Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast

What It Takes To Do Big Things And Accomplish More

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What is one item that has been on your todo list for a long time?

You probably don’t have to think too long. That project likes to nag you. It mocks your procrastination. It’s the project you’ve been putting off but you know will make a huge difference. If I’m honest, the things I focus on most of the time are a waste. They aren’t the tasks that make the biggest impact.

I recently launched a massive project – an online course called Learn Worship Keys. To see the project finished and finally launched feels so great.

But can I be honest? The work it took to get an important project like this “done” is anything but glamorous, exciting, or fun. It was a massive grind. Painful work. Deep thought. It’s what Seth Godin calls “emotional labor”.

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#103: Travis Ryan On The Call Of God, Genuine Faith, & Songs For The Church [Podcast]

The Call of God (1)

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Today’s conversation is with Travis Ryan. Travis is the worship pastor at LifePoint church in Nashville, TN as well as a songwriter with Integrity Music. Travis is most notably known for co-writing the Newsboys hit “We Believe” which you can hear all over the radio.

In this conversation we talk about why he became a worship leader, his new EP with Integrity Music, the call of God, how he recruits and structures his teams across multiple campuses at LifePoint church, songwriting, and even some parenting advice thrown in.

Travis’s songs are well crafted, full of Scripture, and carry a deep sense of conviction. I really love his new EP.

Check it out!

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The Truth About What It Means To Be A Worship Leader

What it Really Meansto Be a Worship Leader (1)

Leading worship. It’s a term we throw around a lot.

We idolize the uber talented ones. It’s a key position in churches across the globe. But do you know what’s interesting? It’s not in the Bible. God never calls or commands people to lead in worship. That terminology is simply never used.

Sure, there is plenty of music in the Bible. We know we are to make a joyful noise and praise the Lord with loud, clashing cymbals. But there are no commands to lead worship. Why is this? Is this just a human construct that we have completely off base?

I don’t think so. Entirely. We just need to clarify what it means to “lead.” What does it mean to lead people in worship? What is the role of a worship leader? We hear a lot of catch phrases surrounding this:

  • “Wow, you really led us to the throne room today!”
  • “You ushered us into the presence of God.”
  • “The presence of God is so strong on him(her).”
  • “Your anointing shifted the atmosphere.”

If I’m honest, some of these statements make me queasy. Why? Because we’re placing too much stock in the worship leader person than the person of Christ.

Have we become too dependent on worship leaders and not dependent enough on Christ?

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#102: This Is Your Brain On Worship: The Science of Significant Ministry [Podcast]

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.

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Today’s episode is a unique conversation. Not with a worship leader…but a senior pastor, Dr. Charles Stone.

But Charles isn’t your typical senior pastor. He has an engineering degree from Georgia Tech, a Masters of Divinity from
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminaro, and a Doctorate of Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He’s also completing another masters degree in neuroleadership.

Charles is the author of Brain Savvy Leaders: The Science of Significant Ministry. So I wanted to have CharlesDrCharlesStone on the podcast because I think it’s not only important for us as local church worship leaders to grow asartists and songwriters and musicians…but to become better leaders.

And I don’t believe it’s a healthy diet for worship leaders to only be influenced artists, songwriters, and musicians. We need to grasp the perspective our lead pastors have and Charles and I dive into this topic a bit.

Charles has some fascinating insights into how the brain works and how knowing that will help us lead people better – both our teams and congregations.

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The Trend Of Young Worship Leaders And What It Takes To Succeed

the trend

Going to college didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Taking music lessons didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Worship songs didn’t prepare me for leading worship.

Theology didn’t prepare me for leading worship in the local church.

Of course, that’s not entirely true. I learned some invaluable things in college. Music lessons taught me discipline. It’s hard to lead worship without songs. Good theology ensures your leadership is rooted in scripture.

But there’s so much more to leading…than that. And that comes down to the people. It comes down to having compassion for the people you serve. It comes down to leading with bold faith and a broken heart for the needs scattered across the room.

Without sounding too cliche, it’s leading like Jesus did. He was busy yet he could always stop for someone in need. He spoke to large crowds, yet he had compassion because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

He balanced big ministry – the most massive ministry in history – with loving “the one”.

No…I wasn’t prepared for this kind of ministry. But I’m so glad to be learning it.

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