Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

My Top Reasons For Asking A Worship Team Member To Step Down

256560692_317f677b77This blog post is tough. Nobody likes to have difficult conversations and nobody likes to fire anyone.

But sometimes it’s necessary. And if it’s done in the proper way can be good for everyone.

One of the tensions every worship leader faces is caring for the culture of the team and caring for each individual. When those lines are blurred, everything becomes more difficult.

But the word “leader” is in your job description for a reason. That doesn’t give you license to be a jerk. You need to love, care for, and “pastor” your team.

But it does necessitate some difficult decision-making. Get your comments ready. This conversation will need a deep-dive.

[Read more…]

How To Lead Artists (And Live To Tell About It)

[Today’s post is written Aubrey McGowan. Aubrey is a worship pastor at Hope Fellowship and blogs over at Artist’s Permission Slip.]

6009ecb5Have you led an artistic person before? You probably know the struggle all too well.

As worship leaders, we are in contact with so many musicians who embody the traditional definition of artist.

They are brilliant, creative, skilled, talented, and yes, emotional. Artists are very engrossed and connected to their work.

This results in passion for their art, but also taking criticism or feedback very personally.

How do I know this? Because I am an artist.

[Read more…]

#38: How You Can Develop Worship Leaders & Musicians [Podcast]

growthIf you’re a local church worship leader, the thought of developing other leaders probably gives you one of two reactions:

First, you may be thinking, “Why would I want to replace myself? I would be out of a job!” Or, you may be thinking, “How do I even do that? Who do I even develop?”

Truth is, you make yourself more valuable to an organization not by doing ministry but by equipping others to do ministry.

Click to Listen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

[Read more…]

How To Make Music That Moves People

10766533763_9734eb598f_zNone of us would argue that the most effective musicians know their instrument.

It’s almost as if the instrument is a part of their body, like an additional arm. Because of that, the music seems to flow out of them.

They are able to communicate with their music. They feel it deeply, and in return, make others feel what they feel.

I experienced it when I saw Sigur Ros in concert this past year. Or when I saw U2 play to a sold-out stadium.

But I also experienced it when I saw a blind man play the piano in a lobby of an old building in downtown Pittsburgh.

It’s music that bleeds emotion, heart, depth, and story. It’s music that doesn’t try too hard to conform but instead, is relentless in its honesty and passion.

[Read more…]

What Worship Leaders Need The Week After Easter

[Today’s post is a guest post by Rob Still. Rob is a worship pastor, songwriter, and author of the new book “resurrection power“. He blogs regularly at www.robstill.com. For today’s post, we’ll select 5 commenters to receive a copy of Rob’s book.]

6867829242_2ffda8cc15_zDear Worship Musician or Singer, 

Congratulations on a job well done! You’ve successfully finished the Easter service (or services!) at your local church.

For many churches, Easter is like Super Bowl Sunday. It’s the big day and we want it to be excellent. Nothing wrong with that.

But sometimes it means a lot of moving parts, more demands on limited resources, and tons of pressure.

After a big project, even one that is extremely successful, it is natural to experience a let down – to feel tired, depleted, or maybe even depressed. You might be asking yourself, “Is this all there is?”

I’ve felt that way too. It is important that we tend to our hearts and care for our souls.

[Read more…]