Do you serve the Church in worship arts?
Vocational or volunteer, liturgical ministry forms us into a unique artist-family. We need each other. We need stimulating conversation, hearty laughter, shared burdens, a helping hand, and genuine encouragement. Come on in & pull up a chair. There's room at my table for you!
“If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ . . .
Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”
- Philippians 2, MSG
Worship Leader | Artist | Encourager
I've served the Church in worship ministry for over 30 years in volunteer and vocational roles while doing the other things that artists do, like performing, conducting, teaching, and various other "-ings." I'm passionate about spiritual formation through corporate worship, artistic excellence, and helping congregations embrace their unique voice in worship. I am energized by pouring into others in church worship ministry, equipping and encouraging them as they serve their local congregations.
When my youngest son reached high school, I went back to grad school. (Coffee shop study dates with your teenager? 10/10 recommend.) Along the way, his older brother got married, and I became a Grandma! Studying liturgical theology lit a fire in me. I'm now in the final stretch of a Doctor of Worship Studies, after which I intend to emblazen "Dr. Grandma" on a hoodie and wear it daily.
I love to lead worship, I love to teach, and I love to learn. I'd be honored if you'd join me in this conversation around our work in worship ministry.
Keep scrolling for more about my approach to worship ministry and a few words of recommendation.
Click the Contact tab to reach out or join my mailing list for an occasional note from me. This website and its resources are gradually being reactivated as I complete my doctoral journey and can focus here.
Spiritual Formation through Corporate Worship
Worship is not inert. Our gatherings are a locus of spiritual formation by God's design. I believe God invites planners and leaders to join him in discipling his covenant people through corporate worship, and this reality drives my approach to everything from planning to preparation to defining excellence to congregational participation to leadership development and beyond.
My doctoral research has focused on the formation that occurs uniquely through corporate worship, and a curriculum series designed to equip worship ministry personnel has grown from my studies. The first course, FOUNDATIONS, will be available in November, 2024.
I'm commited to artistic integrity, whether I'm working in the professional or the volunteer worlds. Across my career, from professional performance roles to coaching private community and collegiate students, to training church worship leaders, I've taught the pursuit of excellence is itself an act of worship. This philosophical approach is particularly important in church ministry settings, releasing artists to use their gifts for God's glory, regardless of skill level. Excellence in worship arts is evaluated by a different measure, and if we have given our time and effort in thoughtful preparation, the end result is enough. In fact it's more than enough --- it's an abundant, lavish, worshipful act. Our artistic offering is weighed on God's scales, and on those, we find Solomon's wealth and the widow's mite suspended in perfect balance.
Artistic Excellence
Congregational Voice
I believe in cultivating an inter-generational, unified voice in congregational worship. Part of this is curating a deliberate corporate repertoire of ancient and modern origin that is theologically grounded, experientially fresh, and situates us within the local, global, and eternal Church. Another part of this is creating space for the breadth of local congregations to be reflected in their worship leadership. There's incredible power in assembling leaders from within the congregation, diverse in age, race, gender, and circumstance, but unified as one body, one Church, one voice. This kind of unity brings corporate maturity, testifies the Gospel, and is a bold act of spiritual warfare as it pushes back against a pervasively individualastic culture.
Words of Recommedation
"Sally is a gifted and gracious follower of Jesus Christ, and that comes across clearly as she leads worship. Her clear focus is on drawing people to see and exalt the Triune God. She is a very talented musician with a heart for serving and building up the Body of Christ. As she leads worship, she connects vital theological truth with real-life response to the Lord in a personal, humble, heart-felt way."
Jeff Eenigenberg, Pastor of Worship Grace Church, Greenville, SC
"The passion and dedication Sally puts into leading worship pours out into the congregation."
Shannon Decker, congregant WPC, Dayton, TN
"Sally has a true gift for designing worship services that point to the glory of our Creator through song, liturgy, and congregational participation. She successfully leads various groups of volunteer musicians with poise, excellent organization and communication, and a spirit of cooperation while inspiring each to worship whole-heartedly. She is especially gifted in working with youth who are just learning what it means to make an offering to our Lord through music. I am particularly thankful for the influence she has had on my children!"
Cindy Horton, congregant WPC, Dayton, TN
"Sally is hard-working, organized, and dedicated to excellence. I've never had the pleasure of working with a leader of worship arts more competent and at the same time more gracious."
Justus Stout, President and CEO Renew the Arts, Atlanta, GA
"Sally is a joy to work alongside in worship leadership. She is not only competent musically, but spiritually sensitive as she plans and leads. Sally intentionally nourishes her own soul through Scripture and prayer, so that the work God is doing in her flows through her.”
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Nethercott, Chaplain The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship, Jacksonville, FL
"Sally is wonderfully welcoming of all abilities and age levels. She graciously works with beginners and amateurs, even though she herself is very professional."
Kristi Dyer, congregant WPC, Dayton, TN
