Episode 98: Building Relationships through Songwriting

Standing in the Armor of God: Witnessing the Battle

In this episode of The Overflow Worship Podcast, Andrea Olson welcomes Stephen Duncan, the president of The Worship Coalition (TheWorshipCoalition.org), for a powerful conversation about equipping worship leaders and songwriters for ministry. Stephen shares the inspiring journey behind The Worship Coalition and the vision God has placed on his heart: to raise up an army of worshipers who shake nations through unity and songwriting.

Stephen highlights an important truth from Scripture, “To stand and be witness to the One who wins the war… God wants you to have this armor on, and He doesn’t want you to fight—He wants you to witness the war and see how He wins it.”This episode is packed with encouragement for worship leaders feeling overwhelmed and reminders of God's strength in the battles we face.

The Story Behind The Worship Coalition

The Worship Coalition started as a way to carry on the legacy of Stephen's mentor, Cindy Wilt Colville, a beloved figure in the Christian songwriting community. After her passing, Stephen took up the mantle to disciple worship songwriters and bring churches together in unified worship. Today, The Worship Coalition offers coaching, training, and three-day songwriting intensives to equip worship leaders and songwriters to create music that reflects God's heart.

Stephen’s work centers around songwriting as a tool to unify churches under the banner of Christ. “Songwriting is like a ninja approach,” Stephen explains. “It brings people from different backgrounds together, and instead of compromising, they agree in truth and spirit.” One of the Coalition’s recent projects in Bozeman, Montana, resulted in 60 songs written over a weekend, seven of which became part of a live worship service. That powerful unity led to pastors reconciling and a community coming together.

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The Power of Unity in Worship

Stephen’s passion for unity among churches is evident in his storytelling. “It’s not that churches are intentionally divisive, but we often focus inwardly, losing sight of the greater body of believers,” he explains. The songwriting retreats hosted by The Worship Coalition provide a unique opportunity for churches to come together, share a common vision, and lead worship as one.

The power of community worship became evident during the Montana retreat, where pastors publicly repented, asking for forgiveness for holding offenses against other churches. Stephen describes this moment as a reflection of true unity in Christ, where believers from various backgrounds and denominations came together to sing one unified “yes” to God. “Ministry can be hard, but we need each other,” Stephen adds.

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Equipping Worship Songwriters with “A Living Hallelujah”

One of the newest resources from The Worship Coalition is the 30-day devotional, A Living Hallelujah, specifically designed to inspire songwriters and worship leaders. Released in October 2022, the first part of the series, titled Inhale, provides daily spiritual encouragement alongside practical songwriting prompts.

Stephen describes the need for the devotional, explaining how it fills a gap for creatives seeking both spiritual and practical guidance. “I couldn’t find a resource that took a spiritual concept and made it practical for creativity,” Stephen says. Each day of the devotional includes scripture, a reflection, a prayer, and creative prompts designed to help songwriters express spiritual truths through their music. The writing prompts encourage songwriters to engage with God’s truth while crafting songs that have the power to transform hearts.

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Standing Still in God’s Armor: A Message for Worship Leaders

In the podcast, Stephen also shares an impactful message about the importance of resting in God’s strength, drawn from Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God. He explains that while worship leaders often feel the pressure to fight every battle, God calls us to stand in His armor and witness His victory.

“God doesn’t call us to fight—He calls us to stand,” Stephen reminds listeners. The act of standing, shielded by faith, allows worship leaders to witness firsthand the glory of God’s victory in their lives and ministries. This message speaks deeply to worship leaders and songwriters who may feel burnt out or overwhelmed, especially after the challenges of recent years.

Stephen emphasizes that the spiritual warfare worship leaders face is part of standing for the Kingdom, but it’s God who ultimately wins the battle. He encourages leaders to disciple their teams and stand united at the front lines, trusting that God will bring the victory.

Encouragement for Worship Leaders and Songwriters

As Stephen Duncan shares, The Worship Coalition is about more than songwriting—it’s about building unity, fostering spiritual growth, and standing strong in God’s victory. Through retreats, coaching, and resources like A Living Hallelujah, Stephen and his team are equipping worship leaders to thrive both spiritually and creatively.

Stephen leaves listeners with a final encouragement: “Be a witness to God’s victory. Stand, be still, and let Him show you how He wins the war.” For worship leaders and songwriters looking to grow in their calling, The Worship Coalition offers invaluable resources and community.

Where to Find The Worship Coalition:

• Website: TheWorshipCoalition.org
• Listen to music from the Bozeman project on Spotify and YouTube

For more Overflow Worship resources: www.overflowworship.com

Watch the Podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/@overflowworshipofficial

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