Our Exclusive Interview with Canadian Songwriter and Worship Leader Mike R. Schuster

Mike R. Schuster is a worship leader and singer-songwriter and a Compassion Canada Artist who resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Other than this new release, Schuster has previously released "To The World" (2011), and "Together" (2006).

This Canadian worship leader has had been privileged to lead worship and play at events such as the CCCC National Convention, Promise Keepers, Willow Creek Arts Summit, and other conferences and retreats. He has shared the stage with Jon Bauer, Jon Buller, Matt Brouwer, Colors & Tone, Luke Dowler, High Valley, Dan Macaulay, Chris Bray, Amanda Falk, Tim Milner, Dan Nel, Jacob Moon, Chris Janz, Randy Stonehill, and a host of other Christian Artists. 

Q:  Mike, thanks for doing this interview with us.  Let's start with yourself, tell us a little about yourself and your ministry. 

A: I'm a worship leader, sing/songwriter, and Compassion Canada Artist that lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with my wife Jennifer, and our two adult children. I've been a band teacher and guidance counsellor in the public school system, a full-time worship pastor, and presently work for a government agency during the week and serve churches across Canada on the weekends with Compassion.  

Q:  You have been a worship leader for many years and you already have three albums under your belt.  How would you describe your style of worship?  

A: I would describe my worship style as eclectic and inclusive. I'm a contemporary modern worship artist that loves hymns. I'm not a performer, I'm a worship leader that believes the purpose of congregational worship is engagement - turning the hearts and minds of people to their maker. I write simple, easy-to-sing songs with good theology.  

Q:  You have just released a new album where you have written new tunes to 8 old hymn lyrics.  What prompted you towards this direction?  

A: This new project may be slightly self-indulgent, but I love old hymns, and it's my attempt to preserve some great old hymn lyrics for a new generation. I've never heard some of these hymns myself in their original form, but I thought the message was still relevant to the church today.  

Q: Of all the thousands of hymns from various eras, what were you looking out for when you were choosing your hymn lyrics? 

A: I was looking for good theology and a relevant message. I tried to find hymns where the old language (Thee, Thou, Thy, etc.) wasn't essential to the rhyme scheme, so changing a few lyrics to modernize them wouldn't mess up the original message of the song. Many of these hymns were all verses, and just needed a unifying chorus to make them palatable to today's contemporary music format.  

Q:  Tell us also about the originals, I believe, there are 4 newly written songs on the record.  What are some of the crucial elements a good worship song needs to have?  

A: The four originals on this album are also co-writes with fellow contemporary worship songwriters (but these ones are living). I love co-writing because it stretches me as a songwriter and takes me in different directions. I believe that congregational worship songs are all about engagement - connecting people to God. They need to be simple (not simplistic), catchy (hooky), easy-to-sing (accessible vocal range, and intuitive), with good theology (proclaim truth).   

Q:  On your website, you have said that these songs are meant for the church to sing to.  Has this always been your passion to write in service of the church's worship?  

A: I started writing songs again in 2004 when I was a full-time worship pastor - at that point I hadn't written since my university days. I quickly realized there were huge holes in our musical repertoire - things we talked about from the pulpit but couldn't reinforce with song. My first album was based around the songs I wrote to fill some of those gaps... songs about unity in the body, submission and devotion, the trinity, grace and redemption, wonder and affection. Since that time, yes, my passion has been to write heart-felt usable songs for congregational worship that are true to the scriptures.    

Q:  You also travel around singing for churches and other Christian functions. Where can our readers go to catch you live or even to book you for their church? 

A: I have the privilege of travelling all across Canada providing churches with worship workshops and sharing my songs and my passion for social injustice issues and the work of Compassion Canada. I'm easy to find on the interweb, my website is www.mikerschuster.com or people can just search any social media site for Mike R Schuster (mikerschuster) / MyCar Music. My favorite format when I serve churches is to have a teaching session / workshop on Saturday and rehearse with the local worship team (a practical workshop), and lead the Sunday service(s) with the local team. My booking calendar is on my website.  

Website: http://www.mikerschuster.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mike-R-Schuster-MyCar-Music-306978162177  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikerschuster  

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0KLs9voWB5rngJiaI38E6_x4lF3WgtX3 

 

 

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