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 […]
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? […]
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 […]
Keeping Sane in an Insane World | Josh Blount | WG24
The culture we live in is very much like the one the prophet Isaiah lived in when he made this observation: “For truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.” (Isaiah 59:14–15, ESV) How do we make a positive […]
Cultivating a Heart for Your Church | Jared Mellinger | WG24
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.
Bringing Light to Our Blindspots | Bob Kauflin | WG24
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 […]
20 Ways to Improve Your Congregational Singing
Matt Merker’s passion for churches singing with faith and understanding led him to write the excellent book, Corporate Worship: How the Church Gathers as God’s People. In this breakout, he’ll share twenty ways to stregnthen the singing of your church, including some you probably haven’t thought of!
Playing Big Songs with a Small Band
How often have you set out to teach a song to your church, only to realize that the recording used a full band and you only have a guitar or a piano? In this practical breakout, you’ll learn principles for making the most of your instrumentation and how to adapt any song for your musicians.
Arranging to Serve a Congregation
In this breakout, Ben Shive will draw from decades of experience in recording and the church to talk about what should matter most to instrumentalists that are seeking to serve their congregations well.
Three Marks of a Spirit-Empowered People
In Philippians 3:3, the apostle Paul says that we are those who “worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.” In this brekaout, Jared Mellinger will discuss how to pray for and expect God’s Spirit to be actively working in our gatherings, without becoming dominated […]
Minding the Gaps: Making the Most of Transitions
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 […]
Technology and Your Sunday Gathering
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. How do we avoid the two extremes of “anything goes” and “the old is good enough?” What questions should guide us in determining what […]
Worshiping a Big God in a Small Church
It can be discouraging to come to a conference where everyone seems to assume your church has a large staff, several music teams, and an unlimited budget. For most of us, that situation is far from reality. In this seminar, you’ll learn how to make the most of limited resources, how to maintain a strong […]
Passing the Baton: Cultivating a Passion for Christ in the Next Generation
Listen in as five leaders in three seasons of parenting discuss what they’ve learned about instilling a passion for Christ in their children, both in the church and at home. There will be time for Q&A at the end.
