SA Worship Conference 2025: Whole-life worship

Dan Bate (Preston) reports on the third annual SA Worship Conference.

As the conference has developed, it has really been embraced as an opportunity to celebrate what God is doing across the territory with contemporary worship, as well as a time to unpack Scripture and seek what God has in store for The Salvation Army in this space. This year’s conference focused around listening, discerning and welcoming the Holy Spirit into our worship spaces.

Captain Callum McKenna (William Booth College) led the first session, which looked at The 4 Dimensions of Worship: Look Up – at God the Creator, Look Down – humble yourself before the throne, Press In – dig deeper into Scripture and seek, and Push Out – be inspired to action. Each dimension was then reflected in sung worship.

After lunch, the delegates were invited to attend a variety of seminars led by Salvationists. Topics included Spirit-led worship, using technology in worship services, facilitating and encouraging multicultural worshipping environments, and leading with presence over performance. These provided a wonderful opportunity not only to discuss our strengths and the barriers to allowing the Holy Spirit to move in our worship, but also to share experiences of how God works in each of our lives and how we can live as whole-life worshippers.

The evening session took on a more practical approach. Led by Dan Elson (Music and Creative Arts), the house band were asked to play through an unrehearsed song, ‘Praise the Lord Forever’ by Pat Barrett. Dan encouraged the delegates to shape the song through suggestions and discussions – the focus was not on individual technique but on how the band could work together to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

We then discussed some practical scenarios that frequently occur and how we might overcome them. For example, what to do if the sound system stops working or how to play a song with no drummer. The session closed with a beautiful moment of worship as we lifted ‘Praise the Lord Forever’ to God.

In its third year, the SA Worship Conference continues to bring Salvation Army worshippers of all demographics into a place of positivity, challenge and encouragement.

The Sunday morning began with Joel Nazar of Cornerstone City Church delivering an inspiring preach around the road to Emmaus. Breaking down the Scripture, Joel helped explain how Cleopas and his friend were kept from seeing Jesus, and only through Scripture and a desire to know him can the scales fall away from our eyes. We discussed how distractions and personal desires in our worship can be a barrier to us offering ourselves up in Spirit and truth.

After lunch, delegates shared together in sectional groups with others who play the same instrument as them. This was a fantastic chance to learn from each other, challenge each other and spend time together.

The conference ended with an interview and worship session led by worship leader and contemporary Christian artist Noel Robinson. We listened to Noel’s powerful story about how God led him into the Christian music space, before he led us in an incredible and Spirit-filled time of praise and worship.

In its third year, the SA Worship Conference continues to bring Salvation Army worshippers of all demographics into a place of positivity, challenge and encouragement. It is clear to see that the growth and development of the conference reflects the growth of this particular expression of worship in our Movement. I ask for prayer that, in the coming years, contemporary worship continues to be welcomed, resourced and encouraged in our corps, communities and beyond.