Tickets sold, packed rooms, radio spins, and album sales seemed to check all the boxes for success.

Until the quiet of weekly church life exposed a better question: what if success is not found in applause, but faithfulness? 

We share the story behind that shift—how moving from artist autonomy to serving under authority forces you to trade the spotlight for shepherding and the setlist for people.

We unpack the hard edges of humility and dig into the shadow side of ambition.  Looking at how God uses the crushing to purify calling so your gift flows from acceptance, not for it.

From that foundation, we lay out practical steps to define a clear worship culture, create low-risk development spaces, and give your team real reps.

Ready to rethink success in worship ministry and build leaders who outlast you? Press play, then share your biggest takeaway. 

If this helped you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who needs the encouragement.

The Worship Table is a sacred space for worship pastors and creative leaders—a place of rest, renewal, and real connection. Just as the Lord’s Table welcomes all, this Table exists to refresh those who pour out week after week. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and deep community, we invite you to step away from isolation and into a space of belonging, encouragement, and growth. You don’t have to lead alone—there is a place for you here.

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What happens when God calls you into worship ministry and you can’t sing or play? We sit down with Matthew Harris of Gateway Church to trace a path forged by obedience, curiosity, and a lot of unglamorous reps.

We talk leading the next generation.  We dive into the power of safe places to fail for young leaders, especially in high-expectation environments. Matthew shares how asking better questions, inviting mentors close, and building a working knowledge of tech created confidence without ego.

We talk songwriting.  He treats songs like arrows—each with an intended purpose—freeing him from chasing reach and centering the joy on creating with God. Some songs stay private; others wait years for their moment.

We talk staying healthy in ministry.  Matthew outlines practical boundaries, weekly calendar audits, and partnering with leadership and HR to stay healthy. The goal is simple and hard: arrive on Sunday full, not empty. Keep the main thing the main thing—pastor people to Jesus, model it without hype, and choose the “uncool” move if it serves the room. 

If this resonates with you, we would be honored for you to follow the show, share it with a friend who leads worship, and leave a review to help more leaders find these conversations.  

The Worship Table is a sacred space for worship pastors and creative leaders—a place of rest, renewal, and real connection. Just as the Lord’s Table welcomes all, this Table exists to refresh those who pour out week after week. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and deep community, we invite you to step away from isolation and into a space of belonging, encouragement, and growth. You don’t have to lead alone—there is a place for you here.

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What makes a worship team thrive beyond musical excellence? How do you balance talent and character when building a worship ministry? Hope Adams, who oversees campus worship pastors at Gateway Church, pulls back the curtain on their intentional approach to creating healthy worship cultures.

The conversation begins with Gateway's distinctive onboarding process. Rather than conducting traditional auditions, they employ evaluations followed by a 4-6 week coaching journey addressing both musical craft and spiritual formation. This deliberate pace ensures team members are not only talented but aligned with the ministry's heart and values. "We are quick to not hurry people through that process," Hope explains, "because who we put on that platform needs character that matches their gift."

Language matters in cultivating culture. Gateway intentionally uses "platform" instead of "stage" – a subtle but powerful distinction communicating that worship leadership is about influence rather than performance. This perspective shapes how team members view their responsibilities both in worship services and daily life.

Perhaps most compelling is the framework Hope shares for navigating conflict within creative teams. She advocates for "kind truth" – a balanced approach that avoids both artificial harmony and mean-spirited attacks. By building relational equity first, preparing thoroughly for difficult conversations, and ensuring clear next steps, worship leaders can address issues while preserving dignity and trust.

For those hiring worship pastors, Hope emphasizes that coachability and humility outrank even exceptional talent. "About 60-70% of what a worship pastor does happens off-platform," she notes, highlighting the essential pastoral component of the role. Effective worship leaders must not only connect people with God but develop others and share leadership opportunities.

Whether you lead a large worship department or a small volunteer team, this conversation offers practical wisdom for intentionally building a culture where excellence and authenticity flourish together. What emerges clearly is that healthy worship teams don't happen by accident – they're cultivated through clear values, consistent communication, and leaders who truly care about who people are becoming.

The Worship Table is a sacred space for worship pastors and creative leaders—a place of rest, renewal, and real connection. Just as the Lord’s Table welcomes all, this Table exists to refresh those who pour out week after week. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and deep community, we invite you to step away from isolation and into a space of belonging, encouragement, and growth. You don’t have to lead alone—there is a place for you here.

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Ever feel like ministry is one transition after another? In this soul-stirring conversation, four worship ministry veterans with decades of experience share their hard-earned wisdom about navigating change while staying anchored in God's presence.

Mark Harris (Gateway Church), Jon Larson (Church of the Highlands), Andy Chrisman (Church on the Move), and Michael Neale (Champion Forest) gather around The Worship Table to vulnerably discuss how they've weathered significant ministry transitions. From church changes to leadership restructuring to personal role shifts, these worship leaders reveal the spiritual practices that have sustained them through uncertainty.

"Hold on loosely, but don't let go," advises Harris, emphasizing the delicate balance between faithful stewardship and recognizing God's ultimate ownership. The group explores how transitions often reveal our hidden idols – those things we've unknowingly elevated above our devotion to Christ. Through personal stories, including Harris's experience taking daily communion with his wife and Larson's reflection on being a "doorkeeper in God's house," they offer practical wisdom for staying spiritually grounded when everything else is shifting.

What emerges is a profound roadmap for worship leaders facing transitions: maintain daily spiritual disciplines, focus on eternal perspectives, choose joy deliberately, and lean heavily into authentic community. The conversation goes beyond surface-level advice to explore the heart postures that truly matter when navigating change.

Whether you're currently in a transition or preparing for your next one, this wisdom-packed episode offers both practical steps and spiritual insights that will deepen your ministry resilience. Subscribe now to join The Worship Table community and watch for information about upcoming in-person retreats where conversations like this continue.

The Worship Table is a sacred space for worship pastors and creative leaders—a place of rest, renewal, and real connection. Just as the Lord’s Table welcomes all, this Table exists to refresh those who pour out week after week. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and deep community, we invite you to step away from isolation and into a space of belonging, encouragement, and growth. You don’t have to lead alone—there is a place for you here.

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What happens when the very gift that lands you the worship pastor position isn't enough to sustain you through the challenges of ministry? Andy Chrisman and Michael Neale, veteran worship leaders with decades of experience, dive deep into this question as they launch The Worship Table podcast.

Worship pastors occupy a unique space in church leadership - often hired for their musical abilities and platform presence, yet expected to excel at executive meetings, volunteer management, and pastoral care. This disconnect creates what Andy describes as feeling "like a fish out of water," talented enough to lead crowds in worship but struggling with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that consume most of the workweek. The result? Isolation, burnout, and a crisis of identity that drives many creative leaders away from ministry altogether.

The hosts share candidly about their own journeys and the patterns they've witnessed in worship ministry. They explore how the relentless pace of Sunday services, the pressure to perform spiritually while potentially struggling personally, and the lack of genuine community all contribute to an unsustainable ministry model. But rather than focusing solely on challenges, they cast vision for The Worship Table as a space where worship pastors can find authentic connection, practical wisdom, and preventative soul care.

What sets this community apart isn't just expert advice or skill development, but the opportunity for worship leaders to gather around the table - symbolically and literally - to share meals, stories, and struggles with others who truly understand. As Michael explains, they've identified three essential pillars for thriving in worship ministry: soul care, leadership development, and authentic community. When any of these elements is missing, the foundation becomes unstable.

Ready to break free from isolation and find sustainable rhythms in worship ministry? Visit theworshiptable.com to join a community of worship leaders who understand exactly what you're walking through.

The Worship Table is a sacred space for worship pastors and creative leaders—a place of rest, renewal, and real connection. Just as the Lord’s Table welcomes all, this Table exists to refresh those who pour out week after week. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and deep community, we invite you to step away from isolation and into a space of belonging, encouragement, and growth. You don’t have to lead alone—there is a place for you here.

Join Our Free Online Community

Follow Us On Instagram