Beyond Sunday Worship Leader Podcast

Topics Covered: Coffee snobbery John's favorite US (and international) coffee shops How to extend your vocal range Caring for the person, not the just the gifting The importance of staying rooted in a local church The dangers of ego and self centeredness in ministry Sonship Time restraints in worship Structure and flow in worship Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor:  Robert E. Webber Institute for W...

Today's conversation is with Natalie Runion - Natalie is a worship leader, author, speaker, and founder of the online community Raised to Stay . She's written two books - Raised to Stay and The House that Jesus Built, both powerful, insightful reads into the realities of local church ministry. In this conversation we talk about worship ministry tensions, aging out of ministry roles, challenges for...

Topics Covered: Unlearning and deciphering mega church worship models Why it's not our job to move the room Trusting the Holy Spirit as a worship leader How the Church Growth movement has effected the role of worship leaders Why we have elevated young leaders too soon An alternative to big, massive, mega church worship Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Level Up Coaching for Female...

Topics Covered: Why Gospel Music is fringe within the church Why we need diversity and how to encourage it Matters of race and racism in the church Finding your voice and being comfortable in your own skin Why we don't understand the systemic nature of racism and can't always see it Darwin's upcoming new Setlist project Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Darwin Hobbs website (Heart...

Topics Covered: The story behind David's new studio The importance of creating in community The challenges of being a Christian artist in 2025 What is exciting about worship music today Challenges with worship music today Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Just Jesus by David Leonard David Leonard Gruhn Guitars Deliver Me From Nowhere: The Making of Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska by...

Today we welcome Jeff Cochran to the Beyond Sunday Podcast. Jeff is the founder of the Spiritual Abuse Institute and the host of the Church Disrupted podcast.  Jeff is a business owner, church consultant, and has spent many years in local church ministry. His insights into spiritual abuse, church systems, and creating healtheir churches is so insightful. These are TOUGH TOPICS but so necessary to...

Topics Covered: The Religious Exemption and what it means How we can use worship as a subtle form of manipulation The mega church structure and the dangers associated with it Integrity in church financials The upcoming Religious Business documentary Accountability in the church and a robust hope for the future Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center @thereligionbusiness Show Sponsor: My...

Topics Covered: How New Life Fellowship cultivates a multicultural community How to hold the contemplative and the charismatic together How to lead congregations with different political views Why church growth is unhealthy to obsess over Pastoring people through racial tension A biblical view of worship ministry Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Rich Villodas @richvillodas The De...

"We've made the list of everything that could go wrong. It's time to make the list of everything that could go right." - Nikki Lerner Topics Covered: What it's like to leave full time ministry after 20+ years The challenge of doing ministry when you're paid to do it full time The importance of creative outlets outside of the church What to do when you're bored with worship music Nikki's philosophy...

Topics Covered: Malcolm's story of activism in South Africa Similarities of American culture today with South Africa in the 1970s and 80s. The spiritual underground and what that means What it means to be a Kingdom of Priests Some of the artists who make up Common Hymnal The problem with becoming comercially viable The story behind Common Hymnal's new "Be Love" song Resources Mentioned: Show Spons...

Topics Covered: 5 of the biggest needs facing worship leaders right now The reality of worship ministry The difference between artist and worship leader The gift of obscurity The tensions of not earning worship artist fame To use tracks or not to use tracks? Practical tips for speaking from the stage Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Three Streams Worship - Mike's Ministry Show Sp...

Topics Covered: Why deconstruction is a prophetic warning to the church Tommy's deconstruction journey and why he became a Pastor Why most evangelical churches today lack engagement The problem with the worship industry and local church worship Why people are leaving the church Why the modern mega church looks more like Babylon than Christ Why worship leaders need to view themselves as liturgists ...

Kelsey is a brilliant thinker. She is a musicologist and educator based in Iowa, holding a PhD from the University of Iowa. Currently, Kelsey is a regular contributor to Christianity Today, writing and reporting on worship and church culture. She is also an adjunct professor at Grand View University in Des Moines, where she teaches on music and social justice. As as a graduate student and adjunct...

Topics Covered: The changes in Christian music from the 90s to now The worship music boom of the early 2000s and The story behind Third Day's Offering worship record in 2000 Why leading worship in a local church is harder than leading a worship concert The importance of self care for artists and worship leaders What the transition from band to solo artist has been like for Mac Resources Mentioned:...

Topics Covered: How Aodhan got connected to Hillsong The beginning of Young & Free The growth and struggle with popularity and touring The writing of new music God centered worship songs Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Beyond Us by Aodhan King Show Sponsor: My goal in this podcast is to help you grow as a worship leader. Of course that includes your formation, but it isn't limit...

Topics Covered: What if felt like to make music in the early days of Delirious Why Martin moves in spontaneous/prophetic worship Why worship music less bold and creative today Why joy and celebration are needed in worship today Mega Church reform The Rockstar Worship Leader pandemic What it's like having Stu G on the new record Stories behind songs on the new record, Joy Resources Mentioned: Show...

Topics Covered: Critical thinking over a critical spirit Sam's church story of leading worship in various denominations The importance of childlike faith How to avoid the trap of copying the songs and styles of a few movements Finding your own voice Worship industry problems Singing God-centered songs Stadium worship tours and worship nights Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center The D...

Topics Covered: How Andrew got connected to The Belonging What it's like to be the worship pastor at a church with so much talent Building a healthy volunteer culture God-centered worship songs Why you shouldn't do too much ministry on your own How The Belonging Co runs their click & tracks The founding of Out With the Old Resources Mentioned: Son of Man by The Belonging Co The Belonging Co Out Wi...

Topics Covered: Why emotional manipulation in music is normal and not the real problem The problem with our language around "anointing" Money making and the worship industry - is this a problem? Humanizing the conversation around worship and the worship industry Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Elias Dummer @eliasdummer Worship Leader Research Show Sponsor: My goal in this podcas...

Topics Covered: Charlie's theological journey Being an autodidact (self learner) and what they meant for Charlie's career The genetics of music and what Charlie learned from the musicianship of his Father The magic of songwriting Why writer's block is a myth Why the worship industry carries potential for problems The potential problem with celebrity worship leaders Why we should stop evaluating su...

Topics Covered: Marriage advice How Andy developed his skill as a writer Why celebrity-driven worship is becoming exhuasting The idol of excellence Progress on Andy's upcoming new record Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Planning Center Andy Squyres Poet Priest by Andy Squyres Death Defying Joy by Andy Squyres @andysquyres City in the Trees by Micah Dalton Show Sponsor: My goal in this podcast is...

Topics Covered: How our union with Christ affects Sunday worship The rise of liturgy and what it means for churches Reflections on writing Worship Matters (16 years ago!) Creating a technical grid for our Sunday production Top competencies/qualities of an effective Worship Pastor Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor: Beyond Sunday Backstage Show Sponsor: Planning Center Knowing God by Sovereign Grace...

Topics Covered: What God's will is for you   The difference between the will of God and the call of God   How to discern the call of God on your life   How do deal with fame   The problem with altar calls   Why the term "Worship Leader" is inadequate Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor:  Beyond Sunday Backstage   Show Sponsor:  Planning Center   Tenth Avenue North Show Sponsor #1: Beyond Sunday Back...

Topics Covered: How Alexandra got started in worship ministry   What it's like being the daughter of Joel Osteen   How Lakewood approaches Sunday morning   Why Lakewood uses a hymn every Sunday   Stories behind the new album, Oh How Worthy Resources Mentioned: Show Sponsor:  Beyond Sunday Backstage   Show Sponsor:  Planning Center   Oh How Worthy by Lakewood Music Show Sponsor #1: Beyond Sunday Ba...

Topics Covered: LOTR fandom What needs to change in local church worship Dealing with disappointment Hebrew words for praise What it takes to be a strong MD The value of spontaneous worship and how to read the room Resources Mentioned Show Sponsor: Beyond Sunday Backstage Show Sponsor: Planning Center All to Bless You by Kory Miller Show Sponsor #1: Beyond Sunday Backstage (Coaching Community) The...