Editing Point of Grace (section)

=== 1998–2000: ''Steady On'', ''A Christmas Story'', and hiatus ===
Point of Grace began work on their new album in late 1997/early 1998, with producer [[Brown Bannister]] developing a more progressive, live band sound, and less programming than previous albums. [[Chris Eaton (British musician)|Chris Eaton]] managed the vocal production, with more intricate vocal arrangements than previously. The group previewed some of the new songs, including "Jesus Is", "Steady On", and "Better Days", at one-off concert dates in the spring and summer of 1998, with a pause in the middle of recording for Terry Jones to give birth to her first child on April 15.

The remaining members appeared at the 1998 [[Dove Awards]], where they were nominated for Artist of the Year, Group of the Year, and Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year for "Circle Of Friends", but did not win in any category. During [[The Nashville Network]] broadcast of the show, pre-show host [[Kathy Troccoli]] announced the birth of Jones' child a week earlier.

In July 1998, a new single was released, the title song from the album ''Steady On''. A [[CD single]] was also released to Christian bookstores. The release include a pop remix and a dance remix version of "Steady On", as well as enhanced content on the CD, such as brief bios of the group members, excerpts from a new devotional book, a photo gallery, and other anecdotes. The album was released on August 4, 1998, and debuted at No.1 on the SoundScan sales chart, remaining in the Top 10 for seven consecutive weeks. It was certified gold by the RIAA in 1999 and platinum in 2002. The lead single and title track reached the top of the charts, becoming Point of Grace's 16th consecutive No.1 single. The next five singles achieved the same, making a total of 21 consecutive No.1s.

In October 1998, Point of Grace launched their first headline tour, "The ''Steady On'' Tour", also the first time they had toured with their own band, led by Dana Cappillino. In 1999, they won [[Dove Awards]] for Group of the Year and Enhanced CD of the Year for the "Steady On" CD Single. At the 1999 [[Grammy Awards]], they were nominated for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album for ''Steady On''. Heather Floyd married in 1999 in the middle of the tour. They contributed the song "The River" to the ''Experiencing God'' album, the song "Forever On And On" to the ''[[Streams (1999 album)|Streams]]'' album project, and "Love Won't Leave You Now" for ''The Mercy Project'', dedicated to Mercy Ministries of America.

After "The ''Steady On'' Tour" ended in the Spring of 1999, the band began work on their first [[Christmas]] release, recorded in Nashville, Tennessee; London, England; and Montreal, Canada, again in collaboration with producer Bannister, A&R man [[Brent Bourgeois]], and Eaton as vocal arranger. The [[orchestra]], arranged by Carl Marsh and Ronn Huff, was recorded at [[Abbey Road Studios]] in London. The end result was ''[[A Christmas Story (Point of Grace album)|A Christmas Story]]'', a mix of traditional Christmas songs and originals, released on September 27, 1999. The group received media attention around this time as ''[[Life Love & Other Mysteries]]'' had just been certified platinum and "The Song Is Alive" had become their 21st No.1, appearing on ''[[Donny & Marie (1998 TV series)|Donny & Marie]]'', ABC's ''[[The View (U.S. TV series)|The View]]'', and ''[[The 700 Club]]''. The quartet began touring together, but Terry Jones, who was nine months pregnant with her second child, left the tour halfway through, leaving the other three members to perform as a trio.

After the tour, the group took a year-long hiatus, regrouping occasionally for [[Women of Faith]] conferences and one or two individual dates. [[Word Records]] released ''[[Rarities & Remixes]]'', a collection of remixed hits from their first two releases, four songs from their independent album, two rare tracks, and a live version of "Circle Of Friends".