Author Archives: Warren Anderson

About Warren Anderson

Emmaus Road Worshipers is written by Dr. Warren Anderson, Director of the Demoss Center for Worship in the Performing Arts at Judson University (Elgin, Ill.), where he also directs the Judson University Choir. A Judson alumnus, he has served his alma mater in a number of capacities over the past 30+ years, especially the chapel ministry, which he led for 22 years. From 1982-2016, Dr. Anderson served six different churches--American Baptist (X2), Converge, Evangelical Free Church of America, Roman Catholic, and United Methodist--as a "weekend warrior" worship musician/pastor. He is a former member of the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine. The views expressed in this blog are not necessarily the views of Judson University.

Episode 2 of Man and His Music

Last week I returned to the blogosphere by linking to the first of 10 half-hour episodes of my father’s TV show, Man and His Music, which debuted 50 years ago on Cincinnati’s PBS affiliate, WCET, TV-48. This week, in the … Continue reading

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Back to Blogging and the 50th Anniversary of My Father’s TV Show

The time stamp indicates it’s been two years since I last conveyed thoughts via this blog, and life circumstances seem to suggest it would be OK to try to resume the activity. Thanks in advance for your consideration. I’m motivated … Continue reading

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When You Can’t Sing in Corporate Worship

“There’s no time like the present for worship leaders to put even more thought into the important ministry of putting songs on the lips of God’s people.” Continue reading

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Let the Pandemic-Concessions-for-Corporate-Worship Redemption Begin!

“We need not be thankful for the coronavirus, of course, but seeking how we might adjust our worship practices in the months ahead in light of what we’ve learned during the pandemic might be a way of being thankful in all circumstances (1 Thes. 5:18), which would be very redemptive, indeed.” Continue reading

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The Best Contemporary Worship Music Songwriter of All Time, cont.

“Crouch’s songs are eminently singable, with firm attention to structure tools like voice leading and the use of conjunct melodic lines.  They are marvelously diverse harmonically, featuring chords almost never heard in cwm these days.  And their lyrics are Davidic in their balancing of first-person devotion (personal-story) with universal-Church exhortation (cosmic-story; thanks, Lester Ruth, for the terms).  Might more cwm songwriters aspire to Andraé Crouch’s creativity and industry!” Continue reading

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The Best Contemporary Worship Music Songwriter of All Time

“It would not be an exaggeration to use MLK-like adjectives to modify any nouns related to Crouch’s efforts in segregated Protestant America, another reason his contribution to cwm is so significant.” Continue reading

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Songwriting Tips from the Experts, Part 14

“Songwriting is hard for me.  It’s not like they just come rolling out of my ears or anything.  And the only difference between me and the other guy who is a songwriter is that I cull.  I throw away a lot of stuff.  I throw it away until what is left is good.  I’m willing to do that work.  I don’t keep something until I think it’s great.” Continue reading

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Songwriting Tips from the Experts, Part 13

“The process of writing, for me, is not very cut and [dried].  One thing for sure, it’s one long process of self-editing and self-critique.  I think a lot of [songwriters are not] . . . tough self-critics or self-editors.”  Continue reading

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Songwriting Tips from the Experts, Part 12

“As you survey your worship set on any given Sunday, ask yourself who gets the best action verbs.  If the answer isn’t the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit, there’s a problem.” Continue reading

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A Few Podcasts You Might Really Enjoy

Full disclosure: I don’t regularly listen to podcasts for the following reasons: 1) I have already mourned, for many years, that unless I live to be 120, I am going to go to my grave with numerous fabulous books left … Continue reading

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