Dave Helmuth 2/25/26 Dave Helmuth 2/25/26

Improving Your Worship Experience

How can you improve your worship experience?

There are at least two perspectives as you read that question. One says, “yes, I’ve been wanting to up our game for the worship experience!” The other says, “I don’t like that you call it a ‘worship experience.’”

Dave Helmuth 2/18/26 Dave Helmuth 2/18/26

Confidence

The note ringing out from the bass in my hands was jarring and dissonant. I quickly stopped it and frantically tried to find out which key we were playing in. If you had been in my head a few moments before, it might have sounded something like this...

Dave Helmuth 1/21/26 Dave Helmuth 1/21/26

Singing With A Click?

“Should the singers have click in their ears?” many a worship leader has asked.

I can almost feel the visceral reactions as you read that.

Dave Helmuth 10/8/25 Dave Helmuth 10/8/25

The Five Faders Book is HERE!

Have you appreciated receiving the Worship Fertilizer or any of the many resources from Ad Lib Music?

Can I ask you a big favor?

The Five Faders book launches TODAY!

James Gagliardi 9/10/25 James Gagliardi 9/10/25

Stop Turning Away Middle School Band Students

I’ve never known what to do with orchestral band instrumentalists who want to join the worship team. It feels like they come from a different world. But there’s hope for us!

Dave Helmuth 7/30/25 Dave Helmuth 7/30/25

Did Jesus Lie About The Whole Yoke Thing?

I was overwhelmed during a season of life and ministry that felt so heavy. I felt no traction. I wanted a clear, big picture to shoot for and a simple strategy for making daily progress.

Dave Helmuth 7/9/25 Dave Helmuth 7/9/25

The Berkey Water Filter and the Scarcity Mindset

“Dad, aren’t you going to use filtered water to soak the oats?” Aspen scolded.

Dave Helmuth 6/25/25 Dave Helmuth 6/25/25

Functional To Flourishing

I was talking with an audio coach in rural Illinois and we were reflecting on the realities that many churches don’t realize how far from their potential they have settled for, how they’ve grown accustomed to simply functioning on the lowest possible rung.

Dave Helmuth 6/18/25 Dave Helmuth 6/18/25

Need A Suppository?

I was reviewing a worship video recording for a local church. I was struck by the singular thing they could do to improve their music quickly and increase congregational engagement exponentially.

Dave Helmuth 5/14/25 Dave Helmuth 5/14/25

How To Avoid Song Killers

Every week, our team sets about the task of creating music to worship with. We create spaces where our congregation can meet with God. And we do it primarily through the tool of music.

Dave Helmuth 4/23/25 Dave Helmuth 4/23/25

Light A Fire

Sometimes lighting a fire feels like lighting you’re using soaking-wet wood. It’s impossible despite your best efforts. Other times, the gas-lit fire practically jumps on you.

Dave Helmuth 4/16/25 Dave Helmuth 4/16/25

Wake Up, Neo

I recently mentioned the name “Neo” to a room full of worship leaders, and they knew.

Dave Helmuth 1/1/25 Dave Helmuth 1/1/25

Hack: Learning New Songs

Do you struggle to learn new songs? Before you say you don’t, let me clarify what I mean.

Dave Helmuth 12/11/24 Dave Helmuth 12/11/24

They Don't Know

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.

Dave Helmuth 12/4/24 Dave Helmuth 12/4/24

Minister To The Lord

But what if no one is ministering to the Lord?

Dave Helmuth 10/30/24 Dave Helmuth 10/30/24

Are You Being Held In Tension?

“What if where you feel the tension you discover God’s intention for you?”

Dave Helmuth 6/13/24 Dave Helmuth 6/13/24

Rehearsal Notes

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.