If you can believe it, 2007 marks the twentieth anniversary of Steven Curtis Chapman's debut as a recording artist. Yet the 44-year-old singer/songwriter is less concerned about his past accolades or future uncertainties than he is focused on living in the present—a theme that runs throughout his new album This Moment, whether appreciating the efforts of his wife, watching his daughters grow up, and playing music on tour with his two boys, Caleb and Will Franklin. How does Chapman maintain such a fresh perspective after all these years? We chatted about it firsthand during the opening weekend of the Live In This Moment Tour.

You're known for making albums that revolve around specific themes. When did you start doing that?

Chapman: I think I started doing that around For the Sake of the Call. I found that's when my writing became really thematic, and at that point I started realizing more that this craft is something God had given me. At that time, I started reading more and digging deep for themes, communicating through song what God was showing me in my own life. When I'm writing songs for a record, I'm often inspired by readings and sermons by my pastor.

When I first started on This Moment, there was so much going on in my mind, my heart, my life, and even in the music industry! I was wrestling with so many different voices of input from people, like the label and management—"do this, don't do that." While they're all great people who love me and only want the best, they all have their own opinions.

To what degree was industry pressure a factor in shaping this album and where is your place within the current Christian music landscape?

Chapman: To be honest, the industry is so upside down right now that no one even knows what's going on! So in that sense, I felt the pressure from people around me saying, "You really need to deliver [with this album]." And if they give me just an ounce of that, I'd turn it into a ton of pressure and really internalize it!

Plus, I'm still trying to figure out my place personally and what my role is at this point. First I was the new kid on block, then I was in a season along with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant topping the charts, steering the direction of what contemporary Christian music looks like. Now we're in a new season where everything's changing. There's are a lot of new, young talent, so I find myself in more of a mentoring role—like helping a band like Casting Crowns have a voice and [connect them with audiences]. All that to say there's been a lot of soul searching, to the point of what my pastor calls, "The paralysis of analysis."

It sounds like you've managed to silence those voices on the record by living "one moment at a time." How did you reach that point?

Chapman: I stumbled across a verse in Revelation that says, "Write therefore the things that are seen." Here I was in the middle of this internal struggle, and it was like God telling me, "These are your marching orders—write the things you've seen and don't worry if you satisfy the record guys." I felt like I was supposed to step in the water, but I was looking for the Red Sea to part to give me a path of dry land. But God was telling me, "I've given you that so many times before. This is more of a Jordan crossing—I want you start this journey. Take the first step and then I'll show you."

My first record released in 1987, so now that I'm at the 20-year-mark, I find myself looking over my shoulder and thinking, Wow, it was great when we did that. But then I also look ahead and wonder, Will there even be an industry 10 years from now the way things are going? God has taught me to only concern myself with following Jesus in this moment and leave all the rest to him.

So many songwriters today seem to recycle the same ideas over and over, but you manage to keep some fresh perspective with every album. How intentional is that?

Chapman: I've never analyzed that—and it would probably be deadly for me if I did—so I'll answer with what people have told me about what makes my music special to them: that I've put words to what their heart wishes it could say. And I'd say that probably stems from my desire to be honest and open with my songs. If I'm completely honest about dealing with insecurities, brokenness, and other things I'm wrestling with, then people discover we're all in the same boat. From day one, it's been about being open with myself, but also putting myself beside someone listening to my music, wondering, Does this apply to them and can they connect?

One of the greatest songs to me is "The Living Years" by Mike & the Mechanics, which kills me every time I hear it. It's about a guy wrestling over his relationship with his dad, and it's crafted with so much heart that you can't help but find yourself in that song. To me, that's the amazing thing about music, because in the same way, I deliberately wrote "I Will Be Here" to honor my wife, but then I hear from single people who tell me that God ministers to them through that song.

Your new song "Cinderella" kind of works in that way, talking about your daughters growing up so fast.

Chapman: "Cinderella" was the first song I wrote on this journey. I went to give my youngest girls a bath one night, and it was right around the time of big meetings with the record label where I have to play them what I had written up to that point. I was really stressed and needed to get back to writing, but also needed to spend time with the girls, so I was frustrated and irritated. I told them to take the bath quickly, but of course they wanted to play and I didn't have much time. I finally got them into bed and told them to pray … fast: "Just pray for the immediate family and no orphans tonight!" (laughing)

So finally they got to bed, and once I was alone [in my writing room], it's like God had just two words for me: "Emily Chapman," my 21-year-old daughter who's getting ready to graduate college. And my heart turned straight to guilt because I didn't want to rush through these moments any more. I sat down that night and it was the easiest song I've ever written. The next morning, I brought it to the record company meeting, even though I didn't think it was quite done. But after I played it and looked up, everyone was crying and sobbing. I guess it connected! I recorded the song just as I played it that day.

What about the inspiration behind "One Heartbeat at a Time," which is your tribute to motherhood?

Chapman: When we first adopted our daughter Shaohannah, she was having night terrors during the adjustment process. I remember just kneeling by her bedside praying while my wife cried with her during those really intense times. I went on a Christmas tour shortly after and as I was talking to my wife from the road, she kept saying how the episodes were continuing. She kept thinking her life was pointless because all she was doing was cleaning up after an eight-month-old and trying to keep the other kids on track at school, rather than getting anything else done around the house.

So one night I was thinking and praying about how to communicate what a difference she was making, and wrote this song about how mothers are truly changing the world "one heartbeat at a time." They might not see it now or may never believe it, but time will prove it. I actually sang that one at a Women of Faith conference in a room full of 20,000 women. When I was done, I had to remove my ear monitors to hear what they were chanting: "Record it!" When you have 20,000 mommas telling you that, you're an idiot if you don't!

You've shied away from worship music in the past, but now touch on it with the songs "Yours" and "With One Voice."

Chapman: It was natural and very organic this time. In the past, I never wanted to record worship music just to sell records. I've always just felt like there are guys who were born to write worship music—it's just the fiber of who they are. But then it felt natural to me on tour in Asia. I'd walk into orphanages where no one even understands English and I'd think, What do I have to give? Sure I could sing a song and make them smile, but how can I really tell them, "God cares about you?"

Well, I found that the orphanages would sometimes put together a little band or choir to do music for me and other guests, and I always found them singing songs like "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" and "Here I Am to Worship." So I'd get up there and sing a few of my songs, followed by "Open the Eyes of My Heart," and that's where we'd unite with one voice under the language of worship. So in preparing for this project, I went to the feet of the masters like Matt Redman and Martin Smith [Delirious], wanting to learn from them. I ended up co-writing "With One Voice" with Matt—it's not just a cool idea, but something I hope to give back as a voice to the worship experience.

Let's talk about your boys, who I know inspired "You Are Being Loved." How did your sons shape the sounds on this record and what's it like having them play in the band for this tour?

Chapman: I can honestly say the fellas have more fingerprints on this record than any before. And that's amazing because when they were 8 or 9 years old, I thought, If I could somehow stay cool enough that when they're old enough and good enough, would they want to play music with me? At this point, I figured they'd say, "We love you Dad, and we love "Dive," but your music isn't cool enough for us."

But now Caleb is 17, playing guitar, and Will is 16, playing drums. We're all listening to music together and they've inspired me to write. I was on the Winter Jam tour with Hawk Nelson and Sanctus Real and was introduced to a lot of [new alternative music]. The question that came up was how to take the stuff that's real modern and use it without being something I'm not—like the middle-aged woman in the miniskirt. I want to try and incorporate those new elements into what I do without it sounding ridiculous. Having my sons with me making the record and performing on tour helps us feed off each other, and it really inspires me.

Do you feel like you were able to make an album that attracts old fans while bringing something new to the table?

Chapman: I do and I totally feel at peace with that. Working with [producer] Matt Bronleewe [Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin] also helped with that whole process. I usually use a producer as more of an editor, like with Brown Bannister, who'd ask me for ten ideas and then tell me which ones to use. The great challenge with Matt is he's more [collaborative], bringing loads of guitar tracks and keyboard parts to the table. Normally I'm a creature of comforts, but mixing it up was such a good thing and Matt's become such a great partner in the process. This Moment has a lot of familiar angles, but people are already telling me how fresh and modern it feels to them. We started with the same skeleton and then built various new elements in the skin and clothes around it, but there was still the same living organism in there.

For more about Steven Curtis Chapman, visit our site's artist page. Look for his album This Moment to release on October 23. Visit Christianbook.com to listen to song clips and buy the music.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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