2026 Music and Worship Leaders Network
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Musicians and singers are natural leaders in their local church communities and are born communicators and opinion leaders. Many of these talented musicians and songwriters are in our churches serving as willing volunteers. There is a great need for both theological and musical training to be added to much of the natural talent on display. Many of these leaders have little or no training in practical aspects of their role, such as principles for putting a service of worship together, choosing appropriate songs for congregational worship, or being culturally relevant in evangelism through music. Leaders need help discerning how to both connect with culture and yet maintain the appropriate worship of a transcendent and holy God. They need training to see how music can be foundational in bringing up the next generation of Christians.
This Music and Worship Leaders Network sets out to equip church leaders, musicians, and composers with many ways in which music can be helpful in worship, teaching, and outreach. It trains church musicians to better lead congregations to the throne in worship and to help them work more effectively with pastors and church leaders and their worship teams. It teaches how music can be used to inculcate sound doctrine and theology in Christian communities—and how to use the common ground of the performing arts in evangelism.
The desired outcome is an international community of worship leaders, musicians, songwriters, and performers that are effectively trained in their craft, underpinned by a solid doctrinal and theological understanding, well able to serve God and their local churches for the Kingdom.
What Network Participants Are Saying
- "I have enjoyed meeting with and hearing from other musicians and worship leaders. There has been great content from those present across all of the music sessions."
- "This Network provides practical information, tips, and advice from people who have been leading music ministries for years. I've gained knowledge, motivation to work, and inspiration to be a better worship leader. These are results I treasure."
Applicants should be worship leaders or musicians who are engaging with society or the church, or leaders who hope to pursue such endeavours. The Network provides a haven where musicians gather in community for relationship, spiritual nourishment, deep thinking, professional growth, and strategic possibilities.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Derek Brandt is a dedicated worship pastor with a passion for raising up the next generation of church leaders. With years of experience in multisite church environments, Derek currently oversees the Worship, Communications, Production, Campus Environments, and Film teams at Scottsdale Bible… Read more
John Dickson’s story is eclectic. Starting out as a professional singer-songwriter, he now works as an author, speaker, historian, and media presenter. He was the Founding Director of the Centre for Public Christianity (2007-17). He has published over 20 books, two of which became television… Read more
Angela MacKenzie is a dedicated broadcaster, accomplished pianist, and soulful vocalist, celebrated for her heartfelt piano-led worship. Her award-winning music resonates globally through conferences, concerts, and engaging online events. A fifth-generation Floridian now residing in Scotland,… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 17 May
At its heart, worship is rooted not only in practice but in theology. This session will offer a biblical overview of worship, tracing its foundation in Scripture and exploring its implications for the gathered church. We will consider what it means to worship God in spirit and truth, and how ecclesiology shapes the way we understand the church’s role in song. Designed as an accessible primer, this session will help leaders anchor their ministry in a rich theological vision of worship.
Monday, 18 May
A disjointed worship set can disrupt the congregation’s encounter with God. Join us to master creating “seamless” worship sets, blending styles, keys, and tempos to usher people into His presence. Learn practical, Scripture-rooted strategies (Psalm 95, Isaiah 6) to unify themes and amplify impact, transforming your leadership with intentional, Spirit-led flow. It’s not about perfection, it’s leading with intention. Discover how to create worship sets that flow seamlessly, blending styles, keys, and tempos to draw congregations into God’s presence. Learn practical strategies to unify themes and enhance spiritual impact.
Historian John Dickson takes worship leaders inside The First Hymn Project, the quest to resurrect the earliest known Christian hymn with surviving musical notation, preserved on Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1786. We’ll trace the hymn’s journey from its discovery in Egypt through scholarly work at Oxford, and see how historians and musicians collaborated to bring its ancient melody back to life. We’ll consider what this 1,800-year-old song reveals about early Christian worship and how those insights can shape our songwriting, liturgy, and congregational practice today.
Tuesday, 19 May
Join a dynamic session to equip worship leaders and teams to lead with purpose and impact. Rooted in Scripture, this session explores how to discern cultural influences and protect the integrity of worship music. Learn practical strategies to align songs and leadership with biblical truth, foster team unity, and build a resilient ministry that honors God through excellence in worship.
Wednesday, 20 May
Every worship leader and team encounters struggles unique to the ministry of music. From navigating critical feedback to equipping undertrained or inconsistent volunteers, and from balancing creative demands to communicating with other leaders who may not fully understand the nuances of music ministry, the challenges are real and often complex. This session will provide perspective, encouragement and practical wisdom for handling these tensions with grace and clarity. Together, we will consider how to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, both in leadership and in service to the church.
In this last session, we will reflect on the week and brainstorm how we can continue to grow together and use our talents in a way that honors God.