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...
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.
Chord Nuances
Slash chords, color chords, inversions, and magic chords shape musical expression. I'll illustrate their unique roles with piano examples, but all melodic instruments can benefit from understanding these nuances.
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?
What You Do Matters
It’s easy to lose sight of it, but “What You Do Matters.”
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!
Hospitality Can Transform Your Team
If You Can Be Anything, Be Kind
I am not often envious of my daughter’s wardrobe, but she has one shirt that I covet. On the front, it says “be kind,” and on the back, it says “everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” It’s a simple concept that has become my personal mantra as a worship leader and church planter.
Steady Beats Cool
I love that my kids are multi-instrumentalists. Most mornings, we have family worship from 7:30 to 8:00. We take turns choosing the songs and rotate on the instruments from piano, bass, drums, acoustic or electric guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, percussion, and of course, voice.
Life As A Volunteer
I’ve railed against referring to them as volunteers for years because “volunteer” seems like the lowest possible standard you could set for your team.
The Berkey Water Filter and the Scarcity Mindset
“Dad, aren’t you going to use filtered water to soak the oats?” Aspen scolded.
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.
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.
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.
Don’t Be Nitpicky
How do you know when you’re going from being detail-oriented, exacting, meticulous, and nuanced to... nitpicking? Where’s the line?
Every Fader must answer this critical question.
Local Worship Training
I’m inviting you to a worship training event on April 5th in Lancaster, PA.
How I Prepare To Lead Worship
Every professional athlete has a pregame ritual.
Here are five unique and famous pregame rituals that athletes are known for:
One Who Puts On His Armor Should Not Boast Like One Who Takes It Off
You know that verse about not saying we’re gonna do this and go there and make business happen but rather say, “If God wills, we’ll do this or that”?
Is There More?
Three short stories. (they include your goals for 2025)
Hack: Learning New Songs
Do you struggle to learn new songs? Before you say you don’t, let me clarify what I mean.
Remove The K And Finish The Word
When we start something, we’re never amazing at it. This Fertilizer is dedicated to worship leaders, teams, and techs in their first five years of serving.