Welcome back to another episode of the Sunday's Coming Podcast!
From leading worship at one of the biggest churches in the country to starting over in a Sam’s Club warehouse, Becky Ykema has seen it all. In this episode, she opens up about the realities of megachurch leadership, the pressure to perform, and why she ultimately walked away from full-time ministry.
Becky shares what it’s like to go from a high-production worship environment to a small church plant, the hard lessons learned in leadership, and why she’s now coaching female worship leaders & creatives to navigate these same challenges.
If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, church transitions, or finding your identity beyond your job, this conversation is for you.
Because Sunday’s always coming, and we’re all in this together.
Show Notes
🎙️ 00:00:11 – Intro & welcome to Becky Ykema
🏙️ 00:01:18 – Chicago vs. Denver: food, weather, and culture
🎸 00:03:09 – Becky’s journey from a small church to leading worship at Willow Creek
🏢 00:04:15 – The realities of being a specialist on a megachurch worship team
✈️ 00:08:48 – Making the jump from a 21,000-person church to a 500-person startup
🎤 00:12:04 – Balancing worship leadership with unexpected tech director duties
🗣️ 00:13:44 – Learning to have hard conversations and set clear expectations
🚪 00:15:50 – Navigating the emotional weight of leaving ministry
💼 00:21:07 – The challenge of handing off leadership and transitioning well
🎶 00:29:21 – Contract worship leading: the ups, downs, and sustainability
💡 00:34:05 – Investing in female creatives through coaching and mentorship
🤝 00:39:22 – Why strong relationships and community matter in ministry
🎙️ 00:46:29 – Inside Becky’s podcast: Darling: Confessions of a Former Megachurch Singer
🚀 00:47:29 – What’s next for Becky and her work with worship leaders
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