Last fall, Dr. Laura Benjamins, assistant professor of music, sat down with renowned Christian worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman during his visit to Redeemer University. Redman was on campus to help lead the Wor/Th Conference alongside Matt Maher, Josh Baldwin, Josh Aaron and David Taylor.
“Worship has shifted a lot over the past decade in response to culture,” says Benjamins. She set out to learn more about Redman’s philosophy of worship and how he approaches leading others.
Central to the conversation was Redman’s focus on facilitating congregational song as a means of displaying the glory of God. Redman’s philosophy highlights the worship leader’s role in facilitating the congregation’s worship toward God, helping them to see him and enter into dialogue with him. “If you get the revelation side right, the response will take care of itself,” he explained. Worship, in essence, is about ascribing worth to and glorifying God. When worship leaders effectively reveal God through worship, congregants naturally respond with their hearts.
“My greatest challenge as a worship leader is not to help people sing; it is to help people see,” said Redman.
With this responsibility comes immense weight. Redman, best known for globally loved songs such as “10,000 Reasons” and “Blessed Be Your Name,” was intentional in emphasizing the significant role worship leaders play in facilitating congregational worship. “In some ways, we’ve been given too much responsibility,” he said. For this reason, he stressed the importance of worship leaders receiving training and mentorship from theologians, pastors and experienced musicians, combining both theological knowledge and musical education, reflections that resonated strongly with the music and worship program at Redeemer University.
“Is the throne setting the tone? The way we approach everything: song selection, the leadership of songs, the way everything’s set up in a church service—does it feel like a throne room activity?”
A recurring theme in Redman’s conversation with Benjamins was the importance of community and mentorship among worship leaders “sharpening each other.” Redeemer’s program is designed to nurture students in a supportive environment. It integrates musical, theological and theoretical training with practical application. From the first year, students are introduced to a clear theological foundation for worship and continually return to the basics of glorifying God through music. Events like the Wor/Th Conference, along with conversations with leaders like Matt Redman, provide students opportunities to engage with a community of experienced Christian singer-songwriters, learning from their insights and reflections.
Redman also reflected on the distinction between worship and performance. “It’s interesting,” he said, “that we can go watch a concert on Saturday night, and yet on Sunday morning at church, everything looks pretty much the same. There’s a stage, a musician, amplified music and people singing along.” But worship is not a concert; it is the people of God entering into the presence of God, pouring out his praises. In the Western church, the push for cultural relevance has sometimes overshadowed the heart of worship. Redman encouraged leaders to ask whether their services point more toward theatre or the throne: “Is the throne setting the tone? The way we approach everything: song selection, the leadership of songs, the way everything’s set up in a church service—does it feel like a throne room activity?”
When asked about his songwriting process, Redman highlighted the importance of balance. Songs should come from the songwriter’s heart, yet remain relatable enough for congregants to attach their own stories to them. He recommended the Psalms as a model, noting how they convey a full spectrum of human emotion while allowing worshippers to connect personally.
Lyrics, Redman emphasized, must remain central in church songwriting. While some Christian artists begin with music, vibe or flow, he believes theologically grounded lyrics should take priority. Truth found in Scripture is what ultimately endures.
Redman’s visit emphasized that worship leadership is not just about music, it’s about pointing hearts to God and facilitating the worship of him through congregational song.”