On The Rise: Trouble for Worship Leader Mental Health + Old People Monopolies and Products Google Killed

Published 4 days ago • 3 min read

Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week.

Today, a surprising report that shows your worship leader might not be all right, plus, the courage to kill what you started, how the elderly are monopolizing politics and economies, and more.

Worship Leader 8.5x Less Likely to Report Excellent Mental Health

Not a crisis, but definitely a concern

Checked in on your worship leader lately? Only 3.4% of worship leaders rate their mental health as ‘excellent,’ compared to 29% of the general population.

The survey results are nuanced and worth a read. While most worship leaders aren’t in deep crisis, they’re not exactly thriving.

While I’ve never been a worship leader (the only thing I play is Spotify), being on stage does take a toll.

Here’s to a healthier future and healthier teams.

The Greatest Growth Era the Church Has Ever Seen?

My new book is available for pre-order!

Here's what I've come to believe after two years of studying AI: AI is sending people running toward exactly what the church offers.

A world growing more artificial by the day is producing people starving for what's real:

Real community.
Unchanging truth.
Connection that actually means something.

The church has been answering those longings for two thousand years.

So this could be the greatest growth era the church has ever seen.

If you see what's coming.
If you stop spectating and start leading.
If you make the shifts this moment requires before the moment passes.

That's why I wrote AI and the Future Church: Make Your Ministry Irreplaceable in a World of Artificial Everything, releasing on September 15th.

The book gives you three shifts to make now, so your church is ready when the people start coming.

And I’m thrilled to share that it’s now available for pre-order. You can learn more about the book or pre-order it on Amazon today.

Pre-Order Now

299 Products Killed By Google

If you’re having trouble cutting programs, check this out

Yes, entrepreneurs start things. But the best ones muster up the courage to kill what’s not working.

Yes, Google’s started a lot, but it’s also mothballed 299 products over the years. Peruse the list, and you’ll see products you used to use.

Anyone else remember Google Answers? Of course not, it was killed 20 years ago.

Turn This Global Event Into a Moment That Matters

What if your congregation could turn the world's most-watched sporting event into a moment that matters?

With this free Pastor Kit, you can step into this opportunity with clarity and confidence. Inside you’ll find ready-to-use resources to mobilize your church for meaningful, natural outreach—without adding more to your plate.

Download your FREE kit

Book Recommendation

The Prodigal God by Tim Keller

I could spend months recommending Tim Keller books, but I recently revisited The Prodigal God for some sermons I was researching.

Characteristically surprising, brilliant, and short, this is a great devotional read or prep for your next series.

Check It Out

An Oligarchy of Old People

Have Old People Ruined Life for Young People?

You’ve probably noticed the proliferation of elderly men and women in politics. This Atlantic piece explores how Boomers made the rules for society 30 years ago that are benefiting them in taxes, housing and other ways, and have stayed in power to perpetuate benefits to themselves.

While a little harsh, the point is valid. Dollar for dollar, it’s much harder to get ahead economically today as a young person than it was in the 60s-90s.

I talk to a lot of young leaders who have given up on home ownership and are struggling in their late twenties and thirties in ways their parents and grandparents never had to.