For The Sake Of The Call

Album: For The Sake Of The Call (1990)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the title track of Christian Contemporary musician Steven Curtis Chapman's fourth album.
  • Prior to the recording of the album, Chapman had been immersing himself in some classic literature. He recalled in CCM Magazine presents 100 Greatest Songs In Christian Music: "I was asking myself a lot of questions about what I do. Like, what does it really mean to call myself a Christian, a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ?" Chapman came across a book called The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Said Chapman: "I think it took me a year to read it, because I'm a slow reader and it's a very deep book. But it really challenged me; it was one of those times in life where God just took me by the hand and said, 'Alright, come on; I'm taking you somewhere you've never been before.' And he really did that with that book. As I was reading it, I found a passage that talked about the fact that the disciples didn't follow Christ for the sake of a great cause or a dream. It was simply because Jesus said, 'Come, follow Me.' They recognized that He was more than just a man. And though it didn't make sense to anyone, maybe even to themselves, they responded for no other reason than that He had called. I finally began to understand that to me, that's what it means to follow Jesus Christ."
  • For The Sake Of The Call won the 1992 Dove Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Album and the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Gospel Performance.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"

Narada Michael Walden - "Freeway of Love"They're Playing My Song

As a songwriter and producer, Narada had hits with Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Starship. But what song does he feel had the greatest impact on his career?

Loreena McKennitt

Loreena McKennittSongwriter Interviews

The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.