Shout to the Lord: Darlene Zschech on Music, Faith, and 'House of Worship'

Darlene Zschech. Photo image courtesy Integrity Music.
Worship music has a unique power to do more than inspire—it can draw people into the presence of God, strengthen the faith community, and speak to those who are searching for a deeper relationship with Him.

That power takes center stage in House of Worship, a new concert movie opening in theaters nationwide August 23rd. The powerful cinematic worship experience brings together 25 of Christian music’s most influential artists for an unforgettable celebration of the songs that have shaped generations of faith.

Among the featured artists is world-renowned worship leader and singer Darlene Zschech, whose voice and ministry have helped define modern worship for millions around the world. Alongside Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Matt Redman, Kari Jobe, Martin Smith, and others, Zschech helps create a moving experience that invites audiences not simply to watch, but to worship.

I recently sat down with Zschech to discuss House of Worship, the enduring impact of worship music around the world, and why these songs continue to resonate with both longtime believers and those seeking a deeper walk with God.

Simply put, how did such an amazing night of music come together?

It's wild. It literally started at lunch with Michael (W. Smith) and a couple of friends who had been thinking about this, and they wanted to talk to us about it. The people in this movie are our friends. People ask, "How did you get so many people together?" But literally, we just sent a joint invitation and said, "Hey, on this day, we'd love to do this. We'd need two days of your time."

There's not a lot of overdubs. It's raw and real. And apart from people who were literally out of the country, everyone else said yes. It was really amazing. And look, I will say the genius people on the backend who were trying to put all the different things together to actually make the technical side of it all work, they worked their tails off. But as far as people saying yes to the invitation, it was just such a lovely, lovely moment.

This film features 25 of the most influential praise and worship singers and songwriters of the last half century. People like Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, Matt Redman, Martin Smith, Kari Jobe, on and on it goes. Why these 25?

We could have asked a lot more. The songs helped lead that as well, especially with the historical leaders of worship. To have Brian Doerkson (recently deceased) …I am so glad that we got to celebrate him like that in that moment.

I think the songs helped. There are a lot of people on fire right now for this generation. It's like," Hey, come and be with us because of the timelessness of worship.” Sometimes artists, and I don't ever call myself a worship artist. I just feel like it brings too much attention to me. But I know that's a regular saying in the States. We wanted to say to these younger guys, "Hey, we don't pass our baton on till we die, right? Our roles and things change. And part of what we, as the older ones now, are called to do. We are here to light your flames. We are here to pour fuel on your fire. And we will do it until we have our last breath." That was also part of it.

I want to challenge that notion of competition. I want to challenge that notion of even some of the industry standards. It's like, no, no. We don't have to live like that. We are in this together. We are here to partner with what God is doing across the earth. We are here to bring a voice to it. So, let's go. That's what was so exciting. There wasn't a record company vying for this or that. We were in this together. It is the greatest privilege of my life to champion the next generation. It is whatever God is doing on the earth because He uses older and younger people. We can often worship younger, but the worship of God being so timeless and eternal, there's a place for everyone. It's every man, woman, child, every nation, tribe, and tongue. It's like, come on, let's go. And you younger guys, we got you. We got you.

For the sake of our conversation, how would you define modern worship music?

I wouldn't say even modern. I would just say worship music. Wherever that sits. Remember, worship has been going on since the beginning of all things. So, it's like, in these decades, they are still songs that reveal the worth of God. And worship, truthful worship helps us unlock these prayers in our hearts that take us before the Lord. It is an opportunity for us to say things like, "Lord, you are magnificent." And these songs invite us into these deep places of God, that are invitations into the throne room of God. So yes, music can describe all the things, the feelings, and the moments in our lives, but worship reveals His worth.

If we can keep it that simple, the style, the sound, the expression of it musically changes as cultures change, but the reason why, the heartbeat, and the whole focus of our worship is exactly the same. It is a timeless energy.

From your perspective, is there any set formula as to how to write and create a worship song that will stand the test of time? Or is it clearly an organic experience, with no real set standard as to what it takes?

I think if there was a set standard, there'd be a lot more songs out there that stand the test of time. When songs come out of an authentic kind of relationship with Jesus, and all of our journeys in Jesus are messy, there's highs, and there's lows. Sometimes you feel like you're on mountaintops, and sometimes you're in valleys. But I think when it's authentic and you just come in and really say those deep things, that is a pure start. You have got to have something to say. You’ve got to have something to say that rings true. And it’s just not a case of does this rhyme? But more importantly, does this ring true? If the Holy Spirit is leading you forward, it's not enough to just rhyme for it to be a good song.

You have been around praise and worship music for quite some time. Do you have a worship song that you consider your favorite or the gold standard in this genre of music?

It's really hard to pinpoint. It is like picking one of your favorite children. If I'm leading worship, I'll tell you this. And if I feel like there's a bit of a wall where I don't feel like they're opening themselves or trusting me to lead them, right? It's a trust relationship when you're leading someone to worship. So, I slow it all down and I sing, "Hallelujah." And by the next line we are all in. “Agnus Dei” is a song that people trust. They open up. I've seen it happen a thousand times. It's like it takes their heart and they feel safe. And that opens their heads up. I have texted Michael (W. Smith) a thousand times when I've been somewhere and have said, ‘“Agnus Dei’ is changing the nation. Love you.” And it’s just because it does. There's lots of songs I like for their musicality, but to see a congregation or a sea of people in an arena, it doesn't matter where you are in the world. “Amazing Grace” does the same thing. These songs are such a gift.

After people have had a chance to watch House of Worship, what would you like audiences to take away from that experience? What is your greatest hope for the film?

There are a few things. I think there's people my age who maybe did have encounters with Jesus all those years ago. But they've either walked away from their faith or just grown a bit apathetic. But all those seeds, Kingdom seeds are there. And I really am praying that, number one, House of Worship will remind people of the call that God has placed on their lives. And it's like, hang on a minute. I encountered Jesus. What have I done? What am I doing with my life before Him? That would be one thing. We want the testimony of Jesus to be everywhere. And that's why the story of these songs came to be. They've outlived the trends. They are just these beautiful, beautiful pieces of music that are timeless. We want to tell the testimony of the goodness of God.

And then lastly, some of these younger worship leaders that we had there, just to remind the younger worship leaders that they too have a part to play in what God is doing across the earth right now. And if they can stand on our shoulders, if they can glean anything, we want them to do that, so they have their own oil for their mission. God has placed this fire in their lives.

Worship Leaders who took part in 'House of Worship'. Photo image courtesy House of Worship Music.
House of Worship opens in theaters nationwide on August 23rd.