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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I’m inviting you to a worship training event on April 5th in Lancaster, PA.

Every professional athlete has a pregame ritual.

Here are five unique and famous pregame rituals that athletes are known for:

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”?

Three short stories. (they include your goals for 2025)

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

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.

Have you been hurried into thinking that doing work for God is like being with Him?

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

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.

I was speaking with a church that has been without a staff worship leader for nearly a year.

I’ve been a church musician for 40 years. (since 1984)