Beyond Sunday Worship

Worship Podcast & Blog

#30: Worship Leaders We Are Not Rockstars: An Interview With Stephen Miller [Podcast]

0000051316_20Massive talent. Bright lights. Incredible band. Emotional performances.

From the outside it seems that worship leaders are no different than your every day rockstars.

But is there something that should set us apart? That’s what I dive into with Stephen Miller, author of the wonderful book Worship Leaders We Are Not Rockstars. Stephen is a worship pastor at The Journey in St Louis, as well as a songwriter, artist, and author.

If you leave a comment, you may be a lucky winner of Stephen’s book as he’s graciously agreed to give away 5 copies.

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What You’ll Learn in this Episode

  • What is the rockstar worship syndrome?
  • The problem with “personality driven” worship leading
  • Redefining “success” as a worship leader
  • Advice for uber talented worship leaders
  • Study theology as well as theory. Practice the presence of God as much as your craft
  • Is it wrong for a worship leader to build their “platform”?
  • How to handle fame
  • The best litmus test for a successful worship team
  • The best use of creativity in worship
  • How Stephen plans discipleship events at The Journey

Resources Mentioned in this Post

Winners

  • Daniel Pape
  • Brian
  • Terry J
  • Dave Helmuth
  • Roddy Betancourt

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Your Feedback

If you have an idea for a podcast you would like to see, a special guest you’d like to hear from, or a question for an upcoming episode, please email me or leave a voicemail.

If you enjoyed the show, I would be so appreciative if you would rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That helps me so much! Thanks.

Question: What was your biggest takeaway from my interview with Stephen? Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win a copy of the book! You can leave a comment by clicking here.

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Comments

  1. Daniel Pape says

    Great interview this week. Inspiring and insightful.

    Love the part about developing and training up the next generation of worshipers. When we were on the mission field, the goal of every project and initiative was to work yourself out of the job as quickly as possible by developing someone to take your place. This concept, when embraced, really ensures humility and servanthood.

    We like to work new musicians in to our rotation by giving them stage time in our children’s and youth worship services. Also, when we do worship nights at church we tend to rotate musicians and leaders throughout the service in a similar way that Steven described seeing done.

  3. James Wheeler says

    So well communicated and memorable. I love the statement, “we are putting words in people’s mouths minds and memories.” A good reminder for us to stay accountable and theologically true in our worship songs. Thanks for a great interview!

  4. Brian says

    Being practiced in theology as well as artistic technique is a hard balance for many people to come across these days. When you’re put on a platform in front of an congregation you need to be clear that you are leading them while simultaneously worshiping with them. I appreciate Steven’s heart and find there is a lot in here for worship leaders both new and experienced to learn from.

  5. michael inks says

    Solid as the Rock, in whom we believe! thanks for your perspective and guidance! continued blessings that you may serve even more triumphantly for His Kingdom here on earth and in heaven!

  6. Terry J says

    I loved this podcast. Steven really hit on several topics that I struggle with. I love how he discussed the parable of the talents in regards to comparing ourselves to other worship leaders. Steven said, “The measure of success is faithfulness”. I love this because it is a great reminder that being faithful and trusting God to use the talents He’s given me in the place that He wants to use me is what defines the success of my ministry.

    Also, rather than getting caught up in the artistry and trying for perfection of the music, being intentional in letting the art serve the service rather that letting the art be the focus of what we are trying to do is extremely important. My only goals need to be 1) to worship God and 2) to help others to worship Him.

  8. Roddy J. Betancourt says

    Best point made is the mention of “the comparison game”, of how some strive to go on tours, pack venues, sell albums, and win awards.
    If that is what you desire and aspire to achieve, then pursue becoming a recording artist/performer not a worshiper. If in our service to the Lord, He chooses to place us in any of the above situations, may we allow the Holy Spirit to keep us humble and focused as to His purpose to do so.

  9. Alex e says

    Loved it! Thanks for bringing up the parable of the talents and encouraging us to focus on faithfully multiplying what God has entrusted to us, not focusing on others. Good stuff!

    I’m totally down for a copy of the book if you’ve still got some! 🙂

    Thanks for your heart to serve and equip worship leaders!

  11. Dave Helmuth (@adlib247) says

    Great perspective here! These are the tweets I sent out:

    Excellence is being better today than you were yesterday. (@StephenMiller) Are you excellent? Are your teams?

    Take worship song lyrics into your intellect, down into your affections, and outward to your actions. @StephenMiller

    (I was listening while washing dishes and I had to keep stopping to dry my hands off so I could take notes!)

    • David Santistevan says

      Thanks for the tweets, Dave! I don’t know how you were listening to the interview, but hopefully you didn’t drop your phone or computer into the sink! 😉

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