The More Excellent Way: The Art of Listening

In this episode, we explore how Dr. Boone draws on a powerful ancient Christian symbol: the fish, also known as "ICTHUS." Early Christians used the fish as a sign of their faith and hope, and Dr. Boone invites us to see our worship journey as tracing this profound yet straightforward symbol through the various stages of worship.

Welcome to the worship team here at Kissimmee First Church of the Nazarene. We are thrilled that you are joining the team. We believe that leading worship is a sacred trust and a vital ministry, and we are so glad you are bringing your gifts to serve the Lord in this way. This podcast is the first in a series that will help you get off to a great start as a worship team member.

Listening is an art, and like any art, it takes practice. Drop what you’re doing. Look them in the eye. Hold their hand. Show them you care. Because sometimes, the best way to say "I love you" isn’t with words—it’s with your ears.

We face conflict every single day. Here are a few pointers on how to resolve conflict in marriage and other relationships.

The first step is to let go. Let go of trying to do it all on your own. Let go of the pressure to fix everything. Instead, lean into God’s love for you. Trust Him. When you do that, you’re opening the door for Him to step in and do what only He can do—in your life and in your marriage. It’s not about striving; it’s about surrendering.

Creating a safe space builds trust, deepens intimacy, and paves the way for more romance. When your spouse feels secure and valued, they’re more likely to open their heart to you emotionally and physically. Vulnerability becomes a gift rather than a risk, leading to a deeper emotional bond. This emotional closeness naturally spills into physical affection, creating a marriage that is not only strong but also joyful and passionate. When safety and trust are present, love thrives, and both partners experience the fullness of the relationship God designed for them.

So, what does it truly mean for a couple to be on mission together? It's about having a shared "why" that is bigger than just the two of you, your house, your jobs, or even your kids. It’s a unified purpose that directs your decisions, your resources, and your time. It’s the reason you get up in the morning and the vision that shapes your future.

We all came into marriage with our own stories—some of us were drawn in by charm or wit, some by a dazzling head of hair (even if we later discovered it wasn’t completely natural!), and others by a special kindness or endearing laugh. No matter the details, most of us quickly realized we had a lot to learn about what real love really is. The More Excellent Way is a podcast series designed to encourage married couples who don’t want just a good marriage or a great marriage. But strive to have the kind of relationship that glorifies God.

Worship is not about us. It’s not about how we look, how we sound, or how polished we are. Worship is about pointing people to Jesus. But here’s the reality—when you’re on stage, people are watching you. They’re looking to you for guidance, for leadership, and for an example of what it means to worship wholeheartedly. Your stage presence matters because it sets the tone for the congregation. If you’re disengaged, they’ll feel it. But if you’re fully present, fully engaged, and worshiping with authenticity, they’ll follow your lead."

It’s a core part of what we do, and it’s the idea of improvisation and spontaneity in our worship sets. This isn't about being unprepared or chaotic. It’s about being so prepared, so in tune with each other and with God, that we can follow where the Holy Spirit leads, even if it’s not on the setlist.Think of our worship time as a conversation. We have a plan, a structure for that conversation, just like you would when meeting a friend. But in any good conversation, you don't just stick to a script. You listen, you respond, and you allow the dialogue to go to deeper and more meaningful places. Spontaneity in worship is our way of listening to God's side of the conversation and responding in real time. It’s about creating space for the Holy Spirit to move in a way that we could not have planned or rehearsed.