Articles
Lianna Klassen: Embracing Diversity in Worship
By Grace Fox for Maranatha News ~ January 2003 issue.
 ianna Klassen's worldwide music ministry reflects her love for diversity. Besides leading worship at international conferences featuring itinerant speaker James Ryle, the Calgary-based singer/songwriter teaches workshops about various worship elements. She performs concerts sprinkled with stories designed to draw her audience into a deeper understanding of God's purpose for their lives, and offers a class entitled, "People of Destiny: finding Your Identity in Christ."[back to top]
But her love for variance involves more than maintaining a multi-faceted ministry. Nominated for a Juno award in 1999 and best known for her composition, "Song for Canada," Klassen says her mandate is to celebrate diversity in worship itself.
"Every culture is called to worship Jesus," she says. "I want to declare unity and freedom in worship so believers everywhere feel free to adore Him according to their cultural traditions."
Klassen began writing songs as a child, but her passion crystallized after attending a gathering in Whistler, B.C. in 1995. Approximately 2,000 international believers, including representatives from indigenous groups, set aside their differences and praised Jesus together using traditional songs and drumbeats.[back to top]
"God is stirring the worldwide church toward reconciliation and healing," she says. "Churches across various cities are beginning to work together. People's wounds are being addressed. God loves His people and He's awakening His church to reflect that."
Of Klassen's four CDs, the latest three feature her unique style, self-described as contemporary Celtic world worship music "with a touch of medieval." Her Scripture-based lyrics, often inspired by one-line quotes or sermon themes, span denominations and appeal to listeners mostly ages 28 to 48.[back to top]
"But younger women with a heart for prayer also enjoy it, as do older intercessors," Klassen adds, "and little children love dancing to it!".
Grace Fox for Maranatha News
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A beginners guide to Canadian Christian Music
Ben Forrest for Cross Rhythms Magazine ~ Issue 71 November/December 2002
Thanks to money flowing from Nashville, Canadian Christian music is flourishing. Canada's Ben Forrest files this report.
 uba has its cigars, Japan its electronics, and China...just about everything else. Canada, whose history boasts more than 13 Nobel Prize winners, half of the creative talent behind Superman and pop, rock and country superstars Celine Dion, Nickelback and Shania Twain, clearly has an amazing amount of creative resource. But just as no prophet is accepted in his hometown, rarely is a celebrity-to-be embraced above 49o latitude before he makes it below. "Unfortunately, it is true that you don't get noticed in Canada until you've created a name for yourself in the US," says Greg Magirescu, one of the country's leading songwriters. "Much of my songwriting success [in Canada] comes from my efforts in Nashville, and even with that, it's still hard to get anyone to know who I am here at home."
It's a common problem. Jim Carrey, a Man of the North, and, for a time, one of the darlings of Hollywood, was nobody in Canada until he made it big with Ace Ventura while Shania Twain, of Timmins, Ontario, was a singer in Top 40 cover bands before moving to the States and changing her name (she's now one of country music's biggest players, has sold over 28 million records and is the pride of northern Ontario). [back to top]
Christian musicians are no exception. Although veteran singer/songwriter Bruce Cockburn has made a successful international career, many Christian artists have moved to Nashville and most who stay behind haven’t been able to give up their day jobs. "There are some incredibly gifted writers and performers in Canada," says Magirescu, "many of whom you'll never hear of because we don't have the radio and retail infrastructure that the US has." Although not as pitifully scarce as in Britain Canada, too, has few Christian radio and TV stations, For most artists, moving to the US often means transferring to a more receptive environment. "Population is only partly an issue [in Canada, because] there is certainly enough population in most Canadian markets to support at least one religious television station," says Shane Neufeld, executive producer of Intune, a television show that plays contemporary Christian videos. "Launching and running television stations is an expensive endeavour and Americans seem to have much more ability to find people who are willing to risk money to launch these things. In addition, the percentage of people who claim any sort of religious affiliation is much lower in Canada than the US where there can be up to six Christian media outlets in a single market." [back to top]
Despite the lack of electronic media Christian music, on a creative and spiritual level, is flourishing and growing in Canada. The day may come when Canada's Christian record labels and distributors are able to support its own talent on a larger scale. Until then, however, Canada's Christian artists, signed and independent, will continue to record and perform some of the best music on the international scene. For despite all the odds Canadian Christian artists are becoming recognised. [back to top]
Lianna Klassen
As stated, the worship market in Canada is considerably less crowded than that in Nashville. But Lianna Klassen, 40, now of Alberta, is among the best the country has to offer. The reason? She's had lots of practice. "My mother tells the story of when I was about a year old," says Klassen. "I was in my crib singing the way babies do. My aunt turned to my mom and said 'listen, she's singing ‘Jesus Loves Me’.'So, I've been singing since before I could talk." By age eight, her rapid ascension into show business had reached a new peak. Klassen had begun to compose her own music and was already performing at local events and in musical theatre. She began writing gospel music at age 14. "I've wanted to be a singer as long as I can remember," she says. [back to top]
It's only been in the last few years, however, that God has led her into worship music and given her a clear vision for her ministry. "I've always been a worshipper, but God has only released me into worship leading in the last six years," she says. "I believe that I'm an intercessory worship leader and that my mandate is to declare freedom and unity and to celebrate diversity in worship." Stylistically, Klassen practices a self-described "world/Celtic intercessory mainstream worship" brand of praise, something else she believes to have received a mandate from God to perform. At a gathering in Whistler, British Columbia, she was exposed to music from indigenous peoples from around New Zealand, Australia, the Polynesian Islands and elsewhere, for the first time. "It was the first time I heard the sound of western culture brought together with indigenous drumbeats," she says. "I believe it was a God appointment for me to be at this gathering because it was the beginning of a clear mandate for me as a writer and worship leader." Lyrically, Klassen draws inspiration from the writings of CS Lewis, John Bunyan and several other authors. "I love quotes," she says. "I've often written a song after hearing a teaching or sermon where one comment jumps out at me." Klassen has released three highly celebrated albums and is married with three children.
Ben Forrest for Cross Rhythms Magazine
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Interviews
"An interview with Lianna Klassen"
As interviewed by Ben Forrest for Cross Rhythms Magazine in the summer of 2002.
- How old are you?
I'm 40, which amazes me everytime I look at my driver's license!
- What is your husband's name? What about the children? What are your children's ages?
My husband's name is Randy (or Randall to you Brits!). My kids are Jordan (17 and an aspiring musician), Vanya (16) and Adam (13)
- You grew up in B.C. Do you believe that gives you a unique perspective to write from? How does yours differ from, say, Matt Brouwer, who was born on the east coast?
Canada is a huge country and just as diverse. Growing up in Northern B.C. does give you a different perspective than someone growing up on the East coast in say Newfoundland. I grew up surrounded by country music and blugrass as well as traditional gospel. Alot of the people who go North are people who don't fit in to "normal" society or the big city scene and alot of them are loners. I remember the amazing stories of some of the people who lived up there and how sad some of these stories were. I also grew up with an incredible musical heritage and some of my earliest memories are singing in 4 part harmony with my extended family, no musical instruments.
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- How would you describe your sound? Are you closer to Jeff Deyo/Matt Redman, or are you more "old school?"
Wow.....that's a great question. It's hard to describe my sound because of the world worship influence in my stuff. I strive after intimacy and biblical content and in that way, I might be a bit like Matt Redman, who has influenced me. But actually, because of the world influence, my sound would be more like David Ruis, even though I don't really listen to his music much. I would describe my sound as world/celtic intercessory mainstream worship.
- At what point did you realize you wanted to be a singer?
I've wanted to be a singer for as long as I can remember. My mother tells the story of when I was about a year old, my aunt was over and I was in crib singing the way babies do. My aunt turned to my mom and said "listen, she's singing Jesus Loves Me." So, I've been singing since before I could talk.
- Most worship leaders have a very clear vision for what God intends their ministry to be. Are you in that boat? What do you think that vision is?
My vision as a worship leader has only become clear in the last few years. I've always been a worshipper, but God has only released me into worship leading in the last six years. I believe that I'm an intercessory worship leader and that my mandate is to declare freedom and unity and to celebrate diversity in worship. I'm still in the process of discovering what areas God is going to open to me, here in Canada and internationally. I'm actually in the midst of that right now. The church in Canada still seems somewhat hesitant to open their arms to a women worship leader.
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- Your website bio says that a couple of years ago God brought [you] into more of an awareness of the many wonderful and diverse sounds and drumbeats that He has created for His glory in the nations," and that you "began to incorporate this diversity into her writing and musical style." What specifically brought that about?
I was at a gathering of Christians from around the world in a place called Whistler, BC. It was the vision of a man called David Damian to bring together believers to listen or hear the voice of God with no set agenda. There was about 2000 of us and many countries represented, such as indigenous peoples from New Zealand, Australia and the Polynesian islands. There were Asian countries represented and First Nations people from across North America. Dave Garrett, David Ruis and Brian Doerksen were the main worship leaders, and these different nations brought there sounds, songs and drumbeats. It was absolutely amazing! I'd never seen the nations come together, lay down their differences and just worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth. It was the first time I heard the sound of western culture brought together with indigenous drumbeats. I believe it was a God appointment for me to be at this gathering because it was the beginning of a clear mandate for me as a writer and worship leader.
- I read somewhere that you draw your lyrical inspiration from authors such as C.S. Lewis, John Bunyan, the Psalms and one of the popes. Is that accurate?
Well, I do draw much inspiration from CS Lewis and other authors,as well as the scriptures. I LOVE quotes, and have written songs based on one line quotes. I've often written a song after hearing a teaching or sermon where one comment jumps out at me.
- You sound well read. What are you reading now?
I'm reading Restoring The Woven Cord by Michael Mitton. I've also been reading some of Francis Frangipanes writings on Spiritual warfare. I just finished reading A Smile On The Face Of God by Adrian Plass..
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- Who are your greatest musical, spiritual and personal influences?
My greatest musical influences have been the worship music coming out of England, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Loreena Mckennitt, Brian Doerksen and Norm Strauss. My Spiritual and personal influences have been my parents, John Wimber, C.S. Lewis, the women I intercede with weekly, James Ryle and the pastors I'm accountable to.
- What's in the CD player now?
Rita Springer, John Mayer, Enya, a world music CD by Peter Gabriel and Heal Our Land by Robin Mark.
- If you could share the bill or write a song with any artist, Christian or secular, who would it be?
If I could write a song with anyone, it would be Brian Doerksen. I would love to share the bill with Delirious?
- Even though you lead worship yourself, there must be people who you look up to. Who are your favourite worship artists, past and present?
Dave and Dale Garrett of Scripture in Song were the first to impact me in worship way back in the early 80's. Bob Fitts in the late 80's because he was the first to use ethnic drums on his worship CD's. In the 90's, Norm Strauss and later, the British invasion. My favorite worship artists now are Matt Redman, Lifehouse (I know they're a secular band, but they're also a worship band from Malibu Vineyard and their CD brings me into the presence of God), Brian Doerksen, Delirious? and Robin Mark. I've also just got turned on to Rita Springer. Tim Hughes is growing on me too.
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- If you could spend a day with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would say CS Lewis, but he would get immensely bored with me very quickly, so......probably Martin Smith from Delirious?. I would love to just hang with him and his family and hear what God's taught him and I just think he'd be awfully fun to spend time with.
- You were nominated for a Juno award a couple of years ago. Just out of curiosity, does that open doors or have any affect on your career?
Actually, it's made absolutely no difference in product sales or ability to get gigs! It just looks really great on a resume.
- Say you wake up tomorrow and you can't sing. Years go by, and you still can't hit a note or write a decent song. What would you do?
Y'know, this is an amazing question because the Lord asked me the very same thing a couple of years ago and I wrote the song "Shine Down" in pondering that question. I felt that what God was asking me was where is my identity, because if it's in the music, and not in Him, then I really don't know who I am or who He is. In the song I wrote "Could I sing without a song, would I know who I was if the music was gone." I can't say that I'm "there" yet, but I sure want to get to the place of complete identity in Christ. As far as what I would do.......I believe that God would give me something better, though I can't imagine what it would be.
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- Worship music is an animal quite different from other kinds of music. You are, I assume, trying to lead people into an encounter with God. What do you do to keep a low profile and keep the attention off yourself? (I may be totally missing the mark about what you try to do at one of your concerts. If so, you can certainly correct me.)
I try to bring it back to the Father as much as I can throughout my concerts. The problem is that I'm a big personality onstage and not very low key. Also, people tend to put you on a pedestal no matter how hard you try to focus it back on Jesus. I mean, look at Matt Redman...he's really struggled with being put on a pedestal and I think he must hate it. The other thing is it's a constant laying down and giving back to Jesus. I believe the most powerful worship leaders or those who've gone through brokeness and learned to prefer others. I hope that through Christ, I'm coming to that place.
- The worship world is pretty crowded right now. What do you do to distinguish yourself from the crowd?
I just try to be myself.
- What's your favourite kind of food?
Sushi
- Favourite movie?
The Matrix
Ben Forrest for Cross Rhythms Magazine
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