2027 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
Matt Bennington is the Ministry Director of Music Ministry UK, a charitable organisation which fuels Christ-exalting congregational singing in local churches through in-person gatherings and online resources. Matt has 20 years of experience leading music in a local church context, both in full-… Read more
Angela MacKenzie, a dynamic broadcaster, Gospel pianist, and worship leader, inspires worldwide through concerts, conferences, and weekly “Praise Around the Piano” events. She is the founder of Worship Now! Teaching Praise and Worship seminars for both the worship leader and the team. In 2024,… Read more
Dr. Sunil Raheja is a psychiatrist, executive coach, and author of the book "Dancing with Wisdom: A sacred quest to restore meaning, purpose and fun to your life and work". He helps leaders move from success to significance by integrating biblical wisdom with practical psychology. Host… Read more
Peter J. Williams is the Principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge. He was educated at the University of Cambridge, where he received his MA, MPhil, and PhD in the study of ancient languages related to the Bible. After his PhD, he was on staff in the Faculty of Divinity at the University of… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 23 May
In this session, we will trace the sweeping story of biblical worship from Miriam’s tambourine and David’s harp to the early Church and the eternal praise of Revelation. We will discuss the ways in which music across Scripture serves as more than emotion or artistic expression, functioning instead as a declaration of God's truth, a response to His mighty acts, and a bond that strengthens the faith of His people. Gain vital, practical lessons for modern ministry to help you move beyond simply leading songs and cultivate a heart-centred, authentic worship culture that points believers toward eternity.
As music leaders, we need to hold various biblical realities in tension. Or, to adapt a C.S. Lewis quote, we need to consider the ‘blessedly two-edged character' of singing. How is our corporate singing both Personal and Corporate, Local and Universal, Earthly and Heavenly? And how do we lead our worship teams and congregations in light of these tensions?
Monday, 24 May
More often than we might be comfortable admitting, faithful service can quietly consume our identity and distort our view of God, ourselves, and others, leading to burnout. How can we recognise the signs of burnout early and build sustainable rhythms to serve from souls that are being regularly restored instead of being slowly depleted? And how can we recover from burnout once we realise we’re already there? Drawing from professional psychiatric and personal experience, this session traces God’s path from rest, nourishment, and gentle presence to renewed purpose in Elijah’s collapse and restoration in 1 Kings 19. Through Elijah’s story, we are reminded that grace comes before mission and identity comes before activity.
Less chaos. More clarity. Better teams. Deeper worship. This session is about more than getting the notes right. We’ll look at how great worship leaders prepare their teams, handle tough moments, communicate clearly, develop musicians, manage personalities, and make rehearsal time count—while keeping worship at the centre. Because rehearsal isn’t just preparation for Sunday. It shapes the culture of your worship team, leading to stronger unity and more freedom in worship.
Tuesday, 25 May
Two different biblical ideas are combined under the word ‘worship’ in English Bible translations, as well as in those of various other languages. One is an idea relating to service and the other to the physical act of bowing down. We consider how these are distributed. Today the word often has a third association, which is the presence of music, which can also be traced to worship in the Old Testament. This session will help people consider the interplay of service, bowing down, and music, and consider why music is presented in the book of Revelation as how God is glorified in heaven.
What challenges and opportunities, both big and small, do European worship leaders encounter? What can we learn from each other as we share about our ministries? In this panel, worship leaders will focus on real answers. They will respond to questions about worship, calling, leadership, and songwriting, followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Wednesday, 26 May
Every ministry has its challenges. How can we keep going and even flourish when ministry is difficult? In this practical seminar, we consider how to persevere in any ministry and, in particular, how to overcome those challenges which may be more particular to serving with music or creative ministries.
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 honours God.