A Deep Dive into Christian Music and the Journey Towards Faith
Greetings and welcome to another edition of the Faithful Presence Podcast!
Faithful Presence is moving out and moving up. This podcast recording with multi-genre-award-winning musical artist, producer, and director, Steve Taylor, is our last on Substack. It is certainly the cherry on top of our time on this platform.
Starting next week, we are moving all of our content to our newly rebuilt website at faithful-presence.org. Our new platform will allow us to better deliver our content to servants and leaders engaging in and for the public square.
- Monday, August 10, our new site will be fully live.
- Tuesday, August 11, we will release a new edition of the Presence Weekly, with weekly installments every Tuesday.
- Wednesday, August 12, our newly revamped Faithful Presence Podcast will drop with new episodes on the second, third, and fourth of each month.
- Thursday, August 13, we will release a special edition of the Pastor’s Briefing with new editions coming on the first Wednesday of each month.
Additionally, we will be adding curriculum, discipleship assessments, and other content regularly.
We are excited about the move and look forward to seeing you there.
Rev. Michael Langer
Founder and President, Faithful Presence.
In this episode of the Faithful Presence podcast, Michael sits down with the legendary Steve Taylor, a recording artist, producer, and filmmaker who earned his reputation as the "Renaissance Man of Christian Music" by pushing creative boundaries for over four decades. From Grammy and Dove Award nominations to directing Blue Like Jazz and producing this year's critically acclaimed film Sketch, Steve has spent a lifetime shaping the landscape of faith-driven art.
Michael and Steve talk through Steve's early years in Christian music, how punk rock shaped his sound, and how he built a career on challenging norms through sharp lyricism when much of the industry wanted to play it safe. They cover his move into filmmaking with Blue Like Jazz, his history with the Newsboys, and his longtime friendship with recording legend Russ Taff, including the story behind Russ's comeback album Cover Story.
Steve is currently on tour with Russ Taff.
The Faithful Presence Podcast
Whole-Life Discipleship. In the Whole of Life. For the Whole of the Public Square.
Faithful Presence equips servants and leaders in the public square to flourish as they participate in Christ's mission of making all things new.
"B-O-O-G-A-L-O-O" (2010) by the Diplomats of Solid Sound is used by license. Scheduling by Josie Risinger
Post-production by Andrew Brinkmann
(c) 2025, Faithful Presence, all rights reserved
You can also view the video version on our YouTube channel:
We have many great episodes already recorded, edited, and ready to go. In the coming weeks, we will feature:
Dr. Amy Black, Ph.D, a Professor of Political Science at Wheaton College and the author of Civil Religion and the Renewal of American Politics, a comprehensive analysis of how religion can be used to strengthen democracy through fostering religious pluralism. She previously served as Congressional Fellow in the office of Melissa A. Hart.
Dr. Greg Forster, the president of Karam Fellowship, a learning community of theological educators dedicated to theology for the life of the world. He’s also an affiliate professor of biblical and systematic theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, the executive director of the Christian Investing Council, and the author of ten books.
New episodes drop on Wednesdays!
Faithful Presence exists to provide whole-life discipleship in the whole of life for the whole of the public square. Join us as we seek renewal in politics and the public square by becoming a Supporting Partner.
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