GrowLeader Podcast Episode 88 Summary

Guest: Chris Tomlin
Host: Chris Hodges (with Chris Thomas, Matt)
Date: December 1, 2025
Episode Title: Chris Tomlin - The King Is Still The King

Episode Overview

This episode of GrowLeader features acclaimed worship leader and songwriter Chris Tomlin in conversation with Chris Hodges and team. The main focus is Tomlin’s brand new album The King Is Still The King, much of which was recorded live with students at Highlands College. The discussion explores Tomlin’s heart for mentorship, the intentional themes and stories behind the album’s songs, and practical insights on worship leadership for church leaders.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

1. Chris Tomlin’s Role at Highlands College ([02:57]–[05:54])

• Mentorship & Artist in Residence:

  • Chris serves as an artist in residence at Highlands College, actively mentoring and training the next generation of worship leaders.
  • He emphasizes giving back:

    “I’m always looking for ways to give back. People came to me at a time when I needed it and believed in me…if I could do that for others and help in those ways…” – Chris Tomlin [03:13]

• Hands-On Impact:

  • Tomlin shares a testimony from a student who attributed his growth and opportunities to the education and experience at Highlands.

• Culture and Teaching:

  • The in-residence program brings in practical, real-world ministry leaders (e.g., Dave Ramsey, John Maxwell, CeCe Winans) to equip students.

2. Recording the Album at Highlands College ([05:55]–[07:24])

• Why Record There:

  • Chris intentionally wanted to capture the passion of students dedicated to ministry.

  “Every time I get to lead here, the passion, the heart…they've given their life for this…you feel that… and I thought, I want to capture that on my next album.” – Chris Tomlin [06:12]

• Atmosphere:

  • The recording sessions felt like both studio and worship service, with teaching, storytelling, and collective worship woven together.

3. Thematic Intentionality of The King Is Still The King ([07:25]–[13:33])

• Album Title and Message:

  • The title is more than a phrase—it’s a declaration of faith, especially relevant in the cultural context of chaos and awakening.

  “Kingdoms rise. Kingdoms fall…But we belong to an everlasting kingdom... our hope is not in the small kingdoms of this earth.” – Chris Tomlin [09:03]

  • The Album Cover: Symbolizes the crown of thorns intertwined with the crown of royalty, representing Jesus’ suffering and kingship. Hidden details reference Revelation 19.

    “When Jesus was on this earth, he wore a crown…today he wears the crown of King of Kings.” [10:28]

• “My Father’s World”

  • The album ends with this hymn, highlighting God’s enduring sovereignty over creation.
  • Story: The hymn's author, a 19th-century minister, wrote its verses during daily walks, viewing nature as “my Father’s world.”

    “He reigns, he reigns forever on the throne. He reigns, he reigns, this is my Father’s world.” [12:02]

• Worship as Transformation:

  “When you come into worship, your world’s big and your God’s small. But the more you worship, they replace each other…Your God’s big again, your world becomes small.”
  – Chris Thomas [13:46]

4. Song Stories and Inspired Songwriting ([13:34]–[21:50])

• “How Good It Is” ([14:50]–[16:34])

  • An upbeat, Psalm-based call to worship.

    “I don’t think there’s a word in this song that is not the Psalms.” – Chris Tomlin [15:06]

  • Songs on the album are intentionally scriptural.

• Scripture-Driven Writing:

  • Tomlin incorporates large amounts of Scripture into his writing process, which surprises and inspires aspiring worship leaders at Highlands.

• “Help My Unbelief” ([16:59]–[19:28])

  • Inspired by Mark 9, where a father asks Jesus to help his unbelief.

    “I do believe, but help my unbelief.” – Chris Tomlin [18:24]

  • Tomlin sees it as a song for real, honest moments with God.

• “He Has Done Great Things” ([19:51]–[21:50])

  • A Psalm 103-inspired, simple ballad valued for its quieting effect and worshipful simplicity.

    “The simpler the song, the less you have to think, the more you can tap into your spirit.” – Chris Thomas [22:14]

5. Insights for Church Leaders & Worship Teams ([21:50]–[23:33])

• Embracing Simplicity in Worship:
  • Not every song needs complex structure; repeating simple, profound truths helps congregations connect.

    “Don’t rush through things. Slow down. The simple songs that just have those repeats… the simpler the song, the less you have to think.” – Chris Thomas [22:14]

  “There’s gotta be a point in your service…where people are free of words…just my soul’s singing to God.” – Chris Tomlin [22:50]

6. Special Album Tracks & Musical Threads ([23:52]–[30:52])

• “My Father’s World”:
  Revisited as Tomlin’s personal favorite.

• “The First Hymn” ([24:02]–[28:44])

  • Written with Ben Fielding, inspired by the earliest known (3rd-century) non-scriptural Christian hymn, discovered on ancient papyrus.
  • Historical context: The hymn contains the first writing of “Father, Son, Holy Spirit” predating the Council of Nicaea by 200 years.

    “For this band of believers, this early band…to say in their song ‘To the only giver of all good gifts’…such a statement to the culture.” – Chris Tomlin [27:09]

• Instrumental “Emojis”:

  • Four instrumental tracks titled with crown emojis, linked to thematic threads on the project.

7. Collaboration with Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir ([30:53]–[33:46])

• “Jesus Saves” ([30:56])
  • Features Birmingham Youth Fellowship Choir, fresh from their Golden Buzzer moment on America's Got Talent.
  • Chris recounts how this collaboration emerged and highlights the song’s gospel flair and recurring lyric:

    “He did what I could not do…” – Chris Tomlin [31:29]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Worship’s Power:

  “Worship should point our eyes to a greater kingdom...a greater reality.” – Chris Tomlin [09:18]

• On Simplicity:

  “Can we just do something that doesn’t have to go to a bridge and a second verse and then get bigger and bigger?” – Chris Tomlin [21:31]

• On Historical Continuity in Worship:

  “What other music has 2,000 years of history?... It’s just a reminder that we stand—we’re the next generation.” – Chris Tomlin [28:35]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Role at Highlands College / Mentorship: [02:57]–[05:54]
• Recording With Students: [05:55]–[07:24]
• Album Intention & Art: [07:25]–[13:33]
• Song Stories (“How Good It Is”, “Help My Unbelief”, etc.): [13:34]–[21:50]
• Practical Leadership & Worship Insight: [21:50]–[23:33]
• Ancient Hymn Story (“The First Hymn”): [24:02]–[28:44]
• Instrumentals & Emojis: [29:00]–[30:52]
• Birmingham Choir Collaboration (“Jesus Saves”): [30:53]–[33:46]

Tone, Takeaways, and Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the mood is warm, collegial, and passionate about raising up the next generation of church leadership and worship. Chris Tomlin expresses humility, curiosity, and deep intentionality, viewing every album, song, and mentoring moment as an opportunity to serve the larger church.

“We’re all part of that family…it makes me feel connected to the first church, the early church, because we’re all part of that family.” – Chris Thomas [28:44]

Listeners are encouraged to seek simplicity, authenticity, and scriptural depth in their worship leading while passing on what they’ve learned. Tomlin’s new album is positioned as both modern and deeply rooted in the faith’s past, weaving a message of God’s enduring kingship in turbulent times.

For More:
The album The King Is Still The King is out now (link in show notes). Pastors, worship leaders, and church teams will find much to reflect upon and apply.