Five Questions for Laura Story

Laura Story — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:56 -0700

Laura Story is an accomplished songwriter and recording artist who penned the worship anthem, "Indescribable." She is also the lead spokesman for the Catalyst Music Project and recorded the first single, "What a Savior." Laura recently took time out from her busy tour schedule to answer Five Questions from ConversantLife.

You've got a great name for someone whose passion it is to tell the story of God's love through music. How much influence has your name had on your work?

Well, I’ve never really thought about it. But it is kinda strange how that works out. I do find that the only thing worth sharing with anyone is how God’s grace intersects our story. Our whole lives are simply stories of God’s faithfulness.

Your bio says that you were once an aspiring symphony conductor. Did you have lofty aspirations to be the next Leonard Bernstein, or did you just enjoy telling other musicians what to do?

That’s pretty funny. I really wasn’t that far into professional symphonic music but I have always loved playing in orchestras and was very interested in doing that vocationally. God definitely has used my classical training to help me understand the ins and outs of music and to make me a better songwriter.

A lot of people probably don't know that you wrote the song, "Indescribable," which Chris Tomlin recorded and made famous. That song has to be in the top ten of worship songs of all time. What's it like to write a song that so many people sing every week as an anthem of praise to God?

It is pretty crazy to think about what God has done with the song Indescribable. It was the first worship song I had ever written and I remember singing it with my college worship team in our campus chapel services. I am thankful that God used me to be the vessel to write it and hope theat the glory continues to go to Him alone.

So are you a songwriter who sings, or a singer who writes songs?

I am more of a songwriter who sings. I started as a songwriter who played bass and let other people in the band sing my songs; but over the years, God has really drawn me out of my comfort zone. I’ve never had a flashy voice. I can’t do any Mariah Carey-like vocal acrobatics but God has given me a voice that is sufficient to sing the songs he has placed in my heart. I am reminded each time I get up in front of people that serving God isn’t about being the best; its about being obedient.

You are currently the spokesperson for the Catalyst Music Project, and the song you recorded, "What a Savior," is the lead song. Tell us about the Project and how you came to be involved.

I have a great deal of respect for the Catalyst Conference. I am a worship leader at a church in north Atlanta and, over the years, I have seen Catalyst train, equip and inspire countless worship leaders in our area and all over the globe. This new step they have taken in adding Catalyst Music Project is just another example of that: equipping leaders of local churches by sharing songs written by leaders of local churches. I am excited to see what God will do through these great songs.