing to teach at conference centers like Glen Eyrie, Columbia Bible College, Maranatha Bible College and even on a regular basis at his home church.

Whether it's through his writing, concerts, teaching or his radio program, the core of what binds these seemingly diverse endeavors together is biblical community. It is at the heart of everything Michael Card does.

"The one thing we strive to achieve is to reach people where they are," explains Card. "whether it's my work or the work of someone else, there's a greater chance of reaching more people, who in turn will reach out to others in their own community."

In light of a new year and a renewed focus on ministry, Card will continue doing what he loves to do; dig deep into the Word, ask questions and invite others to join him on his journey of knowing God and His Word.

Used to listen to him a lot. He is a cut above the typical pop Christian artist, as his songs try (to the extent that can be done in the three minute pop tune) to explore the depths of scripture. As his website explains.

Saw him at a church in Fredericksburg in the late 1980's. Or therabouts. (Fredericksburg VA)

A Strange Way to Save the World is a pretty good song also.