A worship leader sent me this question: “Our team has been growing in building musical dynamics that really create openings for people to enter in.”

Stop right there! I’ve never heard it said quite like that: “Musical dynamics create openings for people to enter in.”

One of the most biblically mandated yet commonly neglected roles in worship ministry is discipling those on our teams. Why? We over-focus on the weekly grind and under-focus on the long-term spiritual formation of our team.

Experience is NOT the best teacher. Experience can be cruel. It can flatter you. It can lie to you. But evaluated experience is a fantastic teacher. Debriefing after leading is a must.

As we continue the series on how each Fader approaches the main tasks of worship ministry leading, today, we explore that moment of leading worship.

Every professional athlete has a pregame ritual.

Here are five unique and famous pregame rituals that athletes are known for:

Three short stories. (they include your goals for 2025)

We are living on a coffee plantation. Most weekday mornings, the small crew of coffee pickers come through the gate, dragging along their nine and eleven-year-old children to play while they pick.

But what if no one is ministering to the Lord?

Seven years ago, my life changed. We added a dog to our family. The idea of getting a dog was not mine.

Next week, I fly to Columbus, Ohio, to encourage a worship and creative team. I’ll be rehearsing them and leading the Sunday services as part of the training weekend. In preparation, I’m sending them notes on one of the songs we’ll lead.

Imagine this: the students who bravely stepped into high school amidst the whirlwind of the pandemic are now on the verge of graduating. Wow!

I was speaking with a church that has been without a staff worship leader for nearly a year.

I’ve been a church musician for 40 years. (since 1984)

Leadership is creational, meaning you create who you are and replicate what’s inside you.

The Five Faders is the single concept that will likely create the most dramatic, positive change in your leadership and your team’s health.

When I was a kid, I hated tomatoes.

We have lovely conversations around our dining room table. And not a small handful of odd ones. This Monday’s breakfast was no exception.

I recently learned a new word in Spanish. It’s “desahógate.”

I was talking with coach Walter K, and he was reveling in a simple idea that has made a significant difference in congregational engagement.

My three teenage children went to a youth camp recently.