MercyMe wrote songs for the album using a basic verse–chorus style so as to be easy to learn and sing along to and to easily fit on a PowerPoint screen.

The album incorporates alternative, rock, and pop musical styles, as well as "rootsy" elements like organs and violins.

MercyMe was formed in 1994 by vocalist Bart Millard, guitarist Mike Scheuchzer, and keyboardist Jim Bryson.

[5] While playing live, however, the band realized that their original songs from these albums failed to connect with their audiences.

[10] Mike Rimmer of Cross Rhythms noted the album occasionally features "rootsy" elements as well as "Hammond–style organs" and "faint violins".

[10] In the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music, Mark Allan Powell described "Happy Little Love Song" as being a "Pearl Jam–type anthem fit for arenas".

[1] The band also issued The Worship Project Kit, which included the album as well a devotional and the words and chords to the songs.

[9] In the October 1, 2000 edition of Cross Rhythms, Mike Rimmer gave the album seven out of ten stars.

[12] The difficulty of selling the album directly, in addition to having to book and manage for themselves, led the band to pursue a contract with a record label.