Workshops
Session A
3:30 to 4:20pm
THURS OCT 17 SCHEDULE
FRI OCT 18 SCHEDULE
Session B
4:30 to 5:20pm
THURS OCT 17 SCHEDULE
FRI OCT 18 SCHEDULE
Check out workshop descriptions beneath each schedule
Thursday Workshops, Session A (3:30-4:20pm)
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Advertising
Leader: Lenora Rand, Lyricist for The Many and Creative Director of SmallGood, Ltd.
The Paperless Singing Practices of Music that Makes Community
Leader: Conie Bochardt, Executive Director of Music That Makes Community
Leader: Mark Miller
The Great Big Nashville Cowrite
Leader: Andra Moran, Nashville Songwriter, Worship Leader, CMP Artist
Leaders: Christopher Grundy and Bryan Sirchio
Wisdom & Courage for a World Falling Apart / Q&A
Leader: Brian McLaren, author, speaker, activist and public theologian
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African American Gospel Songs Your Church Can Sing
included with Virtual Ticket!
Leader: Patrice Turner, Director of Worship & the Arts at Ebenezer Baptist Church
​
Leader: Self-led
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Leader: Self-guided
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Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Advertising?
Leader: Lenora Rand, Lyricist for The Many and Creative Director of SmallGood, Ltd.
For many progressive churches, the word advertising feels cringe-worthy—like selling out, competing, or worse, sounding inauthentic. But what if sharing your story boldly is actually one of the most faithful things you can do? You’ll explore why advertising matters now more than ever for progressive faith communities. And discover how to communicate your church’s radical welcome and justice-seeking spirit
without manipulation, gimmicks, or a megachurch budget.
You’ll leave with concrete strategies and a clearer sense of what makes your community unique, compelling, and needed. Most of all, you’ll walk away inspired to see advertising not as selling something, but as extending an invitation to the world: “We’re here. Whoever you are, you are not alone.”
Led by Lenora Rand, known to many of you as the lyricist for The Many, she’s also the creative director of SmallGood, Ltd. and has helped Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, churches, and mission-led organizations of all kinds with their branding and marketing for over 25 years.
Encouraging Connection, Empowering Leadership, and Liberating Expression: the Paperless Singing Practices of Music that Makes Community
Leader: Conie Bochardt, Executive Director of Music That Makes Community
Come and see practices of communal song leading that can be applied to all musical styles, bring your young and old together in worship and beyond, and empower leadership in your community. In this short session, we will sample an abundance of songs and leadership practices that make singing accessible for church bodies of all sizes and shapes: small and large, rural and urban, new and old. Singers of all backgrounds, ages, and experience levels are warmly welcomed to participate! Each person will leave with new music to share, as well as experiences of learning and teaching songs applicable to their context.
Music with Mark Miller
Leader: Mark Miller
Join Mark Miller for a workshop of conversation and music, including choral and congregational songs. Mark has been a lecturer in Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School and is a professor and Composer in Residence at Drew University. He is also the Minister of Music at Christ Church in Summit, NJ. Mark’s hymns and anthems are sung throughout the world, and published by Choristers Guild, Hal Leonard, Abingdon and more!
The Great Big Nashville Cowrite
Leader: Andra Moran, Nashville Songwriter, Worship Leader, CMP Artist
Andra Moran has been a working songwriter in Nashville for 30 years, and has cowritten in a variety of genres with hundreds of writers. Her songs appear on albums, in denominational hymnals and songbook collections and are regularly sung in congregations across the country. In this workshop, participants will learn the basic principles of musical co-writing, and will co-write a new song from scratch as a group with Andra in our time together. At the end of this workshop, participants will have something new to take home and sing!
The Movement Needs Your Songs: A Guide to Writing Songs for the Convergence Music Project
Leaders: Christopher Grundy & Bryan Sirchio
Join Mark Miller for a workshop of conversation and music, including choral and congregational songs. Mark has been a lecturer in Sacred Music at Yale Divinity School and is a professor and Composer in Residence at Drew University. He is also the Minister of Music at Christ Church in Summit, NJ. Mark’s hymns and anthems are sung throughout the world, and published by Choristers Guild, Hal Leonard, Abingdon and more!
Wisdom & Courage for a World Falling Apart : Q&A time
Leader: Brian McLaren, author, speaker, activist and public theologian
This is a chance to just hang out with best selling author, theologian and all around great guy Brian McLaren to share Q & A and conversation. We'll let the Spirit lead this time together in whatever direction it most needs to go.
African American Gospel Songs Your Church Can Sing!
Leader: Patrice Turner, Director of Worship & the Arts at Ebenezer Baptist Church
Come and join Min. Dr. Patrice E. Turner in a session of learning several African-American gospel songs that you can prayerfully use in your respective congregations! Bring your voice, a water bottle, and a recording device along with any questions you might have regarding technique, integration, authenticity, and so on.
Jam Sesh
Leader: Open Source
Open space to spontaneously make music with whoever shows up. This is self guided and obviously informal – Who knows what music might get made?
BYOI (Bring your own instrument!) Piano will be provided.
Self-guided
Need a bit of quiet recharging time? Would your inner introvert like to catch their breath? The Zen Den is simply a quiet room to get away from having to talk to other people. So, if you choose this as your workshop option, um… don’t talk to anyone else in the room. (Shhhhh!) :)
Thursday Workshops, Session B (4:30-5:20pm)
AI Can Write Songs, Sermons, Prayers…even...Workshop Titles. But Should It?
Leader: Lenora Rand, Lyricist for The Many and Creative Director of SmallGood, Ltd.
​
included with Virtual Ticket!
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Katie Hays & Steph Hord of Galileo Church, Dallas, TX
​
Staying Centered in the Spirit
Leader: Paula D’Arcy, Author, Retreat Leader, Conference Speaker​
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Leader: Christopher Grundy, CMP Artist & Professor of Worship,Eden Seminary​
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Leader: Ken Medema, Singer/Songwriter, worship Leader, Master Improviser
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Wisdom & Courage for a World Falling Apart / Q&A
Leader: Brian McLaren, author, speaker, activist and public theologian​
​
Introducing New Music to Your Congregation
Leader: Monty Jackson, Singer/Songwriter, CMP Artist, and Pastor
​
Leader: Bryan Sirchio, Singer/Songwriter, CMP’s Lead Designer
​
Leader: Self-led​
​
Leader: Self Guided​
AI Can Write Songs, Sermons, Prayers…even...Workshop Titles. But Should It?
Leader: Lenora Rand, Lyricist for The Many and Creative Director of SmallGood, Ltd.
Let’s be honest: AI is everywhere right now — in our newsfeeds, in our kids’ homework, maybe even finding its way into our sermons or songs. Some days it feels like a miracle, other days like a monster. In this workshop, we won’t pretend to have it all figured out (because who does?). Instead, we’ll sit together as pastors, worship leaders, and songwriters and ask the messy, holy questions: Can machines help us write a sermon without stealing someone else’s? If AI writes a song should we sing it in church? What about the toll on the planet? How do we honor creativity as a gift of the Spirit in a world where bots can spit out a prayer in seconds? Together, we’ll name our fears, our hopes, and sketch out some simple, honest guidelines for using AI faithfully — or deciding when not to. No easy answers, but plenty of room to wrestle with the scary (and possibly wonderful) implications together and maybe even chart a path forward. Led by Lenora Rand, lyricist and liturgy writer for The Many and branding/marketing creative director of SmallGood. Full disclosure, AI was used in the preparation for this workshop.
Theme Songs: Making Scripture Pop
Leaders: Rev. Dr. Katie Hays & Steph Hord of Galileo Church, Dallas, TX
Worship planning partners Katie (preacher) and Steph (musician) from Galileo Church in Fort Worth, Texas, use pop songs in worship to invite their congregation’s engagement with scripture. Following a Bible reading, a “theme song” for a featured character engages the hearers’ imaginations. Katie will explain the liturgical usefulness of familiar, “secular” songs. Steph will lead and accompany several examples from Galileo’s worship. Workshop participants will be invited to brainstorm theme songs for additional scriptures together.
Examples from Galileo’s practice:
— Mother Mary singing the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55: “She’s a Rebel” by Green Day
— Moses interceding with God for the Israelites’ foolish transgressions, Exodus 34: “Stuck in the Middle with You.”
— Jesus, casting out demon after demon in Mark’s opening chapters: Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”
And so many more!
Staying Centered in the Spirit
Leader: Paula D’Arcy, Author, Retreat Leader, Conference Speaker
Spend this workshop time with author and retreat leader Paula D’Arcy to experience more of her gift for helping us stay spiritually grounded and centered as we seek to find faithful ways to respond to life and to all that’s happening within us and around us at this moment in history.
Lift Every Voice: Building a Culture of Congregational Song
Leader: Christopher Grundy, CMP Artist & Professor of Worship,Eden Seminary
In this workshop we will discuss the barriers to congregational singing and talk about strategies for getting your congregation singing, including techniques for song leading and the role of clergy.
Mid Afternoon Exhale
Leader: Ken Medema, Singer/Songwriter, worship Leader, Master Improviser
Spend time renewing your soul through the power of music. Ken Medema is a national treasure whose music has uplifted generations of people. Come for a rare chance to sing, share and listen to Ken Medema in a small group setting. This time together will include live piano meditation for relaxation and inspiration.
Introducing New Music to Your Congregation
Leader: Monty Jackson, Singer/Songwriter, CMP Artist, and Pastor
Monty will share key things he has learned as a pastor, songwriter, musician, and worship leader when it comes to bringing new music into worship, developing a musical team, and helping a congregation sing new music with passion and freedom. Monty has particular experience with blending different styles and musical cultures across race and liturgical traditions.
CMP Song Share & Evaluation
Leader: Bryan Sirchio, Singer/Songwriter, CMP’s Lead Designer
This is an opportunity to share a song of yours with CMP Lead Designer Bryan Sirchio and CMP Core Team members. We will respond to your song as if you had submitted it for consideration to be included in the CMP Song Catalogue. Don’t worry about quality of performance. We will be listening to the song itself! If you prefer to bring a recording, be prepared and take responsibility for bringing the tech to play it. This will be encouraging and positive while also being honest, direct and practical. The purpose is to help each other grow as songwriters. This will also be an opportunity to meet other songwriters open to collaboration.
Friday Workshops, Session A (3:30-4:20pm)
Full Body Forward-How to Sing With Your Whole Self
included with Virtual Ticket!
Leader: Melanie DeMore, Singer/Songwriter, Music Director, Vocal Activist.
Singing as Truth-Telling: New Songs to Sing us Beyond the Doctrine of Discovery
Leader: Conie Bochardt, Executive Director of Music That Makes Community
​
The Great Big Nashville Cowrite
Leader: Andra Moran, Nashville Songwriter, Worship Leader, CMP Artist
Leader: Mark Miller
​​
Leader: Ken Medema, Singer/Songwriter, worship Leader, Master Improviser
​
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The Zen Den
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Full Body Forward – How To Sing With Your Whole Self
Leader: Melanie DeMore, Singer/Songwriter, Music Director, Vocal Activist.
3-time Grammy nominated musician Melanie DeMore leads this dynamic, joy-filled workshop in embodied singing—combining voice, movement, and spirit. You’ll learn songs from diverse traditions and discover how to bring more power, authenticity, and soul to your sound.
Singing as Truth-Telling: New Songs to Sing us Beyond the Doctrine of Discovery
Leader: Conie Bochardt, Executive Director of Music That Makes Community
In 2024, Music that Makes Community and the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery partnered together to release a collection of paperless songs for congregations and communities to sing and embody the work of repair and solidarity with Indigenous communities. In this workshop, we will share songs and stories from the paperless first volume of the Sacred Lands collection and invite songwriters to contribute to a second volume of strophic, long form congregational song to be released in the next couple of years.
Friday Workshops, Session B (4:30-5:20pm)
Holy Disruptions: Creative Worship Ideas for a Time Such as This
included with Virtual Ticket!
Leader: The Many, CMP Singer/Songwriters and Worship Leaders
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Leaders: Rev. Dr. Katie Hays & Steph Hord of Galileo Church, Dallas, TX
​
Leader: Christopher Grundy, CMP Artist & Professor of Worship, Eden Seminary​
​
African American Gospel Songs Your Church Can Sing
Leader: Patrice Turner, Director of Worship & the Arts at Ebenezer Baptist Church​​
​
Introducing New Music to Your Congregation
Leader: Monty Jackson, Singer/Songwriter, CMP Artist, and Pastor
​
Leader: Bryan Sirchio, Singer/Songwriter, CMP’s Lead Designer
​
​​
The Zen Den
​
Holy Disruptions: Creative Worship Ideas for a Time Such as This
Leader: The Many, CMP Singer/Songwriters and Worship Leaders
If you’re a pastor or worship leader – whew – it’s not an easy time to be doing what you do — especially if you’re in a church that cares about justice and LGBTQ+ inclusion, that’s anti-racist and pro-women, that supports immigrants, is committed to climate stewardship, and dares to say “all belong here,” and mean it.
It almost feels wrong to go on with worship as usual right now, when every day it seems, there’s another policy enacted that hurts those with the least amount of power in our country. It seems almost surreal to sing the same old songs and pray the same prayers and not say the thing that’s breaking our hearts into a thousand tiny pieces.It seems profane to go on worshipping without acknowledging the horrors the headlines throw in our faces every week. It seems obscene to pray with our eyes closed every Sunday, pretending that what’s happening in our country right now is not happening.
So, if you’ve been asking, “What can we do in worship that meets the moment — that speaks truth, stirs the soul, and strengthens people for the long haul?” we hear you. We’ve been asking the same thing.
And that’s what this workshop is all about.
Members of The Many will share our insights from planning liturgical gatherings for churches and conferences across the country, and pass along some specific ideas, ritual actions, and songs that you might want to try in your congregation. We’ll also provide tools for developing your own holy disruptions that break the spell of empire, help lessen uncertainty and hopelessness and reconnect us with our values, beliefs and hope. And most of all, that help us remember we are not alone.