Pastor Rick Warren has canceled his highly anticipated “Saddleback Civil Forum” with presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, citing a lack of civil discourse between the two campaigns. Warren (the best-selling author of Purpose Driven Life) will hold a forum on religious liberty instead, which may bring attention to the Obama administration’s birth control mandate less than two months before the presidential election. 

“We created the civil forums to promote civility and personal respect between people with major differences,” Warren told The Orange County Register.

“The forums are meant to be a place where people of goodwill can seriously disagree on significant issues without being disagreeable or resorting to personal attack and name-calling. But that is not the climate of today’s campaign.

“I’ve never seen more irresponsible personal attacks, mean-spirited slander, and flat-out dishonest attack ads, and I don’t expect that tone to change before the election. … It would be hypocritical to pretend civility for one evening only to have the name-calling return the next day.”

Instead of a presidential civil forum, Warren’s Saddleback Church in Southern California will host a forum on religious liberty.

Government bureaucrats at the federal, state and local levels, Warren said, “are daily trying to limit that freedom, impose restrictions, and stifle expressions of faith on campuses, in hospitals, and in businesses. There are widespread attempts to redefine the First Amendment to simply mean ‘You are free to believe anything at your place of worship but you are not free to practice your conscience elsewhere.’

“The Constitution doesn’t just guarantee your freedom to worship,” Warren added, “it guarantees your freedom from government intervention in your daily living out what you believe.”

Warren did not specifically name who will speak at the forum, but said that he would have some of America’s most prominent Catholic, Jewish and Muslim leaders.

The most well-known religious freedom issue taking place currently is over the President Obama administration’s birth control mandate. Under the new health care law, employers who provide health insurance to their employees will be required to cover contraception, sterilization and some abortifacient drugs.

Due to a narrowly written religious exemption, many religious organizations that oppose some or all of those services in their religious doctrine will be required to abide by the mandate or face stiff penalties. Dozens of lawsuits over the mandate are currently in various federal courts.

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The State of Florida is preparing for an epic weekend of unity and prayer.  Thousands across the state are expected to come together for the God Belongs In My City Prayer Walk in the designated cities of Jacksonville, Ocala, Orlando, West Palm Beach and Miami on this Saturday, August 25 at 9:30AM.   The God Belongs In My City Prayer Walks are an empowering event for communities, families, all age groups, cultures and denominations of faith to take an active stand for their belief.
 
Participants of the community walks will travel strategic routes throughout each city, making stops at key destinations for a moment of prayer and wear their “God Belongs In My City” T-Shirt as a display of faith.  Concerts, picnics and unity rallies are scheduled before and after the prayer walks with community leaders, city officials and special guests in attendance.

Receiving a 2012 “New Artist of the Year” GMA Dove Award nomination, followed by wrapping up a 65-city tour with Newsboys and appearances on main stages across the US in front of tens of thousands during the summer festivals, — The City Harmonic now announces the tour cities for its first headline US tour. Known for its engaging live performances, the “I Have A Dream Tour” is in support of its highly acclaimed and first full-length album, I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home).

The tour launches in Sacramento, CA Sept. 20 with the bulk of the dates in November and hitting both coasts and much of Middle America before wrapping up Dec. 2 in Waco, TX. Featuring special guest artist Daniel Bashta, writer of the hit song “Like A Lion (God’s Not Dead),” and nationally recognized author/speaker Bob Lenz, the tour also introduces Eric Brandon and will be in partnership with Compassion International and Life Promotions.

Resonating en masse as listeners instinctively join the chorus as the music dynamically bounces from sparse intimacy to soaring celebration and back again, The City Harmonic will play its hit singles and music from I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home) while on tour. In addition to the title track, a top 15 Billboard National Christian Audience radio hit; “Manifesto,” which sold well over 100,000 copies and is the only song from a new artist in 2011 to break into the top 10 of the SoundScan Top Current digital singles sales chart; and “Mountaintop,” the hit radio single that will become the band’s third video; the band will also play the soon to be released single, “Holy (Wedding Day),” a beautiful ballad about the ultimate redemption, the glorious day to come when faith becomes sight. 

Whether in full-on pop explosion or in ethereal ballad, the songs of The City Harmonic are connecting with listeners and giving them permission to sing out. The captivating sing-along nature of the music they make was birthed with community expression in mind. This is part of the band’s DNA as they even encourage people to download for free the chord charts and lyrics to their most popular songs from their website, http://thecityharmonic.com.

One of the best-selling new artists of last year, The City Harmonic, continues to connect with music fans internationally while the critics are using adjectives like “fabulous,” “infectious,” “exciting,” “spectacular,” “worshipful,” “captivating,” “creative,” “brilliant” and more to describe I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home). Released Oct. 18, 2011 on Kingsway with EMI CMG Distribution in the USA, the album hit No. 1 on iTunes® in Canada, No. 6 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart and never left the Top 4 on the iTunes Christian/Gospel US chart in its debut week at retail.

The City Harmonic, consisting of Elias Dummer, bassist Eric Fusilier, guitarist Aaron Powell and drummer Josh Vanderlaan, wrote, recorded and produced all of the songs for I Have A Dream (It Feels Like Home). From the “now but not yet” tension of earthly Christian living heard in much of the album, including the title track and “Mountaintop,” to having hope in the midst of struggle in “Fell Apart” and “Be Still O My Soul,” to dealing with apathy in “Yours” and “Wake Me Up” and living missionally in “Spark” and “Benediction,” the songs take the listener on a poetic journey.
 
More information on The City Harmonic and its touring can be found at: www.thecityharmonic.com 

The finalists for the fifth season of BET’s “Sunday Best” were named Sunday, August 19th in a show that featured the Clark Sisters and wonderful performances by all the contestants. Alexis Spight and Joshua Rogers are the final two and will compete in the season finale. Danetra Moore and Michael Lampkin ended their time on the show as they were eliminated during this round of competition.

The Clark Sisters opened the show and performed a medley of several of their hits, including “Living” and “Blessed & Highly Favored,” “Is My Living In Vain” and “You Brought The Sunshine.” Kierra Sheard performed “Indescribable” later in the show. Contestant performances included Danetra Moore singing “Jesus Will Work It Out,” Michael Lampkin with “Awesome God,” Alexis Spight with “Calvary” and Joshua Rogers with an outstanding rendition of Deitrick Haddon’ s “Well Done.”

The winner of “Sunday Best” will receive a 2013 Ford Escape, a cash prize and a national recording contract with Music World Gospel. Viewers will select the “Sunday Best” winner next week when the show airs on BET. Check your local listings for times.

Today is the day! Anthony Brown & group therAPy release their debut self-titled album today to critical and consumer acclaim. Anthony Brown who is well known as the behind-the-scenes songwriter, producer and vocal arranger celebrated last night at a release party at his home church, First Baptist Church of Glen Arden.

Anthony Brown performed to a packed house that was filled with fans, supporters and fellow gospel artists, including Donald Lawrence, Kim Burrell, Sheri Jones Moffett, Byron Cage, Richard Smallwood, Stephen Hurd, Maurette Brown Clark and VaShawn Mitchell. Local industry heavyweights Ron Thompson and Cheryl Jackson from Praise 104.1 came out to support.

What was described as an awesome production and spirit filled evening, Anthony Brown & group therAPy presented songs off the new album showcasing their truly dynamic and superb vocal talents and unrivaled harmonies. Social networks were a buzz last night with several in attendance tweeting about about how the extraordinary performance.  Donald Lawrence tweeted “really wish you guys could hear the singing n musicality going on at this release concert PHENOMENAL  … some of the best diverse singing.” 

Anthony Brown & group therAPy’s first single, “Testimony,” has been making waves since it hit radio a few months ago. Anthony Brown and group therAPy shine on this smash single which is in the top 20 on Billboard’s gospel singles chart and continues to rise. .   Also, in its first day of releaseAnthony Brown & group therAPy is already trending at Number 3 on iTunes Christian/Gospel albums chart.

Anthony Brown, along with his vocal ensemble, group therAPy‘seponymous CD offers contemporary gospel alongside praise & worship tunes with flawless vocals and melodies. Gospelpundit.com has described the CD as “so refreshing, so diverse, and so excellent,” and Root Magazine called it “a breath of fresh air.” The Gospel According To Torrence said “Anthony Brown and group therAPy bring a new and needed level of class and precision to modern gospel.”

Anthony Brown will be hitting the road to support the release with appearances in New York, Philadelphia, Virginia and Atlanta. They will perform this weekend at Pastor Donnie McClurkin’s annual NY CALL in Eisenhower Park in Long Island, NY and at VaShawn Mitchell’s album release party at the Baptist Worship Center in Philadelphia.

Well known to many as a prolific songwriter and vocal producer, Anthony Brown has several production and writing credits under his belt. He wasresponsible for penning Maurette Brown-Clark’s number 1 hit “It Ain’t Over”among others.  

Anthony Brown & group therAPy is in stores now and available at iTunes, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon.com, Family Christian Stores and many more of your favorite brick & mortar as well as all on-line digital retailers.   

Anthony Brown currently serves as Assistant Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Glen Arden under Pastor John K. Jenkins.  

The long awaited Light for the Lost Boy fall tour with Andrew Peterson and full band, featuring opening act Caleb, will launch in Nashville, TN on September 21st  and will end in Birmingham, AL October 24^th.   Opening night will be the album release party for Peterson’s new project, Light for the Lost Boy, and will be in conjunction with the third annual Rabbit Room conference, Hutchmoot, an event which sold out in seven minutes. The remaining tickets, however, are open to the public and are available at www.rabbitroom.com.  Tickets for the entire tour are available at each venue and more information is available at www.andrew-peterson.com.

Peterson hitting the road with a full band will be a treat for audiences, as he usually performs his shows acoustically with long-time bandmates and writing partners Ben Shive and Andy Gullahorn. For this tour they’ll be joined by the three members of the opening act, Caleb.  

“Much like the Behold the Lamb of God record,” Peterson said, “these songs seem to want more instrumentation than just me and a guitar. While we were recording the album I kept asking myself how Ben, Andy, and I were going to perform the songs live—then when the guys in CALEB agreed to do the tour I got really excited. They’re a great band. I can’t wait for folks to hear their songs—and I can’t wait to play my songs with them.”

He met the group while on tour with Steven Curtis Chapman last fall and then again this past spring.  Caleb is comprised of two of Chapman’s sons, Caleb (lead vocals/guitar) and Will (drums), along with Scott Mills (guitar/vocal/keys/bass).  Peterson became a big fan of their music and even had Will Chapman play drums on Light for the Lost Boy. 

For tour updates please visit www.andrew-peterson.com, and Hutchmoot information is available online at www.hutchmoot.com.

About Andrew Peterson

Andrew Peterson is a man of many talents with a successful recording and songwriting career, as well as being an award-winning author and the host of a highly popular online creative community known as the Rabbit Room (www.RabbitRoom.com). Peterson will be releasing his new album, Light for the Lost Boy on August 28, 2012.  His previous project, Counting Stars, debuted at #1 on iTunes, and #6 on Billboard. His single “Dancing in the Minefields” reached the Top 10 on the Christian AC chart, while the video for the song has received a million views online. Peterson is currently working on his fourth and final book in the Wingfeather Saga series that releases in early 2013. Book two won the 2010 Christy Award for Young Adult Fiction.  In September, Peterson will host Hutchmoot, the third annual Rabbit Room conference for lovers of art, songs, and stories—an event that sold out in seven minutes!  Peterson appeared on the spring and fall legs of the Steven Curtis Chapman Songs & Stories Tour and in December will embark on his 13th annual Christmas tour, Behold the Lamb of God.

About Caleb

The band is made up of popular Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman’s sons, Caleb and Will Chapman, along with Scott Mills. Caleb released their debut 7-song EP in November 2011, “To The Ends of The World,” which JesusFreakHideout.com calls, “hands down the best indie release in a long time.”  Caleb and Will Chapman explain the concept behind the album.  “The Idea was to tell the story of the last three years of our lives (the good, the bad, and the ugly), and that there is a Love that stretches to the ends of the world and beyond for us no matter how hard life gets.” 

GMC TV presents “Somebody’s Child” starring NAACP Image Award nominee Michael Jai White (“Why Did I Get Married Too,” “We The Party”), Emmy Award winner Lynn Whitfield (“The Josephine Baker Story,” “Eve’s Bayou”), and Byron Minns (“Undisputed”) in a powerful drama of a family united.

Based on Siddeeqah Powell’s original screenplay “Somebody’s Child” makes its world television premiere on Saturday, August 25 at 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 26 at 7:00, 9:00 and 11:00 p.m., with an encore presentation on Monday, September 10 at 9:00 p.m.

A divine twist of fate causes Constance Rivers, played by Whitfield, and her son Douglas (White) to open their hearts to an ex-convict, Benjamin Sparks (Byron Minns). While on the brink of losing her battle with kidney failure, Constance’s near death confession instantly collides her past with her present, revealing Douglas and Benjamin are fraternal twin brothers who were separated at birth 37 years ago. Shocked, confused and on the verge of losing their mother, the two men must work to develop a bond of brotherhood that will last a lifetime and give their mother peace.

“We discovered Somebody’s Child as a finalist in the American Black Film Festival’s (ABFF) 2011 GMC Faith and Family Screenplay Competition,” explains Brad Siegel, vice-chairman of GMC. “Our goal was to find strong and unique stories that would resonate with African-American families.  We wanted to encourage the creative community to tell stories where faith and family could be organic to any type of story.  It didn’t have to be church based.”

“Somebody’s Child is an emotionally rewarding family story that demonstrates the true power of faith, love and forgiveness,” adds Leslie Chesloff, GMC’s executive vice president of programming. “We are very pleased to be able to present this to our GMC family of viewers.”

Deon Kipping is a name commonly seen in songwriting credits, but his singing gift is now front and center with the release of I JUST WANT TO HEAR YOU – his first project on Verity Gospel Music Group.

The 12 track CD offers a fusion of pop, alternative, contemporary, and traditional Gospel sounds – representing the uniquely diverse musical styles in Deon’s repertoire, as he wrote and produced the project. “I wanted to do a project that was eclectic enough to keep you interested, but not so much that you don’t get it,” says Kipping. “There really is something for everyone on this CD, because my musical influences are so broad.”

The current single, “What’s Coming Is What’s Better” is a reassuring mid-tempo track that will build listeners’ faith and confidence in God’s promises for their lives; drawing you in with lush piano chords and lyrics that immediately make you want to hear the song in its entirety: “I see you crying/and you’re about to lose control/but you can’t give up/just because your future’s not worth letting go/let go frustration/soon it will all come to an end/just endure what you’re going through/what’s coming is what’s better than it’s been…” Watch the lyric video below.

“Prisoner of Christ” is infused with an edgy pop/alternative sound while “Never Cease” is a contemporary praise and worship anthem, and the title track is a soulful mid-tempo song with beautiful horn arrangements and a message that speaks to a believer’s desire to experience God in the most intimate way.

“After hearing this CD, I simply want listeners’ levels of faith to be elevated in such a way that God is amazed at their faith,” says Kipping. “I don’t want people to just like the songs, I want people to listen and say ‘I just want to believe more.’”

Deon Kipping is an accomplished songwriter who has written for Marvin Sapp; J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise; Byron Cage; Rance Allen and more. He won the ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Award for “Praise Him In Advance,” recorded by Marvin Sapp.

Music World Gospel announced this week that they have released Trin-i-tee 5:7 from the label.

The split comes as a surprise to many, because of the groups marketability.  Music World Gospel CEO Mathew Knowles had this to say about the split.

“Angel and Chanelle scored their first Grammy Nomination as well as Grammy night worldwide TV performance Grammy Nomination with Music World. Their careers will always be linked to Music World. We will miss them and wish them the best of luck.”

In turn, duo members Angel Taylor and Chanelle Haynes said: “We thank Music World and Mathew Knowles for everything they have done for us.”

At least one news outlet claims that the pair told them in a recent interview that they will pursue solo careers for the time being.  Angel and Chanelle have yet to confirm that in a official statement.

This marks the second artist who has left Mathew Knowles’ label since he was banned from Radio One music stations.  Earlier this year Micah Stampley left.  

The contract dispute between Radio One and Knowles, caused all artists under Knowles’ label to loose radio air time indefinitely.  There is no word on whether this played a part in the Trin-i-Tee 5:7 split, as the details surrounding it are vague.

Even with the radio ban Knowles has managed to turn out Top 10 CD releases, focusing on A.M. radio and internet portals.  Knowles’ impressive client roster still includes Le’Andria Johnson, Amber Bullock, Brian Courtney Wilson, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Andrea Helms among others.  

Knowles’ current agreement with BET allows him first-look at signing the winners of the hit show Sunday Best.  For the time being this insures that Knowles will be able to get fresh and marketable talent into the Music World Gospel label.