The Worship Nerds

In this conversation with Dr. Anneli Loepp Thiessen , we conclude the series of episodes on contemporary worship music for children. The discussion highlights the challenges of intergenerational worship, the role of music videos, and the theological implications of children's worship music. We explore the question of emotional depth/breadth, music videos formats, and the influence of popular music trends on children's musical preferences. Read the full text of the article we discuss here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/4/472

In this conversation, we continue our series on Contemporary Worship Music and Intergenerational Formation with Dr. Laura Benjamins, discussing her research on the processes by which contemporary worship music forms us. Coming from music education and church music, she highlights the Bourdieuian concept of _habitus_, the formation of new worship leaders, and the implications of musical choices on congregational participation and intergenerational worship. The conversation invites us to engage think theologically about more than just lyrics and about the habits and musical practices that shape our worship and worship leadership teams. Read her full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/237

In this episode, I welcome back Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis to discuss her article, "To Be Seen and Heard: Toward a Child Liberation Theology Framework for Contemporary Praise and Worship Practice" as part of our series on Contemporary Worship Music and Intergenerational Formation. The conversation focuses on Christian parenting literature, and the parent-centered models prevalent in worship, the role of children in worship settings, and the potential for a liberatory theology that includes children. McGinnis encourages worship leaders to reflect on the importance of recognizing children's voices in worship and the implications of obedience and hierarchical relationships within family and church dynamics. Read her full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/261

We continue our series on the recent academic journal issue "Contemporary Worship Music and Intergenerational Formation" with authors Revs. Drs. Angela and Jeremy Perigo.In this episode, we explore what it might mean to take our Pneumatology more seriously when it comes to including children in the musical worship leadership of the congregation. One outcome is that we see children as equal members in the kingdom of God. We also see that welcoming children is a way of welcoming the kingdom. The Perigos challenge us to consider how the full inclusion of children is not an _age_ issue but a _Spirit_ issue. How might we be limiting the gifts of the Spirit when we limit the participation of children?Read the full article, "Poured Out on Your Sons and Daughters: Pneumatologically Shaped Pedagogical Practices for Engaging Children in Congregational Worship" by Angela and Jeremy here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/2/243

In this episode with Debbie Wong, we explore the theological question of babies praising God through the sounds they make -- the _jubilus_, as in the work of Augustine. This leads us to the practical question of how to understand the role the "woahs" and "ohs" in contemporary worship more broadly. Is it good and right to have these kinds of phrases in our praise songs? Is worship better the more theologically precise it is? Read the full article here: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/15/12/1454

In this episode with Dr. Nelson Cowan and Dr. Emily Andrews, we discuss their recently co-authored article "Liturgical Gift or Theological Burden? Teenagers and Ecumenical Liturgical Exchange Events" (Religions, 2024). We explore how the worship preferences of young people might surprise those who have long styled worship to "attract the youth" in order to preserve the faith and save the church. It turns out that Gen-Z is more open and eclectic to different kinds of worship practices than they get credit for.

Which color was your favorite?? In this episode, we take a walk down memory lane to discuss the WOW! Worship discs and their place in the growth of CWM in the late 1990s and 2000s. Dr. Joshua Busman and doctoral candidate Debbie Wong explore with me the marketing of the this series and the "portable affect" of CWM.

In this episode with Dr. Sarah Kathleen Johnson, we discuss her recently co-authored article "Contemporary Worship Music as an Ecumenical Liturgical Movement" (Worship Journal, 2023). We explore how contemporary praise and worship music has found its way into the hearts and hymnals of a wide variety of Christian traditions as it connects Christians across time and space.

In this episode with Dr. Anna Nekola, we discuss her recent article "Congregational Music as 'Phatic Communication': Affect, Atmosphere, and Relational Ways of Listening" (Yale Journal of Music & Religion, 2022). We explore some of the social functions of music and how it does more than open of spiritual pathways between us and God but also social pathways to connect with one another. This form of communication is more than information but about enabling and maintaining social connections.

For the past few years, Dr. Kelsey Kramer McGinnis has been covering worship music as a journalist for Christianity Today. Her articles have been stirring up really important conversations among worship leaders! She joins me on the podcast to talk about how the Worship Leader Research project fits into her broader view of whats going on in the worship music world.