In this special episode, guest host Dr. Kyle Dieleman, Associate Professor of Theology & History at Dordt University, gathers a panel of preachers and historians to explore how Church history can help us see the work of God in the long history of God's people, which can help preachers and churches better understand and proclaim the work of God in unique contemporary lives and contexts. Joining Dr. Dieleman, Dr. David Komline (Professor of Church History, Western Theological Seminary, Holland, MI), Dr. Kenneth J. Woo (Associate Professor of Church History, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA), and Pastor Gail Ashmore, Bridge of Hope Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Center, IA) explore issues including the obstacles that preachers face in trying to incorporate church history into their preaching and the practical steps for ministry leaders who desire to preach historically grounded sermons. Don't miss this unique episode exploring preaching as a central act of Christian worship.

In this episode, recorded live in Seattle, join Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Dr. Truls Åkerlund as they discuss Åkerlund’s recent scholarship around the Foucauldian understanding of discourse as it intersects with worship and ministry leadership. Dr. Åkerlund is Professor of Leadership at the Norwegian School of Leadership and Theology. He has authored numerous articles on ecclesial leadership and several books, including A Phenomenology of Pentecostal Leadership (2018) and his most recent work, Tråden heter trofasthet (2024). Though pastors and worship leaders in independent churches and nondenominational networks may not have the same denominational power structures and pressures, powerful forces are still at work. Åkerlund argues that dominant discourse impacts how leaders set goals, engage in ministry, perceive their vocation, and measure ministry success. In this conversation, hear discussions on the need for reflexivity and beneficial critical discernment, which helps, not hinders, Christian leaders as they work to partake faithfully in the biblical story rather than dominant discourses. Join this thoughtful discussion, interacting with various topics on ministry leadership, including burnout, celebrity worship, faithfulness in ministry, cultural discernment, resting in liturgy, how to navigate criticism, and how worship is shaped by and shapes culture.

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Revd. Prof. Mark Cartledge, Principal of the London School of Theology, to discuss worshipping online. Dr. Cartledge is a professor of practical theology with research interests in digital ecclesiology. This discussion draws from Cartledge’s recent work in singing online, diving into theological and practical issues in this relatively new phenomenon. Together, they unpack topics such as digital worship as a “third” space, arguments against digital corporate worship, constructive approaches to engage everyone in hybrid liturgical spaces, and much more. They wrestle with questions such as: 1) is online church, church? and 2) how should churches think differently about streaming worship? Don’t miss this exciting and vital conversation.

Kicking off the third season of the Worship/Theology podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and guest co-host Dr. Angela Perigo engage with Nick and Becky Drake to explore the importance of including children in worship. Nick and Becky lead Worship for Everyone, a ministry that brings together the big family of God in worship. In addition to leading this ministry, Becky works as a School Chaplain at The Blue Coat School in Birmingham, while Nick is ordained in the Church of England and ministers at Gas Street Church in Birmingham, UK. This episode focuses on the challenges and opportunities of creating an intergenerational worship experience that elevates children and engages adults as they enjoy Jesus. The Drakes share insights from their journey, emphasizing the need to see children as active participants rather than mere performers. Additionally, they delve into the theological foundations of all-aged worship, highlighting the significance of children in biblical narratives and the importance of fostering a community where everyone can worship together. The Drakes encourage church and worship leaders to consider the importance of belonging for children and youth in their churches and the mutual joy that comes from worshipping together across generations.

In this episode of the Worship Theology Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo and the Reverend Professor Steve Walton discuss Christian worship from the book of Acts. Walton is a leading New Testament scholar and the Senior Research Fellow in New Testament at Trinity College, Bristol. He has published numerous books and articles on Acts and is authoring the forthcoming three-volume series on Acts for the Word Biblical Commentary series.  In this podcast, they explore numerous topics around the unique contributions of the Book of Acts to a biblical theology of worship. The conversation delves into the role of Jesus in Christian worship, the activity of the Holy Spirit in worship gatherings, the practices of the first Christians, the impact of Gentiles on early Christian worship, and a Lucan critique of modern worship practices. This discussion emphasizes the importance of Scripture in shaping worship and the need to focus on God above personal worship preferences.

In this episode of the Worship/Theology Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo interviews Pastor Michael Miller, founding pastor and senior leader of UPPERROOM. They discuss the theology, worship practices, and story of a church community centered around the presence of Jesus. UPPERROOM is known for its commitment to prayer and worship, with prayer meetings happening morning, noon, and night. In this podcast, they explore the importance of God's presence in worship, the value of prayer, and the cultural impact of being a house of prayer.  Pastor Miller shares his background growing up in a conservative church and his encounter with the Holy Spirit that led him to embrace the work of the Holy Spirit in worship. The conversation explores themes such as ministering to the Lord, worship as a resting place, the "in and out" lifestyle, the power of the Lord's Table, and the hope found in this emerging generation.

In this Worship/Theology Podcast episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo interviews Dr. Joshua Busman about his article titled “A Fun and Funky Disco Pastiche: David Crowder Confronts Evangelical Performance Anxiety.” They discuss the concept of performance anxiety in evangelical worship and how it affects both worship leaders and congregants. They explore the tension between authenticity and performance in worship, the role of control and authority in worship spaces, and how worship leaders navigate the divide between performance and worship. In the article and podcast, Busman highlights David Crowder as an example of a worship leader who “deftly negotiates this divide by embracing moments of performance within his worship sets.” Busman and Perigo explore these tensions and also give practical solutions for engaging as church musicians and worship leaders

Journey with Dr. Jeremy Perigo and Nashville-based artists, Zach & Maggie, as they reflect on musicmaking inside and outside of the church. In addition to working alongside notable artists including Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and a long tenure with hymn writers Keith & Kristyn Getty, their lively original compositions pair Zach's skilled guitar/vocals with Maggie's impressive violin/mandolin/vocals. The Rabbit Room states, "The music of Zach & Maggie is at once playful, captivating, and stealthily intelligent."  In this conversation, they discuss the joys and challenges of playing in and outside of the church. They also examine the "sacred" and "secular divide, their bluegrass influences, the use of surprise in arrangements, church music and performance, the need for good theology and singable melodies, artistic beauty, and musical excellence. Their newest album Elephant in the Room is a brilliant, quirky, creative project that is worth putting on repeat.

In this podcast, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts Dr. Steven Félix-Jäger discussing his recent book Renewal Worship: A Theology of Doxology. Recorded live at the Society for Pentecostal Studies, they unpack topics such as global worship shifts, emotional manipulation, pneumatology, sacramentalism, lyrical theology, shifts in worship studies, relational theology, dialogical worship, revivalism, and much more. They draw from Félix-Jäger’s scholarship on Pentecostalism alongside his work as a visual artist and worship leader. Join in these pioneering discussions on the impact of Pentecostalism in global worship. 

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Ron Man as they discuss the biblical foundations of worship. Ron is a worship educator and serves on the steering committee of the Biblical Worship Section of the Evangelical Theological Society. He is also the director of Worship Resources International. His most recent book, Let Us Draw Near, is an expansive examination of the theme of worship in Scripture. Together, they unpack key themes, including dialogical worship, Trinitarian song, Jesus as a Worship Leader, and why theology matters.

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts scholar, pastor, and musician Zac Hicks. Hicks is currently pastor of Church of the Cross in Birmingham, Alabama, and is the author of several books, including, most recently, Before We Gather.  Drawing from Hicks' The Worship Pastor and Worship By Faith Alone, they discuss practical and theological issues around justification, the priesthood of all believers, and confession. Additionally, they engage in dialogue around topics such as Thomas Cranmer's Reformation of Worship, the roles of the worship pastor, failures in ministry, faith and works, and Pauline Christology. They wrap up by highlighting the types of songs the Church needs to be writing and other practical encouragements. . 

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Melanie Ross, Associate Professor of Liturgical Studies at Yale Divinity School. They explore themes surrounding Evangelical practices and theologies of worship, particularly from Ross' books Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic (2021) and Evangelical vs. Liturgical? Defying a Dichotomy (2014).  Beyond monolithic political assessments of Evangelicals, Ross presents a nuanced and diverse view of Evangelicals and their liturgical identities. Enjoy their discussion surrounding the paradoxes and unique contributions of evangelical liturgical theology.

Two Dordt University Professors, Dr. Justin Bailey and Prof. David Platter, are joining Dr. Jeremy Perigo on this episode. Drawing from Bailey's academic work in beauty and culture and Platter's experience as a working studio artist and educator, they reflect on the challenges and opportunities of visual art in corporate worship. They grapple with questions such as why Catholics have all the good art, why did some Reformers reject art, and what makes visual art Christian. The discussion invites Christians to consider how best to engage with art and worship leaders to curate a vision for the arts in their churches. The podcast was recorded live at Dordt University in a Worship Arts class.

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts Revd. Associate Professor Dr. Daniel Thornton of Alphacrucis University College in Australia. Dr. Thornton is an ordained minister, worship leader, musician, educator, and theologian with significant experience in production, theater, and composition.   Together, they discuss Thornton’s scholarly research into modern Christian worship songs, which utilizes music semiology focused on texts, writers, and the audience to analyze congregational songs. Beyond the lyrical theology, hear them unpack topics such as what makes a song popular, meaning making, the influence of the industry and the local church, the future of the genre, trends in novelty and traditionalism, and how YouTube influences Christian worship. The discussion concludes with pastoral guidance and encouragement for those serving in local churches.

How has worship music shifted in the last ten years in the USA? Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he hosts Dr. Shannan Baker, a Postdoctoral Fellow in Music and Digital Humanities at Baylor University. Their discussion focuses on the musical, theological, and market shifts of CCLI's Top 25 songs from 2010-2020. Topics include lyrical theology, Trinitarian worship, the rise of collaborations, different types of adlibs, increases in repetitive bridges and tags, and a few rounds of “Which CCLI song would you use.”

On this second episode of season two, Dr. Jeremy Perigo hosts worship historian Dr. Adam Perez of Belmont University. Together they discuss how the history of contemporary worship song impacts local churches today. With a specific focus on worship in the 1980s and 1990s, Perez shares how studying the history of Christian worship gives us important tools and skills to shape how we lead today. Discussions include tracing the networks of dissemination of worship, research on the marketing and distribution of worship songs, Reformed perspectives on contemporary worship, and much more. Also, join them as they play a few rounds of which CCLI song would you use.  This episode specifically explores the complexities of the history of worship alongside the potential flexibilities of leading in contemporary contexts. 

In the first episode of season two, Dr. Jeremy Perigo sits down with Dr. Matthew Kaemingk, a public theologian based at Fuller Seminary. Together, they discuss Reformed worship, public theology, the need to become vocationally conversant as ministry leaders, and how to bridge the vast chasm between our worship and worship. Those who listen to the end will also hear theological ties between workplace theology, 30 Rock, and a Neocalvinist perspective. 

In the final episode of the first season, join Dr. Jeremy Perigo as he welcomes back Geraldine Latty and Carey Luce as they discuss the practice of creativity and emotional breadth in worship. Hear topics such as the use of gospel choirs, planning time for creativity, utilizing musical tensions, emotional and musical manipulation, the theology of the Spirituals, building community through singing, and learning from other cultural expressions of worship. Geraldine and Carey are London-based worship artists with a massive amount of experience in music, songwriting, theology, education, and worship leadership. 

Join Dr. Jeremy Perigo with guests Kenny & Claire Hilliard as they examine the importance of lyrical theology. Kenny and Claire are Nashville-based songwriters with a passion for serving the local church. This podcast was recorded live at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa during a worship arts and theology class.

In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Perigo sits down with Rich and Lydia di Castiglione, UK-based worship leaders and songwriters, to discuss writing worship songs that simultaneously acknowledge pain, suffering, grief, and hope. They explore how worship songs can express empathy and the entire emotive bandwidth of the Christian life. Hear the stories and theology behind their worship songwriting, which embodies the “already and not yet” of the kingdom expressed in the writings of George Ladd. Rich and Lydia are a part of KXC (Kings Cross Church) and are passionate about seeing the most broken and abused come into freedom and fullness of life.