“Change Your World,” the iconic worship pastor Darlene Zschech’s latest solo project, very similar to her earlier works in tone and format. World famous for her leadership at Hillsong Church in Australia and the classic “Shout to the Lord,” Zschech doesn’t have to do much to sell a lot of records, let’s face it. Again she has co-written most of these songs with David Holmes, aside from an interesting cover of Michael W. Smith’s “Agnus Dei,” embellished with heavy orchestration.

Zschech is above all a worshipper; her deep passion for God instantly shines through all of her music. She tries on some new moves with this project, going a little more pop, incorporating some funky programming and even the occasional world music flair. (The first single, “Miracle,” is one such highlight, upbeat with a fresh hook.) For the most part it works well enough, but to my mind Zschech’s strength has always come from her distinctive fervor. She doesn’t need to change it up, for such singular devotion carves out her personal niche quite nicely. These dramatic ballads suit her, with the same perfect fit once reserved for the great Twila Paris. Today’s artists fight constant pressure to be “current,” to hunt down the elusive edge of what’s hot today before it shimmers off on the horizon. Zschech is not likely to catch that train, but why should she? She speaks powerfully for the believers who care less about being edgy and more about expressing the deep worship of their hearts.

Like Barry Manilow once sang, she “writes the songs the whole world sings.” What beats a legacy like that? But forgive my ranting. May I make amends in closing by mentioning the beautifully expressive “Call Upon His Name,” a modern classic just waiting to be recognized and lifted up across our lands on Sunday mornings. Pure Darlene Zschech, doing what she was created to do.


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