Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast: Equipping the Whole Church Staff for Gospel Impact
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Are you ready to take your ministry to the next level? Follow the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, as we share how this new resource will equip and encourage church leaders at every stage. Whether you’re a seasoned pastor or a growing team member, this podcast is designed to help you sharpen your vision, strengthen your staff, and deepen your Gospel impact. Hosted by ministers from Brentwood Baptist Church, this podcast brings you honest conversations, practical tools, and insights from leaders who understand the joys and challenges of ministry.
We're wrapping up our month-long series on preaching with a conversation every pastor and Bible teacher needs to hear. Brandon Hayes sits down with Hunter Melton, campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Woodbine, to talk about sermon research: how to use commentaries, AI, and other study tools well, without letting them replace dependence on the Holy Spirit.Hunter walks through his weekly rhythm, the tools he actually uses, and where he draws a hard line with AI in sermon preparation. It's a conversation about being resourced without losing sight of the text, and about pursuing faithfulness over polish. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why being "more resourced than ever" can lead to analysis paralysis, and how to guard against it Hunter's weekly rhythm for sermon prep (Monday and Tuesday with the text and the Holy Spirit, Wednesday and Thursday with commentaries and tools) Why he calls commentaries and old sermons his "dead friends," and which resources he trusts (ESV Study Bible, CSB Study Bible, Crossway's Exegetical series, Baker Academic) How to know when "enough is enough" in research, and why languages and research should support a sermon without being seen What to do when a Wednesday commentary read reveals you got the text wrong Where AI can genuinely help (finding illustrations, checking timing), and where it becomes a slippery slope for a preacher Why Hunter believes AI reshaping a sermon's content or tone crosses a real line, and what's at stake if pastors export their calling to a tool One concrete step for pastors who love people but struggle to sit down and study Meet the GuestsBrandon Hays is the campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Harpeth Heights. He's hosting the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast this month, where he talks with pastors and ministry leaders from across Brentwood Baptist about how they lead, teach, and shepherd their people well. Hunter Melton is the campus and teaching pastor of The Church at Woodbine. Known among his fellow campus pastors as one of the most quotable voices at Brentwood Baptist, Hunter brings both conviction and humor to how he studies, prays, and prepares to preach each week.
A great sermon illustration does more than entertain. It helps people see the truth of Scripture clearly enough to carry it out the door. This conversation between two campus and teaching pastors covers what separates an illustration that serves the text from one that just serves the moment, what one guest calls a boneless chicken trying to walk: fun to watch, but it isn't moving anyone anywhere.The episode breaks down a simple, repeatable framework for building illustrations that land: aim at the point being made, focus the story on that point, and take the picture by tying it back to the truth. It also covers when an illustration is actually needed, weighing the pace of a sermon, the people in the room, and the point being made, plus how personal stories can build trust with a congregation without turning the sermon into a memoir.The conversation closes with habits any preacher can borrow: journaling ordinary moments before they're forgotten, keeping a searchable database of stories and Scripture, and using the natural plot arc, rising action, conflict, and resolution, to spot a sermon illustration hiding in an average Tuesday. In this episode, you’ll learn: The three-step framework for building an illustration that clarifies instead of distracts: aim, focus, and take the picture. How to tell when a sermon actually needs an illustration, based on pace, people, and the point you're making. Why personal stories build trust with a congregation, and how to keep them from becoming self-serving. A simple test for whether a personal illustration has crossed a line: does it elevate you, or does it elevate the truth you're preaching? How to build a habit of noticing illustrations in daily life, through journaling, photos, and a simple database. Why bookending a sermon, opening and closing with the same illustration, can bring a whole message home, as long as you don't force it. Where to find illustrations you can trust, from personal experience to historical events to AI-assisted research, and how to verify each one before you preach it. Meet the GuestsBrandon Abbott serves as campus and teaching pastor at The Church at West End. He has spent years studying the craft of storytelling, from competitive public speaking in high school to a running database that tracks every illustration he has ever preached, tagged by tone, text, and last use.
In this episode, Brandon Hays continues his monthly conversation on preaching with Jay Strother, senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist, this time zeroing in on application: the moment a sermon has to leave the worship center and start showing up in someone's Monday morning. Jay walks through the "hook, book, look, took" outline he's used since seminary, and the head, heart, and hands framework he writes out before he ever starts a sermon, to make sure a message doesn't just inform people but moves them to respond. The conversation also gets honest about where application goes wrong. Jay talks through the temptation to turn a text into a moralistic checklist, using the David and Goliath story as an example of application that misses the gospel underneath it, and shares Charles Spurgeon's image of every village road eventually leading to London to explain why every passage should lead somewhere near the cross. Jay and Brandon also swap real stories, from a whole church setting phone alarms for 1:14 as a daily prayer reminder, to a Revelation 4 sermon that ended not with a to-do list but with a room full of grieving people standing to worship because God is still on his throne. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why preaching information without transformation leaves people with knowledge but not wisdom The hook, book, look, took outline, and how "took" is where most sermons run out of time How the head, heart, and hands framework shapes application before a sermon is even written Why application built on moralism instead of the gospel eventually falls apart, using David and Goliath as an example How to write application for a whole spectrum of listeners, from the person new to church to the retired pastor in the back row Practical ways to make application memorable, including a citywide prompt built around one verse and a phone alarm Simple habits, like a running story file and a nightly journal, that help a pastor build a stockpile of application over time Meet the Guests Brandon Hays is the Campus and Teaching Pastor at Harpeth Heights, one of Brentwood Baptist's nine campuses. Jay Strother is senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist, where he's served for 24 years across churches of every size before leading the congregation's nine campuses today.
In this episode, Brandon Hays sits down with Jay Strother, senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist, to talk about something every preacher wrestles with: how far ahead to plan a sermon calendar. Jay walks through why Brentwood Baptist plans its preaching 12 to 14 months out, starting with Easter as the anchor point, and how a team of pastors gathers for a planning retreat that includes prayer, an honest look back at the past year, and a Shark Tank-style pitch session before anyone puts a series on the calendar. The conversation also gets practical about what happens when life doesn't cooperate with a plan. Jay shares stories of calling an audible during a season of grief, letting a preaching calendar simmer for months before locking it in, and aligning kids ministry, students, and worship around the same sermon series so families hear one message instead of several disconnected ones. For pastors who have never planned more than a few weeks ahead, Jay's encouragement is simple: start small, and let the process build from there. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why stepping back to plan a year of preaching creates more room to follow the Holy Spirit, not less How Brentwood Baptist plans preaching 12 to 14 months out, and why Easter is the anchor point for the whole calendar What actually happens at a preaching-team retreat: prayer, a look back at the past year, a Shark Tank-style pitch session, and a vote How to build in accountability for calling an audible on a planned series without preaching on impulse How aligning kids ministry, students, groups, and worship around the same sermon series deepens discipleship in the home Where to start if you've never planned more than a few weeks ahead Meet the Guests Brandon Hays is the Campus and Teaching Pastor at Harpeth Heights, one of Brentwood Baptist's nine campuses. Jay Strother is senior pastor of Brentwood Baptist, where he's served for 24 years across churches of every size before leading the congregation's nine campuses today.
Every preacher starts by sounding like someone else. The slow, winding work of ministry is learning to sound like yourself.In this episode, Brandon Hayes sits down with David Hannah to talk about finding your voice in the pulpit and why that work is about far more than communication style. David brings an unusual path to preaching, from preacher's kid to attorney to Bible teacher to pastor, and he's honest about what it has taught him: your voice is shaped by the people you actually know, your confidence rests in who God made you to be, and authenticity is no longer optional for a generation that can see through a facade in seconds. They get practical, too, on outlines versus manuscripts, understanding your sermon rather than memorizing it, watching game film, and receiving feedback without losing your nerve. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why finding your voice starts with confidence in who God made you to be, not in copying a communicator you admire How your context and your congregation, the people you actually do life with, shape the way you preach The difference between memorizing your sermon and understanding it, and why that's where natural delivery comes from How to grow as a communicator without getting trapped in comparison Why authenticity and a willingness to say "I don't know" matter more for this generation than any before it What appropriate vulnerability looks like in the pulpit, and who to run it by first How to receive hard feedback with humility instead of defensiveness The two things David tells every newer preacher: trust the voice God gave you, and watch the game film Meet the GuestsDavid Hannah is Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Lockeland Springs, an East Nashville congregation where, in his words, it's "impossible to not know and be known," and his road to the pulpit ran through law school and years in litigation before ministry. Brandon Hayes is Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Harpeth Heights, a preacher honest enough to admit he still goes back and forth on whether to use notes, whose advice to anyone nervous about preaching without them is simple: leave the iPad on the pew and just go do it.
What does it really look like to help someone move from sitting in the pew to serving the body? In this episode, Stephanie Prince sits down with Michelle Dyer to talk about identifying gifts and helping people use them well in the life of the church. Michelle makes the case that calling is terrain we have to tread, and that church leaders owe their people more than a vague encouragement to "get out there and serve." They dig into the practical tools, assessments, and coaching relationships that turn good intentions into real engagement, and they share stories of what happens when a leader takes the time to see a gift in someone and call it out.This conversation is part of our month on connections, helping churches build pathways for people to belong, serve, and grow. It's all leading up to the Elevate Church Conference on September 21 and 22, 2026. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why helping people find their gifts changes the culture, passion, and mission of the whole church, not just one volunteer slot What happens to a church's vibrancy when people never discover where they're meant to contribute How to pair the concept of calling (Ephesians 4) with practical tools so people aren't left high and unclear The four lenses Brentwood Baptist uses to help people explore who they are in Christ: spiritual gifts, personality, passion, and skills Why the Discover coach relationship, led by lay leaders rather than staff, is a key piece of the membership process How clear on-ramps, defined roles, and diligent follow-up move people from interested to involved Why training lay leaders to see behind the curtain deepens their own sense of belonging and discipleship How intentional leaders spot a gift in someone and shepherd it, and the fifteen-year volunteer story that started with picking up trash What an empowered culture looks like when every member is a minister Meet the GuestsStephanie Prince is the Connections Minister at The Church at Station Hill, where she helps people find their place to belong, serve, and grow. Michele Dyer is the Connections Minister at Brentwood Baptist, where she's spent years developing tools, assessments, and coaching pathways to help members discover how God has wired them to serve.
Membership has a branding problem. For a lot of people, the word sounds like a gym contract or a warehouse club card, something transactional you sign up for and forget. In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince sits down with Michelle Dyer to reclaim what church membership was always meant to be: a family you belong to, a mission you commit to, and a body you contribute to.Michelle walks through how Brentwood Baptist has refined its membership process over 20 years, why systems and processes actually communicate a church's values, and how a clear pathway helps people move from simply attending to fully belonging. She also shares where to start if your church has no membership process. Her advice is refreshingly practical: make it simple, make it scalable, and start with the bare bones.Whether you are reworking a membership process you have had for decades or building one for the first time, this conversation will help you connect people to their gifts, their calling, and their church family. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why church membership is countercultural, and why that's exactly why it matters How "people rise to the level of expectation" should shape the way you talk about membership What a healthy membership process communicates spiritually and practically How to build a process that's relational instead of transactional, so it never feels like institutional hoops to jump through The simplest place to start if your church has no membership process yet How connecting people to their gifts and passions transforms volunteers into ministers What the Five G's (gospel conversations, groups, going, giving, and gathering) look like as markers of a growing disciple The warning signs that it's time to reevaluate or rebuild your membership process Meet the GuestsStephanie Prince serves as the Connections Minister at The Church at Station Hill. She brings a practitioner's perspective to every conversation, asking the questions church leaders are actually wrestling with. Michelle Dyer serves at Brentwood Baptist as the Connections Minister, helping people discover their gifts and find their place in the life of the church. She's passionate about helping believers move from simply attending to fully belonging.
On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince sits down with Shannon Moore to discuss one of the most important challenges churches face: helping people move from being first-time guests to fully engaged members of the church family.While many churches focus heavily on first impressions, Shannon explains why hospitality is only the beginning. Healthy churches create intentional pathways that help people find community, discover their purpose, and take meaningful next steps toward discipleship.Whether you're leading guest services, groups, membership, or simply want to create a more welcoming culture in your church, this conversation offers practical ideas for helping people belong, grow, and engage in God's mission. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why hospitality is only the first step of discipleship The biggest barriers keeping guests from becoming engaged members How biblical community helps people move from attending to belonging Why clear next steps matter more than complicated processes Practical ways to improve guest follow-up and engagement How Discover coaching creates meaningful relationships and accountability The role serving plays in helping people find ownership in the church Why healthy churches create cultures where everyone welcomes guests How to build systems that help people without losing the relational element The difference between a friendly church and a truly welcoming church Meet the GuestsStephanie Prince Stephanie serves at The Church at Station Hill and helps churches think strategically about connections, discipleship pathways, and helping people take meaningful next steps in their faith journey. Shannon Moore Shannon Moore serves at The Church at Avenue South, helping people connect to biblical community through groups, membership, and discipleship. With decades of ministry experience, Shannon is passionate about creating environments where people are seen, known, and engaged in the life of the church.
On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Stephanie Prince is joined by Kiefer Johnson to talk about first impressions, hospitality, and what it really means to create a welcoming church environment.From parking lots and signage to remembering someone’s name, this conversation explores the small details that often make the biggest impact. Together, they unpack how intentional hospitality helps people feel seen, known, and invited into genuine Gospel-centered community.Whether your church is large or small, this episode offers practical ways to help guests move from feeling nervous and overwhelmed to feeling connected and cared for. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why first impressions begin long before someone enters the worship center The difference between being friendly and being truly welcoming How signage, volunteers, and environments reduce anxiety for guests Practical ways to create a culture of invitation and hospitality Why remembering someone’s name can deeply impact their sense of identity How consistency builds trust and long-term community The spiritual importance of hospitality and connection ministry Simple steps churches can take this Sunday to improve first impressions Meet the GuestsStephanie Prince Stephanie serves in connections ministry at Brentwood Baptist and is passionate about helping churches create environments where people feel seen, known, and welcomed into community. Kiefer Johnson Kefir Johnson serves in connections ministry and guest services at Brentwood Baptist Church, helping cultivate welcoming environments that make it easier for people to take their next step into the life of the church.
On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell is joined by Jay Fennel for an honest conversation about one of the hardest parts of leadership: difficult conversations. From team tension and staff conflict to emotional meetings and misunderstood intentions, they unpack practical ways leaders can pursue clarity, care, and resolution without avoiding the issue or damaging relationships.Whether you lead a large staff team or serve in a smaller church context, this conversation offers practical tools to help you shepherd people well, strengthen trust, and lead with both truth and empathy. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why avoiding hard conversations often creates bigger problems later How clarity and care can strengthen trust on a team Questions every leader should ask before entering a difficult conversation Common mistakes leaders make during conflict How to balance empathy with honesty What to do when emotions rise in a conversation Why mutual understanding matters more than “winning” Practical ways to prepare for conversations that move people forward Meet the GuestsBill Ferrell Bill serves at Brentwood Baptist and is passionate about helping church leaders build healthy teams, lead with wisdom, and strengthen church culture through practical leadership tools. Jay Fennel Jay serves on the leadership team at Brentwood Baptist and brings years of ministry experience in shepherding teams, developing leaders, and helping churches pursue healthy staff culture and unity.
Register now for the Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026.On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell is joined by Brian Coates to discuss one of the most overlooked leadership tools: your calendar. Together, they unpack how a leader’s schedule reveals priorities, shapes team culture, and impacts long-term health. From protecting white space for strategic thinking to building sustainable rhythms for family and soul care, this conversation offers practical insight for leaders trying to lead intentionally instead of reactively. They also explore common warning signs of overload, how to prioritize meetings and commitments, and why healthy leadership requires margin, reflection, and the ability to say no. Whether you lead a church staff, ministry team, or organization, this episode will help you rethink how your calendar supports your mission. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why your calendar reflects your actual priorities The difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadership How to create margin for strategic thinking Warning signs that your schedule is becoming unsustainable Practical ways to prioritize meetings and commitments Why soul care is a leadership issue, not just a personal one How healthy leaders protect time for family, rest, and reflection The importance of saying no in leadership Meet the Guests Bill Ferrell Bill serves at Brentwood Baptist and helps lead organizational strategy, leadership development, and team culture. Passionate about healthy leadership, Bill regularly coaches leaders on building sustainable rhythms and healthy teams. Brian Coates Brian serves as an Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist, helping oversee ministry strategy, staff leadership, and operational direction across the church. He is passionate about building healthy teams, creating intentional leadership rhythms, and helping leaders steward their time well.
One-on-ones are not just meetings. They are one of the most important rhythms a leader can build.In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell sits down with Darrel Girardier to unpack why one-on-ones are essential for building trust, developing people, and creating healthy teams.They discuss how to structure one-on-ones, what questions actually lead to growth, and how to avoid the common mistakes that cause leaders to drift into miscommunication or disconnection.Whether you’re leading a fast-paced team or just getting started with leadership rhythms, this episode will give you a practical framework you can implement right away. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why one-on-ones are one of the most important leadership rhythms How one-on-ones build trust and communicate care The difference between status updates and real conversations Why small “micro-corrections” prevent major issues later How to tailor one-on-ones to each team member A simple framework: affirm, correct, and coach The most powerful questions to ask in one-on-ones How to create clarity and remove roadblocks for your team Why documentation creates transparency and trust Common mistakes leaders make (and how to avoid them) How often you should meet, and why consistency matters Meet the GuestsBill Ferrell – Bill brings decades of leadership experience and helps teams build strong systems, healthy culture, and effective leadership rhythms. Darrel Girardier – Darrel serves in leadership and communications at Brentwood Baptist, helping teams operate with clarity, strategy, and intentional development.
Healthy teams don’t grow through annual reviews alone. They grow through consistent, honest, and relational feedback. In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Bill Ferrell sits down with Brandon Hayes to discuss what it takes to build a culture where feedback is normal, helpful, and rooted in care. They unpack why leaders often avoid feedback, how to build trust with your team, and practical ways to make feedback a regular part of your leadership rhythm, not just something reserved for annual reviews. Whether you’re leading a large staff or a small team, this conversation will help you create a healthier culture where people can grow, develop, and thrive together. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why most leaders avoid feedback, and how to overcome it The difference between a feedback culture and formal reviews How trust makes honest conversations possible Why feedback should be immediate, not delayed How to balance encouragement and accountability Simple questions to ask in one-on-ones that lead to growth Why specific feedback is more helpful than general criticism How to navigate emotional or difficult feedback conversations Practical ways to document progress without feeling corporate Why regular “one-degree corrections” prevent major problems Meet the Guests Bill Ferrell – Bill brings decades of leadership experience and helps teams build healthy systems, strong culture, and effective leadership rhythms. Brandon Hayes – Brandon serves as a campus and teaching pastor, leading teams and developing leaders with a focus on growth, care, and intentional discipleship. Register for the Elevate Conference This episode is part of our March focus on worship ministry, leading up to Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026. Learn more and register at elevatechurchconference.com .
Healthy churches do not happen by accident. In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Brian Coates sits down with Fady Al-Hagal to talk about what church health really looks like and why multiplication begins with healthy leadership, healthy culture, and healthy disciple-making rhythms. Together, they unpack common warning signs of decline, false indicators of success, and practical ways churches can assess their health honestly. From fractured leadership to mission drift, this conversation offers practical tools for pastors and ministry leaders who want to lead with clarity, humility, and purpose. If you’ve ever wondered whether your church is truly healthy or simply staying busy, this episode will help you take an honest look at what matters most. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why busyness is not always a sign of health The difference between healthy growth and mission drift Common false indicators churches rely on How fractured leadership and culture can lead to decline The three marks of a healthy church: make, mature, and multiply disciples Why healthy rhythms matter more than scattered programs How the “5Gs” can create clarity in your discipleship pathway Practical next steps for churches that need revitalization or renewal Why pastors need trusted voices, cohorts, and healthy accountability Real examples of churches that experienced renewed health and growth Meet the Guests Brian Coates – Brian leads church growth and campus strategy at Brentwood Baptist and helps churches think strategically about leadership, multiplication, and health. Fady Al-Hagal – Fady serves as Multiplication Minister at Brentwood Baptist, helping churches across Middle Tennessee assess health, strengthen leadership, and move toward revitalization and multiplication.
Across Middle Tennessee, God is moving. Churches are navigating cultural shifts, leadership gaps, and changing communities—but they’re also seeing incredible opportunities for multiplication and renewal. In this conversation, we explore what’s encouraging, what’s challenging, and what it looks like to build a kingdom-first mindset across our region. In this episode, you’ll learn: What’s encouraging in Middle Tennessee churches right now Why college ministry and young leaders are driving fresh momentum Common challenges facing churches across the region How cooperation between churches fuels kingdom impact The role of humility, patience, and prayer in multiplication How churches can take practical next steps toward renewal and partnership Why a kingdom mindset is essential for healthy growth Meet the Guests Brian Coates - Host of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, helping equip leaders and strengthen churches. William Maxwell - Chief Administrative Officer at the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, focused on supporting churches through leadership development, revitalization, and multiplication.
On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Brian Coates is joined by Aaron Bryant to talk about one of the clearest markers of a healthy church: sending your best leaders, not holding onto them.Together, they unpack the tension every leader feels: wanting to keep strong, capable people while knowing the mission calls us to release them. This conversation is part of our multiplication series leading up to the Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22.If you’re building a team, developing leaders, or wrestling with what it means to lead with open hands, this episode offers practical insight rooted in real ministry experience. In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why churches instinctively hold onto leaders instead of sending them - How to build a culture that values multiplication from day one - What it looks like to develop leaders with long-term vision - How to prepare your congregation for sending, not just keeping - The real cost of sending leaders—and why it’s still worth it - Practical ways to coach, invest in, and release leaders well - How humility shapes a multiplying leadership cultureMeet the Guests- Brian Coates, Senior Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist Church- Aaron Bryant, Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Avenue South and North Region Lead Pastor
Every church wants to be faithful to where God has placed them. But sometimes, faithfulness looks like partnership.In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Brian Coates and Aaron Bryant talk through when church mergers actually make sense, and when they don’t. This is not about growth for growth’s sake. It’s about discerning where God is at work and how churches can come alongside one another for greater kingdom impact. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “merger” isn’t the best starting point—and what posture matters more How to discern if partnership is necessary or if support is enough What healthy churches look for before stepping into a merger Why humility is essential on both sides of the conversation How to lead your congregation through uncertainty and change The role of prayer and communication in building unity The difference between vision and strategy—and why it matters Meet the Guests Brian Coates, Senior Executive Pastor at Brentwood Baptist ChurchAaron Bryant, Campus and Teaching Pastor at The Church at Avenue South and North Region Lead Pastor Register for the Elevate Conference This episode is part of our March focus on worship ministry, leading up to Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026. Learn more and register at elevatechurchconference.com .
Leadership development does not happen by accident.In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Mack Burns is joined by Nick Gonzales to talk about developing the next generation of worship leaders. They walk through a simple framework (detect, develop, deploy) and unpack what it looks like to identify servant-hearted leaders, slow down the process, and build pathways that form shepherds, not just musicians.This conversation is especially helpful if you feel stretched, have limited volunteers, or know you need to invest in younger leaders but are not sure where to start.In this episode, you’ll learn:- The moment a worship leader realizes the job is multiplication, not just leading songs- What to look for when “detecting” potential leaders (and why it’s often backstage)- How to invite hesitant, humble leaders into growth without rushing them- The danger of elevating someone too quickly and how the platform can distort- Why you don’t need to be a musical expert to develop musicians- How shepherding happens through presence, trust, and relational equity- A practical first step you can take this week to begin developing leadersMeet the GuestsMack Burns – Worship Minister at The Church at West FranklinNick Gonzales – Worship Minister at The Church at Avenue SouthRegister for the Elevate ConferenceThis episode is part of our March focus on worship ministry, leading up to Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026. Learn more and register at elevatechurchconference.com.
On this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Mack Burns is joined by Luke Roman from The Church at Station Hill for an honest and practical conversation about what it means to shepherd a worship team. Together they explore the rhythms, responsibilities, and spiritual priorities that shape healthy worship ministries. From tending to burnout and protecting team culture to redefining success beyond musical excellence, this episode offers encouragement and real tools for leaders who want to care for people, not just performances. If you serve in worship ministry or lead creative teams, this conversation will help you think more deeply about presence, soul care, and sustainable leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why worship leadership is pastoral leadership The three priorities of shepherding a team: presence, provision, and protection How focusing only on skill development can lead to burnout Practical rhythms for soul care, including daily, weekly, monthly, and annual Sabbath practices How to create safe, vulnerable team environments that foster growth Ways to redefine success beyond musical excellence How leaders can guard their own identity and spiritual health A simple first step for leaders who feel spiritually dry or stretched thin Meet the Guests Mack Burns – Worship Minister at The Church at West Franklin Luke Roman – Worship Minister at The Church at Station Hill Register for the Elevate Conference This episode is part of our March focus on worship ministry, leading up to Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026. Learn more and register at elevatechurchconference.com .
A healthy worship team should reflect the body of Christ.In this episode of the Brentwood Baptist Leadership Podcast, Mack Burns and Travis Cottrell talk about what it takes to lead a truly multi-generational worship team. From song selection and vocal ranges to platform representation and relational equity, they explore how to bridge generational differences without falling into people-pleasing. You’ll hear why multi-generational worship is not just a preference but a theological conviction, how to create singing experiences that serve everyone in the room, and what it looks like to honor every generation without losing unity. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why multi-generational worship reflects the body of Christ The biggest generational differences in singing styles and expectations How to plan sets that create space for everyone to engage The difference between people-pleasing and speaking your people’s language How to build relational equity across generations Why humility and representation matter on the platform One practical first step if generational tension exists on your team Meet the Guests Mack Burns – Worship Minister at The Church at West Franklin Travis Cottrell – Worship Minister at Brentwood Baptist Church Register for the Elevate Conference This episode is part of our March focus on worship ministry, leading up to Elevate Church Conference on September 21–22, 2026. Learn more and register at elevatechurchconference.com .
