Theology of Music

In this episode, Joel sits down with Worship Leader and Singer-Songwriter Hunter Fraser to talk about how he focused on God when faced with debilitating sickness, why he continues to write, and what unites us as Christian musicians and songwriters. 

In this episode, Joel sits down with the incredibly impressive Ronnie Martin who is the co-host of The Happy Rant Podcast, pastor of Substance Church, singer-songwriter with a Christmas Album just released,  Producer, and Author of a recent Advent Devotional, among other things. In this discussion, Joel and Ronnie talk about how God guided him and worked in him to get him to this place with so man...

In this episode, Joel sits down with Brittany Batson who is a designer, model, singer-songwriter, and worship leader to discuss all things Christians impacting culture. Whether it's being a designer, worship leader, or whatever it is - Brittany states that we Christians are not impacting the culture around us as we could. 

In this episode, Joel sits down with Dan Slater,  who is a singer-songwriter from Traverse City, MI. During the episode, Joel and Dan talk about why it is so important for youth to be plugged into a youth group worship team and what has influenced our music styles. 

In this episode, Joel looks back on the last few weeks, the songwriter's retreat, the time with his family, and how God used a song by one of the pro-writers at the retreat to break down some sinful patterns. 

In this episode, Joel opens up the mailbag and answers questions from you all after airing 100 episodes and then takes a look at one of his favorite CityAlight songs, "Christ Is Mine Forevermore."

In this episode, Joel and Cliff celebrate 100 episodes of Theology of Music by discussing Cliff's near-death experience. 

In this episode, Joel sits down with acclaimed Christian Illustrator, Stephen Crotts, to talk about how he got started as an illustrator, how he got his big break, what influences his style, and balancing being in the world but not of the world! 

In this episode, Joel sits down with Dove-Award Winning Artist, Yancy Richmond, to talk about her new book, "Sweet Sound: The Art of Discipling Your Kids In Worship", how she got into being a Christian Artist who writes and performs music for kids, and what it was like to win a Dove Award after all these years!

In this episode,  Joel sits down with American Idol contestant, published author, acclaimed worship artist, and all-around incredible man, Kurtis Parks. They discuss things like how chasing fame as a Christian artist is just as empty as it seems, what it's like now after he had his "prodigal Son" season, and why authentic community is that much more important to the Christian artist...

In this episode, Joel sits down with his good friend and author, Jeff Mingee,  to discuss his latest book "Digital Dominion: Five Questions Christians Should Ask to Take Control of their Digital Devices", what that has to do with worship ministries, and how Pastors should utilize social media. 

In this episode, Joel sits down with Leslie Jordan who used to be the other half of the incredibly impactful worship duo, All Sons & Daughters. Leslie has since switched gears and started to aid songwriters through her non-profit "The Fold" as well as through her role in Integrity Music. Leslie and Joel talk about worship leading after being a successful artist, why the music industr...

In this episode, Joel sits down with the man behind Forgotten Voyage, Scott Gayer, to talk about why he got into re-tuning hymns, why hymns seem to always be in the conversation for the best songs for congregational worship, what drives him as he continues to write unique and compelling melodies to old and lesser-known hymns, and what's next for him and forgotten voyage. 

In this solo episode, Joel discusses wrestling with angst and impatience as a creative and entrepreneur-minded person, what the pros and cons are of being out of occupational ministry, and the act of finding your mantra (your worldview and your self-view combined). The 

In this episode, Joel chats with meme-lord, musician, podcaster, and pastor, Jonathan Wright. They discuss topics ranging from, pastoring a small country church, being Instagram famous, running meme pages, embarrassing stories from when we were younger, and balancing your faith with fame.  The outro is "So Real" by Natural State

In this episode, Joel links up with fellow podcaster and host of the Collide Kids Podcast, Christen Clark, to discuss her experience with ministry burnout, why she created her podcast, to begin with, and how she empowers the next generation to think with impact in mind! The outro is "So Real" by Natural State

In this episode, Joel sits down with acclaimed pianist, Tim Nicholson, who is also the husband of Sandra McCracken. during this episode, Joel and Tim talk about how Sabbaticals aren't a good thing for a Pastor and may actually signal some unhealthy rhythms, how worship music isn't really a genre, and trying to stay healthy!  The outro is "So Real" by Natural State

In this week's podcast, Joel gets the wonderful chance to talk with Elias Dummer (The City Harmonic) about his history with Deconstruction, what the past few years were like for him as an artist/pastor/business owner, etc., and what motivates him as a content creator and musician now after all these years.  The outro is "So Real" by Natural State

In this episode, Joel sits down with Critically Acclaimed Guitarist, Zach White, who writes and performs his own music with his wife Maggie when he isn't being the main guitarist for Keith & Kristen Getty. Joel and Zach talk about when it's ok to show more performance in worship, what it's like being married to your bandmate, and why people seem to think that there is a hermeneu...

In this episode, Joel sits down with Halley and Dell from "Natural State" to talk about their new songs, what seems to be going on with leadership in the church these days, enabling people to have a space to be real and feel through their music, and their single "So Real." "So Real" by Natural State is the outro for this episode (stream it everywhere)

In this solo pod, Joel discusses how we should respond to mean comments and all types of critique, how that criticism can expose the double lives that we lead, how those double lives exhaust our souls, & what the song "Rising Sun" by All Sons & Daughters does to shine light on all those things. 

In this episode, Joel sits down with Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns to discuss how Reawaken Hymns came to be, how God blessed him with much as he was faithful in the little, exploring hymns with a modern style, and our favorite Pop Punk/Emo bands! The song in the outro is Future Years by Jonathan David Middleton

In this episode, Joel sits down with an indie Christian artist and all-around wonderful guy, Jonathan David Middleton, to discuss seeking revival in Cape Town, South Africa, the beauty of how God made us able to physically engage with worship music, and seeking to restore and heal through song. 

In this episode, Joel tries to give a response to the Hillsong documentary, the situation surrounding the John Macarthur Scandal, and to wrap up his discussion on whether there is hope for the American Church. 

In this episode, Melody Noel (Influence Music) talks with Joel about how she went from writing hits for secular artists to being a worship leader and running a worship label, entitlement in the church, and being a Disney princess.