I needed to resist the urge to get up on stage and do my own thing. I really needed to learn the craft of what others were doing.” – Jeffrey Kunde

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Got to love sitting down and talking music. That’s exactly what Jeffrey Kunde and I did. Jeffrey is the lead guitarist for Jesus Culture as well as a session guitarist for other artists. He’s also the author of 3 practical workbooks for musicians, Music Theory for the Music Industry, Train Your Ear, and How I Play Guitar.

This conversation is all about how Jeffrey sees music, writes music, and approaches the guitar. So many nuggets to take away here, not only for guitar players, but all musicians alike.

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We talk about going through the motions as if it’s a bad thing. But what if the motions are right?” – Ryan Flanigan

Ryan Flanigan is a worship leader in an Anglican Church. But he didn’t start there. Matter of fact, he was born Catholic, raised Charismatic, and educated Evanglical. All 3 of these streams now come together to form Ryan’s theology and his ministry.

And I think we all have a lot to learn from his experience.

We talk about the strengths of each stream, the benefit of going through the motions, the sacrament, and why worship leaders need to lighten up.

Maybe a bit controversial, but most definitely challenging, stirring, and educational.

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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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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.

I’d encourage you to listen and discuss these ideas with your team!

Enjoy.

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The 60’s saw the innovation of the worship leader. The 70’s saw the innovation of the worship genre. The 80’s saw the innovation of the seamless worship set. The 90’s saw the worship leader upgraded to the worship band. And the millenium has seen all of these four ingredients coalesced together in the produced, minute-by-minute worship experience.” – Malcolm DuPlessis

Today’s interview marks our first 4-person conversation. And it’s a good one. I had the privilege of talking with the team from Common Exchange, an initiative to help the church transition from an audience of consumers to a kingdom of priests where everyone has a part to play.

I honestly feel like this is the conversation we all need to be having. It’s time for every nation, tribe, and tongue to have a voice in the modern worship movement. It’s time for more songs to be sung from different cultures around the world.

We welcome back Malcolm DuPlessis, a consultant and prophetic voice to to many high profile artists and leaders. Also, worship leader/songwriter Mark Alan joins us from Emmanual Christian Center in Minneapolis, MN, as well as Matt Macaulay, British worship leader/songwriter now living in Chattanooga, TN.

Buckle your seat belts. Get out your moleskins. It’s a good one.

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