Worship Online Podcast

You can lead worship every week… and still feel like something's off.  Not the sound.  Not the songs. Something deeper.  In this honest conversation, Alexander Pappas pulls back the curtain on what many worship leaders quietly wrestle with —identity, pressure and the fear that what we're doing isn't actually changing anything.  After decades in ministry, he shares:  The transition period after Hillsong's big shift  Why tying your identity to the stage will always fail  The difference between leading moments vs. building faith  What worship is actually meant to do in your life  This isn't just about leading better—it's about lasting longer. 

Most worship leaders think their problem is skill, confidence or pressure. It's not. In this episode, Alexandra Osteen from Lakewood Music reveals the deeper issue most leaders never address: identity. Because when you don't fully know who God created you to be, everything else feels harder—leading, preparing, even showing up on Sundays. Alexandra shares how her journey—from growing up in the church to leading at Lakewood—helped her move from uncertainty to confidence in her calling. You'll learn why identity shapes everything you do on stage, how to stop comparing yourself to other leaders, and what it looks like to lead from a place of peace instead of pressure. If you've ever questioned whether you're "good enough" to lead… this episode is for you.

Most people think worship is about their personal connection with God. But what if that's only part of the picture? In this conversation, Trip Lee joins Keith Elgin to break down a biblical vision of worship that many churches have lost—one where we are not just singing to God, but shaping each other. You'll learn: Why singing together is part of discipleship How modern worship culture drifted toward preference and performance What happens when we remove participation from the room How to lead worship that actually engages people, not entertains them   This is a must-listen for worship leaders who feel like something is missing… even when everything sounds great.

What if you've been thinking about worship leadership all wrong? In this episode, Brandon Coker, drummer, songwriter (Death Was Arrested), and longtime member of North Point Worship, shares what it looks like to lead worship without ever holding a mic. This conversation goes beyond platform and spotlight. It's about: Serving the song instead of showcasing skill Staying rooted in the local church Leading with consistency, not visibility And shaping worship moments from behind the scenes Whether you sing, play, or lead—this will challenge how you see your role on the team.

Most worship leaders focus on building better teams by improving skill, tightening transitions, and raising the level of excellence. But what if the real issue isn't what you see? In this episode, we uncover the hidden problem that quietly weakens worship teams—even the talented ones—and why it has nothing to do with ability. If your team feels healthy on the surface… but something still isn't clicking, this conversation will open your eyes. You'll learn: The hidden issue that turns teams into "just a band" Why most leaders build their teams in the wrong order Keith's "Worship Pyramid" Framework and how it changes everything 10 practical ways to build a stronger, more unified team If you want a worship team that lasts—not just sounds good—this is for you.   Mentioned in the Episode Andy Stanley Book Keith's Framework Loop Community Blog If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! Also, shoot us an e-mail at podcast@worshiponline.com. We want to know how we can better serve you and your chur

What happens when obedience to God costs you the dream you spent years building?  In this episode of the Worship Online Podcast, Keith sits down with worship leader, songwriter, and author Brooke Nicholls to talk about the unexpected reality of following God when it leads somewhere you didn't plan.  Brooke shares the deeply personal story of leaving a thriving career, moving across Canada to pastor a church, and wrestling with the painful feeling that everything she had built was being stripped away.  But what she discovered on the other side completely changed how she understands blessing, calling, and the presence of God.  If you're a worship leader, musician, or ministry leader who has ever wrestled with comparison, platform, calling, or surrender, this conversation will speak directly to your heart. Plus Brooke shares some practical things she has implemented at her multi-site church.  You'll learn: Why success in worship ministry can be dangerously misleading How God often works through the c

What does it actually look like to build a new sound in worship ministry? In this episode, Keith sits down with Josh Holiday to talk about the creative journey behind Elevation Rhythm, the story behind songs like "Goodbye Yesterday" and the challenge of building something fresh inside an already established ministry. But this conversation goes deeper than music. Josh shares why community has to come before platform, how to develop young worship leaders with grace and why courage matters so much when God is asking you to create something that people do not understand yet. If you are a worship leader, musician, songwriter, or creative serving inside someone else's vision, this episode will encourage you to stay faithful, stay humble, and keep showing up. Listen now and share this episode with someone on your team who needs this reminder.   About Josh Holiday Josh Holiday is a songwriter, producer, and creative leader based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He serves on the team at Elevation Church and is widely kno

What happens when your platform grows faster than your character can hold it… and the thing you dreamed of starts costing you what matters most?  In this episode, Keith chats with Andy Cherry, a seasoned worship leader, songwriter, and current touring musician for Brandon Lake, for a raw conversation on identity, shame and calling. Andy shares his whirlwind early career—signing a record deal in his 20s, walking away to fight for his marriage, and the painful (but formative) season of learning to lead when nobody's clapping.  Then it gets personal: the moment Andy realized he wasn't being motivated by God… but by shame—"like you write yourself a letter and forge God's signature on it."  If you've ever felt disqualified, stuck, or afraid to step out again, this will reset your perspective.   Press play and listen now.    About Your Guest  Andy Cherry is a worship leader, songwriter, and musician who has spent years serving the Church both on stage and behind the scenes. Early in his career, Andy

Michael Bethany was leading worship, building wells in Sri Lanka, writing songs, and serving the church—but something was missing. Then in 2017, he watched a Francis Chan YouTube video about Isaiah 6. And everything changed. That night, he felt guilty praying from his bed. He got on his knees, humbled himself, and started waking up 1.5 hours earlier for a daily prayer closet—even though he "didn't know how to pray that long." What happened next reshaped his entire ministry. In this powerful conversation, Michael shares: ✅ Why intimacy with God is the ENGINE for mission (not the other way around) ✅ The teenager moment when he spontaneously sang "Holy" and everything shifted ✅ How getting tricked into a Sri Lanka missions trip changed his relationship with music ✅ Why "you don't have enough energy to change the world without intimacy with the Lord" ✅ The #1 reason worship leaders get fired (hint: it's not musical ability) If you're running on fumes, trying to lead well while feeling distant from God—this episod

David Leonard co-wrote one of the most-sung worship songs in the world—"Great Are You Lord." But last year, he almost walked away from music entirely. After doing an entire tour where the promoter never paid (yes, a completely free tour he didn't know about until the end), David had to ask himself a brutal question: "Would you do this again for nothing?" His answer will challenge the way you think about worship leadership, success, and what it really means to serve. In this raw, honest conversation, David also shares: Why we've stopped serving the body and started entertaining it instead The identity crisis that hit after All Sons & Daughters ended What a pastor said that gave him permission to lead without having it all together How he's finding joy again with new music (including his upcoming single, "Well Done") If you've ever felt undervalued, burnt out, or wondered "Do I still matter if my big thing goes away?"—this episode is for you. Listen now and rediscover why you started leading in th

Ever feel frustrated with your worship team—even when nothing's technically wrong? In this solo episode, 22 year Worship Pastor and new host Keith Elgin shares a hard lesson that changed everything: Unspoken expectations lead to premeditated resentment. Keith tells the story of a 7:00 AM call time that completely backfired—and the humbling conversation that reshaped how he leads.  You'll learn why, "They should have known," doesn't cut it, how clarity actually protects relationships, and why your personal health leaks into team culture (for better or worse). You'll also get practical tools—like solitude and journaling—to help you lead from a grounded place instead of leading from stress.   In this episode, you'll learn: How to spot hidden expectations before they turn into resentment A simple clarity practice you can use this week with your team Why humility + healthy identity make teams stronger over time   Plus: a special announcement at the end. If you've ever found yourself frustrated, this episod

You sound great on Sunday, but is your team actually healthy? You've probably felt it before. Sunday afternoon hits and instead of feeling energized, you're frustrated. Something didn't go the way you planned. Someone didn't show up prepared. A transition fell apart. And now you can't stop replaying it. Sunday bleeds into Monday. Monday into Tuesday. One rough service and your whole week feels off. If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. After 20+ years of leading worship, our new podcast host Keith Elgin hit that same wall. And what he discovered on the other side completely transformed how he leads, how he builds teams, and how he thinks about worship ministry. In this episode, Keith shares what finally broke the cycle for him, the framework he now uses to build healthy teams, and the hard lessons he learned so you don't have to. If you've ever: • Gone home Sunday afternoon replaying every mistake • Wondered why your team sounds tight but feels disconnected • Struggled with burnout, frustration, or ques

What if your team actually showed up excited, prepared, and ready to bring their best every single service?  Colony House has built one of the most legendary team cultures in the music industry, where crew, band members, and opening acts all feel like they're part of something special. What they've learned directly applies to worship teams, too.   In this episode, their guitarist, Scott Mills, shares the intentional practices that create high-energy, all-in cultures where people want to show up and give their best.  
You'll discover:  Why the 6-8 hours around the set are your greatest culture-building opportunity  The simple pre-show habit that creates instant camaraderie and buy-in (takes less than 10 minutes)  How to make every team member, from sound tech to lead vocalist, feel like they belong  What Scott learned from touring with bands who got this right (and a few who didn't)  If you're ready to build a team culture people are proud to be part of, where everyone's boug

Many worship leaders quit within a few years because they never learn the systems that create sustainable ministry.  Joey and Kelly Thompson know this all too well! In this conversation, they share the game-changing systems that transformed their ministry from survival mode to sustainable impact.  Imagine walking into Sunday morning calm and confident, with prepared teams and organized systems that actually work. Picture leading worship for decades without the constant stress and burnout that sidelines so many leaders.  Listen now to discover the pillars that create sustainable worship leadership. Your future self will thank you for implementing these battle-tested strategies today.  Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!   Mentioned in the Episode New Release b

Your worship team has talent, but are you leading them to serve the wrong audience? A lot of worship leaders design sets and teams for the church they see online, not the one they actually serve.  John Van Deusen reveals how knowing your demographics transforms everything from song selection to team dynamics to Sunday morning flow.  What You'll Discover:  The surprising demographic question that transforms your setlist choices  Why "decidedly mid" leadership creates stronger teams  How to develop team members as artists (not just players)  Multi-generational worship strategy that actually works  What questions should you ask about your congregation that most worship leaders never consider? How do you know if you're serving your actual community or an imaginary one?   Your community is unique. Your leadership should be too.  Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every sin

AI tools like ChatGPT and Suno are now capable of writing compelling lyrics, generating anthemic melodies, and are regularly showing up in the worship song writing room.   The question is simple: Should we use them? Where do you draw the line?  Gable Price shares his perspective on this growing debate. You'll hear his thoughts on using AI for worship songwriting and why he believes there's a difference between helpful tools and creative shortcuts.  Whether you're team "AI-never" or not, this conversation will challenge how you think about creativity & calling. What's your take? Is AI just a helpful tool & is there a restriction that should be placed on how it should be used when writing worship songs? Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!   Mentioned in

Want to push creative boundaries in worship but feel like you're not the "creative type"? This episode's got you!   Chad Gardner from Kings Kaleidoscope reveals how he went from a 13-year-old with turntables on stage to leading one of the most creative worship movements, all through collaboration, not solo genius. Discover why the best worship leaders focus on being "emotional leaders" rather than musical perfectionists.   Learn how to:  Build creative culture without being the most talented person in the room  Identify and collaborate with the naturally creative people in your congregation  Create permission for experimentation (even when some ideas flop)  Lead worship that connects emotionally, not just musically  Ready to stop playing it safe and start creating space for real creativity in your worship team? This episode gives you the roadmap.  Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team w

Christmas season is here and so is the pressure.  A lot of worship teams are scrambling with last-minute prep, exhausted volunteers, and leaders on the edge of burnout. What if there was a better way?  Chardon Lewis from Citipointe Worship (one of Australia's largest churches) reveals their game-changing approach to Christmas leadership that keeps teams thriving instead of surviving.  Stop letting Christmas chaos steal your joy. This conversation will help you lead through this season with confidence, protect your team's hearts, and create space for what actually matters: encountering Jesus.  Your team and your family will thank you!  Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!   Mentioned in the Episode  Citipointe Worship New Release  ---  If you like what yo

Your worship team isn't just playing music. You're teaching theology and shaping hearts. So why are we settling for cover versions of songs when the church should be leading the world in creativity?  For centuries, the church birthed the world's greatest art: Bach's masterpieces, Handel's Messiah, hymns that shaped nations. But somewhere along the way, we stopped creating and started copying. Steele Croswhite, who toured with Foo Fighters and Maroon 5 before Jesus transformed his life, believes it's time to reclaim our creative calling.  After 20 years of ministry, Steele has built something revolutionary: a church where worship teams don't just play songs, they craft theological experiences that connect hearts to truth.   In this episode, discover:  Why worship leaders are actually theology teachers (and how your arrangements matter)  How the church went from creative pioneer to cultural follower and how to reverse it  The "Love God, Bless Saints, Win Lost" framework that transforms bo

Do you want to see your church become passionate about the original songs your worship team is writing?   Alexandra Osteen from Lakewood Music reveals the simple language shift that transformed their congregation from passive listeners to passionate champions of their original worship songs. In this episode, you'll discover:  • The one word change that creates instant ownership  • How to connect your songs to your church's DNA  • Why writing for your local church first, creates global impact  • The storytelling strategy that gets your team invested  Imagine walking into Sunday service knowing your congregation is genuinely excited to sing the songs God wrote through your team. This isn't just about getting people to tolerate your originals. This is about creating a culture where the language of your community becomes the declarations they sing throughout the week.  Listen now to discover Lakewood's proven strategy for congregational passionate ownership.   Worship Online is your new secret