Longtime fans of Derek Webb know to expect his lyrics and stage banter will be equal parts faith, politics and social issues. His words often indict the church and its members for not following Jesus’ command to love those around us. To some, it’s off-putting, even offensive. To others, it’s just what the church needs to hear. But Webb seems to shrug off the controversy he generates. He is quick to include himself among the guilty, however, and to point out he doesn’t speak merely for himself.

That is actually the idea behind the odd title of the Caedmon’s Call founder’s fifth solo project, named for the only songbird that doesn’t have its own song—it sings the songs of others. (Plus, it’s the state bird of Texas, Webb’s home state.)

“[The songs in Mockingbird] have really strong themes of social issues, justice issues and advocacy–of caring for the poor, which I think goes right to the top of our priority list as Christians,” Webb explains. Those who discuss social issues in the church are often tagged as liberals, a dismissive reflex for many evangelicals. “So I felt like I needed an alibi,” Webb admits. “’Hey, I didn’t make this stuff up. I am simply repeating things I have tried to glean from others—Jesus primarily—about how to love people, how to care for poor.’”

Webb wants to reiterate the priority of the Bible mandate to love and care for our neighbors—even our enemies. In fact, Webb points out, “When He is asked about the most important teaching [in Scripture], Jesus doesn’t say, ‘Don’t drink or smoke,’ or whatever the moral hot buttons are—His answer to the question says those things are peripheral.”

Unfortunately, many American Christians devote only their leftover time and resources to helping the poor.

In efforts to live his message, Webb supports organizations such as DATA, the “One” campaign and Blood:Water Mission (a charity founded by Jars Of Clay). He can also reel off statistics on Africa like many guys know sports stats. “Ten percent of the world’s population lives in sub-Saharan Africa—half living in extreme poverty. And we know that 6,500 people die everyday [there] because of preventable disease, hunger and thirst.”

And though he applauds government relief efforts, Webb says ultimately, the responsibility to care for the poor belongs to the church. If American evangelicals would give 10 percent of their income toward these issues, Webb believes more than enough money would be raised to provide healthcare, food and education to 1.1 billion of the world’s poorest people.

Forming relationships with and loving those in need along with meeting their physical needs would also serve as a form of “pre-evangelism,” putting the love of Christ on display and earning believers the ears of those we care for.

For many, Webb’s charge that the church should address the social ills of the world seems like an overwhelming responsibility. “Uh-huh,” he responds with a long pause, as if to say, “What is your point?"

“I’m not saying you have to give money to Africa or work in a soup kitchen. What I’m reiterating is that Jesus called us to love our neighbor sacrificially. So I’m not trying to tell anyone anything,” he says, laughing (and reiterating the theme of his album). “I’m just saying that Jesus calls us to these things.”