Anatomy of my worship rig
MultiTracks.com is one of the best resources on the internet today for worship leaders. They offer the original master recordings of worship songs, from the original artists, for the purposes of building live backing tracks for bands and worship leaders. Playback is their subscription-based iOS app, and it is one of the most powerful apps for worship leaders to use in live settings today (and it continually gets better with regular updates!).
This is probably the most important practical advice I could give on how to run a “modern” worship service. The gear and complexity can scale can change, but the concepts do not. I have used these concepts, from Sunday mornings, to events “on the road,” to even in prison ministry (where gear availability is very limited due to security). The concepts are:
BRAIN: Apple iPad Pro (or other computer, preferably a Mac)
APP: Playback for iOS (or other DAWs like Ableton Live or Apple’s MainStage)
CONNECTION: iConnectivity iConnectAUDIO4+ (or other audio interface)
LIFELINE: Wireless IEM setup (or an inexpensive headphone amp)
The “brain” (and your “app” of choice) runs the service, from providing the click that keeps the worship team together, to opening the door to things like slide and lighting automation. Any DAW audio software will work for this, even an iPhone, iPod or CD player. The “connection” is what puts sound (the recorded elements of your tracks, like guitars or pads) into a sound system. It is always a good idea to get as many connections as you can, to give the sound engineer the most control possible. And the “lifeline,” whatever one can afford, allows everyone to hear the click (floor monitor wedges are terrible for many reasons, and you DON’T want the audience/congregation to hear the click!).
Other helpful Resources & Links
Loop Community is another great resource for worship leaders, and is probably the second-best site for multitracks on the internet. They differ a bit from MultiTracks.com, in that they offer tracks made mainly by either their in-house band, or by other worship leaders. Quality can vary, but they also offer their own free app (PRIME) that works very similarly to Playback. They also offer gear specific for worship leaders who want to start running tracks.
Will Doggett, formerly of MultiTracks.com, is probably the one person I have learned the most from (and I have never even met him, personally!). His website, From Studio To Stage, is THE BEST place to learn virtually all of the concepts I use in my worship rig. Will is a certified Ableton Live Trainer, and that is the basis of his setup. The site offers full online courses to learn everything from running tracks, to automating lights and slides with tracks, to even incorporating live keyboards into your worship rig. There is no better source to learn from, period!
Churchfront is a great resource, both from their website and on YouTube. Much like Will Doggett, Jake Gosselin and his team offer great advice, tutorials, and gear reviews for the broadest of areas in modern worship ministries. They were of particularly great help during the COVID-19 lockdown, as they provided guidance on how to transition a church to live streaming.
Reading List
I am not a voracious reader, but I have come across a number of books that have shaped my outlook on life, ministry, and of course, worship. This collection could probably be a little bigger, ranging from authors like David Platt, Francis Chan, and Louie Giglio. It could also include more books that I read during seminary, but this is a great sampling to start with!
Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness of God
by Bob Kauflin
This is the most important book I have ever read as a worship leader, as it covers virtually everything one needs to consider about leading worship.
The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the Role of Worship Leader
by Mark Pierson
This book considers the implications of intersecting worship with creativity and culture. While I may not agree with every aspect of the author’s theology, this shows the importance of bringing CONTEXT to your worship setting.
SImply Jesus: A New VIsion Of Who He Was, What He Did, And Why He Matters
by N. T. Wright
I love studying the issues surrounding "the historical Jesus," but the topic can quickly become dense and daunting. Wright's book avoids this, while still remaining powerful and informative.
The Tangible Kingdom: Creating Incarnational Community
by Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
Although this book doesn't reveal anything "groundbreaking" to those in ministry, it asks tough questions and gives great analysis of how the church should respond to today’s culture.
Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist
by John Piper
God is most glorified in us only when we are totally satisfied in Him. This is worship in its truest sense. An early classic for me, along with the likes of Louie Giglio and Francis Chan.
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
by Donald Miller
Some may consider this book slightly controversial, but it properly illustrates the interactions (positive and negative) that Christianity has with modern culture.