Stuart Townend (born 1963) is an English Christian worship leader and writer of hymns and contemporary worship music. His songs include "In Christ Alone", (2001, co-written with Keith Getty, Townend's first collaboration with any other songwriter),[1][2] "How Deep The Father's Love For Us", "Beautiful Saviour" and "The King of Love".[3] As of 2008, Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) lists "In Christ Alone" in its Top 25 CCLI Songs list.
Stuart Townend | |
|---|---|
 Townend in October 2008 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 1963 (age 60–61) |
| Origin | West Yorkshire, England |
| Genres | Contemporary Christian music, hymns, contemporary worship music |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, worship leader, music publishing executive |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Piano |
| Labels | Kingsway |
| Spouse(s) | Caroline (married 1988 - present) |
| Website | stuarttownend |
Career edit
Townend, son of a Church of England vicar in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire has three older siblings.[3] His father, Rev. John Townend, was vicar of Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge from 1974 until his death in a motor accident in 1985.[4] Townend started learning to play the piano at age 7.[5] At the age of 13, he made a Christian commitment, and began songwriting at age 22.[5] He studied literature at the University of Sussex.[3]
He is married with three children.[citation needed]
Townend has led worship and performed events across the world at conferences and festivals, including the Stoneleigh Bible Week in the early 1990s to the early 2000s, Keswick Convention and Spring Harvest.[citation needed] He has appeared on Songs of Praise and worked with other Christian musicians, including Keith Getty, Lou Fellingham and Phatfish.[citation needed]
In 2005, Cross Rhythms magazine described Townend as "one of the most significant songwriters in the whole international Christian music field".[3] The Christian website Crosswalk.com commented, "the uniqueness of Townend’s writing lies partly in its lyrical content. There is both a theological depth and poetic expression that some say is rare in today’s worship writing".[1]
Honours edit
In June 2017, he was awarded the Cranmer Award for Worship by the Archbishop of Canterbury "for his outstanding contribution to contemporary worship music".[6]
Discography edit
Audio edit
- Classical Praise Piano: Come Holy Spirit (1995)
- Say the Word (1997)
- Personal Worship (2001)
- Lord of Every Heart (2002)
- Monument to Mercy (2006)
- The Best of Stuart Townend Live (2007)
- There is a Hope (live) (2008)
- Creation Sings (2009)
- The Journey (2011)
- Ultimate Collection (2012)
- The Paths of Grace (2014)
- The Best of Stuart Townend Live, Volume 2 (2015)
- In Christ Alone: Songs of Stuart Townend & Keith Getty (2016)
- Courage (2018)
Audio—featuring Townend edit
- Stoneleigh Bible Week albums, 1994–2001
- Mandate—O Church Arise
- Mandate—See What A Morning
- Newfrontiers albums, 2004–2006
- Mission:Worship albums, 2006–present
- Phatfish—Hope—Unplugged Live (2002)
- Keswick Convention albums, 2007–present
- Spring Harvest albums
Video edit
- There is a Hope (live) (DVD 2008)
- Creation Sings (DVD 2009)
Video—featuring Townend edit
- Mission:Worship—Just One Touch From The King (DVD 2007)
- Worship From The Abbey (DVD 2007)
- Phatfish—There Is A Day (DVD 2006)
- Phatfish—Hope—Unplugged Live (VHS 2002)
With Keith Getty edit
- The Apostles' Creed
- In Christ Alone
References edit
- ^ a b Debra Akins. "Song Story: "In Christ Alone"". Crosswalk.com. Retrieved 19 December 2010.
- ^ In Christ Alone Songfacts
- ^ a b c d Cummings, Tony (March 2005). "Confronting The Comfort Zones". Cross Rhythms (85).
- ^ "A Brief History of Christ Church Sowerby Bridge - Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge". Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
- ^ a b . "Biography of Stuart Townend"[permanent dead link], BBC Religion and Ethics, 2004, accessed 1 May 2005
- ^ "The Archbishop of Canterbury's Awards: Citations in Alphabetical Order" (PDF). Archbishop of Canterbury. 9 June 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 June 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
External links edit
- Debra Akins, 10 Questions With Stuart Townend (Crosswalk.com)
- Stuart Townend, "Tips for writing a successful hymn", originally posted in BBC Religion and Ethics, 2004
- There is a Hope album review
- Twitter account