TO BE ENTERED TO WIN A FREE COPY OF GUNGOR’S NEW ALBUM, SIMPLY WRITE YOUR FAVORITE WORSHIP ARTIST/GROUP AND A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF WHY IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. FOR A SECOND CHANCE TO WIN, RT ON TWITTER OR RE-POST WITH A LINK TO JONATHAN SIGMON ON FACEBOOK. WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED AT RANDOM. CONTEST ENDS THURSDAY, MAY 20TH AT MIDNIGHT.
Maybe you have never heard of Gungor, but my advice to you is to take a listen! I got the privilege of doing a phone interview with Michael Gungor, the lead singer of the band, and got to ask him a bunch of questions. Some of them were serious and some were just for fun. I hope you will enjoy this podcast-style interview, which I’ve posted below (no visuals, really). I’ve also posted the questions and a few highlights of Michael’s answers below.
Gungor Interview with Jonathan Sigmon from Jonathan Sigmon
Tell us a little bit about your faith journey and your music.
I’ve grown up in the church and following Christ, but what that means has definitely changed…
What is your favorite t-shirt?
V-necks.
What’s it like to work with your wife? Is it hard to transition between work and fun?
“We both have the musician temperament and so sometimes the ordinary life skills come more difficult.” Yep.
Your album is called Beautiful things. What would you plant in your garden if you were growing something?
“I would plant peace in my garden.” 
What’s the goal of your music?
The content and the message are important, but the artwork was just as important as that artwork.
Interesting quote: “If music is just about the lyrics, then the music is basically just propoganda.”
What would you say is the purpose of a corporate worship gathering? (9 minute mark)
To gather to remind ourselves what we are supposed to be doing.
“WWJD?”
How do you respond to criticism, whether it be to your music, what you stand for, etc. What do you do with that?
“We should be willing to say ‘I disagree with you.’ It’s sad to see people who argue for a God that doesn’t love everyone.
Sometimes worship music is criticized for being overly simplistic. On a whole, do you think it should be more musical or more simple? (14:30 mark)
“Be diligent with your craft and be who you are and called to be. Don’t try to fit some other sort of mold.”
What if God was one of us? Just a stranger on a bus? Trying to make his way home?
What advice would you give to local worship leaders?
I would encourage local worship leaders to remind yourself of the heart of what you are trying to do. Remember the big story we are a part of.
Describe your concerts that you do outside of the church. (18:30 mark)
The “Beautiful Things Events” have a different kind of worship…
What’s the most challenging thing about leading worship on a regular basis?
The most challenging thing is that you are constantly pouring out. Worship leaders need to have times where they are filled up too, to avoid becoming jaded, dry, or cynical.
I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Michael better. Pick up Gungor’s music from iTunes here. You’ll be happy with your decision.
WANT A CHANCE AT WINNING GUNGOR’S NEW ALBUM FOR FREE? COMMENT WITH YOUR FAVORITE WORSHIP ARTIST AND WHY BELOW. IF YOU HAVE NEVER LISTENED TO WORSHIP MUSIC, JUST WRITE YOUR FAVORITE BAND. OR…JUST SAY “GIMME A CD FO’ FREE! AND SOME WAFFLE FRIES!”
