The Dwelling Place Project: A Review

Family. That idea, that relationship, is at the core of Christianity. The first person of the Trinity has revealed Himself as the Father and the second person as His Son. The Church is called God’s family (Ephesians 2:19). Pastors are the spiritual fathers to their congregation; in fact the favorite metaphor in the New Testament for leadership is parenthood. The Great Commission, go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19) tells all Christians to become spiritual fathers and mothers as disciplers to spiritual children. The first command God gave to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply, to be a father and mother, to be a family (Genesis 1:28), and so for many parenthood is experienced by getting married and having children of our own. All of us are called to parenthood.

It therefore should come as no surprise that adoption is a running theme throughout the Scriptures as well. The command to care for orphans is given 33 times throughout the Old and New Testaments. As biological parenthood has its spiritual counterpart in discipleship, the adoption of orphans also has its spiritual counterpart. Through faith in Christ we have been adopted by God as His sons and daughters (Romans 8:15).

These themes form the heartbeat of Simon Miner’s new worship album, The Dwelling Place Project. The original songs (all written by Simon, his wife Rosemary, and their sons), explore the themes of physical and spiritual adoption, family, and parenthood with a theological depth, personal transparency, and passion that I personally have found rare in worship music.

The opening track, Make Us One, sets the tone and lays the theological foundation of the rest of the album as a prayer for God to bring us into unity through Himself in Christ.

The title track, Dwelling Place, The Story of Our God, As We Gather at Your Table, O Christ Whose Blood, Carried, and Hope of the Ages, reflect on our spiritual adoption into God’s family and the joy, love, support, and sense of belonging that we find there.

Take All of Me (Rosemary’s Song) and The Love You’re Looking For (Sedric’s Lullaby) beautifully express the love and joy that comes through being a spouse and a parent. Along with these two songs are a pair of short tracks, Jesus Died on the Cross and You’re In My Heart which are sung by Simon’s sons.

The album ends on a powerful note with Beneath this Christmas Moon, in which Simon shares the desire he and his family have to adopt a daughter. It is a beautiful prayer for God to move in His sovereign love and provision to fulfill this longing He has given them to bring their dream to fruition. In fact, all the proceeds from this album will go to cover the costs of their adoption.

Great sound (you will not believe that this was recorded in one of the Sunday school rooms in the basement of my church), a variety of music, theological depth, a clear theme, and all for a great cause. Could you ask for anything more? I think not! This is a great album that will be a blessing to you and those you share it with. I seriously cannot recommend it highly enough.

For more information on Simon and to purchase a copy of The Dwelling Place Project check out http://dwellingplaceproject.com. You will be glad you did.