for KING & COUNTRY & Tye Tribbett – Love And Respect…Amplified

CCM: Given that the event is an awards show, and that the audience will experience the night in different ways (the live show at Lipscomb, where several thousand will be in attendance, and the telecast five days later to millions watching on TBN), what message do you hope is conveyed?
LS: As hosts, Joel and I aren’t particularly hilarious people, let’s be real. What we do have to offer is the stirring of what has happened in our lives. Are we self-seeking people? Or are we going to be a people that uses the gift of music to glorify God? I’m always struck by people that come to our shows and then say, “It was such a worshipful night. These songs are so worshipful in a round-about way.”

My mind as a musician goes, “You know, it’s funny that they say that because these aren’t written as ‘worship songs.’” Then what I realize is our heart behind these songs is our offering of worship. This is our expression. My hope for the night is that, yes, it might not be the quintessential “ministry night,” but there’s a sentiment of hope behind everything that we do.

TT: I think it’s important for us as Kingdom citizens to show the correct posture for the “culture.” I think it’s important as Kingdom citizens to show what our response should be when tragedy hits the world, whether it’s racism or any type of crisis, what ever, it doesn’t matter. Our first response should not be as a “black man,” a “white man,” or a “father.” Our first response should be as Kingdom citizens.

As a Kingdom citizen my responsibility is to love. My responsibility, even if offended, is to turn the other cheek. My responsibility as a Kingdom citizen is to show Christ’s response—to showcase the Kingdom response. [The Dove Awards] is putting a foot forward to say, “This is a Kingdom response

Tye Tribbett, 2016 Dove Awards co-host

CCM: Quoting a part of the narrative from the official Dove Awards trailer that the both of you were a part of: “God’s love is home.” We’re all from different places, different countries…we have different skin tones, etc. What makes the love of God “home?”
LS: That it’s unchanging. We live in such a world that is, “Whatever you do for me, I’ll try and do that for you—but if you make me mad, I’m going to make you…” It’s a very conditional society. If you’re fortunate to come from a good childhood home, part of the reason why you feel so at peace there is that it’s unchanging—it feels warm and cozy because it’s familiar.

God’s love is home because we know it, we can sense it…no matter what’s happening in our lives, we know we can fall back on it because of who He is. That doesn’t mean there’s also not amazing amounts of mystery surrounded in who He is and that there’s this kind-of push-and-pull within that relationship. It does mean that I’ve had special encounters with Jesus, so when I get to have that encounter with Him, that makes me feel like I’m at home because I’m loved.

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