For the Sake of the World

For the Sake of the World is the fourth album from California-based worship collective Bethel Music. The album, produced by Brian Johnson, Ian McIntosh and Jeffrey Kunde, was released on 1 October 2012 by the collective's imprint label, Bethel Music.[1] The album was recorded live during the weekend services at Bethel Church in Redding, California.[1][2]

For the Sake of the World
Live album by Bethel Music
Released	October 1, 2012
Recorded	2012
Venue	Bethel Church, Redding, California, U.S.
Genre	Worship contemporary Christian music
Length	78:02
Label	Bethel Music
Producer	Brian Johnson Ian McIntosh Jeffrey Kunde
Bethel Music live album chronology
The Loft Sessions (2012) For the Sake of the World (2012) Tides Live (2014)
Bethel Music chronology
The Loft Sessions (2012) For the Sake of the World (2012) Without Words (2013)

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Cross Rhythms	[3]
Indie Vision Music	[4]
Louder Than The Music	[1]
NewReleaseToday	[5]

Kevin Davis, in his four star review for New Release Today, described the album as being "a sonically and lyrically refreshing work where God is exalted and His love is on display." and that the album was "created with excellence in mind and combines anointed worship and quality to create a truly epic album."[5] Awarding the album five stars in a review for Louder Than The Music, Jono Davies thinks that the album "lets the worshipper be washed anew with the love of God by the reflective music that at times keeps a low key but then at other times builds into a wall of praise." and listed "To Our God", "For the Sake of the World" and "This Is Amazing Grace" as the standout tracks of the album.[1] Cross Rhythms' Dave Palmer, affixing a nine-out-of-ten square rating on the album, stated that the album "feels like a very honest journey through the life of a church rather than a collection of classic tracks or the next big hits, but it will certainly touch many worshippers."[3] Writing for Revival Magazine, Naomi Parnell says: "The worship is sincere and the lyrics are honouring, which leads me into God's presence with expectancy and reminds me of His goodness and sovereignty."[6] In a review for BREATHEcast, Timothy Yap listed "Who You Are", "For the Sake of the World" and "Forgiven" as the prime cuts of the album and stated that Bethel Music "have made worship music three dimensional where God is not just sung about but He is experienced." Yap also commented that "these songs make you want to sing-a-long regardless of whether you are a Christian or not." and that the album also has "a more polished, slick and a grander production" compared to Bethel Music's preceding release, The Loft Sessions.[7] Reviewing the album for The Esther Project, Alexis Wisniewski refers to the collection as "13 songs that are genuine and passionate, you can't help but engage." and concluded that "If you're a believer who likes to have good worship music at home, check this out. If you're a worship leader who is always looking for great music for your congregation, check this out."[8] An unnamed reviewer on CBN.com said: "For the Sake of the World pulls you into a congregational worship service that is intimately moving." For the Sake of the World garnered a three star rating Jonathan Andre's review at Indie Vision Music, congratulating Bethel "for such a motivating and inspiring album".[4] Furthermore, the CBN.com reviewer said that the songs "guide you to a place of surrender before a holy God." and went on to list "To Our God", "Closer" and "For the Sake of the World" as the highlights of the album.[9] Steve Legget of AllMusic called the album a "power praise & worship session," and that it is "another welcome addition to the Bethel Live series."[10]

Track listing

For the Sake of the World – Standard edition[10][11]

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Worship leader(s)	Length
1.	"To Our God"	Brian Johnson, Jeremy Riddle, Joel Taylor	Brian Johnson	6:54
2.	"Our Father"	Marcus Meier	Jenn Johnson	6:48
3.	"Everything To You" (Spontaneous)	Jenn Johnson	Jenn Johnson	4:51
4.	"This Is Amazing Grace"	Josh Farro, Riddle, Phil Wickham	Jeremy Riddle	7:32
5.	"You Have Won Me"	B. Johnson, Riddle, Taylor	Brian Johnson	6:16
6.	"I Really Love You" (Spontaneous)	B. Johnson, J. Johnson	Brian Johnson Jenn Johnson	4:08
7.	"Who You Are"	Haley Johnson, J. Johnson	Jenn Johnson	8:17
8.	"Forgiven"	B. Johnson, Graham Moore, Riddle, Taylor	Brian Johnson	5:13
9.	"In Your Light"	Moore, Riddle	Jeremy Riddle	4:16
10.	"Freedom"	Christa Black Gifford, William Matthews, Matthew Sparks	William Matthews	3:55
11.	"Closer"	Amanda Cook	Steffany Gretzinger	6:53
12.	"This Is What You Do"	Riddle, Matt Stinton	William Matthews	5:35
13.	"For the Sake of the World"	B. Johnson, Riddle, Taylor	Brian Johnson	7:24
Total length:				78:02

iTunes bonus tracks[12]

No.	Title	Worship leader(s)	Length
14.	"Closer" (Video)	Steffany Gretzinger	7:05
15.	"To Our God" (Video)	Brian Johnson	7:07
16.	"Who You Are" (Video)	Jenn Johnson	8:18
Total length:			100:32

Personnel

Adapter from AllMusic[13]

• Brandon Aaronson — bass
• Jeff Aaronson — camera operator, video producer
• Sylvia Bartel — violin
• Stephen Casey — camera operator, video producer
• Josh Colegrove — camera operator, video producer
• Miguel Cruz — camera operator
• Cory Fournier — lighting
• Libby Friz — camera operator, video producer
• Steffany Gretzinger — background vocals, featured artist, vocals
• Tim Garrison — audio technician
• John-Paul Gentile — percussion
• Sam Gibson — mixing
• Chris Greely — audio technician
• Nathan Grubbs — camera operator
• Ryan Harris — camera operator, video producer
• Luke Hendrickson — engineer, mixing
• Brian How — audio technician
• Brian Johnson — acoustic guitar, featured artist, producer, vocals
• Jenn Johnson — featured artist, vocals
• Toby Johnston — camera operator, video producer
• Chris Jones — technical director
• Christiann Koepke — hair stylist, make-up
• Jeffrey Kunde — acoustic guitar, electric guitar, producer
• Giles Lambert — art direction, design, photography
• Daniel Mackenzie — bass, engineer, Lap Steel guitar
• William Matthews — background vocals, featured artist, vocals
• Shea McCloughin — camera operator, video producer
• Rick McDonald — director, producer
• Ian McIntosh — keyboards, producer
• Sarah Meng — camera operator, video producer
• Graham Moore — percussion
• Mike Myers — camera operator
• James Nichols — monitor technician
• Harry Omensetter — camera operator, video producer
• Breanna Patterson — camera operator, video producer
• Jenni Patterson — camera operator, video producer
• Mike Pope — electric guitar
• Chris Quilala — drums
• Peter Ralph — camera operator, video operator
• Aaron Rich — cinematography, editing
• Jeremy Riddle — featured artist, vocals
• Sarah Oliveira — camera operator, video producer
• Walter Serafini — project coordinator
• Asher Stanley — cello
• Joel Taylor — executive producer
• Paul Vafa-Coffman — audio technician
• Leah Valenzuela — background vocals
• Rebekah Van Tinteren — violin
• Anthony West — camera operator, video producer
• Brett Whitefield — monitor technician
• Hannah Whittaker — hair stylist, make-up
• Hank Williams — mastering
• Gabriel Wilson — set design
• Allison Wyatt — violin

Charts

Chart (2012)	Peak position
US Billboard 200[14]	51
US Christian Albums (Billboard)[15]	2

Chart (2013)	Peak position
UK Christian & Gospel Albums (OCC)[16]	6

References

1. Davies, Jono (1 October 2012). "For the Sake of the World by Bethel Music Review". Louder Than The Music. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
2. Asker, Jim (24 March 2016). "Bethel Music Bows, Go Dim Notch First No. 1 Christian Charts". Billboard. Billboard. Retrieved 20 December 2016.
3. Palmer, Dave. "Bethel Music – For the Sake of the World Review". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
4. Andre, Jonathan (November 12, 2012). "Bethel Live - For the Sake of the World - Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved August 21, 2017.
5. Davis, Kevin (25 September 2012). "For the Sake of the World by Bethel Music Review". NewReleaseToday. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
6. Parnell, Naomi (24 January 2013). "For the Sake of the World by Bethel Live Review". Revival Magazine. Catch The Fire. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
7. Yap, Timothy (19 September 2012). "Bethel Live 'For the Sake of the World' Album Review". BREATHEcast.com. Breathecast. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
8. Wisniewski, Alexis (1 October 2012). "Review: For the Sake of the World". The Esther Project. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
9. "Bethel Music's 'For the Sake of the World': Music Review". CBN.com. Christian Broadcasting Network. 1 October 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
10. Legget, Steve (1 October 2012). "For the Sake of the World by Bethel Music Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
11. "Jesusfreakhideout.com: Bethel Music, 'For the Sake of the World'". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Jesus Freak Hideout. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2016.
12. "For the Sake of the World by Bethel Music on Apple Music". Apple Music (iTunes). U.S. Apple Inc. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
13. "For the Sake of the World - Bethel Music | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
14. "Bethel Music Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
15. "Bethel Music Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
16. Kreilser, Lauren (11 March 2013). "Official Christian and Gospel Albums Charts". Official Charts. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 December 2016.