Building a Responsive Worship Culture: How to Lead Engaged, Spirit-Led Gatherings

Worship isn’t meant to be a spectator event. It’s an invitation to respond to God’s presence with our whole hearts—whether through song, prayer, silence, or raised hands. But for many church leaders, cultivating a culture of responsive worship can feel like a challenge. How do we help people move from simply singing along to actively engaging with the Spirit?

In this episode of the Elevate Podcast, Wade Owens (Campus and Teaching Pastor, The Church at Nolensville) sits down with worship leaders Nic Gonzales (The Church at Avenue South) and Charley Lowry (The Church at Lockeland Springs) to explore practical ways to lead congregations into deeper engagement. From song selection and worship planning to the importance of unity with pastors and prayerful preparation, they share honest stories and strategies from their own ministries.

You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and encouragement to shepherd your people well, create space for the Spirit, and model authentic worship. Responsive worship isn’t about performance—it’s about participation. And when churches embrace it, Sunday gatherings become a powerful rhythm of formation and transformation.

Episode Guests

• Wade Owens – Campus and Teaching Pastor, The Church at Nolensville
• Nic Gonzales – Worship Minister, The Church at Avenue South
• Charley Lowry – Worship Minister, The Church at Lockeland Springs

Timestamps

• 00:00 – “Elevate Podcast: Engaged Worship Culture”
• 03:22 – The Joy of Worshipping Together
• 08:17 – Preparing Hearts Through Intentional Worship
• 09:50 – Creating Space for Worship Together
• 15:57 – Embrace Boldness, Overcome Insecurity
• 17:07 – Accountability and Fearless Faith
• 20:14 – The Power of Personal Worship
• 23:26 – Encouraging Engaged Church Worship
• 27:38 – “Discernment in VBS Leadership”
• 30:26 – Effective Song Selection Strategy
• 35:38 – “Worship Doesn’t Need Reinventing”
• 38:54 – “Spirit-Led Worship Planning”
• 42:06 – “Embrace Organization for Effective Worship”
• 43:11 – “Engaging Hearts Through Worship Strategy”
• 46:00 – Remembering Kairos Traditions

Resources Mentioned

• Genesis – Creation, worship as foundational in the Old Testament
• Old Testament “school of the prophets” – Cultivating sensitivity to the presence of God
• Great Commission – Biblical call to make disciples and lead others to Christ
• Elevate Church Conference – A one-day event to equip church teams
• Kairos – Young adult worship ministry referenced as an example of worship planning
• “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham – Noted as a significant worship song for congregations
• Planning Center – Mentioned as an organizational tool for worship planning
• Google Drive – Used for storing worship charts and resources