The Three Streams Story
Our Roots
Throughout the history of the Christian Church, movements that emphasized or restored biblical truths were borne on the wings of music. The Protestant Reformation, the Great Awakening and the Pentecostal Outpouring, to name a few, left a rich deposit of hymns heralding the truths of each movement. In modern movements, we speak not only of the message of the music but the style or “sound”. Witness the “Jesus People” movement of the 60's and 70's that gave rise to the worldwide ministry of Calvary Chapel and the distinct sound of Maranatha! Music. To understand Three Streams Music, then, one must understand its spiritual roots - The Convergence Movement and the Charismatic Episcopal Church.
Convergence
Convergence Worship is set within the framework of the liturgical-sacramental “stream”, and seeks to embrace the Ancient Faith in all its fullness. This means that it incorporates into the liturgical-sacramental setting the best of the other two “streams” of the Church: the Evangelical stream with its commitment to the teaching of God’s infallible Word, and the Charismatic stream that emphasizes strong expressions of praise and worship and the work and power of the Holy Spirit. With all “three streams” present, the river of God can flow in its fullness.
The Charismatic Episcopal Church
The Charismatic Episcopal Church (CEC), one of the fastest growing Christian Communions in the world, began as a single Convergence congregation in San Clemente, California in 1990. Founded in 1992 with the consecration of its first Bishop, Austin Randolph Adler, the CEC has grown in seven years from a fellowship of three congregations under one bishop in two states within the USA, to a communion of some 600 parish churches under the oversight of twenty-five bishops on four continents. Three Streams Music was formed at the urging of Archbishop Adler in 1998 by three members of the original CEC church in San Clemente. Our mission from the beginning was primarily twofold; First, to serve the CEC by providing resources to publish, produce, record and distribute the growing body of musical work produced by CEC members around the world. Today, there is a groundswell of desire from the tens of thousands of CEC communicants to be connected through their common music. Second, to impact the Body of Christ and the world at large with the sound of convergence worship.
The Convergence Sound
Convergence music draws from treasures old and new weaving the elements and themes of ancient worship into contemporary musical styles. The music forms a rich tapestry of musical expressions; joyful…contemplative...worshipful…uplifting…inspirational. The varied songs will find a welcome home in liturgical settings, congregational worship, personal devotions or casual listening. Convergence music should appeal to a wide Christian audience because of its unique synthesis of diverse Christian influences. But music is better heard than described and hearing the first project of Three Streams Music, Vox Domini, is all the description needed.
Vox Domini
Set to various contemporary musical styles by Three Streams Music co-founder Kimberly Scoggin, are words from liturgical settings, devotional prayers and hymns. O Be Joyful is Psalm 100 set to an irresistibly upbeat tune while the contemplative Prayer for Surrender renders a Catholic devotional prayer in a mystical Celtic mood. Glory to God in the Highest is an interpretation of a liturgical passage, The Gloria, which would pump energy into any Charismatic worship service, and Holy God We Praise Thy Name is a spirited revival of a venerable old hymn. From the time of Christ, the Church has been a cord of three strands ---Liturgical-Sacramental, Evangelical and Charismatic! While the Church has not always reflected this diversity in unity perfectly in its life together, we believe that God is doing something special in our day. In Christian congregations around the world, God is removing barriers and re-braiding the three strands of the Ancient Church's life - Liturgical-Sacramental, Evangelical and Charismatic - into one strong cord. We invite you through our music, to join us on this incredible journey. We at Three streams Music have been blessed with the awesome experience of watching treasures old and new restored to their proper place in the Church - and we give thanks to God for this undeserved delight.