Should Our Sunday Songs Sound Like the Recordings?
Churches often use recorded arrangements of songs as the template for what they do on Sunday rmoning. In this episode David and Bob talk about the advantages and drawbacks of that approach, looking at it through the lens of what best serves our congregations. Have a question about this episode? Send us an email […]
Himnos: A New Spanish Album!
In this episode, we sit down with Fabrizio Rodulfo to talk about Himnos, our latest Spanish album with Gracia Soberana Música. We reflect on the journey from our first Spanish projects to this new record, and discuss the heart behind translating timeless hymns for the church in Latin America. Fabrizio shares about the dynamic of […]
Is it Okay for Church Musicians to Play in Secular Bands?
There are various reasons why musicians who play and sing for their church on Sunday mornings might choose to use their musical gifts in contexts outside the church. Is it always wrong? It is always right? What kinds of questions can we ask about our hearts to help us make wise decisions? Bob, David, and […]
Should We Sing More Simple Songs?
Some worship songs move us emotionally but contain little that actually feeds our minds, while others feel like systematic theology set to music. In this episode, Bob, David, and Devon respond to a question from a listener who wonders if we need more theologically driven songs that contain simpler lyrics. We had a great time […]
Should I Show My Emotions When I Lead?
Are you afraid you’ll be too emotional when you lead? What if you don’t feel anything? What is the place of emotions when leading congregational worship? A listener wrote in to ask about how much self-control leaders should exercise when it comes to expressing their emotions while leading. How do we avoid being manipulative? How […]
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: An Interview with McKenzie Fuller
Those who know Sovereign Grace Music, recognize the voice, if not the face, of McKenzie Fuller, Bob’s youngest daughter. In this episode, Bob & David talk with McKenzie about a dark season in her life characterized by depression, eating disorders, and self-destructive behavior, and how the Lord has redeemed it for her good and his […]
How Do You Handle Multiple Worship Leaders?
More than a few churches have different people leading the singing on different Sundays. If not handled wisely, that can make it difficult for a congregation to learn songs or grow in a unified voice. In this episode, Bob and David talk about specific ways those situations can be avoided and multiple leaders can be […]
How Do You Audition Members For Your Team?
One Sound Plus Doctrine listener wrote in to ask how we handle adding new members to the music team. In this episode, David and Bob talk about how we interview potential musicians at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville and highlight principles you can put into practice in your church. Have a question about this episode? […]
Reflections on the Tenth Anniversary of Prepare Him Room
It’s been ten years since the release of our Christmas album, Prepare Him Room. In this episode, Bob and David take time to look at the history of the album and the story behind some of the songs, including He Who is Mighty and Who Would Have Dreamed. We also talk about why we changed […]
Unpacking the Excuses Musicians Give
Musicians are sometimes stereotyped as scattered, overly sensitive, lazy, emotionally driven, and more. Unfortunately, those stereotypes often have their roots in reality! Worse, we musicians can tend to use morally neutral words to justify our behavior, thinking that it just goes along with being an artist. In this episode, Bob and David pull the curtain […]
Help! My Church’s Song Diet Needs to Change!
Through the years we’ve had quite a few people ask how you go about getting your church to sing songs that are more biblically faithful and theologically rich. Of course, a lot depends on what kind of role you play in your congregation. In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine we explore some of the […]
What’s the Connection Between Worship and Mission?
We tend to associate worship with our church singing together on Sunday mornings. But what if we viewed it from a bigger, more biblical perspective as seeking to live our lives in a way that drew attention to the worth, authority, and beauty of God’s glory in Christ? How might that affect the way we […]
How Do I Know if I Should Be Writing Songs?
God seems to be blessing the church with an increasing number of songs for churches to sing. How do you know if you or your church should contribute to the thousands of songs already being written? What kinds of songs should you be writing? What processes can you put in place to insure you’re writing […]
Where Do Sovereign Grace Songs Come From?
In God’s kindness, Sovereign Grace Music has been producing songs for the church for 40 years now. People have often asked us where those songs come from. In this episode, Bob, David, and Devon do a deep dive into the people, purpose, and processes behind the songs we write. Resources: https://sovereigngracemusic.com/training/resources/how-we-write-sovereign-grace-songs-wg24/ Have a question about […]
Variety, Versatility, and Valuing Live Music: An Interview with Josh Scott, Part 2
Josh Scott is the founder and owner of JHS pedals, used and loved by guitarists throughout the world. In this second of two episodes (listen to the first one if you haven’t already!), David and Bob had the joy of hearing Josh talk about the importance of listening to a variety of musical sources, what […]
Curiosity, Guitars, and God: An Interview with Josh Scott, Part 1
Josh Scott is the founder and owner of JHS pedals, used and loved by guitarists throughout the world. In this first of two episodes, David and Bob had the delight of sitting down with Josh to talk about his obsessive curiosity, how he came to know Christ, and the importance of finding out what really […]
Q&A: Worship Team Standards, Auto-Tuned Vocals, Teaching New Songs
We love to get questions from our listeners! In this episode Bob and David answer three questions from recent emails they’ve received. The first addresses how to know when someone should step off the music team. The second explores whether it’s ever a good idea to auto-tune your vocals on Sundays. Finally, they talk about […]
The Problem With Repetition In The Songs We Sing
“How much repetition is too much in a song? Is there ever a time when repetition can be helpful? When does it become harmful? Bob Kauflin and David Zimmer try to sort through those questions and more in this episode. John Piper on Repetitive Worship Songs Have a question about this episode? Send us […]
Interview with Colin Buchanan, Part 2
Colin Buchanan is widely known in Australia both as a country musician and a writer of Christian songs for kids. He is extremely funny and a joy to be around, but more importantly loves introducing children to the riches of God’s Word and the gospel through song. We had the opportunity to record two podcasts […]
Interview with Colin Buchanan, Part 1
Colin Buchanan is widely known in Australia both as a country musician and a writer of Christian songs for kids. He is extremely funny and a joy to be around, but more importantly loves introducing children to the riches of God’s Word and the gospel through song. We had the opportunity to record two podcasts […]
How Should We Think About Lyric Projection on Sundays?
Many, if not most, churches today project lyrics on a screen to enable congregational singing. But technology has given us a variety of options for lyric projection that require biblical discernment, thoughtfulness, and intentionality. In this first episode of Season 8, Bob Kauflin and David Zimmer explore what our aim is in lyric projection, suggest […]
