Since Easter Sunday’s date varies, April 20th this year, it can sneak up on you – and on the unchurched people in your community – if you aren’t careful. But with a little forward thinking and strategic planning on your part, you can work with God as he uses this singular day to draw people to himself in much larger numbers than any other time … Read More
3 Things You Should Do TODAY to Prepare for Christmas
Merry Christmas! That’s what the over-sized Snowman in Home Depot said two weeks ago when I walked in. Jason Hatley here (Pastor of Worship Arts @ The Journey and Founder of WorshipLeaderInsights.com) and my family and I just laughed. The Christmas trees, snowmen and blow-up lawn Santas were right there beside the ghosts, witches and Halloween candy. I bet you’ve … Read More
3 Lessons Your Church Can Learn from Disney, Part 1
Jason Hatley here – Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights. Recently, I was asked to speak to a group of pastors in Orlando and while I was there, I was invited to go on a “behind-the-scenes” tour of Walt Disney World. Needless to say… I was excited! Sure it was going to be … Read More
How to Plan Engaging Christmas Worship Services
Jason Hatley here . . . Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights. Have you ever noticed how, when leading worship, you and your team can be totally immersed in the moment, but when you look around the congregation looks like they’re stuck in line at the grocery store? Arms crossed. Faces stiff. iPhone … Read More
How to Create Moments in Your Christmas Music
Jason Hatley here – Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights. You’ve heard me say it before — our goal in worship on Sunday isn’t to sing songs, but to create life-transforming moments (thanks to Tom Jackson for introducing me to this principle). This is especially true as we’re preparing music for the Christmas … Read More
Let’s Plan Your 2013 Preaching Calendar Together – FREE Webinars Tues, Wed and Thurs
You’re invited to join me this week on one of 8 free webinars I’m leading called “Planning Your 2013 Preaching Calendar.” After coaching more than 1,100 pastors over the last few years, I’ve learned that one of the best tools for reducing your stress, maximizing creativity, honoring God and working with the natural patterns of your people is planning your preaching calendar months … Read More
How to Reduce Your Stress and Maximize Your Effectiveness [Free Preaching Webinars]
I consider it an honor and a tremendous blessing that God has allowed us the opportunity to invest in church leaders each and every day through the ministry of Church Leader Insights. With several thousand pastors in the Church Leader Insights family, you might imagine that I get to hear from a lot of them (and I really enjoy hearing … Read More
When (and How) to Creatively Introduce Christmas Music in Your Church
Jason Hatley here – Worship Arts Pastor at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights – with some insights for you as we head into the holiday season… Last November, my wife and I went to do a little shopping the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. When we walked into the store Bing Crosby’s White Christmas was blaring over the sound … Read More
How to Prevent Problems on Your Worship Team
Jason Hatley here… Pastor of Worship Arts @ The Journey and Founder of www.WorshipLeaderInsights.com. Just a couple of Friday nights ago I had the great pleasure of hosting the New Season Kick-off for the Fall season of our Worship Arts Team. New Season Kick-off is twice-a-year event for everyone on our Worship Arts Team. We come together before the start … Read More
Avoid these Top 3 Worship Planning Mistakes
Jason Hatley here – Worship Arts Pastor at The Journey Church and Founder of Worship Leader Insights… I’ll shoot straight with you . . . I don’t like it when someone tells me that I’m making a mistake. Call it foolish pride I suppose. Can you relate? After all, no one’s perfect and I know I make mistakes (just ask … Read More