Selah service / Jeff Johnson bio -
The Selah Service has it's roots in the rich tradition of contemplative worship in the church. The service features simple Taizé chant and other original choruses, hymns, as well as instrumental passages combined with readings from Scripture and prayers in the Christian Celtic tradition. A ten minute period of silent prayer is regularly part of the one hour worship.‘Be still, then, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.’
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.– Psalm 46: 11-12
The service is lead by Jeff Johnson and was originally conceived by him with several other pastors and artists who sought to reintegrate this tradition into the Protestant tradition of the church. Johnson is well known for his collaboration with Irish flutist, Brian Dunning. Their many contemporary Celtic releases on Windham Hill, Hearts of Space and Jeff’s own label, ArkMusic, have been featured regularly on National Public Radio and movie soundtracks such as the Martin Scorcese film, “Gangs Of New York.”
In recent years, much of Jeff's time has been spent leading Selah services and retreats in the Seattle, Washington area and throughout the country with organizations such as Laity Lodge and Youth Specialties. The Selahservice.com website exists to offer ideas and resources connected with this work. Jeff lives on Camano Island, Washington with his wife, Susie.
