Worship Reboot

Happy 2025! The first weeks of January are one of those rare slow times – people are typically still in emotional recovery from the holidays (and 2024 as a whole!) and haven’t yet gotten back into the full swing of things. Let’s take advantage of it and use the next few days to reevaluate yourself and your ministry.

If possible, get away for an hour or three and JUST THINK. For instance, sometimes I’ll take an hour or so trip to a neighboring town to have lunch at a nice restaurant and use the driving time to “dreamcast” and pray about my life – what I want to do and where I want to go next. Ideas to help you start thinking:

How can I improve myself?

  • learn a new instrument
  • take an online course
  • start on a degree
  • learn how to use multitracks and loops
  • brush up on songwriting
  • memorize Scripture regularly

How can I improve my ministry?

  • get more organized or find an assistant
  • start hanging out after rehearsals to encourage fellowship
  • offer vocal or instrumental training to your team
  • make an extra effort to care for each team member
  • take your pastor to lunch
  • give a talented young person an opportunity

Where do you see yourself in one year? Where do you WANT to be in one year? Are you truly happy – if not what needs to change?

Where do you see your ministry in one year? Can you get two or three people deep for each slot: vocals, drums, guitars, keys? Should you start a praise choir? What needs to happen to get your room sounding better? How can you improve your streaming quality?

Bottom line: Carve out time this week to pray: ask the Lord to guide you into a fruitful 2024 for His glory.

3 Things Worship Leaders Must Consider for the Upcoming Year

By Todd Wright

You finish up Christmas and think, “Ah, I wonder what the upcoming year wi-“ and then the new year kicks in your office door, kicks a chair over and drops a bunch of work on your desk. If you’re like me and you’re feeling way behind, let me encourage you to do whatever it takes to carve a little time for thinking, planning and dreaming. I know it’s hard to find the time, but time spent thinking creatively and clearly about your upcoming year is always worth it.

If you’re not quite in the “resolution” mindset, let me offer a few suggestions of things to consider in upcoming year.

3 Things Worship Leaders Must Consider in the Upcoming Year

1. TEAMS
Your band and tech team most likely loves serving with you. I’m willing to be they’re invested and are faithful, willing servants. Most of them are are ready for whatever you’ll throw at them. So…what are you going to throw at them?

What’s your vision for your band and technicians? What did they accomplish in the previous year that you can build on? Think about some practical goals that will make rehearsals run more efficiently or increase the musical chops of your team. Try to remember some of the challenges your tech team faces weekly and work on minimizing the chaos level for them.

2. EXPRESSION
What sort of worship expression is lacking in your place? If you serve in a overly demonstrative church (hands raised, shouting, applause, etc.) what are some ways you can add more quiet, thoughtful elements into your service? If you’re at a fairly subdued church, how can you lead people into appreciating all the biblical expressions of praise?

People are content to do what they do. They need an influence in worship who can model and teach them when it comes to what worship looks and sounds like.

3. SONGWRITING
I know, I know—I’m like a broken record, but I really believe that churches should write original songs. Make some time to think about how original worship songs might come to life in your congregation. Maybe you’re not a writer, but perhaps someone on your team has that ability. Look for ways to “mark” moments in the life of your church with songs.

And don’t be afraid of writing terrible songs—focus on two elements and the songs will do their job. (BE BIBLICAL & BE SINGABLE)

Remember, the new year isn’t just about surviving that pile of work that got dropped on your desk—it’s about seizing opportunities to grow your ministry. Take some time to envision how your teams can flourish, how your congregation’s worship expression can deepen, and how original songs might capture your church’s unique voice. Even small steps in these areas can lead to meaningful growth. The key is to start somewhere, stay faithful to the calling, and keep your eyes fixed on serving your people well.

After all, worship leadership isn’t just about managing the present—it’s about building towards a future where your congregation connects with God in ever more authentic ways.

New Year Resolutions for Worship Leaders

Ring in a new year with resolutions to boost your worship leading! Discover ways to make a greater impact at your church through recommitting to personal and professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, get motivated to serve more effectively this year.

Read the full article.

Nine Lessons and Carols for Christmastide

Discover the timeless magic of the “Nine Lessons and Carols” service—a traditional English Christmas service that is beginning to take hold in America. This beautifully structured worship experience weaves together nine Scripture readings and carefully selected carols into a profound narrative of God’s redemptive love. If you’re wanting to do something a little different this year, “Nine Lessons and Carols” is something your congregation will remember long after the last carol fades.

Read the full article.

Uplifting Christmas Eve Worship Songs for a Joyful Celebration

Imagine weaving together timeless classics like “Silent Night” and “O Holy Night” with contemporary praise songs that breathe new life into the Christmas story. This guide will wants to help you transform your church service with a musical journey that’ll have your congregation moved and inspired. It isn’t just another song list—it’s your roadmap to crafting a worship experience that’ll help your church truly feel the magic of Christ’s birth.

Read the full article.

DOs and DON’Ts for Engaging Advent Services

For those who need to hear it: going big on Christmas services doesn’t always mean going better. Big can actually just equal bloat and burn out. This season, it’s time to approach Advent and Christmas with less stress and more authenticity.

Ahead are 10 brutally honest rules that will transform how you approach Christmas services. Forget the exhausting productions, the mutant carol arrangements, and the stress of trying to wow every single “Chreaster” (Christmas and Easter attendees). This isn’t about creating a spectacle—it’s about creating meaningful worship that doesn’t leave you and your team completely depleted by December 26th.

These practical DOs and DON’Ts will help you navigate the Advent season with less stress, more authenticity, and a renewed focus on what really matters. Keep things simple, respect traditional carols, and remember that sometimes, less really is more. Ready to reclaim the joy of the Christmas season without the chaos? Dive in and discover how to make your Advent services both engaging and sustainable.

Read the full article.

4 Ways to Harness Christmas Eve’s Evangelism Potential

Imagine turning your Christmas Eve service into a powerful, welcoming experience that speaks to hearts longing for hope, meaning, and community. You want a memorable evening that bridges generations, welcomes newcomers, and captures the profound essence of the Christmas story, and we want to help. From creating a nostalgic atmosphere with traditional carols and candlelight to delivering a message that’s both concise and deeply moving, these four keys will help you design a service that resonates with everyone from the faithful churchgoer to the curious first-time visitor.

Read the full article.

5 Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Production Rehearsals

Christmas service rehearsals don’t need to be stressful. No, seriously. It’s true. It all starts with a reminder of what really matters: serving others the way Jesus served.

Imagine creating a rehearsal environment that makes your volunteers feel truly appreciated, valued, and excited to be part of something meaningful. These five insider tips go beyond mere logistics—they’re about creating a culture of servant leadership that honors both your team and the spirit of Christmas. From strategic planning with tools like Planning Center to thoughtful touches like providing snacks and potentially arranging childcare, this article offers actionable strategies that can dramatically improve your team’s experience and morale.

Read the full article.

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Essential reading for worship leaders since 2002.

 

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