Season 5: How to Build the Team of Your Dreams Episode 1: The 3 Covenants: End Workplace Conflict & Build Trust Not every person on every team gets along—and that can derail the mission fast. In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, host Austin Ryan sits down with long-time ministry partner Ben Barfield to introduce The 3 Covenants: Building Team Loyalty. Together, they unpack the simple but powerful commitments that have kept them leading side by side for over 20 years. Whether ...

What does a church member expect from his pastor and other staff? What relationship with God does he expect church leaders to have? And how does he want pastors to join him in his evangelistic efforts? These are some of the questions Austin Ryan asks series guest Joe Penovich as they bring this series to a close. The answers to these and other questions might surprise you! Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors arou...

Are we singing the right things? If someone came to our church and listened to our song list for 6 months, would they capture the basic core theologies of the church and scripture? Many worship songs include the themes of grace, love, hope, healing, power and the goodness of God. But do we sing many songs about how God causes sickness and darkness? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst podcast, Austin Ryan sits down again with Joe Penovich to discuss the one core Biblical teaching that we o...

Hopefully every worship leader and pastor wants to lead in the power of the Holy Spirit. Hearing His voice and knowing that He is leading in us and through us is the only way we want to lead. But…are you leading that way? And what is the pattern of life that can lead to you finally experiencing this power you desire. In this episode, Austin sits down again with Joe Penovich as they discuss a process of knowing God and praying in His Spirit that will empower us to live and lead from a place of...

Is your church service more like the cry of Israel to God or a high quality professional presentation? Is it possible to have both? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin sits down with Joe Penovich and looks at scriptures that talk about singing and what the patterns should be in our worship gatherings. Together, they also ask the question, “In what ways are we artificially manufacturing a moment of praise in our congregations?” Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you en...

Has worship music become a counterfeit of the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel like you are leading well, but it doesn’t feel led or empowered by the Spirit of God? In this episode of the Worship Catalyst Podcast, Austin begins a conversation with Business owner and serial entrepreneur Joe Penovich as they start to unravel the mysteries of worshiping God in a way that people interact with God’s Holy Spirit. They discuss how self-motivated Christianity has led nowhere and start to ask the questio...

Planning worship services that truly serve your congregation requires wisdom and intentionality. In our final episode, we're addressing five essential questions every worship leader should consider when planning services. Your answers to these questions will shape how your church experiences corporate worship. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier fo...

For those called to write songs for the local church, today's episode is crucial. We're exploring seven fundamental principles of worship songwriting that you must never forget. Whether you're just starting or have been writing for years, these insights will sharpen your craft. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find u...

A worship leader's effectiveness flows from their personal walk with God. In this episode, we're diving into seven essential spiritual disciplines that will sustain and strengthen your ministry. These timeless practices will deepen your relationship with God and enhance your leadership. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders ...

From the early church to modern worship movements, certain leaders have shaped how we approach worship. Today, we're exploring seven influential figures whose insights and examples continue to guide worship ministry. Their stories will inspire and challenge your own leadership journey. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders t...

Why should evangelism be at the heart of your worship ministry? Today, we're examining four compelling reasons your team needs to embrace evangelism as a core value. Discover how worship and outreach naturally flow together in God's kingdom work. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook and I...

Excellence in worship doesn't happen by accident. In this episode, we're sharing eight practical strategies to build and nurture an exceptional worship ministry. From rehearsal techniques to team dynamics, you'll gain tools to elevate your ensemble's effectiveness. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow U...

Understanding the church and its beliefs isn't just for seminary students. Today, we're breaking down four essential concepts about theology and ecclesiology that will deepen your ministry's impact and help you lead with greater theological clarity. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worship leaders to find us! Follow Us on Facebook an...

Your worship team is more than just a group of musicians – they're disciples on a journey. Today, we're exploring six powerful ways to cultivate spiritual growth within your team. Discover how to transform your rehearsals and other connection points into opportunities for meaningful discipleship. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave a rating and review so it makes it easier for other worshi...

Every worship leader knows that building a thriving ministry takes more than musical talent. In today's episode, we're diving into six practical action items that will help you guide and grow your worship ministry with purpose and vision. Get ready to take your leadership to the next level. Season 3: Digging Deep: What Worship Leaders Need to Know From Seminary Episode 2: 6 Action Steps for Guiding the Worship Ministry Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor a...

Welcome to Season 3 of the Worship Catalyst Podcast! This series is called Digging Deep, where we're uncovering essential seminary wisdom for worship leaders. In the first episode, Austin and Stephen are laying the foundation by exploring four critical insights about the Old and New Testaments that every worship leader needs to understand. Whether you're selecting songs or crafting liturgy, these biblical principles will transform how you approach worship ministry.Season 3: Digging Deep: What...

So…you have said YES to incorporating a producer into your weekend services. Great choice! In this second episode in our producer series, we will take a dive into the kind of people you’re looking for to coordinate your services, some best practices on training them, and some tools to help you along the way. This is part 2 of 2 of these bonus episodes. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us a favor and share with worship leaders & pastors around you! Also, leave...

The time has come! We have a solution for you that will help maximize your own personal leadership gifting each and every weekend service. If you help lead a big church, small church, medium church, old church, new church or any other kind of church, this podcast is for you! The solution is to incorporate a producer, or service coordinator, onto your weekend team. In this episode, Austin sits down with Cami Ryan and Stephen Handley to discuss the 4 reasons you need a service coordinator TODAY...

Most worship leaders struggle knowing exactly what to say between songs. It is challenging to focus on music, the congregation, the team, and their conversation with God all the while trying to say something meaningful. In this episode, Austin and Corey will talk through some simple strategies to hear from God and design simple and powerful things that will help your congregation go from attending a gathering to encountering God. Watch the VIDEO Podcast HERE Did you enjoy this episode? Do us...

In helping people encounter God as we praise Him together, it’s important that leaders, as well as people in the congregation, understand what the Bible actually says about worship. It can be overwhelming because the Bible mentions worship hundreds of times. Understanding what it means can be difficult. In fact, worship leaders and pastors have made it even more confusing. In this episode, Austin and Corey unpack four short passages that give every leader a solid Biblical framework from which...