Elevation Worship is the worship music ministry of Elevation Church, a megachurch based in Charlotte, North Carolina, led by Pastor Steven Furtick. They have produced some of the most-sung worship songs in contemporary Christianity — 'Graves Into Gardens,' 'O Come to the Altar,' 'Rattle!,' 'Same God,' and many others.
Elevation Worship's songs have become some of the most-sung in Protestant churches globally. "Graves Into Gardens," "O Come to the Altar," and "Rattle!" appear in church setlists across denominational lines. The musical quality is high and the lyrical content is broadly theologically sound for most songs — centered on Christ, the cross, and resurrection.
Elevation Church and Pastor Steven Furtick have attracted significant criticism from Reformed and broader evangelical theologians. Specific concerns include: prosperity-adjacent preaching, a lack of traditional church accountability structures (Furtick selects his own elders), some sermon moments with unusual theological claims about Jesus, and a cult-of-personality dynamic common in megachurch settings.
Furtick has been defended by many evangelicals as theologically within bounds despite stylistic concerns. The debate is ongoing. See Elevation Church overview.
Using Elevation Worship songs in church or personal worship is different from attending Elevation Church or consuming Furtick's sermons. Many theologically careful churches use Elevation Worship music while maintaining discernment about Elevation's broader ministry. Families should distinguish between the worship music (broadly sound) and the institutional church context (warrants discernment).
Rate any movie, show, song, or channel for spiritual alignment.
Visit GodlyScore.com →