AWI Podcast
Welcome to the Angeles Worship Initiative Podcast! This podcast exists to foster deep and authentic conversations surrounding Christian worship, theology, and the arts. By engaging with a diverse community of worship leaders, Christian artists, theologians, and songwriters, we open up questions and conversations which provide our listeners with tools of thought, hope, and encouragement to equip the Church leaders of today to make a difference in this world!*Season 2 will continue in March 2025!*
What do Senior Pastors have to say about Worship? | Ft. Pastor Mathew, Lake Avenue & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Pastor Mathew John from Lake Avenue Church and Taylor Cummings unpack what worship is from the perspective of a senior pastor role. In their conversation, they address the challenges of idolizing music and sermons, getting to the heart of what worship truly is, both personally and congregationally. Listen to the full episode to learn more!Â
Connect with Lake Avenue Church: https://lakeave.org/
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:
apu.edu/arts/angeles-worship-initiative
Sign up to stay upd...
Rest as Leaders | Ft. Justin Unger & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Justin Unger and Taylor Cummings discuss the importance of rest as leaders within the church. In order to show up and lead well, we must be rested, but how can we do that? Are we rested, trusted, and discipled leaders? What does that practically look like? Watch the full episode to learn more!
Worship Leader/MD Health Check: https://www.likewiseworship.com/health-check
Connect with Justin Unger:Â
https://www.instagram.com/justinungermusic/ | https://justinunger.com/Â
Connect with Li...
What do Worship Pastors have to say about Worship? | Ft. Sarah Sattler & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Sarah Sattler, the Worship Director of Cornerstone Bible Church in Glendora, unpacks how worship is not just music, rather our whole lives are worship. “How can we educate our congregations of this truth?” and “Why do we come to worship?” are answered here. Watch/listen to the full episode to learn more!Â
This is episode 2 of 4 where we sat down and asked various local pastors the question, “What is worship?”Â
Connect with Cornerstone Bible Church: https://cbcglendora.org/Â
Connect with Worship Quest Ministries:Â https://worshipq...
The 4 Roles of a Worship Leader | Ft. Steven Brooks & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Steven Brooks unpacks his understanding of the 4 different roles of a worship leader: Worship Leader, Song Leader, Worship Pastor, and Worship Artist. He defines each of these and describes how you can discover which one aligns most with your giftings and how you may need to operate in each one at different times. Watch/listen to the full episode to learn more!
If you’d like to understand worship and these different worship leader categories more extensively, check out his book “Worship Quest: An Exploration of Worship Leadership!”Â
<...
What do Executive Pastors have to say about Worship? | Ft. Jesus Arriaga & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Jesus Arriaga and Taylor Cummings unpack Jesus’s unique perspective on worship as a past Worship Pastor and now current Executive Pastor of ONE&ALL Church. They tackle topics of personal vs. congregational worship, and how pastors can best equip and steward the worship of our churches today.
Â
This is episode 1/4 of us sitting down and asking various local pastors to answer the question “What is worship?”
Connect with ONE&ALL Church: https://www.instagram.com/oneandallchurch/ |
https://www.oneandall.church/Â
To learn...
How do you Shepherd a Unified Culture of Worship? | Ft. Justin Unger & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Justin Unger and Taylor Cummings discuss the challenges in our modern world of shepherding a unified culture of worship among your team, staff, and congregation. Questions arise of…What does a healthy church look like? What does discipleship in worship look like? How can we be unified with other churches? Justin Unger offers practical advice straight from the Bible. Listen to the full episode to learn more!
Connect with Justin Unger: https://www.instagram.com/justinungermusic/ | https://justinunger.com/Â
Connect with Likewise Worship: https://www.instagram.com/likewiseworship/ | https://www.likewiseworship.com/Â
The Art of Biblical Storytelling | Ft. Traci Birge & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Traci Birge and Taylor Cummings tackle the topic of biblical storytelling, showing how present and powerful stories are within the biblical text. Traci highlights the simplicity yet complexity of biblical narratives–how there are multiple lenses we can glean from and how much closer they can bring us to God. What do these stories teach us about the character of God? How do we see the bigger picture, and how do we identify with the people in the margins? Watch/listen to the full episode to learn more!Â
To learn mor...
Avenues of Worship, Through Preaching | Ft. Coba Canales & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Coba Canales and Taylor Cummings discuss how preaching is an avenue for worship. Coba encourages us whether it is for thousands or just one person, if God has put a message in your heart, it’s our responsibility to share it. Listen to the full episode to hear more!Â
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:
apu.edu/arts/angeles-worship-initiative
Sign up to stay updated on our events and content:Â
https://apu.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=56ccf37eb7e9a70bbf8c1dbf0...
The Importance of Theology in Worship Songs | Ft. Scott Cunningham & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Scott Cunningham and Taylor Cummings discuss the great importance of having good theology in the songs that we choose and also write for our congregations. What do they say about God? Are they full of biblical truth? Songs are powerful and memorable, so as worship leaders how can we best equip our congregations to know God and scripture through the songs we sing? Watch/listen to the full episode to find out!
Connect with Scott: https://www.instagram.com/craftybacon/
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:
ap...
Avenues of Worship, Through Dance | Ft. Jason Poullard & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Jason Poullard and Taylor Cummings dig into how dance is an avenue for worship. Jason points out how dance takes all of us, our full body, and how biblical that is. This conversation explores how we can each incorporate this artform into our ministries and services to further engage our congregation and invite the Holy Spirit to move us all. Listen to the full episode to hear more!
Connect with Jason: https://www.instagram.com/jasonpoullard/
To learn more about AWI, here’s our we...
Can the Music Director & Worship Leader Get Along? | Ft. Aretha Scruggs, Zach Rudulph, & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Zach Rudulph, Aretha Scruggs, and Taylor Cummings discuss the relationship between the Music Director and the Worship Leader. What are their roles? What is each leader in charge of? How can they best communicate, make decisions, and solve problems inside and outside of a church service? Listen to the full episode to learn how you can best improve your relationship between these two vital roles!Â
Connect with Zach: https://www.instagram.com/zach_rudulph/Â
Connect with Aretha: https://www.instagram.com/arethascruggsmusic/
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:
Structure vs. Spontaneous Worship | Ft. The Handlebar Podcast / UPPERROOM & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Aaron Smith and Rafael Greco from the Handlebar Podcast discuss with Taylor Cummings how to balance structure and “flowing” (or spontaneous worship) within a worship service. Different denominations and people tend to lean a certain way, but what would happen if we welcomed God into the whole process? What if we each planned with purpose, alongside also being open and present to what later happens in the room and moment? Will we allow each part to be a conversation with the King? Listen to the full episode to learn more!
Conn...
Avenues of Worship, Through Instruments | Zach Rudulph & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Zach Rudulph and Taylor Cummings discuss how a variety of instruments, especially the bass, can be an avenue of worship. Through his expertise in church and touring with Andy Grammar, Zach highlights the balance between doing too much and being distracting vs. how to best compliment and enhance a worship set. In addition, they tackle the question of how to separate your identity from your instrument and ultimately be confident in who God says you are and what you bring to the table. Listen to the full episode to discover how you can best worship God...
Family in Ministry | Ft. Tommy Walker & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Tommy Walker and Taylor Cummings discuss all about Family in Ministry. From the beauties and benefits, to the challenges and disciplines that come with it. Here, Tommy elaborates on how he personally was raised within ministry, and how his own family legacy continues on within the church. Watch the full video to learn more!
Connect with Tommy Walker: https://www.instagram.com/tommywalkerministries/
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:Â
apu.edu/arts/angeles-worship-initiative
Avenues of Worship, Through Vocals | Ft. Aretha Scruggs & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Aretha Scruggs and Taylor Cummings discuss how singing and being a vocalist is an avenue of worship. Aretha gives vocalists practical tips about how the voice works and how to best take care of it, how to lead vocally as a worship leader, and how to discover your unique voice. Through this video, we hope you walk away feeling more informed about your voice and what kind of leader/creative you may be!
Connect with Aretha Scruggs: https://www.instagram.com/arethascruggsmusic/Â
Check o...
Unity Between Worship Leader & Pastor | Ft. The Handlebar Podcast & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Aaron Smith, Rafael Greco, and Taylor Cummings discuss the relationship between the Worship Leader and Pastor, and how they can best lead a room in unity. To not only lead unified, but to stay unified amidst a service, requires trust and an ear tuned to the Lord. Take a listen to this full episode to learn more about how to follow the Lord’s nudges together, how to hear God amidst the noise in a room, and how to not let the pressures of man determine your next move. Enjoy!
I’d like...
Avenues of Worship, Through Visual Arts | Ft. Bill Catling & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Bill Catling and Taylor Cummings discuss how a plethora of visual arts, especially ceramics, are absolutely an avenue of worship. Bill Catling highlights how creating connects us to our Creator and to our humanity. He also points out how the process of creating is within various parts of the Bible, including Genesis and Exodus with the building of the Tabernacle. Whether you create physically or digitally, or not at all, watch this video to understand the beauty of this style of worship!
Connect with Bill Catling: https://www.instagram.com...
Songs for the Church | Ft. Tommy Walker & Taylor Cummings
In this episode, Tommy Walker and Taylor Cummings discuss the topic of writing songs for the church. What makes a song congregational? How do songs make it to the global church? How do I get my pastor on board with my songs? This conversation addresses these questions that worship leaders and songwriters of today may have. Whether you’re a songwriter or not, we hope this leaves you encouraged, recognizing the power of songs being birthed within the local church!
Connect with Tommy Walker: https://www.instagram.com/tommywalkerministries/Â
To lea...
Avenues of Worship, Songwriting | Ft. David Gaulton from Jesus Use Me
In this episode, David Gaulton and Taylor Cummings discuss the topic of worship through the avenue of songwriting. This conversation explores the definition of worship, how to write worship songs, what makes a song categorized as personal vs. congregational worship, and more! David Gaulton encourages every songwriter out there, to finish the song and share their creative writing with the local church. Watch the whole video to understand the nitty gritty of how songwriting is worship, and how it can enhance your relationship with God as well as the churches!
Connect with David...
What is Worship? | Ft. Dr. Stephen Martin
In this episode, Dr. Stephen Martin and Taylor Cummings attempt to answer the question of “What is worship?” To do so, they look at several different biblical passages from the Old Testament to the New Testament. They discuss how worship goes beyond music, as well as the differences between individual and corporate worship. May this conversation help you fully orient yourself to God and define worship along the way!
Connect with Stephen Martin:
Email stephen.martin@betheluniversity.edu
To learn more about AWI, here’s our website:
apu.edu/arts/angeles-worship-initiative
Sign up to...
Avenues of Worship, Through Technology | Ft. Jonathan Lord
In this episode, Jonathan Lord and Taylor Cummings discuss the topic of worship through the avenue of technology. They first define worship, and explore how to use technology in our digital age to glorify God amidst our weekend church services, mid-week communications, and even beyond the sanctuary! As technology allows for a greater scale of communication, this allows for a greater impact in God’s kingdom. Watch the whole video to understand more of how technology can enhance worship and therefore draw us closer to God.Â
Connect with Jonathan Lord:Â @jlordmusic
To learn more abou...
