David Santistevan, Author at Beyond Sunday Worship

May 11 2016

#123: Phil Wickham on Vocal Health, Identity, & Being a Child of God [Podcast]

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Such an honor to welcome Phil Wickham to the show this week. I remember the first time I heard Phil sing. I was at a songwriting retreat in the Santa Cruz mountains of California and it was a worship night with just Phil and his guitar. The fullness of sound this guy put out was astounding. And for the last couple of years “This is Amazing Grace” has been a staple of our worship sets.

Needless to say, I’m a fan.

In this conversation we pull back the curtain and talk about Phil’s vocal challenges he went through, his new album, his journey, and plenty of practical tips for artists and worship leaders.

Enjoy!

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May 09 2016

What Kind Of Worship Leaders Do Our Churches Need?

Worship ministry isn’t what it seems.

The lights, the stage, the celebrity status, the fanfare. It’s just not that…at all. And if we’re making it that, it’s not worth doing.

I guess we’ll cut right to the chase.

Worship ministry is more a pastoral role than a creative one. It’s more about people skills than musical proficiency. It’s less about your voice and more about the voice you unleash in others.

Let me explain.

Sunday morning isn’t about how good you sound or how “anointed” you are. It’s about how well you can give voice to the saints gathered with you.

It could be said that your effectiveness depends on your customer service. Are you great at creating a welcoming environment where people can be disarmed and feast upon the goodness of God?

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May 04 2016

What Creativity Can Teach You About Ministry

On a scale of 1-10, how creative are you? 1 being utterly bankrupt of all creativity and 10 being the sultan of creative brilliance (wow, I like that title).

Truth be told, the answer doesn’t matter at all. It’s a waste of time. Rather than wondering if you’re creative, why not own the fact that you are created in the image of the Creative God, and it’s part of who you are.

Sound good? OK – glad we got that out of the way.

Because that foundation will help this post make sense for you. You are not exempt, whether you’re a painter or a plumber, an accountant or an acrobat, everyone is an artist.

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Apr 26 2016

Why Leadership Is So Hard [And What You Can Do About It]

If I know anything, I know that leadership is hard.

I have a hard time leading myself, let alone being a catalyst for others to grow, get plugged in, and develop.

Sometimes I wonder, “Why am I qualified or called to be a leader?” I for sure don’t have it all together. I can’t remember if I brushed my teeth this morning, let alone where I see my ministry or business in five years.

Do you feel the same? In over your head? Overwhelmed?

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Apr 21 2016

#122: Ian Cron on Morning Routines, Silence, & Current Modern Worship Challenges [Podcast]

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One of the most important things a worship leader can learn is how to lead silence. Leading silence is much more difficult than leading a song.”

-Ian Cron

My favorite podcasts to listen to are ones that are a bit uncomfortable – conversations that shine a light on a new (or old) idea and cause me to think differently. Ian Cron is one of those thinkers – awakening us to the most robust form of spirituality we are capable of.

Ian is a bestselling author, speaker, counselor, and Episcopal priest. He draws on an array of disciplines and resources – from art, music and poetry to contemplative practices; from psychology to Christian spirituality, which gives Ian a unique perspective and important message for Christians.

I’ve seen Ian speak on a couple of different occasions and have been inspired by his transparency and desire for the real thing – pulling back the curtain of church as we know it and truly meeting with God.

We talk about the role of silence in corporate worship, how to coach people to practice silence, challenges we’re facing in corporate worship, what we can learn from other religions, and why so many worship pastors are discouraged.

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