Against all odds and the expectations of the Christian music community, Casting Crowns rose to glory two years ago with their self-titled debut. With their new sophomore studio set, “Lifesong”, out on August 30, the industry is wondering whether the Georgian septet can do it all again.

Early indications are promising, with the first release from the album, also titled “Lifesong”, speeding up the U.S. Christian charts, already sealing the No. 2 slot on both Billboard Hot Christian Songs and Billboard Hot Christian Adult Contemporary Singles.

Mark Hall, the frontman of Casting Crowns, and their main songwriter, admitted to being “a little worried” by all the hype from the industry and fans over the new album.

Artist friends Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day’s Mac Powell were on stand-by, however, to calm the nerves, telling him, “Say what God wants you to say. Don’t worry about if this is going to do OK or if people are going to like it.”

Casting Crowns has been a phenomenal success so far. Their self-titled debut released in autumn of 2003 went on to sell more than 1 million copies, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

The album secured three big chart hits, “If We are the Body”, “Who Am I”, which topped Billboard Hot Christian Songs for six weeks, and “Voice of Truth”, which stayed at No. 1 for a phenomenal 14 weeks.

The band was scooped by Terry Hemmings, on his takeover as president/CEO of Provident Music Group, the Christian division of Sony BMG, which also includes the Essential and Reunion labels.

Even some within Provident did not expect the level of success that Casting Crowns would go on to achieve. Dean Diehl, senior VP of marketing for Provident, said: “While I was a huge fan of what I was hearing, I wasn’t thinking a million copies.”

The songs by Hall, who was named Gospel Music Association songwriter of the year in 2004 and 2005, has created songs now renowned for their provocation of societal and church values, such as “American Dream”, which challenges cultural preoccupation with material wealth at the expense of more meaningful things like family and relationships.

“They don’t just sing love songs and lullabies to the church,” says Diehl. “They are singing songs that prod the church.”

“Lifesong” is no different in this aspect, continuing to challenge the beliefs and attitude of the very people who call themselves believers.

“I don’t think it bothers the world if people in church sin. I think it bothers the world that people in church act like they don’t,” says Hall. “For some reason we (as Christians) feel that we have to act like we have it all together. We’re scared to show people that we struggle and that we are weak.

“So I guess I’m just trying to be the first in line to say, ‘Hey, I’m weak. I do dumb things every day, and it would be awesome to know that I wasn’t alone in this.”

Casting Crowns will be touring this autumn with Building 429 and Beach Street newcomer Josh Bates.