Confessions of a Worship Leader

The Christmas Podcast 2024 is now available. Myself and Martin Scott have recorded a special festive podcast for you to enjoy over this Christmas week. Hosted and produced by Martin Purnell of Off Grid Christianity. Martin and I not only go head to head with an alternative Christmas quiz but also discuss some end of year topics. Some of the answers will provoke discussion with your friends or further study. There is laughter to be had plus the podcast finishes with a version of Silent Night recorded by Tricia and myself.. A fitting way to start or end your Christmas with this annual event! So please sit back, enjoy and listen to some laughter along with some silly facts plus serious statements in which to ponder. 

Myself and Dave Bilbrough were special guests on the 100th episode of the  "Off Grid Christianity Podcast", hosted by Martin Purnell. Recorded live in September 2024, we play some of our compositions, together with stories behind the songs plus our thoughts on some of the subjects that have been covered in the previous 99 episodes. This episode will bring you laughter, encouragement and much more. 

This series of 'Worship & Wine' podcasts, draws from the recordings of my online events, each featuring a song and my 'Wine of the Week'. Any imperfections in the songs, are down to the 'live' nature of the recording. Cheers! Featured songs:  To Be In Your Presence - CCLI No - 918122 Featured wine: Beronia Rioja Crianza

This series of 'Worship & Wine' podcasts, draws from the recordings of my online events, each featuring a song and my 'Wine of the Week'. Any imperfections in the songs, are down to the 'live' nature of the recording. Cheers! Featured songs:  You Laid Aside Your Majesty - CCLI No - 78275;  Lord and Father - CCLI No: - 76734 Featured wine: Sangre de Toro Red Wine

Several years ago I was at a dinner party celebrating a friend's birthday. After we had eaten, somebody grabbed a guitar and we began singing worship songs together. It was a very special moment, worshipping together, enjoying the presence of God while continuing to drink the wonderful wine that had been served with the meal. To me this is the true essence of 'breaking bread together'. Celebrating the goodness of God with food, wine and music. During the pandemic, I began a regular online event called 'Worship and Wine on Wednesday', where I shared my love of worship songs and the wines I enjoy. This series of 'Worship & Wine' podcasts, draws from the recordings of those online events, each featuring a song and my 'Wine of the Week'. Any imperfections in the songs, are down to the 'live' nature of the recording. Cheers! Featured song: We Bow Down - Viola Grafstrom - CCLI No: 2106499 Featured wine: Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza

The Christmas podcast 2023 is now available. Myself and Martin Scott have recorded a special festive podcast for you to enjoy over this Christmas weekend. Hosted and produced by Martin Purnell of Off Grid Christianity. With yet another quiz before we tackle some questions that might tax your brain cells! So please sit back, enjoy and listen to some laughter along with some silly facts plus serious statements in which to ponder. If you're feeling lonely over this Christmas period, you are not forgotten and we trust that this episode will make you feel part of the conversation.

Tricia and I interviewed by Chris Cole for his 'Art of Living' show on Cross Rhythms Plymouth. We talk about our early life together in Plymouth, becoming accidental worship leaders, songwriting, poetry, living with Muslim and New Age neighbours and lots more..... This podcast also features short clips of our songs: Still Dreaming In The Forever Travellers Find The Way Together Leaning on the everlasting arms

In 1986, I saw the video of Queen performing 'We Are The Champions' at London's Wembley Stadium in front of 70,000 adoring fans. That moment and that video changed the direction of my life forever. I embarked on a journey to see stadiums filled with worship.  This is the story behind our worship event, 'Champion of the World' at Wembley Stadium in 1997 and what followed after......

In this podcast I share the story behind the very first worship song I ever wrote. 

Prophecy is an important gift for the Church and all those in it. Over the years, many people have prophesied to me that "God will give me songs in the night!" This humorous podcast looks at the way it worked out. 

It is so easy to regard other Christian denominations as inferior to our own. To think we are closer to the truth than others. We can also have an 'us and them' attitude to people of other faiths. In this podcast I talk about how life experiences have taught me to see those who are different as friends, rather than enemies. This podcast concludes with our song 'We Need To Love'.

It seems that there is an increase in faith-based TV shows and movies, coming out of Hollywood. In this podcast, I reflect on the trend and suggest a sequel idea for the Jesus Revolution movie. All I need now is a screenwriter.....

In this podcast we talk about our journey over several decades, transitioning from writing songs about God, to writing songs to God. Reflecting on the influences of early Christian artists such as Keith Green, Andre Crouch, Love Song and many others. The mainstream artists such as Cat Stevens, George Harrison and others, whose spiritual songs impacted us. What we have experienced as we have led worship throughout the USA, Canada, UK and Europe. What we are seeing right now and our thoughts about how we may worship in the future....

The movie 'Jesus Revolution' recalls those exciting days at the beginning of the Jesus Movement, that swept through California, the USA and beyond.  Sadly, I discovered a generation later, that the radical, revolutionary edge had disappeared from the denomination where it all started. This podcast asks if we truly want the inconvenience and disruption that a new 'Jesus Revolution' will bring to our churches.

The past 50 years has seen the exponential growth of the contemporary worship movement and brought the Church new songs and hymns. The songs of our generation were radical and prophetic when first written. But it is easy to settle for these past blessings and the hymnology that we are comfortable with. In this podcast we reflect on our own experiences of songs and worship. Are we still moving forward, embracing what God is doing now, with new songs that reflect this. Is our worship still prophetic, or has it become nostalgic?    

The coronation of King Charles is happening in the UK and a US Presidential election is just around the corner. Wayne Drain and Noel Richards talk about their attitude toward those who 'reign over us'.

In a multi-faith, multi-cultural society such as the UK, should the monarch still be the 'Defender of the Faith'? Or, should the oath at King Charles' upcoming coronation, be changed to 'Defender of Faiths'? What do you think? Please leave a comment.

Martin Scott and I return for another 'Off Grid Christianity' special podcast, hosted by Martin Purnell. Not only do we do battle in an Easter (loosely) themed quiz, but we answer topical Easter questions as well. Such as - Did Jesus have to die on the cross? Did Judas go to Heaven? Was the Last Supper meal like a Doner Kebab? What is a Hot Cross Slider? All these questions and more are answered in this podcast. I also provide the music with three of my Easter songs. Listen to more 'Off Grid Christianity' podcasts at: https://www.accessradio.biz/series/ogc/

Over the course of my life, I have played in so many wonderful venues around the world; including famous concert halls, arenas and stadiums. But in this podcast, I talk about the one place in the world where I have led worship, that means more to me than any of those. I also talk about how we wrote our Easter song 'He Has Risen' and include the recording of it at London's Wembley Stadium. This podcast is an excerpt from the 'Off Grid Christianity' Easter Special hosted by Martin Purnell and also featuring Martin Scott. In the full length podcast Martin Scott and I do battle in an Easter (loosely) themed quiz, but answer topical Easter questions as well. Did Jesus have to die on the cross? Did Judas go to Heaven? Was the Last Supper meal like a Doner Kebab? What is a Hot Cross Slider? All these questions and more are answered in this podcast. Listen at: https://www.accessradio.biz/podcast/off-grid-christianity-episode-36-easter-special/    

Jesus' first miracle was turning water into wine at a wedding celebration. He made rather a large quantity of it.  If you invite Jesus to your party, he gives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'bring a bottle'!!

What I did when I felt that my life was in danger at a major prayer event in New York city.

My response to a situation when someone arrived at our worship event believing that they were the Holy Spirit.

What happens when we 'feel led' to take more time than we have been given, when leading worship. We may believe the Holy Spirit is taking us in a certain direction. However, it creates problems for others, particularly those who are leading a church meeting or event. 

The story of how the mermaids in the Beachcomber Bar at Butlins Minehead, were covered up during the Spring Harvest Christian Event, so as not to cause offence. However, my band had other ideas........

This trailer tells you a little about what you can expect when listening to  my podcast series - "Confessions of a Worship Leader". It features a short clip from my first podcast - "Is The Second Coming Coming?". 

Wayne and I talk about the role that singing plays in our gatherings. Why do we sing and make music from our hearts to the Lord? What happens when we sing? 

This podcast features myself and Martin Scott trying to answer both trivial and serious questions posed by Martin Purnell, the host of the "Off Grid Christianity" Podcast. As well as lively discussion, festive music is also featured. If you are looking for some humour plus stimulating conversation, during the Christmas period, or at any time, try this episode!

How do we safeguard against the tensions that can arise between the pastor and the worship team? 

My favourite place is to be with friends and family around the table. Sharing life, love, conversation, food - and of course good wine! For me this is true communion. The place where we can break bread, raise our glasses and remember what Jesus has done for us. 

We can become very good at organising meetings and times of sung worship. We always want those we lead, to encounter God's presence in our meetings. But how should we respond when God breaks in on our well planned programme and takes things in a different direction?  

In this light hearted confession, I talk about the occasion when I facilitated 'singing in the spirit' at a national church leaders' conference; using a simple nursery rhyme melody.

As the modern worship movement has developed, is there a danger that we have become too performance orientated? These days are we focussing more on entertaining the congregation, with our technology, skills and musical ability, rather than the presence of God?

The Gospel is beautiful in its simplicity. Sadly, over 2000 years, Christian culture has added a list of Old Testament laws and denominational rules to it, that must be obeyed. Have you noticed how evangelists never mention this hidden 'small print'? A bit like those budget airlines that offer an attractive fare but hide the extra charges! I list some of the legalistic rules that governed my teenage years in Wales. Thankfully, I no longer live by them. Do you? What's your experience?

Wayne Drain and Noel Richards talk about the power of music in our worship. Wayne & Noel have been working together since the mid 1980s. They have co-written many worship songs and toured throughout Europe, N. America and New Zealand. In this series of conversations they draw on their years of experience in leading worship.

In this special episode, my guest is Wayne Drain - pastor, songwriter, worship leader and author. We hear about his favourite foods, favourite sport and meeting Paul McCartney at Abbey Road Studios. Also, the story behind his new book: 'He Still Speaks to Kids'. 

Fear is a great means of controlling people. My encounter with people who live in fear rather than faith; and my own experience of faith based on fear, rather than love.

My unfortunate encounter with the preachers of 'prosperity theology' who promote greed, money grabbing and materialism as a sign of Godliness. 

In this special full length Podcast, I was a guest interviewee of Martin Purnell who hosts a Podcast series called 'Off Grid Christianity'.  This interview combines some light hearted trivia, my personal journey, leading worship at Wembley Stadium, thoughts on church and much, much more.

I used to play wine bars in London many years ago. On one evening a nice young couple invited me back to their apartment after the gig, to sample some 'home grown'. That night, I learned an important life lesson!

This podcast provides invaluable advice for all Christians. If you are ever at an event where you are called out to receive personal ministry and feel cornered, you can use 'The Courtesy Drop'.

In this podcast I explain why in 1980,  I stopped going to church and began to experience something more than simply attending a meeting once a week.  

Noel talks about the journey of faith that he and Tricia have been on, since moving to Spain in 2010. This chapter of their lives has provoked changes both culturally and spiritually.  The podcast concludes with a poem from Tricia called 'Keeping Faith'.

In this podcast Noel talks about his early background believing in a fictional event called The Rapture and the fear this provoked in him and many others. He goes on to explain why he struggles to believe that the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is happening anytime soon.