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In this episode of WorshipFuel, Matt McCoy sits down with worship leader, pastor, songwriter, and author Brandon Grissom to talk about how losing his wife, Becky, changed his life and the way he leads worship. Brandon shares what it was like to continue serving his church while caring for his wife through her battle with a brain tumor, the prayer that carried him through his darkest moments, and why familiar worship lyrics began to mean something completely different. They also discuss how grief changes the way we see our congregations, how much vulnerability is appropriate from the platform, and what worship leaders can learn about leading through difficult seasons.

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 The post Ep. 202 – Brett Younker – How to Stay Faithful When Ministry Gets Hard first appeared on WorshipFuel.

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.  The post Ep. 201 – Sean Feucht – What Happens When You Take Worship Outside the Four Walls? first appeared on WorshipFuel.

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 The post Ep. 200 – Johnny B Burkhalter – Your Identity Is Not Your Ministry first appeared on WorshipFuel.

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 The post Ep. 199 – Paul Mabury & John Hartley – What Today’s Worship Leaders Are Missing first appeared on WorshipFuel.

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 The post Ep. 198 – Erik Gaylo – Worship Pastors Need Community, Not Just Creativity first appeared on WorshipFuel.

In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Michael W. Smith to talk about the heart behind communion and why it deserves more attention in our services. Michael shares the story behind his new song “Hymn for Communion” and why there aren’t enough songs written for this part of the service. This conversation is packed... View Article The post Ep. 197 – Michael W. Smith – Giving Communion the Attention It Deserves first appeared on WorshipFuel.

Matt sits down with Tyler and Kendra from Red Rocks Worship to get super real about introducing new songs in church. They talk through what actually works, what totally flops, and how to tell the difference in the moment. From picking the right songs to setting them up in a way people actually connect with,... View Article The post Ep. 196 – Red Rocks Worship – Why Your Church Isn’t Singing New Songs first appeared on WorshipFuel.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Alexander Pappas to talk about the origin story behind Young & Free and the massive impact of “Alive.” Alexander shares how a simple youth night moment sparked a movement, and how technology and timing shaped a new worship sound. He also unpacks his new project Sunday, why he... View Article The post Ep. 195 – Alexander Pappas – How Hillsong Young & Free Rewrote the Sound of Worship Music first appeared on WorshipFuel.

Matt sits down with Wade Joye, former worship pastor at Elevation Church, for a vulnerable conversation about unfulfilled dreams, identity, and the pressure worship leaders feel to chase visibility and success. Wade shares his journey from being a founding member of Elevation Worship to stepping into a behind-the-scenes pastoral role, and how surrender became the... View Article The post Ep. 194 – Wade Joye – The Dream You Prayed For Might Not Be Yours first appeared on WorshipFuel.