Vertical Worship, a Christian worship band based out of Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago, is preparing to release a new album of live recordings. Titled “Bright Faith Bold Future,” it is planned to be released on April 6 of this year. They recently released a single from that record “Real Thing,” featuring Sean Curran of Bellarive on February 9 and “Over All I Know” on March 9.

I had the opportunity to talk with one of the lead vocalists of the band, Lauren Smith, about their new album. A graduate of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, she leads worship on Sunday mornings at various Harvest Bible Chapel locations and student ministries, often at the Rolling Meadows campus.

Since the release of their debut EP, “Live Worship from Vertical Church,” in 2012, Vertical Worship has evolved in its sound, members and name. Vertical Worship was previously named Vertical Church Band and the band’s music is constantly evolving, and the broad sound of the tracks has changed since the release of their first EP.

“The Lord is doing a new thing with Vertical Worship and our team and I think you can hear it, in the songs too. It’s a new sound,” said Lauren Smith.

The 11 tracks are centered around the idea of God doing a new thing with the band and the church itself. Smith described to me that she is reminded of the verse, Isaiah 43:18-19, when thinking of the new album with the new sound. “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

“The vision of this album, ‘Bright Faith Bold Future,’ is that it’s lighter. There’s fullness of joy in the presence of God, so let’s sing about that. Let’s be uplifting.” said Smith. “I think so many worship songs are very serious, but let’s also be joyful in the Lord and express that through worship.”

“Real Thing,” the current single from the album, is based on the story of the Prodigal Son.

Through my conversation with Lauren Smith, I got the feeling that many of the new songs on this album came from humble beginnings.

“We have songwriting retreats down in Cathedral [in Chicago], where a lot of Vertical songs have been written. We’ve had a few retreats in Nashville, but it’s usually here, either as a team or my husband [Kyle Smith] and I do a lot of writing at our home. Most [writing] for Vertical Worship is as a team at a songwriting retreat.”

Collectively, the group wrote over 80 songs for consideration for the album.

I asked Lauren what inspires her to write songs, and how she starts to write them.

“For every songwriter it’s different. For me, I could be sitting in a sermon and Pastor James could say something, and I could think, ‘wow, that just struck my heart.’ And I’m inspired by that. For me, it’s whatever inspires me in the moment.” said Smith. “A lot of these songs come from our time spent with the Lord.”

I asked Lauren what her favorite song off the new album to lead worship with is.

‘Over All I Know’ is one of my favorites to lead. But also, ‘Real Thing’ is huge to me. It’s a song that’s really special to my heart.” Smith said. “God’s love looks past who you used to be and it’s after you. It doesn’t give up on you. I just love the message that the song carries.”

Lauren shared with me a few words that have had a huge impact on the way I, and many others, think.

“Be true to who He’s created you to be. You can learn from people, but I want to be Lauren Smith, the worship leader, the friend that God has created me to be. Don’t fall into the trap of striving,” Smith said, “There’s a difference between working hard and striving for opportunity. Opportunity isn’t the goal, it’s to see people’s lives changing. Keep your eyes on Jesus and allow Him to open the doors.”

I was able to attend the live recording of “Bright Faith Bold Future” in December of 2017 and I am thrilled to hear the recordings of the tracks with the live audience. “Bright Faith Bold Future” is currently up for pre-order on iTunes.