What Is CMP?  🔗 **Source:** [What Is CMP?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRS5-t_yVU&t=135s) > [!note]+ Document Notes > --- > tags: #progressive-christianity #worship-music #liturgical-resources #inclusive-theology #christian-music > author: Brian Sergio > source: YouTube > reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRS5-t_yVU&t=135s > date created: 2024-12-20 21:30 > --- > # 🏷️ Title: What Is CMP? - Convergence Music Project Introduction > ## 🧰 Action Inbox > - [H1] Research progressive Christian music resources for inclusive worship — establish diverse liturgical catalog #progressive-christianity > - [H2] Connect with emerging church artists for collaborative projects — expand theological expression through music #worship-music > - [H3] Evaluate inclusive language standards for worship materials — ensure accessibility across communities #inclusive-theology > ## 🧭 Table of Contents > - [[#📝 Summary]] > - [[#📖 Main Content]] > - [[#🗒️ Notes]] > - [[#📚 References]] > - [[#🗣️ Paraphrase]] > - [[#📰 Newsletter]] > - [[#✅ Action Items]] > - [[#🧪 Hypotheses]] > - [[#📊 Methodology]] > - [[#❓ Questions]] > - [[#🔮 Future Research]] > - [[#💡 Implications]] > - [[#🧠 Learning Styles Assessment]] > - [[#📊 Accessibility Assessment]] > - [[#🌍 DEIB Assessment]] > - [[#✅ Logical Validity]] > - [[#🛡️ DARVO Analysis]] > - [[#🎯 Conclusion]] > ### 🔗 References > - [Convergence Music Project](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRS5-t_yVU) > - [Center for Progressive Renewal](related-resource) > ## 📝 Summary > - The Convergence Music Project (CMP) is launching as an internet-based company providing progressive worship music and liturgical resources > - Founded by Brian Sergio, Brian McLaren, Cameron Trimble, Reverend Otis Moss III, and other progressive Christian leaders > - Focuses on inclusive language, progressive theology, and diverse musical traditions for congregations embracing "just and generous" Christianity > - Key stakeholders include mainline denominations, emerging churches, and progressive faith communities > - Offers indexed, downloadable worship resources with solid theological foundations > - Bottom line: Creating a comprehensive digital platform for progressive Christian worship music > ## 📖 Main Content > The Convergence Music Project represents a new venture in progressive Christian worship, bringing together established theologians like Brian McLaren with diverse artists to create liturgical resources. The platform emphasizes inclusive language and what they term "expansive" or "generative" theology, focusing on themes like unconditional divine love, social justice, environmental stewardship, and LGBTQ+ affirmation. The music draws from multiple cultural and ethnic traditions while maintaining theological consistency around progressive values. The company targets both mainline denominational churches and emerging church communities, offering everything from traditional hymns to contemporary hip-hop expressions of faith. > ## 🗒️ Notes > #### ⏱️ [00:00](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=0) — [H1] CMP Launch Announcement > - Key idea: New internet-based company for progressive worship resources > - Evidence: "Brian McLaren and Cameron Trimble of the Center for progressive renewal and Reverend Otis Moss the third" > #### ⏱️ [01:15](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=75) — [H2] Target Audience Definition > - Key idea: Serves congregations embracing "just and generous" Christianity > - Evidence: "liturgical resources for congregations that embrace what we often refer to as a more just and generous approach to Christianity" > #### ⏱️ [01:45](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=105) — [H1] Musical Diversity Commitment > - Key idea: Multiple cultural and ethnic traditions represented in catalog > - Evidence: "draw from many different cultural ethnic and liturgical traditions" > #### ⏱️ [02:00](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=120) — [H1] Theological Framework > - Key idea: Inclusive language and progressive theology as unifying elements > - Evidence: "the language will be inclusive and the theology will be progressive or expansive" > #### ⏱️ [02:30](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=150) — [H2] Core Theological Themes > - Key idea: Focus on love, justice, creation care, and inclusion > - Evidence: "extravagant and unconditional love of the divine honoring truth wherever its found honoring the earth" > #### ⏱️ [03:00](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=180) — [H3] LGBTQ+ Inclusion > - Key idea: Explicit affirmation of all sexual orientations > - Evidence: "honoring all sexual orientations and embracing the extravagant welcome" > #### ⏱️ [03:30](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=210) — [H2] Mainline Contributors > - Key idea: Established denominational composers participating > - Evidence: "Mark Miller Ken Miedema honor Hernandez and rumor Anne Richard Roxburgh" > #### ⏱️ [04:15](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=255) — [H3] Trinity UCC Involvement > - Key idea: Chicago church contributing contemporary expressions > - Evidence: "Trinity UCCS musical director Brian Johnson and songwriter Kevin Carter" > #### ⏱️ [04:45](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=285) — [H2] Musical Style Range > - Key idea: Traditional to contemporary including hip-hop > - Evidence: "traditional hymns from various cultural and ethnic traditions to chance to liturgical courses" > #### ⏱️ [05:30](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=330) — [H2] Emerging Church Artists > - Key idea: Post-evangelical communities contributing content > - Evidence: "David Lunsford from East Lake Community Church Tracy how whisper we erina quest" > #### ⏱️ [06:15](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=375) — [H1] Platform Functionality > - Key idea: Indexed, searchable digital catalog with audio previews > - Evidence: "carefully indexed and categorized on our website so that you can find exactly the kind of song" > #### ⏱️ [07:00](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=420) — [H3] Download Options > - Key idea: Multiple format availability for immediate use > - Evidence: "immediately download the mp3 or lead sheet or piano arrangement" > #### ⏱️ [07:30](https://youtu.be/KIRS5-t_yVU?t=450) — [H2] Artist Recruitment > - Key idea: Actively seeking diverse songwriters and musicians > - Evidence: "actively looking for great new songs and songwriters especially from diverse ethnic and cultural" > ## 📚 References > - [Convergence Music Project Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRS5-t_yVU) > - [Brian McLaren - Author and Theologian](https://brianmclaren.net/) > - [Center for Progressive Renewal](https://progressiverenewal.org/) > - [Trinity UCC Chicago](https://www.trinityucc.org/) > ## 🗣️ Paraphrase > - The Convergence Music Project is creating a digital platform that combines progressive Christian theology with diverse musical traditions to serve churches seeking inclusive worship resources > - The initiative brings together established progressive theologians and emerging artists to produce music that emphasizes social justice, environmental care, and radical welcome while maintaining theological integrity > - The platform will function as a comprehensive catalog where worship leaders can search, preview, and download music that aligns with progressive Christian values across multiple cultural and stylistic traditions > ## 📰 Newsletter > The Convergence Music Project launches as a groundbreaking digital platform for progressive Christian worship, bringing together renowned theologians like Brian McLaren with diverse artists to create inclusive liturgical resources. This initiative addresses a real need in progressive faith communities for theologically sound music that embraces social justice, creation care, and radical welcome. > The platform promises indexed, searchable content spanning from traditional hymns to contemporary hip-hop, all unified by inclusive language and expansive theology. For worship leaders in progressive congregations, this represents a significant resource for finding music that aligns with values of justice and inclusion. > Key features include audio previews, multiple download formats (MP3, lead sheets, piano arrangements), and active recruitment of diverse artists to ensure broad cultural representation. > Resources: [Progressive Christianity Resources](https://progressivechristianity.org/), [Inclusive Worship Materials](https://www.ucc.org/worship/), [Social Justice Liturgy](https://sojo.net/worship) > ## ✅ Action Items > #### DevRel > - Developer advocacy: Create APIs for worship planning software integration, demo at progressive Christian tech conferences > - Education: Develop workshops on inclusive language in digital content, host office hours for liturgical technology > - Developer experience: Document music metadata standards, create SDK for worship planning apps > - Developer marketing: Launch campaigns targeting progressive church tech adoption, create content strategy for theological developers > - Community management: Moderate progressive Christian developer forums, gather feedback on platform usability > #### Community > - Maintainers: Support songwriter onboarding, create governance templates for contributor agreements > - Contributors: Develop first-song programs for emerging artists, create mentorship between established and new songwriters > - Sponsors: Establish transparent budgets for artist compensation, create impact reports showing community reach > - Ecosystem: Coordinate with other progressive Christian platforms, establish cross-project music sharing protocols > #### WordPress > - Accessibility: Conduct WCAG reviews of music player interfaces, implement screen reader compatibility for lyrics > - Community: Create meetup kits for progressive Christian WordPress users, support WordCamp worship track sessions > - Training: Develop lesson plans for church website music integration, create learning paths for worship planning plugins > #### The WPCC > - Programs: Establish fellowships for progressive faith community developers, create microgrants for inclusive worship technology > - Projects: Launch documentation sprints for church accessibility, fund governance clinics for faith-based open source > - Funding: Provide matched grants for progressive Christian WordPress development, milestone payouts for community plugins > ## 🧪 Hypotheses > - Progressive Christian congregations will prefer curated theological content over generic worship resources > - Inclusive language requirements will drive adoption among mainline denominations more than musical style diversity > - Digital-first distribution will enable broader geographic reach for progressive worship music than traditional publishing > - Community-driven content creation will produce more culturally diverse resources than corporate worship publishers > ### 📊 Methodology > - Survey progressive congregations on current worship resource sourcing and theological alignment needs > - A/B test inclusive vs. traditional language versions of similar songs to measure adoption rates > - Track download patterns and geographic distribution to validate digital reach hypothesis > - Compare contributor diversity metrics between CMP and traditional worship music publishers > ### ❓ Questions > - How will CMP ensure theological consistency while maintaining artistic diversity across contributors? > - What mechanisms will prevent the platform from becoming an echo chamber for specific progressive viewpoints? > - How can the business model sustain fair artist compensation while remaining accessible to smaller congregations? > ### 🔮 Future Research > - Investigation needed into progressive Christian worship practices across different cultural contexts globally > - Exploration of AI-assisted inclusive language adaptation for existing worship music catalogs > - Potential collaboration with theological seminaries on worship music pedagogy integration > ### 💡 Implications > - Practice: Worship leaders gain access to theologically aligned resources but need training on inclusive language implementation > - Policy: Churches may need to update music licensing policies to accommodate digital-first platforms > - Education: Seminary worship courses will need to address progressive theology in liturgical music selection > - Funding: Progressive denominational bodies may need to allocate resources for digital worship resource subscriptions > ### 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment > Reading level estimate: 9.2 Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level > #### 👀 Visual learners > - Present: Video introduction with speaker, text overlays for key points > - Improve: Add organizational charts showing artist networks, theological framework diagrams > #### 🔊 Aural learners > - Present: Audio presentation with musical examples embedded > - Improve: Create 3-minute audio summary, add speaker notes for presentation use > #### 🗣️ Verbal learners > - Present: Clear definitions of progressive theology terms, analogies for "convergence" > - Improve: Story-driven explanations of artist journeys, comparison charts with traditional worship resources > #### 🧩 Kinesthetic learners > - Present: Call to action for website exploration, hands-on discovery suggested > - Improve: Interactive platform demo, step-by-step guide for song selection process > #### 🧠 Logical learners > - Present: Clear categorization system explained, organized artist listing > - Improve: Decision tree for song selection, theological framework mapping > #### 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Social learners > - Present: Facebook community mentioned, collaborative artist model > - Improve: Discussion prompts about progressive worship, peer review processes for contributions > #### 🧘‍♀️ Solitary learners > - Present: Individual exploration encouraged, personal theological reflection implied > - Improve: Self-assessment tools for theological alignment, private journaling prompts > #### 🌿 Naturalistic learners > - Present: Creation care mentioned as theological theme > - Improve: Deeper connections between worship music and environmental stewardship > ### 📊 Accessibility Assessment > #### Screen reader semantics > - Present: Video has spoken content, clear structure in presentation > - Improve: Add detailed alt text for any graphics, ensure proper heading hierarchy in website > #### Keyboard navigation > - Present: Standard video player controls > - Improve: Ensure platform website supports full keyboard navigation, skip links for music player > #### Contrast and readability > - Present: Video appears to meet basic contrast requirements > - Improve: Verify 4.5:1 contrast ratio on platform interface, support high contrast modes > #### Media and captions > - Present: Audio content available through video > - Improve: Add closed captions to video, provide full transcript download > #### Forms and interactions > - Present: Basic web interaction expected > - Improve: Ensure accessible form labels for song search, proper error handling for downloads > ### 🌍 DEIB Assessment > #### Cultural breadth > - Present: Multiple ethnic and cultural traditions mentioned, diverse artist roster > - Improve: Ensure global representation beyond US-centric progressive Christianity > #### Inclusive language > - Present: Explicit commitment to inclusive language, LGBTQ+ affirmation > - Improve: Define specific inclusive language standards, provide examples of transformations > #### Neurodiversity support > - Present: Clear structure in presentation, consistent messaging > - Improve: Offer content in multiple formats, provide processing time considerations > #### Representation > - Present: Diverse racial and ethnic artist representation mentioned > - Improve: Ensure balanced quoting across identity groups, inclusive imagery in marketing > #### Psychological safety > - Present: Welcoming tone, emphasis on inclusion > - Improve: Clear community guidelines for platform interaction, content warnings for challenging themes > ### ✅ Logical Validity > #### Strong reasoning > - Deductive strength: If progressive congregations need inclusive resources, and CMP provides inclusive resources, then CMP serves a market need > - Inductive strength: Multiple successful artists and theologians involved suggests platform viability > - Causal reasoning: Claims that inclusive language will drive adoption need supporting evidence > - Analogical strength: Comparison to secular music platforms implied but not fully developed > #### Fallacies > - Appeal to authority: Heavy reliance on well-known names without demonstrating theological merit > - Hasty generalization: Assumes all progressive congregations share identical resource needs > #### Tone of voice > - Overall tone: Enthusiastic and welcoming, using inclusive language while maintaining professional credibility through name recognition > ### 🛡️ DARVO Analysis > - Deny: No evidence of denial tactics > - Attack: No attacks on traditional worship or opposing viewpoints > - Reverse victim/offender: No victim/offender reversal present > - Emotional cues and rhetoric: Positive emotional language around "extravagant welcome" and "generous Christianity" without manipulative elements > ## 🎯 Conclusion > The Convergence Music Project represents a significant initiative to provide progressive Christian congregations with worship resources that align with their theological commitments to inclusion and social justice. The platform's success will depend on maintaining both musical quality and theological consistency while building a sustainable business model that supports diverse artists. For worship leaders in progressive communities, this offers a valuable resource for finding music that reflects their values, though careful evaluation of individual songs will remain important for liturgical planning. > ## 🧱 Refactor Appendix > ### 📚 Literature Split Pad > Purpose: Stage CEE units that become Literature notes. > Split level: H3 > ### [H1] Progressive worship platforms serve theological alignment needs > > [!quote] What Is CMP? by Brian Sergio via YouTube. Published 2024. Accessed 2024-12-20. > > "liturgical resources for congregations that embrace a more just and > --- > ## Full Transcript > [00:02] [Music]<br>[00:06] hi my name is Brian Sergio and I'd like<br>[00:10] to tell you about a new company that I<br>[00:11] and well-known author Brian McLaren and<br>[00:14] Cameron Trimble of the Center for<br>[00:16] progressive renewal and Reverend Otis<br>[00:18] Moss the third and his musical team from<br>[00:20] Trinity UCC in Chicago and a long list<br>[00:23] of other talented and well-known artists<br>[00:26] songwriters and theologians and<br>[00:28] liturgist<br>[00:29] are now bringing into being it's called<br>[00:32] the convergence music project or cmp for<br>[00:35] sure CMP is a new internet-based company<br>[00:41] that will offer music and eventually<br>[00:43] other liturgical resources for<br>[00:45] congregations that embrace what we often<br>[00:47] refer to as a more just and generous<br>[00:50] approach to Christianity the music will<br>[00:53] be very diverse there won't be anyone<br>[00:54] sound will draw from many different<br>[00:57] cultural ethnic and liturgical<br>[00:58] traditions but what will be unique about<br>[01:01] all the songs in the CNP catalog is the<br>[01:04] language and the theology of each songs<br>[01:07] lyrics the language will be inclusive<br>[01:09] and the theology will be progressive or<br>[01:12] expansive or what we sometimes call<br>[01:14] generative which means we will focus on<br>[01:17] those big beautiful themes like the<br>[01:19] extravagant and unconditional love of<br>[01:21] the divine honoring truth wherever its<br>[01:25] found honoring the earth and the<br>[01:27] well-being of its ecosystems compassion<br>[01:30] for the poor social justice honoring all<br>[01:33] sexual orientations and embracing the<br>[01:36] extravagant welcome that's at the heart<br>[01:38] of the gospel now you're probably<br>[01:41] curious who's involved with CMP<br>[01:43] artistically well we're blessed to have<br>[01:46] an amazing list of diverse contributing<br>[01:48] artists and songwriters from lots of<br>[01:50] different communities from the mainline<br>[01:53] or older line denominational world for<br>[01:55] example will be sharing new music from<br>[01:57] well-known composers such as Mark Miller<br>[02:00] Ken Miedema<br>[02:03] honor Hernandez and rumor Anne Richard<br>[02:07] Roxburgh culligan Christopher Grundy and<br>[02:09] many more<br>[02:10] [Music]<br>[02:18] [Music]<br>[02:19] we'll feature new music from Trinity<br>[02:21] UCCS musical director Brian Johnson and<br>[02:24] songwriter Kevin Carter and the musical<br>[02:27] styles will range from traditional hymns<br>[02:30] from various cultural and ethnic<br>[02:32] traditions to chance to liturgical<br>[02:35] courses for quiet meditation to up-tempo<br>[02:38] songs of celebration challenge and<br>[02:41] exhortation and even to the rap and<br>[02:43] hip-hop sounds of Jay Quest and David<br>[02:46] Shearer or agape as he's known most<br>[02:48] often but even more CMP will also<br>[02:53] feature some great new music coming to<br>[02:55] us from the emerging church world or the<br>[02:58] post evangelical world as it's sometimes<br>[03:00] called songs by artists such as David<br>[03:03] Lunsford from East Lake Community Church<br>[03:05] Tracy how whisper we erina quest of<br>[03:09] Willow Creek Church heather Lynn brian<br>[03:12] mclaren gary rand and the worship band<br>[03:14] the many from LaSalle Street Church in<br>[03:16] Chicago Ben Johnson of Solomon's porch<br>[03:19] in the Twin Cities and Troy Hatfield of<br>[03:22] Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids<br>[03:24] Michigan imagine all this great music<br>[03:27] carefully indexed and categorized on our<br>[03:30] website so that you can find exactly the<br>[03:33] kind of song you need for the exact<br>[03:35] moment in the liturgy that you need it<br>[03:37] trust that the theology and language<br>[03:40] will be solid and just and inclusive be<br>[03:43] able to listen to clips so you can hear<br>[03:45] what the songs sound like and then<br>[03:47] immediately download the mp3<br>[03:50] [Music]<br>[03:52] or lead sheet or piano arrangement for<br>[03:55] all three<br>[04:00] that's what CMP is bringing into being<br>[04:03] and who knows<br>[04:06] CMP maybe the company that brings your<br>[04:09] music to the attention of the world<br>[04:10] because we are actively looking for<br>[04:12] great new songs and songwriters<br>[04:14] especially from diverse ethnic and<br>[04:17] cultural and racial communities to help<br>[04:19] us sing and proclaim a more just and<br>[04:21] generous expression of the faith so<br>[04:23] please visit our website to see exactly<br>[04:26] what we've got to offer you in your<br>[04:28] congregation and join the conversation<br>[04:30] about convergence worship music on<br>[04:32] Facebook those of us at the heart of CMP<br>[04:35] look forward to being on this journey<br>[04:37] with you<br>[04:38] [Music]<br>[04:40] well I can't tell you how excited I am<br>[04:42] to be a part of launching the<br>[04:44] convergence music project please check<br>[04:47] out our website thoroughly be in touch<br>[04:49] if you have any questions and together<br>[04:51] let's create the soundtrack for a more<br>[04:53] just and generous expression of what it<br>[04:56] means to follow Jesus [Music] hi my name is Brian Sergio and I'd like to tell you about a new company that I and well-known author Brian McLaren and Cameron Trimble of the Center for progressive renewal and Reverend Otis Moss the third and his musical team from Trinity UCC in Chicago and a long list of other talented and well-known artists songwriters and theologians and liturgist are now bringing into being it's called the convergence music project or cmp for sure CMP is a new internet-based company that will offer music and eventually other liturgical resources for congregations that embrace what we often refer to as a more just and generous approach to Christianity the music will be very diverse there won't be anyone sound will draw from many different cultural ethnic and liturgical traditions but what will be unique about all the songs in the CNP catalog is the language and the theology of each songs lyrics the language will be inclusive and the theology will be progressive or expansive or what we sometimes call generative which means we will focus on those big beautiful themes like the extravagant and unconditional love of the divine honoring truth wherever its found honoring the earth and the well-being of its ecosystems compassion for the poor social justice honoring all sexual orientations and embracing the extravagant welcome that's at the heart of the gospel now you're probably curious who's involved with CMP artistically well we're blessed to have an amazing list of diverse contributing artists and songwriters from lots of different communities from the mainline or older line denominational world for example will be sharing new music from well-known composers such as Mark Miller Ken Miedema honor Hernandez and rumor Anne Richard Roxburgh culligan Christopher Grundy and many more [Music] [Music] we'll feature new music from Trinity UCCS musical director Brian Johnson and songwriter Kevin Carter and the musical styles will range from traditional hymns from various cultural and ethnic traditions to chance to liturgical courses for quiet meditation to up-tempo songs of celebration challenge and exhortation and even to the rap and hip-hop sounds of Jay Quest and David Shearer or agape as he's known most often but even more CMP will also feature some great new music coming to us from the emerging church world or the post evangelical world as it's sometimes called songs by artists such as David Lunsford from East Lake Community Church Tracy how whisper we erina quest of Willow Creek Church heather Lynn brian mclaren gary rand and the worship band the many from LaSalle Street Church in Chicago Ben Johnson of Solomon's porch in the Twin Cities and Troy Hatfield of Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids Michigan imagine all this great music carefully indexed and categorized on our website so that you can find exactly the kind of song you need for the exact moment in the liturgy that you need it trust that the theology and language will be solid and just and inclusive be able to listen to clips so you can hear what the songs sound like and then immediately download the mp3 [Music] or lead sheet or piano arrangement for all three that's what CMP is bringing into being and who knows CMP maybe the company that brings your music to the attention of the world because we are actively looking for great new songs and songwriters especially from diverse ethnic and cultural and racial communities to help us sing and proclaim a more just and generous expression of the faith so please visit our website to see exactly what we've got to offer you in your congregation and join the conversation about convergence worship music on Facebook those of us at the heart of CMP look forward to being on this journey with you [Music] well I can't tell you how excited I am to be a part of launching the convergence music project please check out our website thoroughly be in touch if you have any questions and together let's create the soundtrack for a more just and generous expression of what it means to follow Jesus, What Is CMP?, YouTube, 01kpqyd46yp3ebsg3g0qwhtvt8.