WorshipFuel with Matt McCoy

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with worship songwriter Brenton Brown, known for songs like "Everlasting God," "Lord Reign in Me," and "Hosanna (Praise Is Rising)," to reflect on how worship has evolved through the years. Brenton shares stories from the early Vineyard worship movement, what made those days so special, and how songwriting and worship leading have changed since then. They also discuss the tension between production and congregational participation, why worship songs have become more complex, and what worship leaders today can learn from previous generations. Plus, Brenton shares what excites him about the future of worship music and the incredible story behind his song "Hallelujah, Jesus Saves."

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Kevin Huguley, Executive Director of Liberty Worship Collective and member of Rush of Fools, to talk about what he’s seeing in the next generation of worship leaders. Kevin shares what Gen Z and Gen Alpha are looking for from the Church, why talent and platform skills aren’t enough, and how Liberty is intentionally forming students beyond what happens on stage. They also talk about social media, personal branding, song selection, mentorship, and why young leaders need real opportunities to serve instead of just watching from the sidelines.

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with songwriter and worship pastor Kaelob Mecum to talk about originality, honesty, and the pressure to follow the formulas that produce successful worship songs. Kaelob shares why he believes we may be losing some of the art of songwriting, and why the best songs often come from writing what you’ve actually lived instead of trying to recreate someone else’s sound.

What if the next leader your worship ministry needs is already on your team?

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Amber Peairs from The Worship Life to talk about how worship leaders can start developing the people already in front of them. Amber shares how to recognize leadership potential, create a healthy culture of feedback, give volunteers real responsibility, and help people take ownership beyond their individual role. They also talk about the hard side of leadership, including difficult conversations, evaluations, delegation, and knowing when someone may not be the right fit for the team.

The goal isn't just to build a better band. It's to build people who can lead.

Amber will also be joining us at the Worship Innovators Conference, October 12-13 in Chicago. Come hang with worship leaders, pastors, musicians, and ministry leaders from around the country and hear more practical teaching from Amber in person.

Matt McCoy sits down with Teel Merrick, founder of Worship Admin, to talk about the systems behind a healthy worship ministry.

Teel shares how scheduling, meetings, communication, set planning, and dozens of small administrative tasks can consume a worship leader’s week before Sunday even arrives.

They unpack how better preparation can serve your volunteers, why planning doesn’t kill spontaneity, and how delegation can free you to actually pastor your people.

Teel also walks through his ideal Monday-through-Sunday workflow and offers practical ways to start fixing broken systems without trying to overhaul everything at once.

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Passion’s Brett Younker for an honest conversation about what it takes to stay faithful through decades of ministry. Brett shares how disappointment, changing seasons, and getting older have reshaped his view of success, and why the goal isn’t staying relevant, it’s raising up the next generation. They... View Article

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Sean Feucht to talk about leading worship beyond the four walls of the church. From prisons and city streets to public parks and unexpected places, Sean shares why worship shouldn’t be confined to a stage inside a church building. 

In this new episode, Johnny Burkhalter shares a needed challenge to all of us about rediscovering worship as something much bigger than music, Sunday services, or what happens on a platform. Hear how worship leaders can find their identity beyond their role, lead from authenticity instead of performance, and remember that before we lead worship,... View Article

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Paul Mabury and John Hartley to talk about House of Worship, a collaborative project bringing together some of the most influential voices in modern worship music. They unpack why these older worship songs still resonate so deeply, what’s been lost in modern worship culture, and why mentorship... View Article

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with worship leader and Table Songs founder Erik Gaylo for an honest conversation about identity, collaboration, creativity, and the hidden isolation many worship leaders experience. Erik shares how God used burnout, disappointment, and COVID to reshape his understanding of ministry and launch a movement centered around community instead... View Article