Planning, Spontaneity, and Authenticity
Some leaders love to know and plan every detail of the Sunday service in advance. Others prefer finding out what God will do spontaneously in the course of the meeting. Wherever we fall on the spectrum, both planning and spontaneity are an important part of engaging with God genuinely as we gather. In this episode, […]
Minimizing God’s Presence
Christians who come out of a hyper-charismatic or pentecostal background are often wary of any talk about God’s presence. But Psalm 105:4 encourages us to “seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” What does it mean to “seek God’s presence continually” and how can we be committed to the authority, sufficiency, and […]
Leading Your Church Through Change
There is something profound about a church that faithfully carries out its meetings with a steady consistency, week after week, month after month, year after year. It testifies to the unchanging truths we trust in, rely on, and cling to. But what happens when leaders realize there’s something they could do something better or differently? […]
The Gospel and Our Singing – Bob Kauflin
Main Session 4 by Bob Kauflin from California Conference 2025: Your Gathering and the Gospel
Technology and the Church – Devon Kauflin
From the printing press to the iPhone, from organs to IMAG, churches in every generation have had to wisely assess what role the latest technology might play in serving their congregations. At the same time members of churches have been influenced more and more by the voices they hear over social media than the voices […]
Shepherding Your Teams – Jon Payne
Leaders glorify God when they see their own responsibilities as a means of actively caring for, serving, and building up others. This session will give you theological foundations and practical applications for becoming that kind of leader.
Minding the Gaps: Making the Most of Transitions – Bob Kauflin
Too often our Sunday gatherings feel like a playlist on shuffle. Elements are unconnected, changes are abrupt, and people are left confused. To address the situation, we often resort to a “musical glue” that makes things feel more connected but does little to help people understand any kind of progression. In this practical breakout, Bob […]
Hope for the Battle Weary Leader – Rick Gamache
Every leader who’s serious about following Christ will at some point face opposition, challenges, and ministry disappointments. How do you respond to those trials with faith, joy, and trust when it’s all you can do to keep your head above water? In this breakout you’ll hear from Rick Gamache who will share from biblical truths […]
Bringing Light to Our Blindspots: Bob Kauflin
Most leaders know what’s expected of them and what makes for a good leader. But often a serious distance exists between what we know and what we’re actually doing. That disconnect can lead to significant problems not only for the leader but others. In this breakout, Bob Kauflin, speaking from 40 years of experience as […]
Arranging for a Congregation, Not an Audience – Devon Kauflin, David Zimmer, and Ryan Foglesong
How do we think about what and how we play in congregational worship? What are the benefits and drawbacks to simply playing what’s on the recording? How creative should we be? In whatever role you serve musically in your church, this interactive breakout will help you take the next steps in serving your church more […]
Hard Conversations With Your Musicians
If you lead a team of musicians in your church, you’ve no doubt dealt with problems that need fixing. Lack of skill. Musicians who don’t practice. Vocalists who look disengaged when they sing. Or worse, character issues that need to be addressed. Those conversations can be difficult. In this episode, Bob, David, and Devon talk […]
Hard Conversations With Your Pastor
What do you do when you lead the singing in your church, but it’s obvious that you and your pastor have disagreements? “My pastor isn’t involved.” “My pastor micro-manages everyone around him.” “My pastor wants me to lead songs I’m not very excited about.” In this episode, David, Devon, and Bob take some time to […]
What If I Struggle When I’m Not Leading?
Season 10 of Sound Plus Doctrine kicks off with a question from a listener who had to step down from leading congregational worship for a longer period than he expected. Bob, David, and Devon discuss how God often uses times when we don’t serve to help us better understand how we view our role and […]
When Music Ministry Becomes a Monster
Music can be a massive blessing and encouragement to a local congregation. But when musicians begin to think their contribution is more important than everything else, it leads to conflict. A podcast listener wrote in to ask how they might resolve that kind of tension between their music department and the rest of the church. […]
Why Don’t We Sing This Song?
If you lead the music in your church you’re bound to encounter the well-meaning member who enthusiastically suggests a song your church should be singing. What do you do when for various reasons that particular song may not be an ideal addition? That’s the topic David and Bob address in this episode of Sound Plus […]
What’s the Place of Special Music on Sunday Mornings?
Churches will often allot a portion of their Sunday service for “special music.” We’re talking about music that is performed, either by a soloist, a group, a choir, or some other makeup of musicians. At times it can be a massive blessing. But not always. In this episode, Bob and David explore how we might […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]