What Do You Do When You Have Problems With the Songs You’re Singing on Sundays?
A podcast listener sent in this question, asking what to do when the songs your church is singing are problematic, either for musical or theological reasons. It’s a question we’ve received more than once, and in this episode David and Bob seek to provide biblical and practical answers. Have a question about this episode? Send […]
How Should We Think About Technology in Our Sunday Gatherings?
In a world that breathlessly awaits hearing how the latest technology is going to make our lives better, eaiser, and more fruitful, how should the church respond? In what ways do musical, audio, and visual technologies change us as we use them? Does God’s Word have anything to say to us about technologies that didn’t […]
What is the Role of the Senior Pastor?
It’s not uncommon for a senior pastor to focus on preaching and give little to no attention to other aspects of the Sunday gathering. In this episode, David Zimmer and Bob Kauflin are joined by Jared Mellinger, senior pastor of Covenant Life Fellowship in Glen Mills, PA, to talk about the important role a senior […]
How Do I Lead Songs For A Youth Group?
Few things can be as disheartening as trying to lead a group of unresponsive teens in congregational worship. A faithful listener sent in an email asking what to do in that situation, and how to effectively encourage your musicians. Bob, David, and Devon tackle that question and seek to steer us away from thinking music […]
Behind the Song: All of Our Tomorrows
In this episode, Bob and David are joined by Dave Fournier and Ryan Foglesong, writers of the new hymn, All of Our Tomorrows. It’s a fascinating conversation that touches on the songwriting process, the benefit of relationships, and the importance of singing songs that remind us this world is not our home. Watch the live […]
Physical Expressiveness Part 3: How Can My Church Grow?
So you’re becoming more convinced that God has given us bodies to naturally respond to him in ways that point to his glory and our satisfaction in him. Even on Sunday mornings. But what if your church isn’t in the same place? How do you help you church grow in a natural, biblical expressiveness that […]
Physical Expressiveness Part 2: What the Bible Says
The way we think about physical expression in our Sunday gatherings is often shaped more by culture, tradition, preference, or temperament than the Word of God. In this episode, part 2 of 3, Bob and David look at what the Bible says about physical expressiveness in congregational worship and respond to each of the concerns […]
Physical Expressiveness Part 1: Ten Problems With It
What kinds of physical expressiveness are appropriate and God-honoring when the church gathers? How should we think through the issues of distraction, potential hypocrisy, tradition, and emotionalism? Does this issue even matter? In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, part 1 of 3, David and Bob talk about ten reasons people give for avoiding or […]
What Songs Should We Sing at Christmas?
Every year as Christmas rolls around, leaders face the challenge of determining what songs to sing. Do we stick with traditional carols? How do we introduce new songs? When should we start? Can we sing Christmas songs at other times? In this episode, David and Bob seek to provide some helpful answers to these questions […]
Open the Eyes of My Face, Lord
It’s common for members of a congregation, as well as those who lead from the front, to think that the best way to worship God in song is with your eyes closed. Is that a good idea? Does it really matter? In this episode, co-hosts Bob Kauflin and David Zimmer, joined by Bob’s son, Devon, […]
Arranging Your Band on Sunday Mornings with Ben Shive [Part 2]
In this episode, part 2 of 2, David and Bob dig deeper with Ben Shive via zoom into the topic of arranging your band on Sundays. He covers common mistakes bands often make, and offers wise counsel for specific instruments. This is a great episode to listen to with your team! Have a question about […]
Arranging Your Band on Sunday Mornings with Ben Shive [Part 1]
Ben Shive is gifted and widely loved producer, arranger, and songwriter. HIs musical credits are long and include Andrew Peterson, Keith and Kristyn Getty, Melanie Penn, and JJ Heller. We’ve had the opportunity to work with Ben on our Unchanging God, Vol. 1 & 2 albums, as well as 4 singles yet to be released. […]
The Seven Biggest Mistakes You Can Make as A Worship Leader [Part 2]
If you lead the singing in your church, you know the challenges. But some of the biggest challenges are those we create ourselves. In this episode, part 2 of 2, David, Bob, and Devon explore four more common mistakes to avoid, and God-honoring priorites to pursue. Scriptures referenced in this episode: “Keep your heart with […]
The Seven Biggest Mistakes You Can Make as A Worship Leader [Part 1]
In the first episode of Season 5, co-hosts David Zimmer and Bob Kauflin are joined by Bob’s son, Devon, to talk about seven mistakes congregational worship leaders often make. While these aren’t the ONLY mistakes you can make, they certainly rank among the most common. The conversation was so enjoyable that they only got to […]
How Do I Lead a Bi-Lingual Service?
What do you do when half the people in your town speak another language? What steps can you take to develop a Sunday service that serves your members as well as the non-English speakers in your community? Bob Kauflin and David Zimmer seek to give biblical and practical answers to those questions in this final […]
How Do We Use Orchestral Instruments on Sunday Morning?
What can you do when you have violinist, cellist, or trumpet player in your church who wants to play in your band? Is their only option to look for a church that uses an orchestra? Not at all. In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, David Zimmer and Bob Kauflin talk about ways orchestral instruments […]
Why Isn’t My Congregation Singing?
Few things are more deflating for a leader of congregational worship than looking out Sunday after Sunday on people who are distracted, emotionless, or not singing at all. But often the problem lies not in what people are doing, but in what we do as leaders. In this practical episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, David […]
Why God Doesn’t Need Our Worship
It’s too easy to approach corporate worship with the idea that God needs our skills, talents, and gifts to be glorified. That perspective can result in anxiety over whether or not our worship will be “good enough.” In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine David and Bob use Psalm 50 as a guide for discovering […]
The Worship Leader and His Family [Part 2]
Father’s Day Edition: In this episode, part 2 of 2 on the Worship Leader and His Family, David talks with Bob (father of 6, grandfather of 21) about the challenges and joys of raising a family. They cover the early years up through parenting teens, and speak to the importance of your kids never feeling […]
Q&A: How Old Is Too Old for the Worship Team?
A number of people have sent us questions about how to approach the issue of aging on a music team. Some are asking if they’ve aged out of leading. Others have wondered how to approach this topic with members of their band. In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, David Zimmer and Bob Kauflin explore […]
Q&A: Vocal Arranging for Sunday Mornings
For centuries, the church has been conflicted over whether congregations should sing in unison or harmony. Everyone singing melody together is powerful, but harmony can add beauty and interest. In this episode of Sound Plus Doctrine, David Zimmer and Bob Kauflin explore some of the principles that can help vocalists and leaders determine how to […]
