Should We Be Singing "Good Good Father" in Worship?
The Christian worship song "Good Good Father" was written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown of the band Housefires. Although the song gained widespread popularity after Chris Tomlin's 2015 rendition, Housefires released the original version in 2014. Tomlin’s recording brought the song into mainstream Christian worship, and if you’ve tuned in to Christian radio in the last decade, you’ve likely heard it. With its catchy melody and encouraging lyrics, it has become a favorite among churches and believers. However, as worship leaders, we must ask: Is this a song we should be singing during our Sunday gatherings?
God's Goodness in Scripture and Song
There's no question about God’s goodness—Scripture is full of examples where God displays His faithfulness and love, even to those outside His covenant. Singing about God’s goodness can be a powerful reminder of His ongoing work in our lives. But the question remains: is "Good Good Father" the best choice for a corporate worship setting?
As I've mentioned in other articles, a song can have a profound personal impact while not providing the same benefit for a gathered congregation. Before incorporating any song into a worship set, it’s essential to consider who wrote it and what affiliations the artists or ministries might have.
Housefires and Theological Considerations
"Good Good Father" was originally written by Housefires, a band connected with ministries like Bethel Music, who have been criticized for their theological views. While this doesn’t mean we should dismiss Housefires or their music entirely, it does require some thought. As worship leaders, we endorse not only the song but also, in some ways, the ministry behind it when we bring it into our worship. This doesn’t mean we should take a legalistic approach to song selection, but we must carefully consider how a song supports our mission to teach rich theology and point our congregation toward Christ.
If a song comes from a ministry that our church does not align with theologically, we must consider whether singing it might unintentionally direct our congregation toward teachings that don’t align with our beliefs. Even if the individual song is sound, its origins may carry implications we need to be aware of.
Evaluating the Lyrics of "Good Good Father"
Looking at the lyrics of "Good Good Father," it’s clear that the emphasis is more on God than on us. Here’s why:
God's Attributes and Character: The song repeatedly focuses on who God is, particularly His goodness and role as a loving Father. Phrases like "Good Good Father" and "It's who You are" are repeated, emphasizing God's nature.
Our Response to God: While there are references to "I" and "me," they are usually in the context of how we experience God’s love. Lines like "And I'm loved by You" reflect a response to God’s character, but the focus remains on His actions.
Balance of Pronouns: Even though the song uses personal pronouns like "I" and "me," the frequent use of "You" keeps the focus on God’s identity and actions.
So, the song largely centers on God’s faithfulness, love, and goodness, with personal references serving to reflect our response to who God is.
Concerns
Despite the song's emphasis on God's goodness, some Christians have raised concerns, particularly in these areas:
Repetitiveness: Some feel the song repeats phrases like "Good Good Father" and "It's who You are" too frequently, making it feel simplistic or lacking in theological depth.
Focus on Personal Experience: While the song highlights God's goodness, some argue that it leans too heavily on individual feelings and experiences, potentially shifting focus from God's sovereignty to a more emotional or self-centered worship experience.
Theological Simplicity: Critics suggest that the song presents a narrow view of God’s character, primarily focusing on His role as a loving Father without addressing other attributes like His justice, holiness, or the full Gospel message.
Worship of Feelings vs. Worship of God: Some modern worship songs, including "Good Good Father," are seen as focusing more on evoking emotional responses than on exploring the biblical attributes of God, which could lead to a "feel-good" worship experience at the expense of theological depth.
What Should Worship Leaders Do?
Ultimately, whether or not you use "Good Good Father" in your church's worship depends on your context. As a worship leader, it’s important to prayerfully consider which songs are most beneficial for your congregation. I wouldn't necessarily discourage or encourage the use of this song—it can certainly be done well if approached thoughtfully. Consider pairing it with other songs that more explicitly focus on God’s nature, or reduce the number of times you repeat the chorus to avoid overemphasis.
Remember, there’s no shortage of quality worship music. If you or your leadership have any reservations about this song, it might be wise to choose another. Below are some alternatives that focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness while offering more theological depth:
Alternatives to "Good Good Father"
"Great Is Thy Faithfulness" – Thomas Chisholm
Focus: God's unchanging faithfulness, provision, and presence.
Why It's an Alternative: This hymn highlights God’s steadfastness over time and covers a broader theological scope, including references to creation and daily mercies.
"How Great Thou Art" – Carl Boberg
Focus: God's majesty, power in creation, and redemption through Jesus.
Why It's an Alternative: This song presents a balanced view of God’s greatness, creative power, and redemptive work, with less focus on personal experience.
"Great Are You Lord" – All Sons & Daughters
Focus: God's greatness and the life He gives.
Why It's an Alternative: This song emphasizes worshiping God’s attributes over personal feelings, offering a stronger focus on His sustaining power.
"He Will Hold Me Fast" – Ada Habershon and Matt Merker Focus: God's commitment to keeping His people secure in His love. Why It's an Alternative: This hymn-like song is filled with theological depth, focusing on God’s perseverance and faithfulness, especially in times of doubt.
These songs provide rich theological insights while avoiding the concerns some have raised about "Good Good Father."
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