Mars Hill Music. THE Mars Hill? Yes, The Rob Bell Mars Hill. Mars Hill has been labeled an Emerging Church. For some time I have been describing it to people as not an Emerging Church but as being neo-conservative. Interestingly, I heard in one of their recent sermons, they called themselves the same thing, which is very interesting, because the term has only been used before to describe politics, not religion, so I guess that settles that. They have copped a bit of criticism at what can seem like liberal overtones. Actually, it's the most conservative fellowship I have ever encountered, if being conservative is truly trying to live life in the example of Yeshua. They are the new conservative, hence, neo-conservative. Late in 2006 they released a double CD worship album called Worship In Every Direction.

I have now had time to digest this CD over the last few months. It took a few listens to grow on me. Actually it was being at Mars Hill and experiencing first hand this unique style of worship that made me truly appreciate it. You'll recognize a few familiar songs here like Let It Rise and even hymns like I'll Fly Away (I kid you not), interspersed with chunks of scripture and creeds read aloud with full audience participation. The writings of GK Chesterton are here too. They even diverge into some country licks for a few songs. I know country music needs salvation too, but is this really what it looks like? :P It's ok, there's not enough there to be more than a mild distraction, and this is why iPods and CD players let you skip forward afterall.

The songs are themed around 6 words that capture the essence of Mars Hill's philosophy. They are namely, Outward, Backward, Inward, Withward, Forward and Upward. The Mars Hill website will give a breakdown of the story behind each word.

In listening to this album as I write this review, it's very hard. To write that is. There's a raw authenticity here that makes it hard to put this music on and just listen. I am drawn into worship, even though these are songs I have grown up with and are pretty stale to my ears, they are fresh to my heart. They are sung with apparent brokeness, as though not performed, but instead, breathed out, through the music. The song Stay Empty brings me to such a point of contemplation of the Fathers Heart for us, it literally makes my eyes well up. Then without missing a beat we move into Come Thou Fount, a recently written hymn, by Sara Groves. There's truly something here for everyone.

It took some time to grow on me, and perhaps a visit to Mars Hill itself to experience this first hand. I do recommend it though. If you're used to Hillsong worship, you'll be getting something very different here. I would say refreshingly different. God is doing something in this fellowship of believers who are truly making a real difference in the world, and I think their heart is reflected here in a beautiful way.

Unfortunately it seems at this point in time this double CD is only available for purchase from musicatmars.com. A search of Amazon and iTunes brought no results. Go to the trouble of buying this, it's well worth it.

4.5 out of 5.

Buy it here at http://www.musicatmars.com