Chances are you've sung praise anthems like "Forever," "We Fall Down," "Famous One," and maybe even the new "Holy Is the Lord"—all testament to the songwriting prowess of Chris Tomlin. His music is instantly recognizable, but the worship leader keeps a pretty low profile, refusing to get distracted by stardom while remaining committed to his home church when not touring. Time off the road has been scarce since joining Steven Curtis Chapman's All Things New tour, but Tomlin says he's been encouraged by seeing so many singing his songs, reaffirming his music ministry calling. In a phone call from the road, Tomlin talked about the tour, the inspiration behind his new album Arriving, and his beginnings in the Passion movement.

What's it been like on one of this year's biggest tours?

Chris Tomlin: I've been more excited than nervous and each night has been spent making a very strong connection with people. I'm finding that a lot of people are familiar with my music, just that they didn't necessarily know I was the one who sang it. Working with Steven is just awesome too. I'm really impressed with him; there's absolutely no ego whatsoever. He's wholeheartedly committed to doing God's work.

What's a typical show like on this tour?

Tomlin: Steven opens up the night on guitar and prays for the night. Then Casting Crowns plays its set, and Steven plays with them for one final song. Then Steven plays a big medley of acoustic songs that are a bit older, but all really big hits. Then it goes right into our set, and we play most of Arriving with Steven coming in for the ending of "How Great Is Our God" and a message about adoption. There's an intermission, then Steven's set and all of us at the end come in when he starts "All Things New" on acoustic guitar, which fades into "Forever."

How does it feel to have one of your musical heroes wrapping up the show with one of your songs?

Tomlin: The ending of it is just bizarre, but shows his humility and how he's a person who understands his position and what God's given him. He's not stingy with the spotlight at all. He wants to raise up other artists, but most importantly Jesus throughout the entire concert.

How does it make you feel when people are familiar with your songs, but not necessarily with you?

Tomlin: It's more about the songs anyway. I enjoy that the songs precede me because they're God's songs and he uses them to bring about his glory. I feel like in the cases of "The Wonderful Cross," "We Fall Down" and "Forever," people especially feel like these are all their songs. They feel ownership and can therefore sing and worship God as a whole even louder than we can send off from stage.

How do you stay so humble knowing that you're still the mouthpiece for that reaction?

Tomlin: Honestly, I haven't given it all that much thought. I'm just being me and I'm the same person on stage as I am off the stage. My job is to prepare the way for God, not prepare the way for me. I just want to be faithful to continue to write songs that build up the body of Christ and I'm humble when it comes to the reaction.

These songs are all over radio and racking up Dove Award nominations. Is that distracting at all?

Tomlin: It's all part of it and it can consume you if you let it. But I understand its role and that there are certain elements that make the industry side go round. I'm just thankful that I have people on my team who want to support what I'm doing and get me out there as much as possible, but they're not going to push me farther than is appropriate. I know my limits and I seek to stay in good balance.

On Arriving, you worked with producer Ed Cash. How'd that come about?

Tomlin: I had gotten his name from both a mutual friend and my record label, but I don't know producers well enough to know who's working with who. I'd heard he worked a lot with Bebo Norman, but when I actually talked to Ed for the first time, he was a bit hesitant. He didn't have a clue who I was and had never done a worship record before. He asked for some time to think about it and pray about it, and it turned out God led him strongly to work with me. The results are great and I really enjoyed recording with him.

What has been the response to the album?

Tomlin: It's been so completely over the top, it's as if we've never made music before! When you make a CD, you don't know how people are going to receive it, but this has gone way beyond just buying the record. It's speaking to their lives and the church is using the songs so fast, considering it's only been out a few months!

What songs are connecting with congregations?

Tomlin: The first one that comes to our mind is "How Great Is Our God." It has this amazing ability to grab people like they've known it all their lives, and it's amazing to watch people who've never heard it before just go for it when they're singing it up to God. Some other special songs are "Unfailing Love," which Steven Curtis actually sings on with me on the record, and "Holy Is the Lord," which is from the last Passion event called "Sacred Revolution."

How has your ministry changed since its beginnings in Passion?

Tomlin: Actually, I was singing solo and touring a bit even before Passion, so that's always been an extension of what I was doing anyway, but on a much larger platform.

In what ways has that organization grown since its infancy?

Tomlin: It's grown bigger than any of us involved would have ever dreamed! It's always been a specialty event for college students, but the music has been a real lighthouse and beacon for the worship movement in general. The movement has gone way beyond our events for students even though they are still our target. It's brought about incredible revival and renewal on campuses and communities.

What's your relationship like with other Passion worship leaders, like David Crowder and Charlie Hall, now that everyone's schedules are so busy?

Tomlin: Matt Redman is with us now too, and we all have a great relationship and friendship with each other even though we're touring so much. When I had my record release party in Austin, David Crowder came out in full support on his day off. We've always tried to be like family, which is always a bit hard to do with everybody involved in so much. But we're all united through the same heart to serve and even we're different in musical styles, we're connected in purpose.

With all our your obligations, how do you stay close to your home church?

Tomlin: I have a guy taking my place [as a worship leader] during the times when I can't be there and I do miss it very much. It's so important to stay plugged in at home for the sake of fellowship and truly connecting with the body to reach beyond into the community. My church [Austin Stone Community Church] is set up right in the middle of downtown, and we're all about discipleship amongst one another and then going out to share Jesus with the surrounding neighborhood. The local church is God's idea and as he continues to build it, the impact on the world becomes greater. That's why as an artist it's so vital to stay close to that and keep getting recharged to get out there and serve.

Visit the artist page to learn more about Chris Tomlin, where you'll find reviews for his albums, including Arriving. Be sure to visit Christianbook.com to listen to songs and buy his music.

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