Veteran worship leader Darlene Zschech believes the Church is once again entering a season in which God is moving powerfully and new expressions of worship are emerging. The Australian singer and songwriter, formerly of Hillsong, reflected on the relationship between worship and revival during an interview with Michael Foust on his "Crosswalk Talk" podcast.
Looking back at earlier periods of revival and comparing them with what she sees happening today, Zschech said she believes the Church is living in “revival days again.” “The new song has always coexisted with a fresh revival on the Earth, wherever it was,” she said.
“It was always a new song that accompanied historical revivals, and we’re there again.” She is encouraged by a new generation of Christian songwriters emerging within the Church and urges them to build upon the foundations laid by those who came before them. “Seriously, I’m in awe of some of these songwriters now that are picking up these new frequencies, but their job is still the same,” she said.
“When we’re creating worship for the church, we’re not trying to be clever; we’re trying to release something out of people.” Zschech said she wanted younger worship leaders and songwriters to “get on our shoulders and go as high and as wide as you can,” adding that she found this season “so exciting.” Her reflections came as she discussed "The House of Worship," a new film bringing together influential worship artists and looking back over 25 years of songs that have shaped contemporary Christian worship.
Zschech recalled experiencing what she now recognizes as revival during the formative years of the modern worship movement in Australia, when worship services would frequently lead directly into calls for people to respond to the Gospel.