GENERAL WORSHIP LEADERSHIP

7 Rhythms of Corporate Worship – Joe Crider – In order for the weekly Sunday morning gathering to be grounded in Scripture, it is vital for leaders to be intentional and aware of the essential Christian doctrines that inform corporate worship. In this breakout, we will explore seven essential rhythms that keep our worship rooted in Scripture and our people focused on responding to the Triune God of Glory.  [Session 1] 

Four Questions and Five Keys – Joe Crider – Some of the most important moments in the life of a believer should be the weekly worship gathering. The writer of Psalm 115 tells us that we literally resemble who or what we revere. If that’s true, then our corporate worship is either forming our people to resemble Jesus Christ (the only One worthy of our reverence), or it mis-forming them. This session will focus on Four Questions and Five Keys worship leaders should consider in planning and leading healthy worship rooted in the Word of God. [Session 3] 

So You Want a Worship Intern? – Guiding the Next Generation of Worship Leaders – Brandon Hardin -This session focuses on equipping worship leaders to mentor future leaders. We’ll cover how to develop a strong internship program, emphasizing discipleship and modeling effective ministry. Learn practical strategies for identifying interns, building a balanced curriculum, and fostering a mentorship relationship that empowers them for impactful worship leadership. [Session 2] 

Why People Don’t Sing in Church (And What to Do About It) – Will Bishop -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. [Session 4] 

Worship Leadership Longevity – What Does That Look Like and How Do We More Intentionally Empower, Equip, and Resource Those In Our Ministry? – Dennis Worley –  Too often, worship leaders feel they have a limited shelf life. Worship leaders can have great longevity and value in the church as they learn to reproduce themselves, raising up leaders whom they equip, resource and champion to lead worship. Fully understanding this role can be a game-changer for your ministry and your church.  [Offered twice – Sessions 1 & 2]

8 8 Foundations for a Healthy Worship Ministry – Daniel Semsen – Discover 8 key values that, if implemented in your ministry and communicated regularly to your volunteers, can help bring health and richness to your team. Whether you’re leading a choir, a worship team, or a tech team, these values can help your people catch the vision for a fruitful partnership as you all serve together every week at your church.  [Session 1]    

Blending Hymns with Modern Worship – Don Chapman – How do you flow seamlessly from “Great Things” into “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” without losing momentum—or your band? Hymncharts.com’s Don Chapman will show you current hymn trends, song-pairing strategies to connect hymns with worship songs and thoughtful approaches to refreshing archaic lyrics. Walk out with free charts and the confidence to bridge generations in a single worship set. [Offered twice – Sessions 1 & 2]

10 Steps for Better Worship Flow – Don Chapman – Ever felt your worship set lose steam between songs? Don Chapman unpacks a ten-step blueprint that takes you from a scattered song list to a seamless worship experience. Learn how to: craft an intentional list, link keys/tempos/themes, map the “worship curve” and avoid common “worship-sabotage” pitfalls. You’ll leave with practical tools that will help you usher your people into a genuine encounter with God.  [Session 4] 

LifewayWorship.com – a great resource for your worship ministry – Lifeway: Scott Dotta and Charlie SInclair – LifewayWorship.com provides resources to meet the worship needs of churches of all sizes. Learn more about how these resources can improve your worship ministry.   [Offered twice – Sessions 2 & 4]

Navigating without a Compass: the Choppy Seas of Undefined Worship Culture – David Loftis – Churches throughout the western world are often divided over worship culture, affecting unity in prayer, service, giving, and community outreach. Leadership in our churches face challenges in addressing this biblically without causing division. This workshop will discuss the risks of unresolved issues and offer lasting solutions. Let’s take a stand to prevent losing any more members over this constantly changing issue. Join the conversation on this crucial topic. [Session 1] 

Praise You More: A Fresh Approach to Worship Training for Your Lay Worship Team – David Loftis – Many of our leaders have identified a need for qualified worship leaders. There are more opportunities than personnel to fill them, and many who are called to these roles lack confidence or qualifications. This has weakened worship in the church and lowered standards for choosing and preparing worship leaders. Furthermore, many Christian institutions have discontinued their worship degrees due to lack of interest. What are affordable and efficient alternatives to solid theological training that prepares lay leaders to serve confidently? Join David Loftis, an experienced lifetime vocational worship pastor and lay worship trainer, for an important conversation about practical solutions. [Session 2]

NextGen NOW!  Generating Interest, Providing Training and Expecting Involvement of Students in Your Worship Ministry – David Loftis – With traditional children’s choirs fading into history and students often restricted to specific roles in ministry, how can we help them develop an interest and pivot that interest into productivity on our church worship teams? David Loftis Music has trained over 600 students and sent at least 150 of them to serve on the stages of over two dozen churches. Join us to discover how “Building Your Band: GENESIS” can boost student worship development and enhance your ministry.  [Session 4]

Pipeline Worship: A Worship Experience for All Generations – Megan Hollifield – Multigenerational worship is the aim for this breakout session. Looking at all elements of worship for all generations of the church from children’s worship, youth, and Sunday morning gatherings. [Session 1]

Raising the Next Generation of Worship Leaders – Megan Hollifield – A comprehensive training in how to grow the young worship leaders within your church, not only in skill but character. [Session 3]

Worship Through the Lens of Orchestra – Sean Bradley – Expanding the praise band to orchestra in both contemporary and traditional services. [Session 3]

Build a Biblical Theology of Worship – Jonathan Welch – Our theology influences how we approach gathered worship. But theology doesn’t have to be intimidating. Open to everyone, this class provides step-by-step training for you to build a biblical theology of worship for your context. [Session 4]

Worship Initiative – Develop, Disciple, Deploy – Andrew McKinney – We know the demands each Sunday brings for Worship Leaders. When we lose sight of the importance of developing our team, the demands of Sunday can quickly choke out long-term goals and investment that is key to flourishing worship ministries. In this breakout, hear from Andrew McKinney on how you can utilize Worship Initiative in your context for personal growth and the growth of your worship team. [Offered twice – Sessions 1 & 4]

Choir Leadership

Fundamentals of Choral Conducting – Jen Phelps Johnson – For directors of adult, youth, or children’s choirs—whether you’re a regular conductor or someone who occasionally steps in—join us to explore effective techniques that will empower your choir to sing with greater confidence and expressiveness.  [Session 3] 

Beginner’s Guide: How to be a Choir Director – Jen Phelps Johnson – If you’re considering starting a choir or seeking ways to build your existing one, this session will provide you with practical advice on how to initiate, develop, and sustain a choir that people are eager to join. [Session 4] 

Soul Care

Building a Life That Lasts Beyond the Platform: Strengthening Your Soul to Sustain Your Calling – Sandy Marks – In a culture that celebrates platform, performance, and public success, it’s easy for worship leaders and ministry workers to overlook the hidden places where real strength is built — the soul. This session will call leaders to cultivate a life with God that is deeper than their gifting, more resilient than applause, and rooted in authenticity. Through honest teaching, practical rhythms, and guided reflection, you’ll discover how to build a life that won’t collapse under the weight of ministry — because it’s anchored in communion with Christ, not just performance for Him. [Session 1]

Church Revitalization

Reviving the Heart: The Vital Role of Music Ministry in Church Revitalization – Sandy Marks – This breakout session will help worship leaders, teams, and pastors see that music ministry is vitally important in church revitalization — it is God’s tool to restore hope, reframe truth, and renew the people of God.  [Session 2]

Help! My Church is Stuck – Terry Long – Is your church struggling to reach people for Jesus? Come hear how you can get out of the rut by getting on mission again. [Session 3]

Churches helping churches: Creating a strategy to help foster struggling worship ministries – Terry Long – More than 80% of churches are in need of revitalization. Come hear how your church and its worship ministries can help these churches achieve health. [Session 4]

Band

Worship Drums – Chris Davis – A path to learning the grooves and fills of worship drumming. [Session 1] 

Worship Keys – Jonah Losh – Explore the world of worship piano with this comprehensive musical experience. [Session 1]

Acoustic Guitar – Dan Lowenberg – The role of the acoustic guitar, rhythm, locking in with the band, and capo use. [Session 3] 

Electric Guitar – Dan Lowenberg – Playing lead and melody with higher chord voicings and using effect pedals. [Session 1] 

Play Like a Bass Player – Jonathan Welch – Foundational principles for playing bass in a worship band. Plus, we’ll also talk about how to add tasteful, stylistic elements to any worship song. [Session 2] 

Unite and Uplift: Tips for Building a Stronger Worship Band – Doug Gould – FROM A MUSICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE, when a band is described as being “tight,” it reflects a level of precision and cohesion that comes from intentional rehearsal and strong musical chemistry. This means that musicians are not just individually skilled, but they listen to each other, understand their roles and know their parts deeply. They play with clarity, respecting the space within the arrangement, ensuring that no one is stepping on anyone else’s part. This results in a unified, cohesive sound that feels polished and connected. [Session 4]

VOCALISTS

Harmony: A Joyful Journey in Group Singing – Sheri Gould – Unlock the magic of harmony in this vibrant and fun workshop designed for singers at all levels. Whether you’re looking to refine your own harmonic skills or teach others, we’ve got you covered. Discover the foundations of harmony and learn to identify and create the ‘perfect’ harmony for your group. This class is a fun, interactive and supportive space where everyone can explore their musical potential and enhance their group dynamics. Join us to make beautiful music together, learning and laughing along the way.  [Session 1]

Vocal Skills: Advanced – Sheri Gould – Are you a seasoned vocalist looking to refine your craft? Explore advanced techniques tailored for the experienced singer. From mastering register transitions to enhancing natural vibrato and developing a signature style, this class pushes boundaries and polishes techniques.  [Session 2]

5 Steps to Tight Vocals – Sheri Gould – Discover five straightforward tips to tighten your vocal team’s presentation. These easy-to-implement strategies can make a noticeable difference by this Sunday!  [Session 4]

CHURCH PIANISTS

What Happened to All My Notes? Navigating Chord Charts and Lead Sheets for the Church Pianist – Ken Renfrow – Three parts. Learn more here.

Church pianists are increasingly being asked to accompany hymns and gospel songs (both new and old) using lead sheets or chord charts. This skill requires a solid understanding of chords, chord voicings, and chord inversions. Fortunately, the piano keyboard serves as the ultimate audio-visual aid for grasping functional music theory. In this series of workshops, we’ll explore how church pianists can use the keyboard as an ideal tool for developing these essential skills.

• • Part One: Understanding Chords, Inversions, and Voicing – We’ll cover the building blocks of harmony in their various forms, emphasizing how chord progressions function and how they can be applied in accompaniment. [Session 1]
  • Part Two: Understanding Lead Sheet and Chord Chart Notation – This session focuses on interpreting alternative forms of notation. Gone are the days of having every note written out—we’ll learn how to play effectively using the knowledge developed in Session 1. [Session 2]
    
  • Part Three: Q & A/Masterclass  – A low-pressure, hands-on environment where you can ask questions and try playing from a lead sheet or chord chart. This session provides an opportunity to synthesize and apply the concepts from the first two sessions. [Session 4]
    

TECH – Audio & Lighting

Improving Quality of Church Audio with Zero Budget – Doug Gould – We don’t need expensive equipment to bring people into God’s presence — what we need is a willingness to work with what we have and to trust God to multiply it. That realization sparked a new kind of excitement. There was so much we could do right here, right now, without spending a single dollar. Suddenly, we felt empowered. So, where do we begin? How can we elevate the quality of our worship services with what we have? What steps can we take to create a more impactful and meaningful experience for our congregation? [Session 1]

NEW! Designing Practical AV and Lighting Systems for Houses of Worship – Doug Gould & Bryan Patten – Join Doug Gould of Worship and Bryan Patten of ASW in an open discussion of why congregations may not be engaging . We wrestle to find solutions to why it sounds bad.they involve people, relationships, Why does it look bad? Many of these challenges aren’t just technical –they involve people, relationships and training.  – [Session 3]

TECH – Livestreaming & Video

Video Directing 101 – John Kimbrough & Jonathan Boggs – Are you looking to expand your church’s video production capability? This beginner-friendly class will guide you through the essentials of creative video production. Taught by experienced tech leaders John Kimbrough and Jonathan Boggs, Video Directing 101 covers everything from foundational composition and equipment to impactful ministry-oriented storytelling. Ideal for churches and volunteers interested in finding new and creative ways to share their ministry stories.  [Session 1]

Livestreaming 101 – Jonathan Boggs & John Kimbrough – Curious about how livestreaming works or looking to get more comfortable behind the scenes? Livestreaming 101 is a beginner-level class designed to walk you through the core components of running a church livestream. Led by John Kimbrough and Jonathan Boggs, this class will cover camera basics, audio and video setup, switching between sources, and how to stream smoothly to platforms like YouTube or Facebook. Whether you’re part of the tech team or just interested in learning how it all comes together, this is a great place to start.  [Session 4]

Optimizing Audio for Livestreaming – Jonathan Boggs & John Kimbrough – Good audio is the backbone of any successful livestream, and in this class, John Kimbrough will teach you how to ensure your sound is crystal clear for viewers online. From common ways to set up stream audio and mixing techniques to troubleshooting common audio issues, you’ll learn how to optimize your audio setup for the best possible experience. Whether you’re new to audio or looking to refine your skills, this class will equip you with practical knowledge to make your livestream sound professional and seamless. Perfect for worship teams, AV volunteers, or anyone involved in livestream production.  [Session 2]

TECH – Software & Apps

FreeShow: Upgrade Your Worship Presentations – ChurchApps: Garry Buycks, Jr. – Power, Flexibility, and No Price Tag: Hands-on training for worship leaders and media teams. In this session, participants will discover how FreeShow can transform their church’s presentation flow. We’ll demonstrate how to create seamless worship experiences using easy-to-use lyric tools, flexible stage views, and built-in OBS integration for livestreaming. Whether you’re leading worship or supporting from behind the scenes, this workshop will equip you with practical, real-world skills to elevate your Sunday services—all at no cost. [Offered twice – Sessions 1 & 2]

Unlocking the Power of Open Source: Revolutionizing Church Ministry – ChurchApps: Michael Byrd – Churches spend over $800 million annually on software for attendance tracking, visuals, and member retention. But what if there was a way to achieve all of this for $0.00? This session will explore the world of open-source software and how it can help churches thrive without the hefty price tag. We’ll highlight how churches worldwide are embracing these solutions to enhance ministry and reach more people. Join us to discover how open-source tools can empower your church—completely free.  [Session 4]

ProPresenter – Basic – Wilson Professional AVL: Lane Levan  – Ready to elevate your presentations and worship experiences? This introductory class will equip you with the fundamental skills to confidently navigate and utilize ProPresenter 7, the industry-leading presentation software. Whether you’re new to ProPresenter or looking to solidify your understanding of the basics, this hands-on session will guide you through essential workflows.  [Session 1]

ProPresenter – Advanced – Wilson Professional AVL: Mike Wilson – Ready to unlock the full potential of ProPresenter 7 and deliver truly captivating and seamless presentations? This advanced class dives deep into the software’s powerful features, equipping you with the skills to create dynamic visual experiences that will engage and inspire your audience. Building upon basic knowledge, we’ll explore intricate workflows and advanced functionalities, empowering you to take your productions to the next level. Learn to harness the power of advanced screen configurations, master complex layer manipulation, and integrate sophisticated external control for a truly professional presentation environment.  [Session 3]

Music Technology with Pro Tools – Eddie Fisher – An introduction to the leading industry music production software- ProTools. [Session 3]

Planning Center – Dillon Hollifield – Want to plan better? Get an inside look at the world of Planning Center for your worship ministry. [Session 4]

TECH – Multitracks

Multitracks – Wilson Professional AVL: Mike Wilson – Elevate your congregation’s worship experience through the power of multitracks mixing for your live band. This practical class is designed for sound engineers and dedicated volunteers in House of Worship environments who want to capture, refine, and ultimately enhance their live band performances using multitracks.  [Session 4]

COMMUNICATION

Don’t Miss a Beat: Rhythms of Effective Church Communication – Daniel Spivey – Is your church’s communication consistent, clear and compelling — or does it feel a little out of sync? This breakout session will explore the rhythms that help churches communicate from social media marketing to communicating announcements from the stage. Learn how to find your church’s unique voice, build a consistent strategy, and engage your congregation through clear internal and external communication — without missing a beat. [Offered twice: Sessions 1 & 2]

Communicating as a Leader in Worship Ministry – Megan Hollifield – Communication as a leader is essential to have a healthy worship ministry. This breakout will explore techniques for better communication from all aspects of worship. [Session 4]

CHILDREN’S CHOIR LEADERS

PRESCHOOL CHOIR LEADERS

IN FOCUS: the E chart for Preschool Music – Melanee Horton – Just like the big E in the eye chart, the big focus of Preschool choir is to experience music. We will see how experiences in singing, listening, moving and playing instruments will benefit preschoolers. We will incorporate activities that will expose, explore, express and encourage them in making joyful music to the God who loves them.  [Session 1]

It’s the Destination AND the Journey: Thoughts on Classroom management and Rewards – Melanee Horton – We will discuss guiding our children to fully engage in planned musical activities so that learning and worship AND TEACHING are experienced with JOY. Topics include balanced lesson plans, pace, evaluation, redirection, communication, rewards and relationship.  [Session 3]

I SPY: Something New – Melanee Horton – We will share new resources that will benefit Preschool choirs. There will be some new songs, activities, and other resources that you may enjoy adding to your preschool choir.  [Session 4]

ELEMENTARY CHILDREN’S CHOIR LEADERS

That was FUN! – Whitney Head – Don’t forget to drink your coffee, and come ready to move and have fun! In this session, you will learn games, icebreakers, and action songs designed to get your choir laughing, moving, and interacting with each other.  [Session 1]

Beyond the Song: Creative Worship Integration – Whitney Head – In this session, we will think outside the box about how our children can be involved in leading worship. Alongside singing anthems, children lead worship through visual art, video and media, playing instruments, scripture presentations, and more. Whether you have 2 and 200, the children in your church have unique gifts that can be used to glorify God!  [Session 3]

Scripture can sing! – Whitney Head – Discipleship happens when children hide God’s word in their hearts, and there’s no better way to do that than with music! In this session, you will experience and explore Bible beats, songs, scripture chants, and other activities that will help your children interact with the Bible in a fun, engaging, and memorable way.  [Session 4]

Breakout Sessions by Class Period

Each Full EXPO registrant will select either a 2nd or 3rd period lunch and then select three classes from the other period. Use this schedule to help you determine your class choices before you register.

Session 1 Breakout Selection – 10:30 – 11:25am