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November 24, 2009
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Home > Music > Interviews > 2004 |  
Zschech, Please
Darlene Zschech, Australia's first lady of worship music, lives a busy, busy life—and loves every minute of it.




And still juggling things at church?

ZschechI'm fortunate because I have a huge team where I don't have to do as much of the work now at church. I sort of oversee the department where there are a lot of writers and worship leaders. It's a huge church. I want the house of God to be full with excellent praises that really bring him glory. So, even when I'm sleeping, my mind is full of new ideas and things I'd love to see happen.

Sometimes I do get tired, and that's usually when it's time for a holiday. And I've had to stay accountable to people who've told me honestly when I've let things get too crazy. That's part of the riches of being in the body of Christ. I'm never out there doing all of it on my own. I'm just doing life with the people I love.

And you've kept it a priority to be back at your home church as often as possible.

ZschechI'm not a "road" kind of person. I come to the States six or seven times a year; we also go to Asia and the U.K. Sometimes I go for two days and come back home because I don't like to leave the children. At times we'll all travel for a few weeks at a time. But home, and home church, is the prize. It's where we're fed and nurtured. It's where all of my spiritual babies are and I don't like leaving them either.

What do you think are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the recent increased growth of worship music in the church and in the Christian music industry?

ZschechI am up for anything that gives glory to God. I love what's happening with praise and worship. I pray that it is truth, and we can't go around judging that. Only God can determine truth in worship. And if creativity isn't as forthcoming as it should be because some songs are found again and again on album after album, then it's up to you. Stir it up. I don't think worship is here to serve our gifts; our gifts are here to serve the call of God on our lives.

Worship has very little to do with music. When I was out in the middle of Rwanda with nothing, there were beautiful kids, and parents alike, who were lifting up songs. They were saying that the enemy can try to take my life, but he can't steal my song.

I've been in the Catholic Church, in the United Church, the Anglican Church, and in many other churches, and when worship is offered in truth, this sound emerges—regardless of the style. It's the sound of the human heart connecting with its Maker. It's quite magnificent.

We have to keep understanding the value that heaven places on praise and worship. It's one of the very few things that are of eternal value. It's resounding throughout eternity. Then wherever worship finds itself, it doesn't matter as long as it's being offered in truth.

How would you describe worship that's "being offered in truth"?

ZschechI think only each of us can make sure our worship is offered in truth; only we can get our hearts right before God. Then let our gifts serve that. It'll come out in our lives, our homes, our families, our marriages, at school—it'll come out everywhere. We won't be able to help ourselves, because it seeps out of our pores and makes people go, "Wow! What is it about that person? Ah, that's a Jesus person." That's the reality of what happens when we worship in truth. The presence of God is continually there, but you continually welcome God's presence into your circumstance—and not just on Sundays.




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