Every church needs a checkup for time to time. And how about that! Now is that time. Chuck Lawless has put together a list of 15 questions for every church leader to ask about their own church. The only commonality in the questions is they will get you thinking deeply about your church’s true impact, and whether change should be on the horizon.

Read the 15 questions.

Elias Dummer joins the Beyond Sunday Worship podcast. Dummer is a well-known figure in worship: former frontman of The City Harmonic, award-winning songwriter, and a voice that’s shaped modern worship music with over 100 million streams to his name. After a decade of experience both on stage and behind the scenes of the worship music industry, he’s diving into some of its most challenging conversations.

In this episode, Dummer tackles the complex relationship between emotion and worship music, unpacks the loaded language of “anointing,” and addresses the elephant in the room – money’s role in the worship industry. Whether you’re a worship leader, musician, or simply someone who cares about authentic worship, join us for an honest conversation that strips away the pretense and gets real about the challenges and opportunities facing modern worship.

Listen to the podcast.

Have you ever wondered why you can still remember every word to a song from your childhood, yet struggle to recall what you had for breakfast yesterday? In this moving exploration of music, memory, and faith, discover the remarkable way God designed our brains to preserve sacred songs even when other memories slip away.

Through the touching story of Violet, a woman with advanced dementia who could still sing “Amazing Grace” when she could no longer recognize faces or recall Bible verses, we uncover the profound connection between worship through song and our neural architecture. From the Israelites’ songs of deliverance to Paul’s encouragement to sing psalms and hymns, the Bible consistently calls us to worship through music – but why? The answer lies in an fascinating intersection of neuroscience and spiritual truth.

Delve into cutting-edge research that reveals how musical memory engages different brain networks than those affected by conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, creating a remarkable preservation of sacred songs even in advanced stages of memory loss. Learn why God’s repeated commands to “sing to the Lord” throughout scripture aren’t just about praise – they’re about embedding His truth deep within our minds and hearts in ways that mere words cannot achieve.

Whether you’re a worship leader, someone caring for a loved one with dementia, or simply curious about the profound connection between music and memory, this article offers both scientific insights and spiritual encouragement about how God uses song to help us remember His faithfulness – even when everything else fades away.

Read the full article.

In a world where smartphones often get blamed for disconnecting us from what matters most, what if they could actually deepen your congregation’s spiritual life? Imagine a church community that stays actively connected and engaged in prayer throughout the week, not just during Sunday services. This isn’t just an idea – it’s becoming reality through the power of digital prayer walls.

Discover how churches are revolutionizing their approach to community prayer and support through innovative digital platforms. From empowering prayer warriors to reach out in real-time to creating safe spaces for newcomers to explore their faith, these virtual sanctuaries are breaking down barriers and fostering authentic connections in ways traditional methods never could. Learn how missionaries abroad stay intimately connected with their home congregations, and how church leaders gain valuable insights into their community’s spiritual needs.

This comprehensive guide explores seven game-changing benefits of digital prayer walls, packed with real-world examples of how they’re strengthening church communities. Whether you’re wrestling with post-Sunday engagement or looking to create more inclusive ways for your congregation to connect, you’ll find practical insights on how to transform everyday screen time into meaningful moments of spiritual growth and community building.

Want to know how to meet your congregation where they are while deepening their prayer lives? This article shows you exactly how digital prayer walls can help your church fulfill the biblical call to “pray without ceasing” in our modern, connected world. Discover why these platforms aren’t just another tech trend, but a powerful tool for building authentic relationships and fostering spiritual growth in your church community.

Read the full article.

Ever noticed how some worship sets flow seamlessly from one song to the next, while others feel more like a stop-and-go traffic jam? The secret often lies in something many teams overlook: well-rehearsed song introductions. Whether you’re a seasoned worship leader or just starting to build your team, mastering the art of song intros can transform your worship experience from good to exceptional.

In this practical guide, we break down four proven strategies that will revolutionize how your team approaches song introductions. From the essential pre-rehearsal preparation to the final polishing touches, discover why something as simple as letting your drummer take the lead on count-ins can make a dramatic difference in your team’s performance. You’ll learn why looping those crucial first measures until they’re rock-solid isn’t just helpful – it’s absolutely essential for building confidence and cohesion in your team.

Want to know the game-changing rehearsal techniques that top worship teams use to create those seamless, professional-quality transitions? This article walks you through each step, offering concrete tips you can implement immediately. Best of all, these strategies work whether you’re leading a full band or a simple acoustic setup. Get ready to take your worship team’s performance to the next level with these time-tested techniques for crafting intros that truly engage your congregation.

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Jon Nicol offers the best argument I’ve ever read for using a click track:

I want to tell you about a player who joined my team a few years ago. I met him through some other musicians and realized he might be a good addition to the team. People who knew him touted his ability to keep the band together and tight. However, I knew he also had some naysayers. But we’ll talk about that later.

He joined my team just for rehearsals at first. People gave him weird looks and even complained about him to me. This guy has no ego, but he has done a lot to damage the egos around him. He plays perfectly in time, and when someone gets off tempo he let’s them know it. Not rudely, just very matter-of-fact.

We actually had someone quit the team over him.

For a long time, this new member was OK just sitting in on rehearsals. When we all started to get used to him, we invited him to start joining us for a song or two on Sunday morning. The stipulation was, however, that if we as a band got off tempo from him, he’d stop playing.

Some wonder if he’s too rigid and mechanical and robs the music of its “soul.” Others wonder if he’s even spiritual enough to be on the worship team.

Are you ready to meet him and find what instrument he plays?

He goes by several names. Click Track. Click. Guide. Metronome. Least Popular Channel on the Aviom. A few of my team members have other names for him that shall not be muttered in this blog.

While it can be argued that the click is easily the “most hated” member of the team, “most loved” might seem a little over the top. I certainly don’t value the click over my flesh and blood players. But the click brings with him something that makes him crucial, almost indispensable.

Continue reading.

Every worship leader has faced that heart-wrenching moment: a passionate volunteer with a deep love for God but limited vocal ability stands before you, eagerly hoping to join the worship team. How do you navigate this delicate situation with both grace and honesty? This insightful article tackles one of the most challenging aspects of worship leadership that rarely gets discussed openly.

Discover practical strategies for handling difficult audition conversations while preserving dignity and fostering growth. Learn how to transform what could be a discouraging “no” into an opportunity for meaningful ministry redirection. Whether you’re dealing with off-pitch singers, style mismatches, or traditional vocalists in a contemporary setting, you’ll find valuable guidance for approaching these sensitive discussions with wisdom and compassion.

But what happens when things don’t go as planned? Drawing from real-world experiences (including that time when a rejected singer tried to get a worship leader fired!), this article also addresses the tougher side of auditions—including how to handle pushback, protect your ministry, and maintain strong relationships with church leadership during challenging situations.

For worship leaders who want to build excellence while shepherding hearts well, this essential guide offers a balanced approach to one of ministry’s most difficult conversations. Ready to lead with both truth and grace?

Read the full article.