Episode 104: How to Create and Maintain a Healthy Team Culture

In this episode of the Overflow Worship Podcast, Andrea Olson welcomes Brett Perkins, Worship Pastor at Journey Church and leader of Journey Worship Co. Together, they dive into Brett’s journey of establishing Journey Worship Co., the impact of songwriting on the church, and the importance of fostering leadership through intentional worship ministry. Brett shares insights on team-building, the power of writing songs for the church, and developing a strong worship culture that uplifts and empowers others.

How to Cultivate Strong Leadership in Worship Ministry

Worship leaders hold a unique role in shaping the spiritual atmosphere of a church. Brett emphasizes the profound effect songwriting and worship leadership can have on both a congregation and a worship team. Reflecting on how his team has grown spiritually through songwriting, Brett shares how intentionally investing in his team has strengthened their ability to lead the congregation.

“Their faith is growing, their understanding and their ability to articulate the things of God was growing. And it was directly impacting the leadership of our church, because our team is the ones leading our people each week.”

By bringing pastors into songwriting sessions, Brett’s team received mentorship directly from church leaders. This created an opportunity for spiritual growth and biblical grounding, which Brett describes as "discipleship in real-time."

The Origins of Journey Worship Co.

Brett shares how Journey Worship Co. started as a way to write songs that would deeply serve the needs of his local church. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Brett recognized that worship music often sacrificed theological clarity for creativity. In response, his team committed to writing theologically sound songs that spoke truth into their congregation's lives.

“We wanted to write theologically rich songs to serve our people… There was a gap that became a need for us, and a need seen became an assignment given.”

From this foundation, Journey Worship Co. was born. The collective was formed with the intention of writing songs that were not just creative, but deeply rooted in biblical truth. Brett's team has since embraced their mission, writing, producing, and sharing songs that resonate within and beyond their church walls.

Effective Strategies for Building Team Unity and a Thriving Culture

Brett stresses the importance of building a healthy and unified worship team culture. This didn’t happen overnight for Journey Worship Co.; it took intentional leadership, addressing conflict early, and creating space for team bonding. Brett’s leadership approach was rooted in clear communication, trust, and a strong focus on creating a culture of celebration within the team.

"You have to be willing to address conflict and potential conflict. Addressing issues before they’re issues, so they don’t become issues, is key.”

Brett encourages worship leaders to focus on building unity by celebrating wins together, whether it’s through songwriting, leading worship, or even team-building activities outside of church. He explains that by spending time together and tackling challenges as a group, a stronger bond is created, leading to a thriving and supportive team.

Intentionality in Songwriting and Leadership

Songwriting plays a crucial role in Journey Worship Co.’s ministry. Brett describes how involving team members in the creative process has helped build relationships and empower leaders within the church. By identifying each team member’s strengths—whether it's content creation, melody development, or arrangement—Brett has fostered an atmosphere of collaboration where each person can thrive in their gifts.

“I felt like my job was kind of like a GM of a baseball team… I was just trying to find who was gifted at what, celebrate that, and encourage them in it.”

Brett's intentionality extends beyond songwriting; he also invests in team nights, where the team gathers to laugh, play games, eat, and study the Bible together. These moments of fellowship help build trust and deepen relationships, leading to a worship team that is more than just musicians—it becomes a family.

Encouragement for Worship Leaders: Love and Lead Well

Brett offers valuable advice for worship leaders who may be struggling to build a strong team culture or are new to leadership. His key message is to lead with love and focus on relationships. He emphasizes that leaders must have "thick skin and a soft heart," being open to constructive feedback while maintaining their identity in Christ.

"Know that your approval is not something you work for, it’s something you work from. If you’re in Christ, you already have right standing with the Father.”

Brett encourages leaders to pursue their team members, engage with them outside of rehearsals, and accomplish tasks together. Whether it’s through songwriting, serving the community, or building something tangible, these shared experiences create lasting bonds and foster unity.

Leading with Purpose

Journey Worship Co. is a powerful example of how intentional leadership and a focus on spiritual growth can shape a church’s worship ministry. Through songwriting, discipleship, and team-building, Brett Perkins and his team have created a worship culture that serves their congregation while staying grounded in truth.

To discover more about Journey Worship Co. and their latest music, check out their recent album Volume 2, available on all streaming platforms. Stay tuned for their upcoming Christmas record, which promises to bring a fresh, gospel-centered approach to holiday worship.

For more Overflow Worship resources: www.overflowworship.com

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Listen to the Podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/overflow-worship-podcast/id1461518398