Godly Whistleblower with Mackenzie Morgan
Music artist and worship leader Mackenzie Morgan examines popular teachings and music in the church, contrasting them with biblical instructions for worship in spirit and truth. The podcast offers a lighthearted yet honest perspective on how Christians should live lives pleasing to God.
Episodes
Worship Leader Reviews "Hard Fought Hallelujah" by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll
What should our perception be about songs like "Hard Fought Hallelujah" by Brandon Lake and Jelly Roll? Is there anything lyrically we should be looking out for? Should we sing these types of songs in church? Mackenzie Morgan deep dives into the song and background behind it as well as how 'American Christianity' is running rampant in the church and society today. Hi, I'm Mac
Worship Artists / Bands Tier List (from a worship leader) | Ep 46
Mackenzie Morgan ranks some of the most popular and current contemporary Christian worship artists/bands with the famous internet "tier list". With S (Supreme/Superior) being the highest rank and F being the lowest, Mackenzie gives her reasons for why she places each artist/band where she does with personal, liturgical, and theological reasons - all while having fun in the process. Hi, I
The Truth About Bethel Redding and Shawn Bolz | Ep 45
In this episode, we cover the timeline and events of the recent Shawn Bolz and Bethel Redding scandal while also digging into the deeper root of the issue. There have been many Evangelical scandals over the years, but this particular one shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. What is it that makes Bethel Redding and its leaders so strange and scandalous? Why do they still get support from their congre
Worship Leader Evaluates Lyrics of "Trust In God" By Elevation | Ep 44
“Trust In God” is a popular worship song written by Elevation Worship that is commonly used in contemporary churches today. The song is a rewritten version of the classic hymn “Blessed Assurance” penned by Fanny Crosby in 1873. Mackenzie breaks down the lyrics of "Trust In God", comparing the lines with Scripture as well as the original hymn to evaluate which song is objectively better.H
The Toxic Worship of the Public Education System
Do Christians today have an unhealthy view of the public education system? What is the *actual* history of this system, and are we doing the next generation harm by our turning a blind eye to the serious issues that come with it? Are we smarter than the system or is the system playing us? In this episode, Mackenzie explores the history, purpose, and design of the public education system and what i
Bethel EXPOSED: God's Sovereignty & the Passion Translation | Guests: Holly Pivec & Doug Geivett
Holly Pivec and Doug Geivett join Mackenzie on this episode of our 'Rediscover Bethel' series where we evaluate the teachings of Bill Johnson from Bethel Redding Church in their videos attempting to clarify their theological beliefs. We get into the topic of the Sovereignty of God and Bill's support and usage of the infamous Passion translation and the damaging effects and origins of it.
Hi, I'
Worship Leader Reviews Lyrics of "So Will I" by Hillsong United | Ep 41
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” is a popular worship song written by Hillsong United that has received a lot of recognition over the years from people who love the song and also people who choose not to sing it for different reasons based on the lyrics. Mackenzie breaks down the lyrics of this song, comparing the lines with Scripture and addressing some concerns people have pointed out with its lyrics
The Shocking Truth About Christian Worship Music and New Age | Ep 40
Today's modern worship music has been greatly influenced and modeled after the New Age. In this episode, Mackenzie dives into the history of New Age and the specific people who made this more than just a 'coincidence.' Why is this important and why does this matter when pertaining to the music we worship God to on Sunday mornings?
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship leader, wife, mom
Trusting God In The Midst Of Suffering | Ep 39
This week’s episode is simple, but I pray it will be an encouragement to you. As we go through our lives, we will encounter various trials, and it’s important that in our suffering we learn how to suffer well. And it’s also vital that we learn how we are to worship God in the midst of our suffering. How are we to view suffering? I hope this episode that be an encouragement to you in whatever seaso
Deconstructing from the Word of Faith Movement | Ep 38
The Word of Faith movement is a movement that relies on bad theology and biblical illiteracy. Many people today grow up in this movement and not nearly enough see the light regarding its unbiblical teachings. Mackenzie shares her journey growing up in the Word of Faith movement and how she deconstructed out of it, finding biblical truth through God and Scripture alone.
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a m
How To Stand For Biblical Truth As A Christian | Ep 37
Standing for biblical truth as a Christian can be faced with a lot of scrutiny and criticism from the world. Going against the grain on controversial but important issues can alienate us from our friends, our family, even those we love and trust the most. In this episode, Mackenzie shares a message of encouragement and hope to those who may feel they’re standing alone and practical things we can d
Emotional Manipulation In The Modern Church | Ep 36
There can be a lot of emotional manipulation happening in the modern church today. What should our perception be about the types of methods and practices used in the church today that could be doing more harm than good? While it isn’t usually intentional, how do we respond to this problem? Does Scripture offer a solution?
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship leader, wife, mom (I wear a l
How Do You Validate Miracles? Can We Mishear God? Rediscover Bethel 4 | Guest: D.L Holloway
This week, D.L is joining the podcast again to continue the discussion on Bethel's 'Rediscover Bethel' episode 1. We discuss how we are to validate and view miracles according to Scripture as well as Bill Johnson's views on miracles. We also get into the question: can we mishear God?
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship leader, wife, mom (I wear a lot of hats), and host of the Godly W
“Jesus is my boyfriend” worship songs are weird and gross | Ep 34
There is a popular trend in modern worship music today that needs to end. And that is the genre: “Jesus is my boyfriend” worship songs. You may have heard some of these songs before; songs full of allegorical, romanticized, poetic lyrics that sound more similar to a love song you would sing to your boyfriend. But we’re singing these songs to the God of the universe? Mackenzie dissects some example
My Thoughts On The Passion 2025 Conference | Ep 33
Hi, friends! In the first episode of the year, we're talking about the annual Passion conference. What even is this event and what happens at Passion? Is an actual move of God happening or is it just 'a show'? What can be learned from Passion and youth conferences in general? Should we be concerned over different teachers\worship leaders that are apart of Passion? Where is the line drawn between r
Maverick City Music Writes Weird Rendition of Mary Did You Know | Ep 32
Mackenzie reviews the lyrics of the beloved Christmas song “Mary Did You Know” as well as Maverick City Music’s interesting version of the song. Are the original lyrics problematic? Did Mary really know?? How should we view this sentimental Christmas ballad?
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship leader, wife, mom (I wear a lot of hats), and host of the Godly Whistleblower podcast. I see
What Bethel Teaches About Prayer | Rediscover Bethel 3 | Ep 31
Mackenzie is joined by D.L. Holloway to talk about Bethel Church and Bill Johnson's beliefs on prayer and healing from the Rediscover Bethel series. In this third episode of the series, Mackenzie and D.L. go over material presented directly by Bill Johnson and Dann Farrelly for their beliefs on how God works through prayer and His nature of healing.
Show Notes:
Rediscover Bethel Episode 1: http
Can Women Be Worship Leaders? | Ep 30
What does Scripture teach about women in ministry? Should women be worship leaders? What is the definition of a ‘worship leader’ so we can know if a woman should even be fulfilling this role or not? Mackenzie tackles this controversial question along with the topic of men and women’s roles in general according to Scripture’s teachings.
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship leader, wife,
Working For Televangelists Jim And Tammy Faye Bakker At PTL Heritage USA | Guest: Allen Gifford | Ep 29
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were pioneers of the Word of Faith/Prosperity Gospel movement in the 70's and 80's. They were televangelists who started their own broadcast network PTL (Praise The Lord) and even created a theme park and water park called Heritage USA. This week's guest is my step uncle - Allen Gifford who worked at PTL in Heritage USA and who's father was a personal security guard for J
Worship Leader Reviews Lyrics Of “I Speak Jesus” By Charity Gayle (Here Be Lions) | Ep 28
This week's episode is a lyric review of the song "I Speak Jesus" by Here Be Lions, also sung by Charity Gayle. Do the lyrics of this song actually glorify God or ourselves? Is this a song we should be offering as worship to God? Mackenzie dissects the lyrics of the song as well as comparing the theme of the song with Scripture and different New Age beliefs.
Show Notes:
Hope UC Nashville Belief
Does God Still Speak To Us? | Ep 27
Inspired by a prior episode, this week’s episode will be focusing on if God is still audibly speaking to people today. What are the implications of this belief? Is God now silent? What does Scripture have to say about prophecy, and what would happen when God actually spoke in Biblical times? Mackenzie gets into all these questions and more, talking about her background growing up in church and the
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, Kirk Franklin Collab On Explicit Rap Album? Worship Leader Reviews GloRilla Song “Rain Down On Me” ft. Maverick City Music | Ep 26
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore, and Kirk Franklin are making headlines for collaborating on a new song with rap artist GloRilla on her debut album that also features artists such as Megan Thee Stallion and Sexyy Red. Mackenzie reviews the lyrics of the song as well as how we as Christians are to be salt and light in the world and what it truly means to be set apart from the world like Christ
Should Christians Listen To Secular Music? A Worship Leader's Perspective | Ep 25
Christians are called to be set apart from the world. Does that mean they shouldn't listen to any secular music? What about other art forms? Other businesses? Where are Christians supposed to know where to draw the line? Mackenzie tackles this question by diving into what Scripture teaches on how we are to live our lives as Christians to still be in the world - but not of it.
Show Notes:
Macken
Worship Leader Evaluates Lyrics Of Song "Goodness Of God" By Bethel Music | Ep 24
Mackenzie dives into another Bethel song in this episode. This time, she's evaluating the lyrics of "Goodness Of God." Very few avid church goers will not recognize this hugely popular song, as it is one of the biggest worship songs over the past 10 years. How do Bethel's lyrics compare to Scripture? Do the lyrics pass the biblical sniff test? Is that enough?
Show Notes:
Jenn Johnson Full Sermo
My Experience Dealing With Church Hurt | A Worship Leader's Perspective | Ep 23
Have you ever experienced 'church hurt'? Have you ever been a part of or worked at a church where politics ran rampant? Mackenzie opens up and shares her experience dealing with church hurt and some of her stories from working for a church. This raw, vulnerable conversation is one a lot of people can relate to if they've been apart of a church and served for a period of time. The goal of this conv
Reviewing Rediscover Bethel Series Ep 1 (Part 2) Guest: D.L. Holloway | Prophecy, Miracles, & Healing | Ep 22
We're back with my husband, Dakota (D.L.) Holloway to discuss more of the Rediscover Bethel series episode 1. In this episode, we cover Bill Johnson and Dann Farrelly's thoughts on how miracles can be 'imperfect' and the pressure put on believers to experience and perform miracles as an everyday occurence in the Christian life. How are we to understand and interpret miracles in the Bible? What are
Should We Sing Worship Music Written By False Teachers? | Ep 21
If a song is biblical or if it passes the theological sniff test, should we sing it in church? What if the song is written by a church or organization that teaches false teachings and is a false teacher? Do we sing it anyway? What does Scripture have to say about this issue? Is it a fallacy? Mackenzie dives into this controversial topic, addressing the issue of where our worship songs are coming f
Why The Song ‘Raise A Hallelujah’ Is Not A Worship Song | Ep 20
Due to the response of a previous episode (ep 15) where Mackenzie evaluated the lyrics of the song “Raise A Hallelujah” by Bethel Music, Mackenzie is following that up by responding to the most popular questions received on YouTube. This particular subject seemed to have struck a nerve, so in this episode Mackenzie dives into answering listener’s questions using Scripture and providing perspective
Alternative Worship Music To Listen To That Isn’t Hillsong, Bethel, or Elevation | Ep 19
Are you tired of only hearing about what music you 'shouldn't listen to' and are left wondering what music is left? Are you looking for different worship music and artists to add to your playlist instead of supporting churches such as Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation? In this episode, Mackenzie gives a list of some of her personal recommendations for alternative worship/Christian music to listen to
Reviewing Rediscover Bethel Series Episode 1 (Part 1) Guest: D.L. Holloway | Ep 18
I’m joined in this episode by a very special guest…my husband! D.L. Holloway is gracing the podcast with his commentary, and we are both discussing the series of videos from Bethel Church ‘Rediscover Bethel’ where they address certain controversies and allegations that they've been a part of over the years due to their teachings and actions. We are tackling episode 1 of that series in this episode
Worship Leader Reviews New Elevation Album And Sovereign Grace Music Album | Ep 17
In this episode, Mackenzie reviews the new Elevation Worship album ‘When Wind Meets Fire’, going into the background of why the album was made, the inspiration, and some of the lyrics of a few of the songs from the record. She also talks about the new Sovereign Grace album that recently came out ‘Knowing God’ and compares some of the lyrics of the songs to songs from Elevation’s record. By breakin
My Story As A Christian In The Music Industry And As A Worship Leader | Ep 16
Hi, it’s me Mackenzie. This episode is all about my story and life as a Christian growing up in the music industry, some of my journey as a worship leader, and my overall walk and relationship with the Lord. I wanted to open up and allow my listeners to get to know me a little more personally and share parts of my life that a lot of people may not know much about - if at all. So grab a cup of coff
Worship Leader Evaluates Lyrics Of Song "Raise A Hallelujah" By Bethel Music | Ep 15
The popular worship song “Raise A Hallelujah” by Bethel Music is one that is sung across thousands of churches all over the globe. What is the overall message and context of this song? So often in church today, it's so easy to mindlessly be singing whatever lyrics are on the screen during the music part of the worship service. But do we ever stop to read and ask ourselves what exactly the lyrics o
How To Talk To Your Pastor About Singing Music From False Teachers | Guest: Pastor David Henneke | Ep 14
One of the most asked questions I've seen in recent years is: how to talk with your pastor about the use of music in the church written by false teachers such as Bethel, Hillsong, or Elevation. It can be hard or intimidating to some to approach their leadership about controversial issues such as pertaining to the music part of the worship service. For this episode, I am joined by Pastor David Henn
Should We Sing Hymns Written By Heretics? | Ep 13
How do we approach the issue of singing and offering hymns as worship to God that were written by men who were heretics? Do we sing them anyway? Does Scripture even teach on this? How can we be sure our music glorifies God and is safe for the body? In this episode, Mackenzie dives into the origins and backgrounds of two different hymn writers who had some very questionable beliefs and teachings as
Why Do Christians Today Suck At Making Good Art? Guests: Jason Farley & Marcus Pittman | Ep 12
Christians in the past used to own art. They were the forerunners of science, medicine, architecture, and all forms of media and art. What happened? Have Christians today forfeited art to the secular culture? Why does it seem like Christians have taken a backseat to the world to determine what is and isn't 'good art'? Guests Jason Farley and Marcus Pittman from LOOR share the literal behind the sc
What Is A Heresy? | Ep 11
So often today the word 'heresy' is thrown around at random, and over time it has lost its punch. Sometimes Christians are quick to call certain beliefs or people heretical when they don't meet the necessary qualifications to be so, and are slow to give the label to something that is actual heresy. In this episode, we explore the root meaning of the word 'heresy', different heresies that have been
Should Christians Listen To Rock Music? Guest: Cody Fields from Westminster Effects | Ep 10
Is rock music demonic? Can Christians listen to rock or heavy metal music in good conscience? How do we determine what music is 'okay' to listen to? Special guest Cody Fields from Westminster Effects shares some insight on what qualifications make music permissible and beneficial for the Christian listener. There can be a lot of misconceptions over this issue, but through the help of Scripture we
The Worship Of Sexuality and PRIDE | Ep 9
Every month of June in our culture today, we notice the world go into overdrive of its obsession of self and sexual perversions during "Pride Month". Is this sinful celebration just another form of self-worship? And if so, what does it result in? What does Scripture not only say about homosexuality, but also the way it identifies self-worship?
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist, worship lead
Worship Leader Evaluates Lyrics Of Song "Holy Spirit" By Jesus Culture | Ep 8
In this episode, we are evaluating and dissecting the lyrics of the popular worship song "Holy Spirit" by the worship band Jesus Culture. Mackenzie breaks down the lyrics of the song, digging into the theology behind the words and what the song is truly saying and teaching. In this new episode series, Mackenzie will choose a popular worship song and break down the lyrics line by line, assessing w
How To Recognize A False Teacher | Ep 7
False teachers are not a new problem we face today. They have been around since early church history. But how do we spot a false teacher? What are the attributes and red flags we can watch out for when we are discerning who are sound teachers? What do we do if we feel someone actually is a false teacher? How can we protect ourselves and others from them? In this episode, Mackenzie answers all thes
Dressing Modestly When Leading Worship In Church | Ep 6
Do you ever feel like it is a constant struggle figuring out what to wear to church on Sunday mornings when you are leading worship? Or even just as an attendee in the congregation? In this episode, Mackenzie shares some insight on how Scripture says we are to dress and present ourselves when coming to worship together during the Sunday gathering and in our personal lives. The 'modesty conversatio
The Deceptions of Bethel Church | Guest: Bart McCurdy | Ep 5
In this episode, I am joined by my friend Bart McCurdy to talk about the deceptions and dangerous false teachings from Bethel Church out of Redding, California. Bethel is a very popular mega church pastored by Bill Johnson, and over the years has come under fire in the public eye for their many different antics and outlandish behavior. Bart McCurdy shares a little bit about Bethel's history, stori
Should We Not Listen to Certain Worship Artists or Teachers Based On Their Associations? | Ep 4
Do you struggle with where to draw the line when listening to music or teachings from artists/teachers who are associated with questionable/dangerous sources? Is it 'death by association' if a music artist, band, or teacher is closely connected with a false teacher or church? How are we to know which artists are genuinely 'sound'? In this episode, Mackenzie shares how close is too close when it co
Do We Worship God or an Experience? The Expectation of Experience | Ep 3
Have you ever heard some common phrases like these in church? "Expect the Holy Spirit to move today!" or: "Are you ready to experience God in a big way?" So often in church we come into God's House seeking an *experience.* Experiences and encounters are heavily monetized by popular preachers, and if we don't have an 'experience' of our own, we're left wondering what we did wrong or why God isn't m
What Is The Heart Of Worship? | Ep 2
What should our posture of heart be when we sing and worship God? Have we lost sight of who we are when we are worshiping a holy God? Does the heart behind what we sing in worship really matter? Mackenzie shares what Scripture has to say about the heart, pointing out the inconsistencies of using the argument 'it's about the heart' to justify false teachers.
Hi, I'm Mackenzie. I'm a music artist
Worship Leader Goes Viral for Sharing Convictions About Worship Music | Ep 1
The Godly Whistleblower's true identity is Mackenzie Morgan. Mackenzie opens up the very first episode of the podcast by sharing the story of what events led to her wanting to start a podcast and her journey navigating a viral Facebook post made back in 2021 regarding her convictions singing certain worship music in the church. Mackenzie has over 10 years experience as a worship leader and is a mu
Godly Whistleblower Trailer
The Godly Whistleblower podcast will be diving into how we as Christians are to worship God as He has instructed in Scripture. There are many questions circulating around as to which worship music is appropriate for the church gathering. Mackenzie will be tackling these questions and many more as well as focusing on and discovering how we are to live our lives as a pleasing worship to God while so
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