Worship Theology

Join this very special episode exploring the worship theology of Dr. Robert (Bob) E. Webber, who urged evangelicals toward theological substance and historical rootedness in worship.  Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts leading Webber scholar Dr. Jonathan Powers (Asbury Theological Seminary) to discuss Webber’s quest to bring worship renewal to evangelicals through his writings, teachings, and the establishme...

Join this compelling conversation with Dr. Léon Van Ommen, a theologian and author specializing in autism and worship. This podcast discussion sheds light on the importance of embracing all individuals, regardless of their neurodiversity, within the context of corporate worship. By acknowledging the uniqueness of each person's experience, leaders can help their church communities foster a more inc...

Discover the importance of engaging kids in worship through music. Learn insights from Dr. Luke Gambill, a leader at the intersection of the Christian music industry, church worship, and worship music education. Luke is a Dove-award winner and has worked and partnered with individuals such as  Michael W. Smith ,  Amy Grant ,  Selah ,  Don Moen ,  Wes King ,  Paul Baloche ,  Travis Cottrell ,  Laur...

In this episode of the Worship/Theology Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo explores John Calvin’s contributions to children’s ministry and intergenerational worship with Dr. Randall Zachman, Professor Emeritus of Theology at Notre Dame, and Dr. Kyle Dielman, Associate Professor of Theology and History at Dordt. Drawing on Zachman’s influential book, John Calvin as Teacher, Pastor, and Theologian, the conv...

In this episode of the Worship/Theology Podcast, we continue our season called "Kids in the Mix." Dr. Jeremy Perigo engages with Sara and Sam Hargreaves of Engage Worship to explore theological postures and practical expressions of worship for the whole church. They discuss the importance of creating inclusive worship experiences that engage all ages and the vital approaches churches can embrace t...

In this episode of our Kids in the Mix series, Dr. Jeremy Perigo chats with Dr. Smily Snider Andrews on her research into the worship song preferences of children and teens. Dr. Snider Andrews is the Executive Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts and Assistant Professor of Music and Worship at Sanford University.  Dr. Snider Andrews shares insights from her emerging research on young wo...

In this conversation, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Phil Sokell-Miles of 24-7 Praye r & Prayer Spaces in Schools explore the exciting and organic emergence of prayer spaces in schools across the globe. Drawing on Phil’s new book, Sticky Note Prayers , they discuss the importance of relational spirituality and how children's personal experiences of worship shape faith formation. This episode emphasizes...

In this third episode of our Kids in the Mix series, Dr. Laura Benjamins (Assistant Professor of Music, Redeemer University) and our host, Dr. Jeremy Perigo, explore the intricate relationship between worship and music education. At the core of the discussion are the possibilities and challenges of training children to play contemporary worship music. This episode draws on numerous scholarly artic...

In this second episode of our Kids in the Mix season, Dr. Jeremy Perigo connects with Dr. Nick and Becky Drake, founders of Worship for Everyone , to explore the significance of intergenerational worship. Rather than writing worship songs for adults and then other songs for children, the Drakes intentionally write worship songs for everyone. In this episode, hear about the challenges and joys of w...

In our first episode of this new season of the Worship/Theology podcast, called Kids in the Mix, Dr. Jeremy Perigo dialogues with Rev. Dr. Nelson Cowan on key ideas from his new book, Let the Children Lead . Cowan is the Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University. Together, they dive into a deep discussion about the importance of integrating children into corporate worsh...

In this special episode, guest host Dr. Kyle Dieleman, Associate Professor of Theology & History at Dordt University, gathers a panel of preachers and historians to explore how Church history can help us see the work of God in the long history of God's people, which can help preachers and churches better understand and proclaim the work of God in unique contemporary lives and contexts. Joining...

In this episode, recorded live in Seattle, join Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Dr. Truls Åkerlund as they discuss Åkerlund’s recent scholarship around the Foucauldian understanding of discourse as it intersects with worship and ministry leadership. Dr. Åkerlund is Professor of Leadership at the Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology. He has authored numerous articles on ecclesial leadership and severa...

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Revd. Prof. Mark Cartledge, Principal of the London School of Theology, to discuss worshipping online. Dr. Cartledge is a professor of practical theology with research interests in digital ecclesiology. This discussion draws from Cartledge’s recent work in singing online, diving into theological and practical issues in this relatively new phenomenon. Together, th...

Kicking off the third season of the Worship/Theology podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and guest co-host Dr. Angela Perigo engage with Nick and Becky Drake to explore the importance of including children in worship. Nick and Becky lead Worship for Everyone, a ministry that brings together the big family of God in worship. In addition to leading this ministry, Becky works as a School Chaplain at The Blue...

In this episode of the Worship Theology Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and the Reverend Professor Steve Walton discuss Christian worship from the book of Acts. Walton is a leading New Testament scholar and the Senior Research Fellow in New Testament at Trinity College, Bristol. He has published numerous books and articles on Acts and is authoring the forthcoming three-volume series on Acts for the Wor...

In this episode of the Worship/Theology Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo interviews Pastor Michael Miller, founding pastor and senior leader of UPPERROOM. They discuss the theology, worship practices, and story of a church community centered around the presence of Jesus. UPPERROOM is known for its commitment to prayer and worship, with prayer meetings happening morning, noon, and night. In this podcast,...

In this Worship/Theology Podcast episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo interviews Dr. Joshua Busman about his article titled “A Fun and Funky Disco Pastiche: David Crowder Confronts Evangelical Performance Anxiety.” They discuss the concept of performance anxiety in evangelical worship and how it affects both worship leaders and congregants. They explore the tension between authenticity and performance in wo...

Journey with Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Nashville-based artists, Zach & Maggie, as they reflect on musicmaking inside and outside of the church. In addition to working alongside notable artists including Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and a long tenure with hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty, their lively original compositions pair Zach's skilled guitar/vocals with Maggie's impressive...

In this podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts Dr. Steven Félix-Jäger discussing his recent book Renewal Worship: A Theology of Doxology. Recorded live at the Society for Pentecostal Studies, they unpack topics such as global worship shifts, emotional manipulation, pneumatology, sacramentalism, lyrical theology, shifts in worship studies, relational theology, dialogical worship, revivalism, and much mor...

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Ron Man as they discuss the biblical foundations of worship. Ron is a worship educator and serves on the steering committee of the Biblical Worship Section of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is also the director of Worship Resources International. His most recent book, Let Us Draw Near, is an expansive examination of the theme of worship in Scripture....

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts scholar, pastor, and musician Zac Hicks. Hicks is currently pastor of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Alabama, and is the author of several books, including, most recently, Before We Gather.  Drawing from Hicks' The Worship Pastor and Worship By Faith Alone, they discuss practical and theological issues around justification, the priesthood of all believers, an...

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Melanie Ross, Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies at Yale Divinity School. They explore themes surrounding Evangelical practices and theologies of worship, particularly from Ross' books Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic (2021) and Evangelical vs. Liturgical? Defying a Dichotomy (2014).  Beyond monolithic political assessments of Evangelicals, Ross...

Two Dordt University Professors, Dr. Justin Bailey and Prof. David Platter, are joining Dr. Jeremy Perigo on this episode. Drawing from Bailey's academic work in beauty and culture and Platter's experience as a working studio artist and educator, they reflect on the challenges and opportunities of visual art in corporate worship. They grapple with questions such as why Catholics have all the good...

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts Revd. Associate Professor Dr. Daniel Thornton of Alphacrucis University College in Australia. Dr. Thornton is an ordained minister, worship leader, musician, educator, and theologian with significant experience in production, theater, and composition.   Together, they discuss Thornton’s scholarly research into modern Christian worship songs, which utilizes...

How has worship music shifted in the last ten years in the USA? Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Shannan Baker, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Music and Digital Humanities at Baylor University. Their discussion focuses on the musical, theological, and market shifts of CCLI's Top 25 songs from 2010-2020. Topics include lyrical theology, Trinitarian worship, the rise of collaborations, different typ...