Jenn Johnson joins me for a candid interview about Bethel's theology, songs, and finances. Worship leaders everywhere have heard rumors about Bethel Church, and many feel conflicted and concerned. Bethel writes some truly great songs, but certain aspects of their theology and practices raise questions. Should we continue to sing those songs? Do we have valid reasons to be concerned?
Jenn graciously lets me ask her all the questions worship leaders have about Bethel Church and Bethel Music.
Find out what Jenn and the leadership at Bethel really believe.
If you (or someone you know) feels conflicted about whether or not we should sing Bethel songs, hopefully this conversation brings clarity and the answers youβre looking for.
Be a friend and send this to someone who needs to hear it.
0:00 Why this interview made me nervous 3:09 "Bethel is a zoo" 6:09 Was Jesus God while on earth? 7:48 I brought up Baby Olive and Beni 12:12 Tarot cards, crystals, and fire tunnels 17:15 When prophecy fails 19:40 Where does the money actually go? 21:27 Jenn's message to worship leaders 25:10 Jenn Shares What's Next
Jenn Johnson joins me for a candid interview about Bethel's theology, songs, and finances. Worship leaders everywhere have heard rumors about Bethel Church, and many feel conflicted and concerned. Bethel writes some truly great songs, but certain aspects of their theology and practices raise questions. Should we continue to sing those songs? Do we have valid reasons to be concerned?
Jenn graciously lets me ask her all the questions worship leaders have about Bethel Church and Bethel Music.
Find out what Jenn and the leadership at Bethel really believe.
If you (or someone you know) feels conflicted about whether or not we should sing Bethel songs, hopefully this conversation brings clarity and the answers youβre looking for.
Be a friend and send this to someone who needs to hear it.
0:00 Why this interview made me nervous 3:09 "Bethel is a zoo" 6:09 Was Jesus God while on earth? 7:48 I brought up Baby Olive and Beni 12:12 Tarot cards, crystals, and fire tunnels 17:15 When prophecy fails 19:40 Where does the money actually go? 21:27 Jenn's message to worship leaders 25:10 Jenn Shares What's NextOne minute of silence after a song | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-20 | Worship Leader, here is something you can do this Sunday with no extra gear and no meeting.
After a song that clearly meant something, Aaron Niequist would say to his church: I do not know what you need to say to God right now, and I am going to play for one minute so you can say it. Then he played, and nobody rushed into the next song.
He wonders out loud whether the primary role of a worship leader is to lovingly invite our community out of autopilot. Most of us know that autopilot from the inside. Song ends, here comes the bridge, on to the next one.
This Sunday, leave one minute of room after your most meaningful song and let your people talk to the Lord in it. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Tag your team.
#shortsThree tools in the toolbox | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-18 | Worship Leader, this made me laugh and then it landed.
Aaron Niequist was leading worship while his pastor was preaching the widest invitation he had ever heard about the kingdom of God. So he looked down into his worship leader toolbox and found three things. Loud songs. Really loud songs. Exceptionally loud songs.
He believes in loud songs. We all do, and those expansive moments matter. It hit him one Sunday that the tools he had could not carry the depth and the width of what he was being asked to lead people into.
If your toolbox feels thin right now, you are not a bad worship leader. You were handed the tools you were handed.
This week, ask the Lord for one new tool, then go learn it from a tradition that is not your own. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Save this one.
#shortsPeople who dont like to sing | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-16 | Worship Leader, some of the most faithful people in your room are barely singing, and their hearts are fine.
Aaron Niequist says we conflate these two things. If someone is less moved by a song than the person who gets paid to lead it professionally, we quietly assume something is wrong with them spiritually. Often they simply do not want to sing. Corporate singing is genuinely unusual. We do it at ball games, at birthdays, and at church.
That does not lower the value of singing at all. It just means a lot of people who walk closely with God have a different pathway, and inviting them to worship in a way they can actually enter is an act of hospitality and love.
This Sunday, give your church one way to worship that does not require a voice, and watch who leans in. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Send this to a worship leader who needs it.
#shortsNobody can write songs for your church like you canWorship Ministry Training2026-09-15 | Worship Leader, you are more qualified to write for your church than you think.
You know your people's stories. You know your room, your sound, and the words your church actually says out loud. Krissy Nordhoff says nobody can write songs for your church like you can. Nobody.
If you haven't written one yet, you're not behind. Most of us start later than we wish we had.
Ask the Lord for one line this week and write it in your notes app. That's a start.
There's a dangerous theology sneaking into modern worship songs, and most worship leaders are singing it every single week without even realizing it. One song alone with this theology has racked up over 80 million views in just one year.
This isn't just one hit song. It's a pattern showing up across popular worship music right now, and it's shaping how your congregation thinks about God.
In this video I break down the exact lyrics to watch for, why this theology is dangerous both for your church and for you personally as the worship leader, and what worship ACTUALLY is compared to what these songs tell you that it is.
You're definitely going to want to check this out to make sure you aren't unknowingly leading your congregation astray.
Watch it and tell me in the comments: do you think I'm being too strict, or do you agree with me?
Know a worship leader who should watch this? Be a friend and send them this video.
00:00 Intro: the dangerous theology hiding in your worship songs 00:44 Reading the lyrics: can you spot the theology? 01:20 Theology #1: Jesus as a lucky charm 01:20 Theology #2: worship as a weapon 01:58 Why worship is a response, not a tool to get something from God 02:22 Why this is dangerous for your church 03:54 Why this is dangerous for you as the worship leader 04:50 Why I don't think these songwriters have bad intentions 05:20 The subtle slant: making biblical events normative promises 06:18 What this means for you as a worship leader 06:50 Free guide + let's discuss in the commentsWatch your people, not the stage | Jeremy RiddleWorship Ministry Training2026-09-13 | Worship Leader, here is a test you can run this Sunday without changing a single thing about your rig.
Jeremy Riddle says to look at your people. Are they caught up in what is happening on the stage, or are they engaging with heaven? If the room is mesmerized by us, something is a little misguided, because the whole point is helping them connect with the living God.
None of this makes lights or screens bad. We are just asking what our production is actually doing to the people in front of us. That question is worth asking out loud with your team.
This Sunday, spend one song watching faces instead of the setlist, then bring what you saw to the Lord. π
Full episode with Jeremy Riddle on YouTube and the podcast. Tag your team.
#shortsThe same meal every Sunday | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-11 | Worship Leader, this picture will stay with you.
Aaron Niequist's wife listened to him describe everything he was trying to bring into worship and said, oh, I get it, you are trying to offer a well balanced meal every Sunday. So he looked at the meal he had been serving. It was genuinely good. Chicken, some rice, a little dessert. And it was the same meal every Sunday for years, while he wondered why his community was not getting healthier.
Be thankful for your food group. It is probably really good and your people need it, so keep serving it. Then ask the harder question with your team about the ones you have never even brought home from the store.
This week, name one food group your services have been missing and ask the Lord where to start. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Save this for your next planning meeting.
#shortsExcellence is not the top value | Jeremy RiddleWorship Ministry Training2026-09-09 | Worship Leader, we have all felt the pressure to make Sunday sound flawless.
Jeremy Riddle puts excellence in its place here. It is a real value, and it stays subservient to higher ones. Faith and obedience to the Lord outrank it every day, all day.
That is freeing if you serve with volunteers, a thin band, or a room where the mix is never quite right. You are not behind. We still work hard on our craft, and we hold it under the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than above Him.
This week, pick the one moment in your set where you would normally protect the arrangement, and ask the Lord what He wants there instead. π
Full episode with Jeremy Riddle on YouTube and the podcast. Save this for your next rehearsal.
#shortsA songwriters answer to worship song criticsWorship Ministry Training2026-09-08 | Worship Leader, if you've ever rolled your eyes at a new worship song, this one is for us.
Krissy Nordhoff writes these songs for a living, and she says it's easier to critique than to create. She has a hard time critiquing anybody's praise when it came from a heartfelt place.
So her challenge: if a song doesn't fit your church, write the one that does.
Ask the Lord this week what your church actually needs to sing, and start there.
If your church doesn't have enough worship or production volunteers, this episode is for you. Andrew Liggett leads worship at a church of 200 people, but he's developed a team of nearly 50 volunteers across worship, production, youth band, kids choir, and adult worship. That's one quarter of his entire church serving in music ministry! How did he do it?
In this episode, Andrew breaks down the exact system he uses to recruit, train, and grow volunteers from complete beginners into skilled, faithful team members. We talk about why "equipping the saints" (not doing all the ministry yourself) is the real job of a worship leader, how he built low-barrier on-ramps so literally anyone can start serving, and the three-tier approach he uses for every single position on his team, vocals, guitar, keys, drums, and even tech.
We also get into the tension every worship leader feels: how do you keep things musically excellent when you're bringing in beginners? Andrew's answer might challenge how you think about "polish" altogether. Plus, we dig into the practical side nobody talks about: how he mics 20 people on stage without destroying his sound crew, and how he gives feedback in a way that actually gets received instead of resented.
Whether you're a small church worship leader desperate for more volunteers, a mid-size team wanting to build a real development pipeline, or a worship pastor tired of doing everything yourself, this conversation will give you a framework to steal.
Know a worship leader who needs to hear this? Be a friend and send it to them!
00:00 Intro to Andrew Liggett and his volunteer-rich worship ministry 1:12 How big is Andrew's church (and why size is irrelevant) 2:58 Andrew's philosophy of ministry: equipping the saints for the work 4:26 What worship leaders should stop doing themselves 6:32 How Andrew organically built his volunteer positions 9:20 Creating low-barrier on-ramps for new volunteers 11:00 The three-tier system for every position on the team 15:08 Onboarding new singers without a formal audition process 15:44 The tech challenges of fitting 20 people on stage 16:44 Worship OS 19:00 Giving a long rehearsal runway for musical excellence 20:08 Polish vs. discipleship: what's the real point of ministry? 22:32 Mic setup, in-ears vs wedge monitors for large teams 25:08 Recapping the three-tier ladder 27:20 Professional excellence vs. pastoral excellence 30:10 Why releasing leadership protects your own heart 31:02 Building a culture where feedback and coaching are expected 35:38 The most important reminder: people are the work 38:20 Where to find Andrew Liggett 38:54 WMT Academy
Chapters: 00:00:00 If your church doesn't have enough worship or production 00:00:02 volunteers, this episode is for you. 00:22:27 AD 1 - MID-ROLL COMMERCIAL HERE 00:38:50 AD 2 - END COMMERCIAL HEREThe question that runs your Sunday | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-06 | Worship Leader, most of us have never said the real question out loud.
Aaron Niequist remembers the Sunday he realized what he was functionally being asked to answer every week. How do we get the room fired up in the first 25 minutes? Good people, good motives, and a question that quietly decides everything.
Because once that is the brief, look at what cannot fit. Lament. Scripture readings. Call and response. Prayer for the world. Silence. Reflection. He counted around 25 things he had come to believe were essential to a healthy church, all of them excluded by the question itself.
You are not failing if this is the water you swim in. Most of us were handed it.
This week, ask the Lord what He wants those minutes to do in your church, and write that question down where your team can see it. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Tag your team.
#shortsMy kids see through the show | Jeremy RiddleWorship Ministry Training2026-09-04 | Worship Leader, this one stung a little.
Jeremy Riddle said it is sobering how clearly his own kids see through the show. They can tell the difference between a performance and a person who means it, and what they are asking for is something real.
If you have leaned on production to carry a room, you are not alone. Most of us inherited that instinct from the churches that raised us. And the generation we keep praying would wake up to worship is watching our hearts a lot more than our stages.
This week, ask the Lord to make you honest in one moment of your set, then lead that moment like He is the only one in the room. π
Full episode with Jeremy Riddle on YouTube and the podcast. Send this to a worship leader who needs it.
#shortsLament in the top 100 songs | Aaron NiequistWorship Ministry Training2026-09-02 | Worship Leader, here is a number that is hard to put down.
Nearly a third of the 150 Psalms carry lament. Aaron Niequist asked what percentage of the top 100 CCLI worship songs are lament. Zero.
That does not make celebratory songs bad. We need them, and our people need them. It does mean the songbook we hand our churches is missing a language that God Himself gave His people for the worst weeks of their lives. And the folks in our rooms who are grieving are singing along to words that skip right past where they actually are.
This week, find one song or one Scripture of lament and give your church somewhere to put their sorrow in front of the Lord. π
Full episode with Aaron Niequist on YouTube and the podcast. Send this to a worship leader who needs it.
#worshipleader #worshipteam #lament #psalms
#shortsKrissy Nordhoff on using AI to write worship songsWorship Ministry Training2026-09-01 | Worship Leader, if you've wondered whether it's okay to let AI write your worship songs, Krissy Nordhoff has a hard line on it.
Her reason is one verse: "I will not offer a sacrifice that costs me nothing."
Worship is our response to God, so it's worth the cost of actually writing it ourselves. Slower, harder, and ours.
If you've been stuck on a song, ask the Lord for one honest line this week and write it down yourself.
Full episode on YouTube and the podcast. π
#shortsWhat is Worship OS - the new app for Worship Teams?Worship Ministry Training2026-08-24 | Free Trial - https://worshipos.app
What is Worship OS and why are worship leaders flocking to it to streamline their ministries?
Worship OS is the new app from Worship Ministry Training. Designed to bring your team together into one central location where they can grow spiritually, musically, relationally, and culturally into strong, godly team members!
Check out our full deep dive here!
Want to start your free trial? Check it here: https://worshipos.app
0:00 Introduction & What is Worship OS 0:45 The Five Core Systems 2:36 Worship OS vs Planning Center 3:30 Getting Started & Inviting Your Team 7:18 Team Communication Overview 8:18 Groups & Segmented Communication 11:38 Posting Features 13:43 Read Receipts & Resend to Unreads 14:48 Birthdays & Team Devotions 16:22 Direct Messages & Quick Message 18:30 Audition & Onboarding Process 24:00 Team Training Library 26:09 Vocal Warmups & Quarterly Workshops 27:42 Planner App 33:00 Worship AI 35:33 Admins & Keyboard Shortcuts 37:00 Download the Apps 37:25 Q&AWhy your worship team sounds sloppy (and how to fix it in 7 steps)Worship Ministry Training2026-08-17 | πΆ Arranging Parts (Free Lesson) - sendfox.com/lp/3zqy0w πΈ Musical Excellence Course (50% off) - sendfox.com/lp/m8jv6q
Worship leaders working with beginner musicians know the struggle. Sloppy timing, everyone playing the entire song, no dynamics, polish or listening to one another to play as one "unit". No wonder it's so hard for worship leaders to help their teams achieve musical excellence!
The 7 tips in this video will transform your amateur worship team band from sloppy to sounding tight and professional. Even if you're working with noobs, students, or volunteers who just don't seem to "get it" yet.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - How to glue your rhythm section together to build a solid foundation for the rest of the band. - Why layering (and NOT playing) is one of the most important skills your musicians can learn - How to distribute subdivisions across instruments so your mix stops sounding sloppy and crowded. - How to move beyond just playing chords so the arrangements truly come alive!
00:00 - Intro 00:18 - Youth Band Example 01:00 - Tip 1 01:50 - Tip 2 02:34 - Tip 3 03:26 - Tip 4 04:28 - Tip 5 05:28 - Tip 6 06:42 - Tip 7I can finally talk about this...Worship Ministry Training2026-08-10 | π» Coupon (20 available) - AcademyUpgrade
Worship Ministry Training is changing, and honestly, it's the biggest shift I've made in 14 years of doing this.
For over a decade I've focused almost entirely on equipping YOU, the worship leader. Courses, coaching calls, YouTube content, all aimed at making you better. But I've come to realize that training the worship leader alone isn't enough. Your team needs training too, and most of you don't have the time, the know-how, or the bandwidth to create devotionals, workshops, vocal warmups, onboarding pathways, team culture systems, and musician training videos on top of everything else you're already carrying!
So I'm restructuring Worship Ministry Training around two pillars: one that equips you, and one that equips your entire team automatically.
In this video I walk through exactly what's changing, what stays the same, and how these two systems work together to take weight off your shoulders without costing your volunteers a penny. I also mention a limited-time coupon code for the first people who watch this, so stick around to the end if you want to grab that.
Whether you're a bivocational worship leader, a solo worship leader wearing 10 hats, or you're just tired of carrying all the training and admin alone, this one's for you.
Know a worship leader who's stretched too thin trying to train their whole team by themselves? Be a friend and send them this video.
00:00 Intro: why Worship Ministry Training is changing 00:36 Why training the worship leader alone isn't enough 01:08 The two-pillar shift: Academy for you, Worship OS for your team 01:52 Coupon code info (mentioned, details below the video) 02:26 Peek Inside the Academy: courses, live coaching calls, and workshops 03:52 Live expert interviews and the Community Conversations channel 04:58 Introducing Worship OS for your team 05:24 What Worship OS automates for your team 06:32 Team Comms walkthrough 08:26 Team Training library walkthrough 08:52 Team Onboarding pipeline walkthrough 10:12 Recap and how to claim the coupon codeThe approval trap thats quietly killing worship leadersWorship Ministry Training2026-08-03 | π Spiritual Affirmations - sendfox.com/lp/3oxrd4
Most worship leaders are leading for approval and don't even realize it.
If you replay every service on the drive home, spiral when nobody says anything afterward, feel defensive the second someone gives you feedback, or secretly compare your small room to the highlight reels on Instagram, this conversation is for you.
I sit down with Amber Peairs, who served as worship pastor at Gateway Church in Dallas for over 19 years (the church Kari Jobe came from) and now leads The Worship Life. We go deep on one of the most important and least-talked-about issues in worship ministry: leading from a secure identity in Christ versus leading for the approval of people. Amber didn't figure this out until year 15 of ministry. Neither did I.
We get specific about what approval-driven leadership actually looks like: chasing a bigger platform before you've been faithful to the one you have, over-committing to every opportunity because saying no feels like disappearing, name-dropping to prove yourself, and getting defensive when anyone pushes back. We've both been there, and we name it honestly.
Then Amber raises the question that cuts deepest: Who are you if you never lead worship again? She shares what happened when God told her to step away from leading for two full months, what she heard Him say during that silence, and how it permanently changed the way she leads. You don't want to miss that part.
She also walks through the daily practices that have kept her anchored and free from approval-seeking for over 35 years of ministry, and the difference between healthy ambition and approval-driven striving (it's not always obvious which one you're in).
Whether you're a brand-new worship leader still finding your footing, a worship pastor deep into your tenure, or someone who's been leading for decades and still wrestles with insecurity, this one's for you.
Know a worship leader who's stuck in the approval trap? Be a friend and send this to them.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
β¨ Healthy Leaders From the Inside Out (8-week fall cohort) - theworshiplife.com
Most worship leaders assume a muddy mix is a soundboard problem. After 20 years of leading worship in churches ranging from 100 to 10,000 in size, I can tell you: most of the time, it's not. These 5 "mudslingers" will show you exactly what's actually killing your clarity and how to fix each one fast.
Whether you're the worship leader running sound yourself, you're coaching a volunteer sound tech, or you just want a cleaner, more professional mix on Sunday mornings, these fixes will help.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - The mic technique mistake your singers are probably making right now - Why your microphone brand matters more than you think - How your band's choices are creating muddy buildup (and how to fix it) - The one filter you should be using on almost every channel - The specific frequency range you need to CUT before you ever touch the highs
Leave a comment and tell me which mudslinger you're going to tackle first this week!
Know a worship leader who's been fighting a muddy mix? Be a friend and send this to them!
Most worship leaders think writing original music is only for major labels or professional touring bands. But what if the next powerful anthem your congregation needs is already hidden within your team?
In this exclusive masterclass conversation, Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning songwriter Krissy Nordhoff breaks down the exact steps to launching a healthy culture of worship songwriting for churches.
We move past the surface and dive deep into the practical workflows, relational dynamics, and spiritual disciplines required to shepherd the unique voice of your local church.
Whether youβre a seasoned writer wanting to refine your craft or a worship pastor trying to build a creative community from scratch, this insightful teaching will give you the tools and the confidence to start writing original songs for your ministry.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: - The hidden biblical mandate behind why your local church needs fresh songs
- Why you should stop critiquing modern worship music and do this instead
- A breakdown of the 3 songwriter personality types and how to find your strengths
- The exact daily framework to inspire your heart and stay spiritually rooted
- Practical hacks for organizing raw song ideas using voice memos and digital tools
- How to handle creative conflict and navigate publishing splits in a church co-write
- The blueprint for launching a sustainable worship songwriting ministry that lasts
Know a worship leader or worship team member who needs to see this? Be a friend and send it to them!
00:00 Introduction to Worship Songwriting with Krissy Nordhoff 00:54 Biblical Foundation for Songwriting & Psalm 96 03:36 Modern Worship Music Critique vs Creating for Your Church 05:33 Common Songwriting Mistakes to Avoid as a Worship Leader 06:42 3 Songwriter Personality Types & Finding Your Strengths 11:00 Daily Worship Songwriting Framework & Heart Preparation 14:27 WMT Academy Promotion 15:42 Why Worship Pastors Should Avoid Using AI for Songwriting 17:03 How to Organize Song Ideas Using Voice Memos & Google Drive 19:30 How to Start a Songwriting Ministry at Your Church 22:33 Qualities to Look for in Team Members for Church Co-Writing 23:54 How to Handle Creative Conflict & Lack of Honor in a Co-Write 25:45 How to Choose the Right Topics & Sound for Local Worship Songs 27:54 Group Psalming Techniques for Worship Team Gatherings 30:06 How Music Publishing Splits Work for Church Worship Leaders 36:54 Worship OS PromotionWhy Your Worship Singers Sound Sloppy (and Our 30-Minute Fix)Worship Ministry Training2026-06-15 | π€ Vocal Arrangements Lesson (Free) - sendfox.com/lp/36yqye π£οΈ Vocal Warmups (Free) - sendfox.com/lp/1dnkn9 π» Vocal Mastery Mini-Course ($19 sale) - shop.worshipministrytraining.com/vocal-mastery
Most worship leaders think great Sunday vocal blend just happens naturally. But how do you actually take a stage full of individual singers who sound weak, wobbly, or disconnected, and transform them into a tight, unified powerhouse where everyone sounds incredible together?
In this video, I pull back the curtain on the exact 30-minute vocal rehearsal framework I use to blend worship vocalists to absolute perfection. You'll learn exactly how to run an efficient, high-impact vocal rehearsal that locks in tight harmonies, eliminates clashing, and builds flawless vocal chemistry across your entire worship team.
If you are tired of fighting messy background vocals, or you're a music director trying to maximize your limited rehearsal time, this short, but practical lesson will give you a proven blueprint to achieve that polished, "one-voice" vocal sound this weekend.
π₯ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- The strategic midpoint placement where a 30-minute vocal rehearsal actually belongs
- Smart alternate scheduling options if you don't have an extra musician to run the band
- How to save time and protect vocal endurance with a simple technique
- A game-changing voice memo trick to build a permanent library of custom worship vocals for your team
Know a worship leader or worship team member who needs to see this? Be a friend and send it to them!
00:00 Intro 00:33 When to Do the Vocal Rehearsal 01:59 The 3 Singer Rule 02:22 Tip 1 02:40 Tip 2 03:43 Tip 3 04:36 Tip 4 05:40 Tip 5 07:22 Tip 6 07:54 Tip 7 09:21 Bonus Tip 10:13 Free Resource & Mini CourseMajor Misconceptions about Worship MusicWorship Ministry Training2026-06-01 | π Free Worship Leader Starter Kit - sendfox.com/lp/m8zwvr
Many of us have been trained to equate music with worship, but the reality is that music is only a "narrow sliver" of what it truly means to honor God.
In this video, we break down the major misconceptions about "worship music" and explore a biblical definition of worship that changes everything for worship leaders and their congregations.
What Youβll Learn in This Video:
The Definition of True Worship: Why worship is actually a whole-life endeavor and a life submitted to bringing God glory in all things.
Music vs. Worship: Understanding why music is a powerful tool, but singing does not automatically equal worship.
The "Noise" Warning: Why God sometimes rejects our songs when our hearts aren't in the right place, as seen in Amos 5.
Excellence in Ministry: Why playing skillfully and with excellence matters to the Creator of the universe.
The Power of Singing: How singing acts as a mnemonic device to drip truth into our hearts and help us remember Godβs promises.
Singing to One Another: The surprising New Testament command to sing for the edification of the brothers and sisters around you.
Key Biblical Insights: Worship is always a "revelation and response". We see who God is, and then we respond rightly to Him with our minds and our hearts. Whether you have a "joyful noise" or a highly trained voice, you are commanded to singβnot just for Godβs glory, but to encourage the faith of your church family.
If youβre a worship leader who wants to move beyond the "music genre" and lead your team into a deeper, whole-life understanding of worship, this video is for you!
Share this with your worship team to help realign your ministry with these biblical truths!
Most Christians think worship = singing. But what does the Bible actually say?
In this video, we break down the true biblical definition of worship, what corporate worship really means, and why understanding the difference between personal worship and corporate worship will transform the way you lead and participate on Sundays.
Whether you're a worship leader, worship team member, or someone who wants to better understand the purpose of Sunday morning gatherings, this teaching will challenge and expand your understanding of what it means to be a true worshiper.
π₯ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- How worship relates to music (and how it doesn't)
- What is corporate worship?
- The difference between personal worship and corporate worship
- Why God may reject our worship songs
- How singing in church is meant to encourage OTHER believers
- Why loud music and dark rooms are missing the point
- What the word "worship" literally means
Know a worship leader or worship team member who needs to see this? Be a friend and send it to them!
Is your church struggling to sing out during worship? You might be making some common worship song selection mistakes that are quietly killing engagement! After 20 years of leading worship in churches of all sizes, Iβve seen how the right (or wrong) song choices can make or break your service.
In this video, Iβll reveal three worship song selection mistakes that could be holding your congregation backβand how to fix them!
Share this with another worship leader who wants to improve their church worship planning!
Is your brain on fire from context-switching between 100 open browser tabs? Most worship leaders are drowning in administrative noise, jumping between Planning Center, group texts, emails, and spreadsheets just to get through a Sunday.
In this deep-dive training, weβre showing you how to kill the chaos and lead your team with excellence and ease, using Worship OSβthe central hub designed to be the "brain" of your worship ministry.
This isn't just another app; itβs a system designed to give you your time back so you can focus on what actually matters: leading your team and crafting beautiful moments of worship for your church!
How Worship OS transforms your week:
- Stop the App Fatigue: Consolidate your communication, training, and planning. If itβs not in the OS, it doesn't exist.
- Automate Your Onboarding: Move new volunteers from "interested" to "stage-ready" with automated applications, digital handbooks, and sign-offs. Stop chasing paperwork and start building culture.
- Train While You Sleep: Send automated training materials to your musicians so they grow in their craft without you having to manually manage every step.
- Beat Creative Block: Use the Worship AI Setlist Helper to spark fresh ideas, themes, and scripture-aligned songs when youβre feeling stuck.
- One Source of Truth: Direct messages, team-wide polls, and group feeds mean no more lost details in "the black hole" of a group text.
- Leading with Vision: Use the built-in Personal Planner and Monthly Leadership Suggestions to stay ahead of the calendar instead of just reacting to it.
TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro 02:39 Linking Planning Center 05:21 Team Communication Hub (Groups, Feeds, & Polls) 12:47 Direct Messages and Group Chats 14:27 Onboarding: The Application Process 18:03 Automated Training Material for Musicians 20:41 Customizing Onboarding and Training Docs 22:12 Personal Planner, Goals, and Priorities 24:35 Monthly Worship Leadership Suggestions 25:21 Worship AI & Setlist Helper 28:20 Special Academy Offer 31:22 Rolling It Out To Your Team (Tips) 32:11 Q&A: How to justify the cost/ask your Pastor for permission 33:18 Q&A: Audition materialβis there space for more than two songs? 34:12 Q&A: Can I edit a team member's name? 35:09 Q&A: How to use without Planning Center? 36:20 Q&A: Adding Admins and what they are able to see 37:27 Q&A: Can I add my own songs and files to Worship OS? 38:18 Q&A: How to add someone to onboarding if they're already in the process? 38:36 Q&A: Customizing team devotions 39:51 Q&A: Where to find the custom church link for auditions? 40:32 Q&A: Do emails sent from the services tab show as Planning Center or Worship OS? 45:51 Q&A: Can I put current team members through the onboarding/training process? 47:36 Q&A: Can I add my own custom devotions to the automatic feed?Behind-the-Scenes: Red Rocks WorshipWorship Ministry Training2026-05-04 | π Free Worship Leader Starter Kit - sendfox.com/lp/m8zwvr
How does Red Rocks Worship lead 150 volunteers across 6 campuses β and keep excellence high every single weekend?
In this episode, Tyler from Red Rocks Worship ("Good Plans," "The King Is Coming," "Echo Holy," "Breakthrough") pulls back the curtain on everything: how they run their worship ministry, how they train and onboard volunteers, how they maintain culture across multiple campuses, their songwriting process, and hard-won lessons from recording live worship albums.
Whether you're leading a team of 5 or 500, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom you can apply to your ministry this week.
π¬ Here's what we cover:
0:00 β Meet Tyler from Red Rocks Worship
1:14 β The scope of their worship ministry
3:09 β The free resource that keeps 150 volunteers sharp
5:40 β The fast food analogy that changed everything
7:15 β The "game film" strategy most leaders skip
9:57 β What their Monday staff meeting actually looks like
12:02 β Their audition and onboarding process
14:50 β Why they've never had a midweek rehearsal
16:30 β How they keep services from feeling mechanical
19:45 β The Saturday night secret most churches don't know about
22:10 β When high production kills participation
25:30 β His hot take that will ruffle some feathers
27:00 β How their songwriting process started (by accident)
30:45 β The feedback loop that makes their songs better
33:15 β What went wrong on their first live recording
35:50 β What they do differently now on live albums
38:30 β Their new record "Promise Land" and the story behind it
41:00 β The one thing every worship leader needs to hear
Worship leader: if you feel overworked, stretched thin, and buried in communication, planning, team training, and weekly set building⦠this app was built for you.
After 4 months and $10,000 of development, I created Worship OS: an app designed to help worship leaders and worship teams lead with more ease, excellence, and less chaos.
In this video, I show you exactly how Worship OS works and how you can try it free.
π€ What is Worship OS?
Worship OS stands for Worship Operating System β an all-in-one worship leader app that brings together the essential tools you need to run a healthy, organized worship ministry.
Instead of juggling multiple apps, group texts, planning tools, and disconnected systems, Worship OS helps you manage everything in one place.
π Inside Worship OS:
- Team communication hub
- Private messages and group messages
- Feed posts, polls, voice memos, videos, and pictures
- Automatic birthday reminders
- Weekly worship team devotions
- Subgroups for campuses, bands, or ministry teams
- Automated worship team onboarding
- Training workflows for new team members
- Audition materials and expectation documents
- Worship AI setlist helper
- Call to worship suggestions
- Smart planner for ministry best practices
- Planning Center integration
- Mobile app for worship team members
β€οΈ Why worship leaders love this
Worship leaders are some of the most overworked and under-resourced people in the church. You didnβt sign up to be a project manager β you signed up to lead people to Jesus.
π Worship OS helps you:
- save time every week
- simplify worship team communication
- organize your ministry
- onboard and train new volunteers
- build better worship sets faster
- create healthy ministry rhythms
- reduce stress and chaos
π€ Perfect for:
- Worship leaders
- Worship pastors
- Church worship teams
- Volunteer worship teams
- Churches using Planning Center
- Ministries wanting better worship team communication and planning
Is your church barely singing during worship? Youβre not alone! In this video, I reveal the two biggest reasons why your congregation isnβt engagingβand exactly how you can fix it.
Drawing from years of experience leading worship in churches of all sizes, Iβll show you practical strategies to invite your church into genuine participation. Discover how a warm welcome, vocal cues, micro exhortations, and strategic down choruses can transform your worship environment.
Plus, learn why your churchβs tech setup and room atmosphere might be holding people back from singing out. If youβre ready to see your church come alive in worship, this episode is for you!
Know a worship leader who needs help with church engagement? Share this video with them!
Is your worship set building process random, or intentional? In this video, I walk you through a proven framework for building worship sets that actually engage your church.
We move beyond basic song selection and dive into the art of flow. As a worship leader, your job is to reveal Christ clearly. When you do so, your church will respond passionately. Learn how to pick the right songs, handle transitions, and use specific set building techniques (like relative keys and tags) to polish your set to perfection.
0:00 - Introduction 1:21 - Personal Story: Why the Set Matters More Than Tech 3:24 - Foundation 1: Revelation First, Then Response 4:48 - Foundation 2: The Importance of Strong Songs 5:39 - The 5 Qualities of a Strong Worship Song 8:21 - Preliminary Action 1: Pray & Determine Your Theme 11:30 - Preliminary Action 2: Assess Your Band (Talent & Textures) 14:06 - Building the Set: Brainstorming & Finding Flow 18:45 - Musical Flow: Using Tempos & Relative Keys 23:36 - The Goal: Ending with Vertical, God-Centered Songs 25:15 - Real-Time Example: Building a Set from Scratch 27:27 - Polishing Your Set: Perfecting Transitions 29:54 - Polishing Your Set: Using Song "Tags" 31:12 - Polishing Your Set: Adding Creative Elements 32:18 - Summary & Key Takeaways 32:54 - Worship Ministry Training Academy InfoHow to Make Small Worship Teams Sound Massive (10 Pro Tips)Worship Ministry Training2026-03-09 | πΆ 101 Congregational Songs - sendfox.com/lp/m2kve5 π Strong Songs Guide - sendfox.com/lp/1gqk70 π Capo Cheat Sheet - sendfox.com/lp/3zn5kz βΆοΈ Vocal Cues Vid - youtube.com/watch?v=GzX5iG8Dvzk
Small worship team? Just you and a guitar? πΈ This video gives you 10 pro tips to make your acoustic worship sets sound massiveβeven when youβre leading worship alone or running a simple piano + guitar setup. Learn how to create dynamics, space, and warmth so your church can truly engage. Whether youβre leading solo or with a tiny band, these practical worship leader strategies will help your acoustic Sundays feel full, dynamic, and powerful.
Send this to someone who leads acoustic or with a small, but mighty team!
0:00 - Introduction
0:39 - Tip 1
1:17 - Tip 2
2:08 - Tip 3
4:43 - Tip 4
6:22 - Tip 5
6:51 - Tip 6
7:18 - Bonus Tip
7:25 - Tip 7
8:37 - Tip 8
9:19 - Technical Tips Introduction
9:24 - Tech Tip 1
10:37 - Tech Tip 2
11:34 - Tech Tip 3
12:01 - The Most Important Tip
13:24 - Live Performance: Spoken Intro
14:09 - Song 1: "His Mercy Is More"
18:27 - Song 2: "Cornerstone"
22:41 - Song 3: "10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"
What does it really mean to be a woman worship leader in todayβs church? In this honest and hope-filled conversation, we talk with Rochelle Bullock about the unique struggles women faceβlike insecurity, lack of representation, and the pressure to fit a mold. Rochelle opens up about her journey, the power of embracing your identity, and how women can lead with boldness and authenticity.
Youβll learn how to overcome comparison, step into your calling, and build a culture of encouragement for yourself and your team. Plus, we discuss the strengths women bring to worship ministryβempathy, spiritual depth, and a nurturing leadership style that transforms teams and congregations.
If you know a female worship leader (or want to support one), be a good friend and send this episode to them!
The pressure to do βbig churchβ things with a small team is real.
But what if the goal this year isn't bigger⦠but better?
Not more elements. Not more programs. Not more pressure.
Just intentional. Just excellent.
Because sometimes when we try to pull off something huge and fall short, it doesn't inspire people. It just highlights how stretched we are. And everyone feels it.
Don't overextend. Be exceptionally faithful with what's already in your hands.
Do it with heart. Do it with excellence.
And trust God to grow what's healthy.Warning to Worship LeadersWorship Ministry Training2026-02-25 | What happens when a worship pastorβsomeone called to leadβfalls into unthinkable sin? Last week, a worship pastor and former American Idol contestant was arrested and charged for the murder of his wife, shaking the church world.
In this video, we unpack the sobering reality that no one is immune to compromise. Discover three essential truths every worship leader must know to guard against the schemes of the enemy and avoid becoming another church leader headline.
Learn how small compromises can destroy your ministry, your family, and your legacyβand how to stay spiritually strong in the face of temptation.
If youβre a worship leader who wants to finish well, this is a must-watch. Share this with someone who needs a wake-up call!
The question isn't βCan I keep up?β It's βAm I graced for this right now?β
There's a big difference between running hard⦠and being empowered by God to run.
If He's asking you to carry it, He'll supply the strength. If He's not, it's okay to lay it down.
Before you add one more thing to your plate, pause and ask Him.
Save this for the next busy stretch. Tag a worship leader who needs the reminder.UntitledWorship Ministry Training2026-02-18 | Intense seasons don't have to cost you your soul.
Or your family.
The question isn't βCan I keep up?β It's βAm I graced for this right now?β
There's a big difference between running hard⦠and being empowered by God to run.
If He's asking you to carry it, He'll supply the strength. If He's not, it's okay to lay it down.
Before you add one more thing to your plate, pause and ask Him.
Save this for the next busy stretch. Tag a worship leader who needs the reminder.Stop Letting the Wrong People In: Worship Team Auditions (Masterclass)Worship Ministry Training2026-02-16 | π Free Audition Template Packet - sendfox.com/lp/mp2d6y
Is your worship team audition process helping or hurting your culture? In this video, I break down a proven 4-step framework for worship team building that works for churches of any size.
We cover everything from the initial spiritual questionnaire to the worship team onboarding phase. Learn exactly how to audition singers and musicians effectively, offer pastoral feedback, and use worship team training to mold volunteers into ideal team members.
0:00 - Introduction 0:27 - Why Auditions & Onboarding Matter (Castle Gate Analogy) 1:45 - Molding Team Members (The Factory Analogy) 4:42 - The 4 Steps of the Audition Process 6:15 - Audition Step 1: The Spiritual Questionnaire 8:42 - Audition Step 2: Pre-Audition Resources 11:15 - Audition Step 3: The In-Person Interview 13:57 - Audition Step 4: The Musical Assessment 16:00 - Determining Next Steps After the Assessment 17:48 - Q&A: Audition Process 20:24 - Audition Process Summary 20:36 - The Onboarding Process 21:09 - Onboarding Step 1: Team Values & Expectations 23:51 - Onboarding Step 2: Online Training 24:51 - Onboarding Step 3: In-Person Training (Shadowing) 26:24 - Onboarding Step 4: Serving with Feedback 27:15 - Worship Ministry Training Academy Info 29:24 - Final Q&A 30:51 - Pro Tip: How to Audition VocalistsUntitledWorship Ministry Training2026-02-11 | Excellence has developed a bad reputation in church.
And honestly, for good reason.
When excellence becomes about perfection, polish, or proving something, it misses the heart entirely.
But an π¦πΉπ€π¦πππ¦π―π΅ π΄π±πͺπ³πͺπ΅ is different.
When we're worshipping the Lord, faithfulness matters. Preparation matters. Giving our best matters, not to impress people, but to honor Him.
That's the posture we want our teams to carry.
Not pressure. Not performance.
Just a sincere desire to glorify God with what He's entrusted to us.
Hear the rest of this conversation on our latest podcast episode.Creative Christmas Services (Expert Planning Tips)Worship Ministry Training2026-02-09 | π Good Friday Scriptures - sendfox.com/lp/m7n8xd
Are you tired of scrambling to plan your Easter and Christmas services? Discover proven strategies, creative ideas, and practical tips for organizing unforgettable seasonal events β no matter your church size or budget! I
In this episode, we talk with KristieAnn, who leads massive Christmas productions (16,000+ attendees)!
She breaks down how you can lead engaging, creative, Christ-centered Easter/Christmas services every year, even if youβre in a small or mid-sized congregation.
Learn how to:
- Brainstorm and execute innovative Christmas and Easter services
- Lead your teams with clarity, creativity, and care
- Organize volunteers, manage timelines, and avoid burnout
- Make your churchβs seasonal events a powerful outreach to your community
Donβt let another holiday sneak up on you! Share this with a worship leader who needs to start planning their next Easter or Christmas service!
Should we sing Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation songs in our church services? This is one of the most controversial questions facing worship leaders today. With recent scandals, theological concerns, and the ongoing debate about megachurch influence on worship music, itβs never been more important to evaluate what we sing. In this video, I break down the three core arguments for and against using songs from Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation, and share the surprising answer God gave me when I brought this issue to Him.
Explore the real impact of financial support, doctrinal issues, and the pipeline from music to theology. Whether youβre wrestling with controversial worship songs or just want biblical worship music standards for your church, youβll find encouragement and clarity here.
Know a worship leader struggling with these questions? Share this video with them and join the conversation in the comments below!
If you care about the people you're serving, preparation isn't optional. It's part of the calling.
It doesn't matter how long you've been leading or how many times you've played the song.
When we don't prepare, we risk doing a disservice to those we serve and dishonoring the calling we've been entrusted with.
Preparation can look like:
β’ Practicing the songs before Sunday β’ Thinking through your words before hard conversations β’ Working out calls to worship or transitions so everyone is aligned
Here's the truth we forget:
We are called to offer a sacrifice of praise.
Preparation is the offering. Sunday is the result of diligence and stewardship.Worship Leaders: Stop comparing your worship teamWorship Ministry Training2026-01-22 | ...Worship leader PANIC momentWorship Ministry Training2026-01-19 | The absolute panic.
Has this ever happened to you? Do you have a backup plan if your tracks rig fails?STOP comparing your worship team to Hillsong!Worship Ministry Training2026-01-19 | π Free Worship Leader Starter Kit - sendfox.com/lp/m8zwvr
If you're feeling discouraged by your worship team's lack of skill or spiritual maturity, you might be unfairly comparing them to other ministries you see online. Comparison is the thief of joy.
In this short, encouraging message, I'll share with you how you should actually view your team...and what you should be doing instead of comparing. This is a critically important message for all worship leaders!
Be encouraged and send this to someone you think needs to hear this!
Finally master the Nashville Number System and lead your worship band with confidence! This simple tutorial breaks down everything you need to know to lead spontaneous worship, change keys on the fly, and communicate like a pro music director. Plus, see a real-life example of it in action during a live service!
This guide is for any worship leader or musician who wants to stop feeling confused by numbers and start flowing musically with their team.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
β What the Nashville Number System is and why it's essential.
β The simple pattern of major & minor chords (1, 4, 5 are major, etc.)
β How to use the numbers in any key.
β A practical exercise to help you learn FAST.
β Pro tips on when to call out chords.
0:00 - Intro 1:17 - What is the NNS? 2:50 - Major & Minor Rules 3:29 - Examples with Different Keys 6:01 - Training Exercise 7:29 - Live Band Example w/ Calls 8:58 - Final Tip for Calling ChordsMulti-generational worship teams arent hard because of music styles. Theyre hard because of...Worship Ministry Training2026-01-08 | More seasoned worshippers and younger team members often have the same heart but speak different languages.
When it becomes about who's right instead of who we're reaching, tension shows up fast. Unity doesn't come from picking a side.
It comes from laying pride down and letting Jesus stay at the center.
Different generations. Different expressions. Same mission.What other stupid lines do us worship leaders say?Worship Ministry Training2026-01-07 | What other stupid lines do us worship leaders say? πHow to introduce click to your teamWorship Ministry Training2026-01-02 | βI hate the click.β
Almost every worship leader has heard this before.
@joshphillips97 from @wearetheheritage talks honestly about what it was like introducing a metronome to his team.
No one quit. No one loved it right away.
But over time, they saw the value. Same tempo at home. Same tempo in rehearsal. A grid to pull you back when adrenaline or exhaustion takes over.
The real win wasn't the click. It was the patience. Trying something new in rehearsal. Giving it time. Inviting the team in with βlet's try it.β
Leading people well often looks slower than we want, but patience has a way of shaping teams in the right direction.Christmas Medley - Carol of the Bells, etc.Worship Ministry Training2025-12-25 | Our church put this together for our pre-service prelude. Just for fun. Enjoy!