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WorshipFuel

WorshipFuel

WorshipFuel.com & Matt McCoy 217 Episodes Aug 12, 2026

This podcast features interviews and discussions with worship leaders, artists, songwriters, producers, and other influencers within the church worship community. Each episode explores the experiences, insights, and perspectives of those shaping contemporary worship music and ministry. Listeners can expect conversations about creativity, faith, and the practical aspects of leading worship.

Episodes

Ep. 203 - Worship Admin - Bad Systems Are Burning Out Worship Leaders ft. Teel Merrick
Ep. 203 - Worship Admin - Bad Systems Are Burning Out Worship Leaders ft. Teel Merrick Aug 12, 2026 00:42:55 Matt McCoy sits down with Teel Merrick, founder of Worship Admin, to talk about the systems behind a healthy worship ministry. Teel shares how scheduling, meetings, communication, set planning, and dozens of small administrative tasks can consume a worship leader’s week before Sunday even arrives. They unpack how better preparation can serve your volunteers, why planning doesn’t kill spontaneity,
Ep. 202 – Brett Younker – How to Stay Faithful When Ministry Gets Hard
Ep. 202 – Brett Younker – How to Stay Faithful When Ministry Gets Hard Jul 27, 2026 00:42:07 In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Passion’s Brett Younker for an honest conversation about what it takes to stay faithful through decades of ministry. Brett shares how disappointment, changing seasons, and getting older have reshaped his view of success, and why the goal isn’t staying relevant, it’s raising up the next generation. They... View Article The post Ep. 202 –
Ep. 201 – Sean Feucht – What Happens When You Take Worship Outside the Four Walls?
Ep. 201 – Sean Feucht – What Happens When You Take Worship Outside the Four Walls? Jul 9, 2026 00:25:14 In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Sean Feucht to talk about leading worship beyond the four walls of the church. From prisons and city streets to public parks and unexpected places, Sean shares why worship shouldn’t be confined to a stage inside a church building.  The post Ep. 201 – Sean Feucht – What Happens When You Take Worship Outside the Four Walls? first appeared on WorshipFu
Ep. 200 – Johnny B Burkhalter – Your Identity Is Not Your Ministry
Ep. 200 – Johnny B Burkhalter – Your Identity Is Not Your Ministry Jun 18, 2026 00:47:55 In this new episode, Johnny Burkhalter shares a needed challenge to all of us about rediscovering worship as something much bigger than music, Sunday services, or what happens on a platform. Hear how worship leaders can find their identity beyond their role, lead from authenticity instead of performance, and remember that before we lead worship,... View Article The post Ep. 200 – Johnny B Burkhalt
Ep. 199 – Paul Mabury & John Hartley – What Today’s Worship Leaders Are Missing
Ep. 199 – Paul Mabury & John Hartley – What Today’s Worship Leaders Are Missing Jun 4, 2026 00:47:12 In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Paul Mabury and John Hartley to talk about House of Worship, a collaborative project bringing together some of the most influential voices in modern worship music. They unpack why these older worship songs still resonate so deeply, what’s been lost in modern worship culture, and why mentorship... View Article The post Ep. 199 – Paul Mabury & John Hartley
Ep. 198 – Erik Gaylo – Worship Pastors Need Community, Not Just Creativity
Ep. 198 – Erik Gaylo – Worship Pastors Need Community, Not Just Creativity May 21, 2026 00:48:07 In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with worship leader and Table Songs founder Erik Gaylo for an honest conversation about identity, collaboration, creativity, and the hidden isolation many worship leaders experience. Erik shares how God used burnout, disappointment, and COVID to reshape his understanding of ministry and launch a movement centered around community instead... View Article The po
Ep. 197 – Michael W. Smith – Giving Communion the Attention It Deserves
Ep. 197 – Michael W. Smith – Giving Communion the Attention It Deserves May 14, 2026 00:24:53 In this episode, Matt McCoy sits down with Michael W. Smith to talk about the heart behind communion and why it deserves more attention in our services. Michael shares the story behind his new song “Hymn for Communion” and why there aren’t enough songs written for this part of the service. This conversation is packed... View Article The post Ep. 197 – Michael W. Smith – Giving Communion the Attent
Ep. 196 – Red Rocks Worship – Why Your Church Isn’t Singing New Songs
Ep. 196 – Red Rocks Worship – Why Your Church Isn’t Singing New Songs Apr 22, 2026 00:44:07 Matt sits down with Tyler and Kendra from Red Rocks Worship to get super real about introducing new songs in church. They talk through what actually works, what totally flops, and how to tell the difference in the moment. From picking the right songs to setting them up in a way people actually connect with,... View Article The post Ep. 196 – Red Rocks Worship – Why Your Church Isn’t Singing New So
Ep. 195 – Alexander Pappas – How Hillsong Young & Free Rewrote the Sound of Worship Music
Ep. 195 – Alexander Pappas – How Hillsong Young & Free Rewrote the Sound of Worship Music Apr 21, 2026 00:48:31 In this episode, Matt sits down with Alexander Pappas to talk about the origin story behind Young & Free and the massive impact of “Alive.” Alexander shares how a simple youth night moment sparked a movement, and how technology and timing shaped a new worship sound. He also unpacks his new project Sunday, why he... View Article The post Ep. 195 – Alexander Pappas – How Hillsong Young & Free Re
Ep. 194 – Wade Joye – The Dream You Prayed For Might Not Be Yours
Ep. 194 – Wade Joye – The Dream You Prayed For Might Not Be Yours Apr 21, 2026 00:44:11 Matt sits down with Wade Joye, former worship pastor at Elevation Church, for a vulnerable conversation about unfulfilled dreams, identity, and the pressure worship leaders feel to chase visibility and success. Wade shares his journey from being a founding member of Elevation Worship to stepping into a behind-the-scenes pastoral role, and how surrender became the... View Article The post Ep. 194 –
Ep. 193 – Canaan Baca – How to Build a Worship Team That Actually Feels Like Family
Ep. 193 – Canaan Baca – How to Build a Worship Team That Actually Feels Like Family Apr 20, 2026 00:32:07 Matt McCoy sits down with Canaan Baca, Enterprise Worship Pastor at New Life Church, to talk about discipling worship teams beyond just musicianship. They dive into why midweek rehearsals still matter, how shared meals shape team culture, and the tension between paid musicians and spiritual ownership. Canaan shares practical rhythms his church uses to develop... View Article The post Ep. 193 – Can
Ep. 192 – Bella Taylor Smith – Crafting Worship Sets, Pastoring Teams, and Serving the Local Church
Ep. 192 – Bella Taylor Smith – Crafting Worship Sets, Pastoring Teams, and Serving the Local Church Mar 12, 2026 00:28:48  In this episode, Matt sits down with Bella Taylor Smith to talk about crafting worship sets for the local church and releasing her new project, For The House. Bella shares how she approaches worship planning with intention, why knowing your congregation matters, and how choosing songs can pastor people, not just fill a set list.... View Article The post Ep. 192 – Bella Taylor Smith – Crafting Wor

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