Snow in the forecast. Sunday is coming. And church leaders everywhere are asking the same question: Do we cancel… or not?
In this special bonus episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck shares a pastoral, real-life conversation about making weather-related decisions with wisdom and care. Drawing from Scripture and a firsthand experience that included canceling a service and postponing a Christmas cantata, this episode explores how to lead with clarity, unity, and a shepherd’s heart — without guilt or second-guessing.
This timely episode also sets the tone for Season 3, focusing on loving people well, leading wisely, and remembering that worship doesn’t stop just because the building is closed.
If you’ve ever watched the radar late at night and prayed for wisdom, this episode is for you.
As we close out Season Two of Equipped for Worship, Chuck invites you into a gentle, soul-refreshing conversation about ending the year with intention, gratitude, and grace. This episode is all about slowing down, remembering God’s faithfulness, and giving yourself permission to rest as you prepare for a brand-new year of ministry.
Hear heartfelt reflections from the season, along with special gratitude for our guests — Matthew Bone, Jason “Bubba” Stewart, and Dr. Matthew Nix. Through Scripture, encouragement, and honest pastoral insight, you’ll be reminded that God doesn’t call you to carry everything… and you don’t have to enter 2026 on empty.
If you’re tired, grateful, hopeful, or somewhere in between, this episode is a gentle companion for your journey into the new year.
Have thoughts, questions, or stories from your own ministry? Email equippedforworship@gmail.com — I’d love to hear from you!
You don’t need a massive choir or dazzling lights to celebrate the Savior well. In this heartfelt and practical episode, Chuck shares how small churches can create big moments of worship at Christmas — filled with meaning, not stress.
From creative carol services and family-led worship to simple visuals and testimony moments, you’ll find ideas that bring warmth, unity, and focus back to what matters most: Jesus.
You’ll be reminded that God works powerfully through faithful, humble churches.
Whether you have a full choir or just a few faithful voices, you already have everything you need to lead your church in a Christ-centered celebration.
Have a creative Christmas idea or story to share? Email equippedforworship@gmail.com — I’d love to hear from you!
The Christmas season can bring both beauty and busyness. Between choir rehearsals, children’s programs, and packed December calendars, it’s easy to lose sight of why we do it all.
In this heartfelt episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck shares encouragement and practical wisdom for leading Christmas ministries with peace instead of panic. You’ll hear biblical reminders that perfection isn’t the goal — presence is. Learn how to shepherd your choir spiritually, teach children that they’re worshiping (not performing), and keep Christ at the center of it all.
Resources mentioned include LifeWay Worship, Semsen Music, Daywind Worship, and Brentwood Benson for singable Christmas music and choir arrangements.
Take a breath, smile, and remember: God delights in your faithful leadership — not flawless performances.
Questions or stories from your own Christmas season? Email equippedforworship@gmail.com — I’d love to hear from you!
In the rush of programs, rehearsals, and bulletins, it’s easy to forget the heart of Christmas worship. In this episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck slows things down to help you refocus on the miracle of the incarnation — God with us.
With warmth, humor, and Scripture, this episode explores how to lead your church in worshiping, not just watching; how to pick songs that point to the gospel, not performance; and how to find peace and joy when the calendar (and soundboard) feel overwhelming.
Whether you’re leading a choir, a worship band, or just a congregation that loves Joy to the World, this episode will help you celebrate the Savior without losing sight of His story.
Have thoughts or stories from your own church’s Christmas worship? Email equippedforworship@gmail.com
Building a worship team in a small-church setting can feel impossible — but it doesn’t have to be. In this encouraging, practical episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck unpacks what it really means to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12).
You’ll learn how to recognize the gifts God has already placed in your congregation, how to invite people into ministry without pressure, and how to disciple and develop your team once they say yes. This conversation is full of biblical encouragement, simple strategies, and reminders that recruiting isn’t about filling positions — it’s about shepherding people.
Perfect for small-church and bi-vocational worship leaders who are ready to build a team that serves with excellence and joy.
Have thoughts, questions, or stories from your own worship ministry? Email equippedforworship@gmail.com — I’d love to hear from you!
🍂 Thanksgiving often gets overlooked in church life — squeezed between fall festivals and Christmas musicals. But Scripture reminds us that gratitude isn’t optional; it’s the posture God calls us to in worship.
In this episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck unpacks why thanksgiving is at the heart of biblical worship, explores songs and Scriptures that point our congregations toward gratitude, and offers practical encouragement for planning services that focus on God’s faithfulness.
Whether your church is big or small, one hymn or a full set of songs can help shape hearts with a posture of gratitude that lasts far beyond November.
Tech headaches on Sunday morning? You’re not alone.
In this episode of Equipped for Worship, we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges small-church worship leaders face: sound systems, slides, and all the tech that seems to act up right before the service starts. From microphones that won’t cooperate to frozen lyrics screens, we’ll talk about practical ways to prepare, train volunteers, and keep calm when things go wrong.
But more than that, we’ll step back and remember that technology is a tool, not the heart of worship. With Scripture, encouragement, and a few lighthearted stories, this episode will help you approach tech with perspective, patience, and joy.
Whether you’re running ProPresenter, PowerPoint, or just trying to get your soundboard to stop buzzing, this conversation will remind you: worship isn’t ruined by tech fails — God is still at work.
You don’t need a six-figure budget or a mega-church tech team to livestream with excellence. In this episode of Equipped for Worship, Chuck walks through the heart and the how of live streaming — why it matters biblically, how to get started with simple tools, affordable equipment options that actually work, and tips to improve audio, video, and engagement.
Whether your church is already streaming, tried it during the pandemic, or has no idea where to start, you’ll find encouragement, step-by-step help, and a reminder that the goal isn’t perfection — it’s declaring God’s glory to the nations (Psalm 96:3).
Worship doesn’t end on Sunday — it continues in our homes. In this episode of Equipped for Worship, we’ll explore the biblical foundation and practical importance of family worship. From Deuteronomy 6 to Psalm 78, Scripture calls us to pass down the faith by reading the Word, praying, and singing together as families.
You’ll hear encouragement for parents who feel unqualified, ideas for keeping family worship simple and consistent, and guidance for worship leaders who want to equip their churches to worship at home. Along the way, we’ll highlight Donald Whitney’s classic resource Family Worship as a helpful tool for getting started.
Whether you’re a pastor, worship leader, or parent, this episode will inspire you to see your home as one of the most important places of discipleship and worship.
Kids aren’t the church of tomorrow — they’re the church today. In this episode of Equipped for Worship, we’ll explore God’s heart for children in worship, why it’s vital for kids to see and join in congregational worship, and practical ways to help them grow as true worshipers. From biblical examples to simple steps your church can take, you’ll be encouraged to welcome and disciple the next generation through song and Scripture.
Whether you lead a small choir, strum guitar in a country church, or guide families in worship, this episode will give you fresh vision and hope for including kids in the life of worship.
What happens when every generation in your church truly worships together? In this special episode of Equipped for Worship, I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Nix, Professor of Music & Worship at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, to explore the beauty and biblical foundation of intergenerational worship. We’ll talk about why Scripture calls us to pass down the faith through song, how to unite kids, youth, adults, and seniors in one voice, and practical ways to bridge musical and cultural preferences. Whether you lead in a small rural church or a larger congregation, you’ll be inspired to create a worship culture where every generation belongs, participates, and glorifies God together.
Every worship leader knows what it’s like to wrestle with self-doubt. Maybe you replay every mistake in your mind after the service, or you compare yourself to other worship leaders online. In this episode, we’re tackling the battle in your mind with biblical truth, pastoral encouragement, and practical steps for leading with confidence. You’ll learn how to shift your focus from people’s opinions to God’s calling, how to quiet the inner critic, and how to root your identity in Christ. This is an honest, hope-filled conversation for anyone who’s ready to break free from insecurity and step into joyful, God-centered leadership.
When Jesus said we must worship in “spirit and in truth” (John 4:24), He gave us the blueprint for authentic worship. But what does that actually look like in our services and our leadership? In this heartfelt and practical episode, we’ll unpack how to lead worship that is both Spirit-filled and grounded in the Word of God. You’ll hear encouragement for staying rooted in Scripture, leading with a genuine heart, and creating a culture of worship that honors both God’s presence and His truth. If you long to go deeper than just picking songs and leading music, this episode will inspire you to lead from the inside out.
Worship is far more than the 20 minutes of singing we do before the sermon—it’s a way of life. In this episode of Equipped for Worship, we’ll talk about how to help your congregation embrace a bigger vision of worship that flows from Sunday into every part of the week. We’ll open the Scriptures, look at examples from the early church, and share practical ideas for teaching your people that worship is about living for God’s glory in every moment. Whether you’re a worship leader, pastor, or church member, you’ll be encouraged to see worship through a whole new lens.
Do you ever look at another church and think, “If only I had that team… that gear… that budget”? You’re not alone — and you’re not failing. In this heartfelt and honest episode, I sit down with Jason “Bubba” Stewart to talk about what we’re calling Greener Pastures Syndrome — the temptation to compare, to envy, and to long for a different ministry than the one God has given you.
We’ll explore the beauty of small-church faithfulness, the danger of constant comparison, and how to realign our hearts with God’s calling — right where we are.
Whether you’re discouraged, exhausted, or just needing a reminder that your ministry matters, this episode is for you.
From hymns to modern worship songs, this episode shares trusted resources, sites, and tips for finding biblically sound, singable, and pastorally wise music for your church.
In a multigenerational church, “blended” isn’t just about music style—it’s about building unity. Traditional and modern worship can co-exist. In fact, they can flourish together. Learn how to build services that reflect your whole congregation — not just one generation’s preferences — without sacrificing theological richness or musical excellence.
Worship leaders are liturgical shepherds. This episode unpacks how Scripture can—and should—guide your weekly setlist, the way it guides your pastor’s sermon prep. What does it mean to let Scripture guide your song selection — not just theme or tempo? I'm joined by fellow Worship Pastor and close friend, Matthew Bone, and we dive into how Matthew plans worship like a sermon: rooted in truth, led by the Spirit, and shaped by the Word.
Should worship be dim and dramatic, or bright and simple? We’ll look at how atmosphere affects worship and have practical and theological conversations about stage lighting and atmosphere — how much is too much, and what actually helps your people engage?