Advertise on podcast: The Lutheran Worship Podcast

In this episode, Kip and Steve explore four dimensions of Lutheran worship—encounter, education, evangelism, and expression—drawing from Dr. Timothy Maschke’s book Gathered Guests. Together, they consider how these dimensions interact and complement one another, and why attending to each is important for thoughtful worship planning. The conversation reflects on how a balanced approach can enrich the Divine Service and help worship leaders serve the church with greater theological clarity and intentionality.

In this episode, Kip and Steve are joined by Cara Berg to go behind the songwriting process for Psalm 90, part of the Psalm Library initiative. Together, they explore the collaboration between songwriters and theologians in bringing ancient biblical texts into contemporary congregational song. The conversation unpacks the song’s lyrics, structure, and themes of God’s steadfast love and wisdom, reflecting on its use as a morning prayer and its practical applications in the worship life of the church.

In this episode, Kip and Steve are joined by Dr. Lisa Clark to go behind the song “Ever Reign” from the Always album. Together, they explore the collaborative writing process, unpack the song’s lyrics and imagery, and discuss the theological themes that shaped the song. They also consider the musical and production choices behind “Ever Rain” and offer practical ideas for incorporating it into the worship life of the church.

In this episode, Kip and Steve are joined by Dr. Lisa Clark to go behind the song “No Other Voice” from the Always album. Together, they explore the collaborative songwriting process, unpack the song’s lyrics and themes of comfort and community, and discuss the production choices that helped bring it to life. The conversation concludes with practical ideas for using “No Other Voice” in the worship life of the church.

In this episode of The Lutheran Worship Podcast, Kip Fox and Steve Zank take a deep dive into “Always,” the title track from The Songwriter Initiative’s album Always. They explore the story behind the song, its songwriting process and theological themes, and how it might function within the Divine Service. Along the way, they unpack the song’s distinctive musical and production choices, including its prelude, structure, vocoder aesthetic, and choral interlude. The episode also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the recording and release process and previews upcoming episodes and resources connected to the Always album.

In this episode, Kip and Steve are joined by Nathan Huse and Jordan Miller to go behind the song “Faithful to the End” from the Songwriter Initiative. Together, they explore how the song emerged from a collaborative songwriting retreat and how Psalm 116 and personal experiences shaped its message of God’s enduring faithfulness. The conversation walks through the song’s lyrics and biblical foundations before considering how churches might use it in worship and across different seasons of life.

In this episode, Kip and Steve go behind the song “What God Does With Sinners” from the Always album. Joined along the way by Cara Berg, they unpack the collaborative songwriting process, the theological inspiration behind the lyrics, and the challenge of capturing the surprise and joy of the Gospel in song. They also explore the production process and musical choices that helped bring the song’s message to life.

In this episode, Kip and Steve explore the history and theology of confession and absolution in Lutheran worship. They trace two major traditions, including the Mecklenburg and Saxon forms, examining their development, translation, placement within the service, and influence on later Lutheran practice. Along the way, they consider how variations in these historic forms reveal important theological distinctions and shed light on the confession and absolution used in Lutheran worship today.

In this episode, Kip and Steve continue their exploration of the three cultures of songwriting, focusing especially on the involvement approach and the importance of congregational participation. They consider what motivates people to sing, how knowing the congregation should shape song selection, and the value of simplicity and repetition. The conversation also explores the distinction between fides qua and fides quae, and how both faith’s content and the act of believing can inform the songs the church sings.

In this episode, Kip and Steve explore three cultures that shape how music is written and experienced: Mastery, Consumer, and Involvement. They examine the assumptions and goals behind each approach and consider how cultural context affects the way songs are written, performed, and received. The conversation focuses especially on the challenge of writing involvement-oriented songs for congregational singing and why understanding these cultures matters for those who write music for the church.

In this episode, Kip and Steve preview the upcoming Worship Arts Leader Initiative (WALi) Summit and the vision behind gathering worship leaders from across the church. They discuss the three core competencies of worship leadership, the importance of fostering unity across traditional and contemporary worship contexts, and the value of building a community of encouragement and shared learning. The conversation also highlights practical workshops, meaningful conversations, and a renewed focus on the spiritual and mental well-being of those who lead the church’s worship.

In this episode, Kip and Steve continue their examination of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) by exploring the ethical and theological claims of the Prosperity Gospel. They discuss how prosperity teaching shapes expectations about wealth, success, and the Christian life, while also considering its influence on worship and congregational song. Through a Lutheran lens, they evaluate representative songs, reflect on the theology behind them, and consider why careful discernment is essential for faithful worship and pastoral care.

In this episode, Kip Fox and Steve Zank are joined by Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb to continue comparing the theology of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) with the Lutheran Confessions. Together, they examine the differing understandings of faith, healing, and sin, exploring how these theological differences shape pastoral care, Christian living, and the believer’s confidence in God’s promises. The conversation also reflects on the role of doctrine in forming both worship and everyday life.

In this episode, Kip Fox and Steve Zank are joined by Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb as they continue their Lutheran response to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Together, they explore Luther’s distinction between the theologian of the cross and the theologian of glory, emphasizing trust in God’s faithfulness, the centrality of Word and Sacrament, and the way Christians encounter God through His promised means.

In this episode, Kip Fox and Steve Zank are joined by Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb as they continue their examination of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. Together, they compare these theological claims with the Lutheran Confessions, exploring suffering, God’s proper and alien work, and the danger of making religion revolve around human success and fulfillment. The conversation reflects on how the theology of the cross offers a distinctly Lutheran response and reorients worship around Christ’s gifts rather than human achievement.