Breakout Session Descriptions and Presenters:
Will Bishop
Why People Don’t Sing in Church (And What to Do About It)
Dr. Bishop surveyed 3,100 people asking them why they do or do not sing during congregational singing. The results of this research can help worship leaders and pastors better understand the various reasons why people choose not to participate during congregational singing in our churches. We’ll also discuss how changing both our attitudes towards non-singers and our strategies for planning worship services can improve congregational singing in our churches.
Will Bishop is a worship pastor, church music educator, songwriter, and worship researcher. He is currently Associate Professor of Church Music and Worship at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. Since 2007 He has served in various worship leadership positions in local churches in Texas, Mississippi, and Kentucky. You can view his research on “The Current State of Southern Baptist Church Music” at linktr.ee/sbcchurchmusicstudy
Sarah Blackstone
Why Relational Disciple-Making Matters in Student Choir
How do I make choir desirable for Gen-Z? Explore the importance in relationship-building with the generation that appreciates real-ness and vulnerability, and how discipleship intersects with the choir rehearsal.
Sarah Blackstone has served as the Minister for Worship and Student Music at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church for the past 10 years. She leads weekly gatherings of 200+ students in Middle and High School Choirs, while also assisting in weekly Sunday worship leading and planning/programming. Sarah has a Bachelor of Music Education from Samford University and a Masters of Worship Ministries from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Sarah and her husband Elliot welcomed their daughter, Dailey Mae, in May 2024.
John Bolin
How to Get Your Worship Teams to be More Expressive and Passionate
The most common question I’ve received concerning worship choir and worship teams over the past few years has been, “How do I get I get my worship choir to be expressive?” In this session, we will look at how to teach different aspects of biblical praise, and quickly unpack 15 practical ways to teach your worship teams to authentically and passionately be more expressive in their praise.
John Bolin has served as Pastor of Worship Ministries at Kingsland Baptist Church since March 2020. Formerly, John was the Minister of Worship and Arts at Houston's First Baptist Church from 2008-2020. John is viewed as a leading voice for worship ministries, choirs in worship, multigenerational worship, and family worship. He's been singing and leading since he was old enough to stand and has presented over 1300 concerts nationally and internationally, produced and sang on more than 40 albums, published over 200 original songs and arrangements, all while leading congregations of people in worship on a weekly basis. He is also the Conductor for the University Choir and Orchestra of California Baptist University. He frequently teaches at universities and conferences, and was part of starting the musical and missional organization called Worship Convergence International. He and his wife Paige have 5 children, Grace, Hudson, John Luke, Levi, and Ellie.
Chuck Bridwell
Retiree Symposium
Come and connect with other retirees as we share ministry stories and prayerful vision for the future. What does the future hold for our kids and grandkids? There is no substitute for the blessing of Christian fellowship. Join us as we share in the timeless blessings of the Lord and be deeply encouraged as a result.
Chuck Bridwell serves as the retiree coordinator for the SBCMC conference. Previously, he served as executive coordinator and has received both the Lifetime Achievement Award as well as the Hines Sims Award. His full-time career in music ministry spanned 43 years and included churches in Texas, Florida, Oklahoma, and Kentucky. Additionally, he has served as adjunct faculty for Baylor University. Chuck now resides in Gainesville, GA and directs music for Flat Creek Baptist Church and is the founder and director for the 125-member Cresswind Community Chorus.
Andrew Causey
BiVo Ministry- A Path to Success
Bi-Vocational worship ministry provides unique opportunities and challenges. Come discover a variety of helpful tips and strategies to navigate the landscape and help open the door to God-sized opportunities and blessings.
Leaving and Entering Ministry Positions
Too little attention is given to the vital area of ministry transition. Come and dive deep into some of the do’s and don’ts of beginning and ending a season in church leadership. With greater clarity in this area, the hope is to see you, the churches you intersect, and the kingdom blessed in abundance.
Andrew is a Senior Project Manager at Commonwealth Development Group, Inc., a national owner representative & project management firm, based out of Nashville, TN. He is also the Worship Arts Minister at FBC, Central City, KY, in a bi-vocational capacity. The founder of BiVoWorship.com, Andrew is following a call on his life to strengthen worship in the smaller churches of the SBC denomination. As a third-generation SBC / SBTS minister of the Gospel, he’s worked in primary ministry positions since August of 2002. He Lives in Bowling Green, KY with his wife, Lisa, and their seven children Jayni, Eden, Crew, Tyce, Simon, Jude, and Jacob.
Scott Connell
Small Church, Big Worship
Smaller congregations can seem less energetic and “successful” in a culture that is impressed with size and volume. The reality is that smaller churches can have the most profound (i.e., “Big”) worship when these leaders understand the proper goals and techniques for congregational worship. This session outlines proven steps that a church of any size can take to achieve true success on Sunday morning.
Caring for Your Team
Leadership is successful when the leader sets the tone, the example, the direction, and the pace. Biblical leadership requires that these leadership efforts be carried out while keeping “watch over souls” (Heb. 13:17). This session will provide practical tips for caring for your musicians/staff for their good and as one who must give an account.
Scott Connell is the pastor of worship and music at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. He also serves on the adjunct faculty of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary and Liberty University. He is the author of Baptists and Worship: Sitting Beneath the Gospel’s Joyful Sound and numerous articles, papers, and presentations. He and his wife Mary have seven children and five dogs.
Joe Crider
Culture Change and Corporate Worship: Looking at the Past to Navigate the Future
In this breakout, we will look back to survey the portals of history to see how expressions of worship have changed, and more importantly, why they changed. As we do, we will discuss important keys from Scripture and history to help navigate corporate worship in the future.
Joe Crider is the Dean of the School of Church Music and Worship and the James C. McKinney Chair Church Music and Worship at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. With 35 years of ministry and academic experience, Dr. Crider is a frequent speaker and clinician at worship conferences and churches. His passion is in the area of worship theology and the practical methodology of designing and leading corporate worship on a weekly basis. In the fall of 2021, Seminary Hill Press released Crider’s book called Scripture Guided Worship: A Call to Pastors and Worship Leaders. Joe and Amy have been married 39 years and have four children and six grandchildren.
Sarah Davison
Integrating Classic Hymns into a Modern Setting
In this session, we will discuss incorporating classic hymns into a newer setting so all generations will love singing along. Including the music theory behind it, we will cover some examples you can use and apply as a music leader at your church.
Sarah leads the group, High Road, and has been on staff as a music leader at churches for nearly 20 years. She was nominated for a Grammy in 2019 in the Gospel Roots Category and recently received the prestigious Belmont University Curtain Call Award. She loves hymns, old pianos, baking pies, her dog, Buck, and she and her husband Trevor just welcomed their new baby girl, Ruth Ann, this year!
Cliff Duren
Songwriting and Arranging Feedback Session (Part of the Composer/Arranger Panel)
Come and join Cliff to share your new songs and compositions. (Live instruments or demos are welcome) Together as a group, we will evaluate strengths and areas to improve to help hone your craft as an artist for the Lord. You will leave encouraged and inspired!
Dr. Duren is a gifted orchestrator and arranger and has earned five Dove Awards for his contributions to church music. After becoming a Christian at age 17, Dr. Duren pursued a bachelor’s degree in music education from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. He then earned a master’s degree in church music from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Most recently, he completed a Doctorate of Education in Worship Leadership from Southwestern Seminary. In addition to his prolific writing career, he currently serves as Executive Pastor of Music and Worship for First Baptist Church, Dallas, TX. Cliff and his wife, April, have four children: two sons and two daughters.
Randall Goodgame/Russell Mauldin (Both are part of the Composer/Arranger Panel)
Scripture Songs for Congregations: The Scripture Hymnal
There’s nothing like God’s Word to inspire a revival of faith. Come to this session to experience how to help your church grow in faith, wisdom, and biblical literacy through beautiful, singable, and memorable Scripture songs from The Scripture Hymnal.
Randall Goodgame is the founder of The Scripture Hymnal Project, a physical hymnal and 8 album series to help the church grow in biblical literacy through congregational worship. Randall is also the creator of the Dove Award-nominated Christian family entertainment series Slugs & Bugs, and the author of several children’s books including Jesus and the Very Big Surprise. Randall and his wife, Amy have three children and live in Nashville, TN.
For 39 years, Russell Mauldin has sustained his music career in Nashville and beyond as one of the most prolific and best-selling composers in church music with millions of choral books sold, 100+ published musicals composed, and confirmed performances on six continents. Working also with major artists and orchestrating for Inspirational film, he is a Grammy-nominated record producer and six-time GMA Dove Award winner.
Karen Gosselin
Women in Ministry
Where do we fit? What hat do you wear…when do you take it off or put it on? Let’s talk about being who God designed us to be!
Karen develops and equips worship leaders as Coordinator of Worship Resources for the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. In this role, she directs and provides opportunities through groups such as the Children’s Honor Choir, OneVoice Student Honor Choir, Alabama Baptist Singing Women, and MIX Worship Arts Camp.
She is a published author for Growing in Grace and Lifeway’s Children’s Music Series, a frequent conference speaker and clinician, and has extensive experience in music education. She is married to Greg Gosselin, Family Minister at Crossroads Community Church. They have 3 adult children.
Mike Harland (Also Speaking for Morning Worship)
Lost in Translation; Speaking the Pastor’s Language
In this breakout, Mike will coach worship leaders on the most effective ways to communicate with the Senior Pastor and suggest strategies to strengthen that vital relationship for the benefit of the church.
Dr. Mike Harland holds degrees from Delta State University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Blue Mountain College. He has served churches in worship leadership roles for most of his life. In 2005, he was named Director of Worship at Lifeway Christian Resources. He is a three-time-published author, 2-time Dove Award-winning songwriter, and international speaker. Mike’s capstone project was the release of a new Baptist Hymnal and the launch of lifewayworship.com in 2008. He has always sought to communicate from a pastor’s viewpoint to call out values that transcend music styles found in healthy worship ministries. His most recent endeavor has been to launch a consulting and coaching ministry entitled the Worship Essentials Network in 2023. He currently serves as Executive Director of Worship for Abilene Baptist Church in Augusta, GA, and as an Adjunct Professor for Liberty University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Teresa have three grown children in middle Tennessee – Lee and Wife Jenna, Elizabeth and husband Thomas Willis, and John and wife, Lauren. They also cherish their four granddaughters, Madeleine, Jane, Caroline, and Maisie.
Kenny and Claire Hilliard (Also Leading in Morning Worship/Evening Concert)
Songwriting as Service: A Biblical and Theological Approach to Songwriting
Songwriting has been a feature of the Christian Church even in its earliest ages. This session will consider the function of music in worship and how songwriters might use their gifting to help their brothers and sisters worship with reverence and awe. While this session is targeted at theological foundations, It will also be filled with practical application and a time for open discussion with Kenny & Claire.
Known for their emotive acoustic/folk originals and organic revivals of theologically rich hymns of yesteryear, Kenny & Claire’s critically acclaimed debut EP “Are You Weary” was released in 2021. Pointing listeners to the Hope of Christ amidst life’s troubles, the couple released their full-length debut, “Upon The Storm” in July 2024. Kenny & Claire reside in the Nashville area with their three children, and they maintain an active touring ministry, leading worship and performing in numerous churches around the country each year.
Dawson Hull (Also Leading in Morning Worship)
Wordless Worship: How to Connect with God through Instrumental Music
In this session, we will explore the idea of worship when there are no words on the screen or no words at all, as in classical music. We are encouraged to worship while listening to instrumental music, but how do we do that? How do we know what to pray or feel as we experience music with no words? Can we still connect with God if the music is not a sacred hymn? In Romans 1, we see that everything on earth declares God as Creator. Come discuss and learn how to use instrumental music to connect with God using his language: the language of music.
Dawson serves as the Pastor of Instrumental Worship Arts at Germantown Baptist Church. He has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Theory/Composition from Samford University, a Master of Music from The Peabody Conservatory, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Memphis. Dawson, his wife Taneea, and their three children enjoy performing together as a family everywhere they go. Their mission is to use music as a tool to share the gospel, and to lead others to do the same.
Eliut Iglesias & David Inestroza (Also Leading in Morning Worship)
Conectados en Adoración (Connected in Worship)
La adoración a través de las artes musicales y digitales es una oportunidad única de conectarnos con Dios. Es necesario que los adoradores adoren al Señor en Espíritu y en verdad. Ven y aprendamos juntos como usar la palabra de Dios para que tu adoración está basada en la obediencia de las escrituras. También tendrás la oportunidad de crecer como líder, musico o colaborador de audiovisuales.
(Worship through the musical and digital arts is a unique opportunity to connect with God. Worshippers need to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. Join us, as we learn together how to use the Word of God, so that our worship is based on obedience to the Scriptures. You will also have the opportunity to grow as a leader, musician, or audiovisuals team member.)
David Inestroza sirve como Pastor de Adoración y Asesor de Ministerios Hispanos (ALSBOM Convención de Alabama), Coordinador de Comunicación - Red Nacional Bautista Hispana
(Worship Pastor & Hispanic Ministries Consultant (ALSBOM), Communications Coordinator at The National Hispanic Baptist Network)
Eliut Iglesias sirve como Pastor de Adoración - Iglesia Nuevo Horizonte en Woodstock, GA
(Worship Pastor at Iglesia Nuevo Horizonte in Woodstock, GA)
Bradley Knight
Get Real: Authenticity in Worship
In scripture, we are called to authentic and genuine worship. Yet, it's easy to get pulled into the pragmatics of style or production. How do we fight for authenticity, regardless of context? Come for an in-depth discussion of the ins and outs of cultivating a culture of honesty and accountability on your team.
Bradley Knight has served as the Music Director for Christ Church Choir in Nashville, Prestonwood Choir in Dallas, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. He is a Dove Award-winning producer, arranger, orchestrator, and worship leader. Currently, he lives in Dallas with his wife and five children, enjoying the privilege of traveling to churches of various denominations worldwide to encourage and equip their worship ministries. His passion is to see people from all backgrounds come together to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
Elizabeth Laube
Sing and Play Your Way to Praise
Come experience songs and activities that help children engage with truths of the faith while building the musical confidence to praise our Savior joyfully. Be prepared to join in with creative songs, warm-ups, and energizers! See colorful visuals, teaching steps, and more in action and walk away ready to put them into use right away.
Elizabeth Laube is the Marketing Coordinator for Celebrating Grace. Prior to coming to Celebrating Grace, she worked in the Center for Christian Music Studies at Baylor University administering a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant exploring the role that music in the local church plays in children’s spiritual formation. She holds a Master’s degree in Middle Years Education from the University of Georgia and Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of South Mississippi and is a consultant for the Cambridge International Examinations music curriculum. Elizabeth taught music and general education for twelve years in the US and the UK, working with students Pre-K through High School. Currently, Elizabeth serves in the music and children’s ministry in her local church in Waco, Texas.
Bryan McDonald & Traci Pritchard
Vocal Health for the Worship Leader and the Worship Team
Have you and your team ever been vocally drained at the end of Sunday Services? Have you struggled with losing your voice throughout the week? In this session, we will explore ways to keep the voice of you and your team healthy and maintain longevity in singing.
Dr. Bryan McDonald is the Director of Choral Activities and Coordinator for Music and Worship Leadership at Shorter University, Rome, GA. Previously, he served at Woodland Park Baptist Church in Hammond, LA, leading modern, blended, and traditional worship services. He has 15+ years of experience working to grow the voices of singers in choral, academic, and church settings.
Traci Pritchard is the Voice Area Coordinator and Associate Professor of Music at Evangel University in Springfield Missouri. As an active performer, Pritchard has sung many roles in opera productions and has participated in a variety of art song festivals around the world. She is currently ABD at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Science in Vocal Performance from Southwest Baptist University. Traci is active in the worship ministry at Harmony Baptist Church where her husband, Devin, serves as worship pastor.
Michael Sharp
Refreshing the Soul: Shepherding Worshipers toward Hope and Purpose in a Chaotic World
There is no doubt we are living in challenging times. One of the most pressing needs in the church today is to equip believers spiritually as they navigate the many challenges of life in our contemporary culture. This session explores worshipers' spiritual needs and ways congregational worship ministry can come alongside to encourage their faithful walk with Christ. Dr. Sharp is pursuing this topic for a future book. Come and help collaborate toward that work!
Michael Sharp is a retired professor of worship ministries at New Orleans Baptist Seminary where he invested in worship leaders for 26 years. Today he continues to lead seminars in the seminary doctoral program as well as teach courses at Lee University and at international seminaries. He also serves on staff in worship ministry at Bayside Baptist Church, Harrison, TN. He is married to Leanne and together they have three grown children and ten grandchildren whom they enjoy spoiling!
Nathan Tomberlin- S&L Media
Creating a Culture of Quality Standards for Audio, Video, and Lighting
In this session, we will discuss a solid approach to quality standards and best practices in these three areas of audio-visual ministry. Come and discover ways to help your team run well and your church context see and hear the gospel with greater clarity each week.
Nathan has been a touring musician with Mark Schultz and Finding Favor as well as serving in ministry as a worship pastor. He’s currently an account executive with S&L Integrated and has been on their team for 6 years.
Lee Tomlin
One Choir, Many Generations: The Power of an Intergenerational Ensemble
How do you build a choir that is vibrant, growing, and full of passion? Embrace the value of each generation and create a culture in worship where voices young and old thrive together. Exponential joy and energy await! In this session, we will discuss practical steps to develop an intergenerational choir and useful methods for establishing a unified worship culture. Come for a fresh vision and practical tools to experience unified worship like never before.
Dr. Lee Tomlin has served in worship ministry for over 20 years and has been the Minister of Music at Westside Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, for the last ten years. He leads a thriving music ministry with a large intergenerational choir that sings and serves with passion every Sunday. Lee and his incredible team are passionate about uniting generations in worship and helping other churches do the same.