Best-known for his 11-year affiliation with Louie Giglio and the Passion conferences, worship leader Charlie Hall seeks to avoid being put on a pedestal with his forthcoming release, The Bright Sadness (sixstepsrecords/EMI CMG Distribution).

Writing for the Aug. 19 release, Hall drew on difficult personal situations to explore living in the midst of pain and weakness. "I was learning I could somehow stick pain and joy together," he said. "Initially, I thought I was in so much pain, and I didn't know how I could hang tight with God; I didn't feel like I could fit in the Christian community anymore."

He ended up making this album for those who feel marginalized or left out. Calling many of the songs "journaled prayers," he said: "Sometimes the Christian community looks so happy and shiny, and they're just reeling inside. I just wanted to give them a voice."

Read more in the Aug. 11 issue of Christian Retailing.

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