In this episode, Matthew Lilley, Jonathan Friz, and Weslea Pierson discuss the often-overlooked topic of grief within the church. They explore how grief is a gift from God, the importance of learning to grieve well, and how to support those who are mourning.

Weslea shares her personal journey through pain, healing, and the tension between experiencing miracles and mourning. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and creating space for those in grief, highlighting that true comfort comes from experiencing God's presence in our pain.

The conversation explores the complexities of grief, faith, and the importance of lament in worship. They discuss personal experiences with waiting and how it tests faith, the significance of community support during grief, and practical approaches to comforting those who are grieving.

These important topics are expounded on in Weslea’s brand new book, To Weep With Those Who Weep, which is available now!

• Grief is a gift from God.
• The church often struggles with how to respond to grief.
• Experiencing pain can deepen our understanding of God's comfort.
• We need to learn how to grieve well and help others do the same.
• Miracles and mourning can coexist in our faith journey.
• Jesus wept over Lazarus, showing us the importance of empathy in grief.
• It's essential to create space for those who are grieving to express their feelings.
• Less is more when comforting someone in pain; listening is key. We often rush to fill silence with words instead of allowing space for grief.
• God welcomes our raw emotions, including anger and frustration.
• Lament is a significant aspect of worship and prayer.
• Communities often lack rituals for grieving, leading to isolation.
• The journey of grief is unique and requires personal reflection.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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In this new podcast episode, Matthew Lilley interviews worship leader Justin Rizzo, exploring his journey in worship, creativity, and the challenges faced in church leadership. Justin shares humorous anecdotes from his early worship leading days, reflects on his time at IHOP-KC, and discusses the importance of creativity in worship.

He emphasizes the need for greater expression in church music and the role of art and entertainment in ministry. The conversation also touches on Justin's production company and future projects, encouraging listeners to embrace their creative callings.

Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker based in the Midwest, USA, who coaches worship leaders and creatives. In addition, he owns Firelight Creative, a production company that has produced multiple award-winning musicals and films, and hosts gatherings for creatives. Justin spent over 10,000 hours leading worship in the prayer room at IHOP-KC before launching his current endeavors.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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Part two of this conversation with Justin Rizzo, “Songwriting, Collaboration and the Dignity of Smallness”, will be released in one week and is available exclusively to paid subscribers. Become a paid subscriber today!

Presence Pioneers Media is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our ministry, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

• Everyone has a unique testimony, regardless of background.
• Prayer and worship can empower the Great Commission.
• Creativity in worship can take many forms.
• It's important to have support when pursuing creative ideas.
• Church music should not be limited to popular songs.
• Engaging with the arts can enhance worship experiences.
• Faith without works is dead; action is necessary for creativity.
• Illogical ideas may be God's calling for your life.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and Chris Burns explore the transformative power of worship, community, and the presence of God. They discuss the importance of cultivating worship leaders, the role of freedom in worship settings, and the significance of community in nurturing spiritual growth.

Chris shares humorous anecdotes from his worship experiences and reflects on his evolving perspectives on worship and leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for a supportive environment for the next generation of worshippers, encouraging them to embrace their unique expressions of worship.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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• When building a house of prayer, don't focus on the amount of time; focus on pastoring people.
• Building a culture for the Lord’s presence is essential.
• Community is imperative to mothering and fathering.
• Freedom in worship allows for creativity and spontaneity.
• The ministry of presence is powerful in leadership.
• Everything is sacred if God is involved.
• We must not have the spirit of Saul towards younger generations.
• The next generation is poised to take worship to the next level. We need to be faithful messengers to the youth.
• Worship can happen in various musical styles without a sacred-secular divide.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley and guest Kelanie Webb explore the intersection of worship, creativity, and leadership. Kelanie shares her journey over the past four years, including her role as worship director at Morningstar Ministries and her passion for teaching and mentoring young worship leaders.

The conversation delves into the importance of songwriting, the evolution of worship music, and the unique characteristics of the next generation of worshipers. Kelanie emphasizes the value of community, creativity, and the need for churches to cultivate environments that foster authentic worship experiences.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, What Is True Prophetic Worship?, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

• God's presence is transformative and essential in worship.
• Humor and creativity are vital in worship leading.
• The Harp & Bowl model is a key teaching method in the school of worship.
• Songwriting is a powerful way to express what God is saying to a community.
• The next generation seeks authenticity in worship experiences.
• Worship teams should prioritize time together to foster creativity.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and David Vallier explore the profound themes of worship and creativity. David shares his personal journey from Louisiana to becoming a worship leader, emphasizing the importance of unique expressions of worship and the role of spontaneity. They discuss the significance of creating safe environments for worship, the value of diverse musical styles, and the necessity of discipleship in worship leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of being genuine in worship, embracing emotions, and living a life directed towards God.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, The Challenges and Joy of Pioneering From Your Passion, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

➡️ Worship is about experiencing and hosting the presence of God.

➡️ David Vallier's journey reflects the transformative power of worship.

➡️ Spontaneity in worship can lead to deeper connections with God.

➡️ Unique expressions of worship are essential for personal and communal growth.

➡️ Creating safe spaces for worship allows for creativity and exploration.

➡️ Diverse musical styles enrich the worship experience.

➡️ Worship should be rooted in both spirit and truth.

➡️ Emotions play a significant role in authentic worship.

➡️ Discipleship is crucial for developing worship leaders.

➡️ Worship is a personal journey that reflects one's relationship with God.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley interviews Caleb Culver, co-author of the song 'Reckless Love' and worship leader at Radiant Church. They discuss the origins of the song, Caleb's journey in worship ministry, and the significance of prayer in local churches. Caleb shares insights on the importance of being a praying church and how Radiant Church embodies this through its worship and prayer initiatives.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, "Processing IHOPKC and Healthy Leadership Culture", will be available exclusively to paid subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

• A prayer room can exist without being a praying church.
• Leaders must model prayer for their congregations.
• Prayer meetings should foster personal prayer growth among attendees.
• Faith is essential for effective prayer; it's not just about attendance.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this episode, Matthew Lilley interviews Adam Cates, a worship leader and church planter, discussing his journey into ministry, the founding of Big House Church, and the importance of creativity in worship. Adam shares insights on transitioning to new ministry ventures and offers encouragement to pastors and leaders about the organic nature of church leadership and the significance of allowing creativity to flourish within the church community.

Part two of this episode, The Challenges and Joy of Pioneering From Your Passion, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

➡️ The presence of God is transformative and essential in worship.

➡️ Creating space for the Holy Spirit is crucial in ministry.

➡️ Transitioning to new ministry ventures can be exciting and challenging.

➡️ Creativity in worship is vital for expressing the beauty of God.

➡️ The arts should be embraced as a form of worship in the church.

➡️ Church leadership should focus on organic growth rather than corporate models. ➡️ Pastors need to deal with their own insecurities to lead effectively.

➡️ Burnout can occur when leaders rely on their own strength rather than God's guidance.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

We are excited to announce that the theme of our next podcast season will be WORSHIP! Our last season focused on “presence-centered communities” was amazing, and we are now preparing our next batch of episodes for you.

👉🏼 If you are a pastor or ministry leader, you will learn why cultivating a strong worship culture in your community is so important.

👉🏼 If you are an intercessor, you will discover why prayer and intercession work best when fueled by worship and devotion to God.

👉🏼 If you are a worship leader, singer, or musician, then you definitely need to tune in for some encouragement, wisdom, and perspective that will help you host God’s presence with your music.

Worship has always been a huge part of the podcast, but we want to focus on this important biblical topic in the next batch of episodes. We plan to interview worship leaders and Bible teachers who have practical experience and biblical understanding of cultivating prophetic worship in communities, ministering to the Lord in the prayer room, and integrating creative arts into the life of the Church.

We expect our next podcast episode to be out by the end of May. Stay tuned!

P.S. This short break is a great time to binge-watch our archive of 150 episode on Youtube!

In this episode, Matthew Lilley continues his teaching on Psalm 132, exploring the themes of God's presence, David's vision for a dwelling place, and the implications of the Davidic covenant.

He discusses the importance of waiting for God's presence, the tension between the kingdom of God now and not yet, and the afflictions faced by those who seek to pioneer God's presence.

It concludes by discussing the promise of God’s kingdom through Jesus, the greater David.

Listen to part 1 of this teaching here.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

• God desires a resting place in our cities.
• David's vow reflects a deep longing for God's presence.
• The kingdom of God is both a present reality and a future hope.
• Pioneering God's presence often comes with affliction.
• The vision for God's presence requires a commitment to prayer and worship.
• God's covenant with David is a promise of eternal kingship.
• Jesus fulfills the promise of the Davidic covenant.
• The presence of God brings transformation and breakthrough.
• We are called to host God's presence in our communities.
• The ultimate fulfillment of God's presence will come with Jesus' return.

00:00 The Call to Wait for God's Presence

01:15 David's Vision for God's Dwelling Place

03:12 Understanding God's Resting Place

10:24 The Kingdom of God: Now and Not Yet

12:20 The Afflictions of a Presence Pioneer

16:15 The Vow of David: Until God's Presence Comes

19:12 God's Covenant with David

24:23 The Promise of the Davidic Kingdom

27:15 The Fulfillment of God's Presence in Zion

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything. Subscribe here!

In episode 150 of the podcast, Matthew Lilley dives deep into Psalm 132, exploring its significance in understanding what it means to be a presence pioneer. The discussion covers David's vow to God, God's promise in return, and the importance of both personal and corporate breakthroughs in experiencing God's presence. The episode emphasizes the need to host God's presence in our communities and the transformative power it holds.

Part two of this teaching on Psalm 132 will be released next. Subscribe on Substack to be notified via email when it is out. Click here to subscribe today!

• Psalm 132 is foundational for understanding presence pioneering.
• David's vow reflects a deep longing for God's presence.
• God's promise to David is a covenant that extends to us.
• The connection between God's dwelling place and unity is crucial.
• Presence pioneers seek both personal and corporate breakthroughs.
• Hosting God's presence requires intentionality and commitment.
• Experiencing God's presence is different from hosting it.
• Revival history shows the impact of God's presence on cities.
• God's presence is transformative and changes everything.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything. Subscribe here!

00:00 Introduction to Presence Pioneering

01:03 The Significance of Psalm 132

05:48 David's Vow and God's Promise

11:01 Clarifying the Vision of God's Presence

18:08 Personal vs. Corporate Breakthrough

24:03 Hosting God's Presence vs. Experiencing It

30:50 Conclusion and Next Steps