Matthew West has built his career as a revered storyteller. For nearly 20 years, the singer-songwriter has been a mainstay on Christian radio, has amassed 12 No. 1 songs as an artist, has been awarded RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications, and has notched 27 #1 songs combined as an artist and songwriter.

His new double album, My Story Your Glory, features testimonies of God’s goodness and serves as Matthew’s debut worship album for the Church.

Tell us about the decision behind releasing a “Side A, Side B” record and what encouraged you to write your first ever worship-specific album.

I’ve always been a prolific songwriter in that I’m never not writing.

With the pandemic canceling so many concerts, I was left with even more time to pour myself into the songwriting. The shutdown also caused a greater gap between record releases. My Story Your Glory will release almost exactly three years after my last record.

But more importantly than all of that, I’m always looking for a new mountain to climb, new ground to cover creatively. The idea of a double album felt ambitious in a way that got me excited.

I have always led worship: growing up in my dad’s church, leading my college ministry group, and even now at church when I’m off the road. But until recently, my songwriting has never naturally leaned in that direction.

Disc 1 is “My Story” and Disc 2 is “Your Glory.” Can you tell us why the songs were sequenced this way?

Once the concept for the album came into focus, I could clearly see how the title My Story Your Glory really split in half with My Story being one record and Your Glory being another.

On My Story, I’m telling stories in a more singer/songwriter style, the story of my life and the stories of people’s lives who have inspired me along the way.

Your Glory is a worshipful response to seeing God at work in all of our stories.

Really the whole record is inspired by the power or story and an invitation to worship the Author of all stories.

The song “Maker” captures the Lord’s authority. Can you tell us more about this song?

I wanted to focus on the attributes of God. In my personal prayer time, I’ll often write my prayers using an acronym ACTS. That stands for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication.

What I noticed about starting my prayers with “adoration” was that my focus shifted away from my circumstances and on to the God who is in control.

By the time I get to my list of prayer requests, those giants don’t seem so tall anymore. My favorite line in the song is “The word “impossible” is never on your lips.”

The lyrics for “Jesus Is Better” share this notion that worldly things can never truly satisfy us. Why do you think this is a timely song in 2023?

There’s a line in the bridge that says “no more drawing from an empty well.” That line speaks to me.

I’d like to think that I don’t look to other things to fulfill me. But the truth is, every day is a struggle not to trade the promises of God for the empty promises of the world and settle for lesser things.

Too often I feel like Jesus is saying to me, “Matthew, I have what you need.” Meanwhile, I live like I’m still searching for something better.

Jesus is better.

What song from DISC 2 do you think the Church needs the most right now? Which song do YOU need to be singing in church tight now?

You Changed My Name is a song that I keep coming back to. I think with so much focus on identity in our world right now, this song can be a resounding message of truth.

And the enemy knows that if he can get us to believe a lie about who we are, then we will never discover the fullness of God’s plan for our lives.

We can try to change ourselves all we want. But true change comes with being in Christ. If anyone is in Christ, you are a new creation. A life in Christ is literally a new identity, a new name, a new story. You no longer have to answer to any name the enemy tries to call you.

Matthew West