Artists have a way of seeing the unseen. Especially what is unseen to majority of society. Audrey Assad & Brady Toops are two people who definitely see what most others don't. And they're no longer afraid of sharing what it is they see. Both have created & recreated careers in the liminal landscape that hosts the intersection of musical entertainme…

Artist & author Makoto Fujimura illuminates the relationship between faith & art like no other person I've met. His artwork (based on an ancient Japanese painting style called Nihonga) has been featured in contemporary art galleries around the world, in places like Chelsea New York, Haifa Israel, & Hong Kong. While "Mako" has one step in the art wo…

When it comes to leading worship, liturgist & writer Aaron Niequist likes to swim in the deep end. Coming from a small stream of evangelicalism, Aaron has wrestled & fought with questions like, "Is this all there is? Is there more to worship than a setlist & a sermon?" His questions about worship styles & Sunday morning practices only scratch the s…

With Daniel Henderson, the craic is always 90. That's Irish for "pretty great." Over the last few years, Daniel has become one of my closest friends. Legend has it he won the Irish Brewer's Cup & competed on the worldwide stage in Melbourne for World's Best Cup of coffee. He does make a pretty mean cup. A year later, that would lead Daniel set out …

Traveling the world is one of the main things that has inspired my creativity & shaped my worldview. In this episode, I sit down with longtime friend & fellow globetrotter Jonathan Smyth (aka "Biscuet") to talk about living overseas, traveling to unlikely places, & how that's affected the way we see the world around us. "Biscuet" has had his hands …

The practice of tea ceremonies is an ancient liturgy that dates back many centuries. More than a simple drink, tea has been used to welcome dignitaries, stop wars, & cloak Christians celebrating Communion in secret. In June 2018, I joined illuminator Makoto Fujimura & a group of artists for a unique trip to Israel-Palestine. Our main objective was …

Live presentation on "visual liturgy." Presented by your host, Stephen Proctor. Recorded on March 26, 2018 @ Nebraska Christian College (https://www.nechristian.edu) Opening Theme Music by Future of Forestry. To see & listen to more talks like this, visit: http://illuminate.us

Let's say you happen upon a burning bush, & a voice calls out from the flames, "Make Me a cup of coffee." What type of coffee would you prepare? Why? And what does this have to do with ANYTHING?! These are the kinds of conversations that I have with Scott Davis, the most interesting person in the world I have ever met. For the past few years, Scott…

Welcome back to the ILLUMINATE podcast! This episode kicks off Season 2 with my story of moving to the City of Roses... Portland, Oregon! ______________________________________ SHOW NOTES "Breathing Strings" Live in Europe: https://www.gofundme.com/csduta-breathing-strings-in-europe Please donate to help David Swick & I make this unique concert tou…

Instrumental music moves me more than any other art form. It's always been my dream to work with composers & orchestras to create immersive environments that fuel the imagination. David Swick is a composer & songwriter in Nashville who’s working on a really interesting instrumental project. One of them is so unique and beautiful that I thought I’d …

Few have explored the intersection of art & faith like David Taylor, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary & the Brehm Center for the Arts. David is the perfect blend of artist & pastor, and his thoughtful perspective on liturgical art is a true gift for the Church these days. David has edited & authored books such as “For the Beauty of the Ch…

Religion & Politics. Two of the most exhausting topics known to mankind. Jonathan Martin is a pastor & author who takes a prophetic, bold approach to these issues... especially on social media. In this episode, Jonathan & I discuss the tension of engaging in politics without becoming partisan. We'll also dive into his period of doubt & deconstructi…

Urban Doxology is a ministry that writes the soundtrack of reconciliation in the racially diverse & gentrifying neighborhood of Church Hill, Richmond, VA. An “urban doxology” is any liturgy, preaching, or music & arts that crosses boundaries in ethnicity, race, & class that prepares God’s people for the City of God. In this episode, David Bailey (F…

This is Part Two of Jeremy's Stanley's story of experiencing the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem the day before Easter. His encounter with the flame left his skeptical soul filled with wonder & mystery. And it left his expensive camera with a few burn marks. Jeremy Stanley is a world-traveling photographer & videographer; he's also one of my best f…

Did you know that (almost) every year, mysterious fire shoots out from the tomb where Jesus was buried? Yeah... neither did I. Not only is Eastern Orthodoxy the most ancient Tradition of Christianity, it also continues to be one of the fastest growing. But despite this fact, the Eastern Orthodox Church & it's practices remain a mystery to most Prot…

What can superheroes teach us about worship music & Christian art? More than you might think. Tyler Huckabee has a fresh & honest perspective on faith, culture & the arts... one that I really enjoy. In this episode, we discuss everything from religion & politics to current trends in worship music. And as it turns out, Chance the Rapper & comic book…

What happens when we use our "worship" as a tool for evangelism? And how does this affect the soul of worship leaders & artists producing seismic experiences for Sunday morning? Dr. Sarah Scott brings both her strong theological sensibilities & her loving mothering skills to the table in this conversation. Sarah's not on any of the socials but you …

What is LENT all about? And how can it calibrate us in this disorienting season of violence, protesting, political turmoil, & exhaustion? This is the 3rd episode in a special series that follows the Church Calendar, featuring Fr. Chad Jarnagin of Luminous Anglican Parish in Franklin, TN. Intro Music: “Lily White as the Back of a Howling Dog's Eye” …

2016 was quite the year. So much that I flew all the way to England over New Years to meet up with some close friends, just so we could put up in some small, old pubs & vent about all that's taken place in the past year. One of the pubs we went to was The Eagle & Child in Oxford. The Eagle & Child has been home to some of the most fascinating & ins…

Embracing the season of Epiphany causes us to look back & reflect on the spirit of Christmastide. This is the 2nd episode in a special series that follows the Church Calendar, featuring Fr. Chad Jarnagin of Luminous Anglican Parish in Franklin, TN. Music: “Immanuel” by Tony Anderson & Timbre Cierpke "Interlude" by LuminousCITY / Chad Jarnagin Fr. C…

The 1st episode in a special series that follows the Church Calendar, featuring Fr. Chad Jarnagin of Luminous Parish. Music – “Immanuel” by Tony Anderson & Timbre Cierpke Chad Jarnagin – (@)chadjarnagin The Luminous Podcast – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/luminous/id1053905000?mt=2 Advent Resources: “A Light in the Dark: Divine Readings for A…

Exploring the intersection of pentecostal & sacramental theology. Dr. Cheryl Bridges Johns - @cb_johns Aaron Niequist - @aaronieq Dr. Chris Green - @cewgreen Dr. Jackie Johns - @jjohns1221 Pentecostal Theological Seminary - http://www.ptseminary.edu The Practice - http://www.practicetribe.com Music by Thad Kopec & Mason Self Additional Music: “Bloo…

New Zealand... a nation filled with mythical landscapes & raw creativity. NZ is also home to a quiet little church named Edge Kingsland that is writing it's own songs for worship. In this episode, I sit down with EK players Luke Oram & Jay Lucas to talk about their unique approach to liturgy & art... & their overall tension with the idea of "worshi…

A conversation with worship curator Mark Pierson about creativity & interactive sacred spaces. Recorded in Auckland, New Zealand. Music by Thad Kopec & Mason Self _______________________________ SHOW NOTES Mark's book: "The Art of Curating Worship: Reshaping the Role of Worship Leader" – https://www.amazon.com/Art-Curating-Worship-Reshaping-Leader/…

The podcast formerly known as ALT { art x liturgy x technology } is BACK! In this introductory episode, I (Stephen Proctor) set the stage for this newly rebranded podcast – ILLUMINATE. Music by Thad Kopec & Mason Self ____________________ SHOW NOTES NEW SITE! –> illuminate.us Updated eBook –> "The Guidebook for Visual Worship" is now "ILLUMINATE v1…

Sometimes the greatest worship music sounds nothing like worship music. For this special Advent episode of the ALT podcast, I flew up to New York City to hang with two musical artists who are writing some of the most interesting liturgical music I've ever heard. Eric Marshall (of Young Oceans) & David Gungor (of The Brilliance) are a part of Trinit…

Christian Nationalism & the Liturgy of the Empire: is American Evangelicalism the way of the Kingdom? On the 13th episode of the ALT podcast, charismatic pastor Brian Zahnd shares his story & unpacks all sorts of goodness. Brian is the pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He's also authored a few books, such as "A Farewell to Mars…

Three podcasts unite for one big unscripted show. For this truly unique episode, I joined forces with friends from two amazing podcasts: Mike & Van from Church Tech Weekly plus Brady Shearer from Pro Church Tools. It’s like a “SuperCast”, if that’s even a thing! This was recorded live on the night before the SALT conference in Nashville. I had invi…

Saint Patrick. The Book of Kells. And transcending the division between Catholics & Protestants. This special episode of the ALT podcast was recorded live in Ireland & features two guests: Kathryn Scott & Niall McNally. Kathryn Scott is a well-known songwriter & recording artist who has penned some amazing worship songs, such as "We Still Believe",…

Science. Liturgy. Brain Waves. & Environmental Projection! What's the science behind the environments we design for worship? On the 10th Episode of the ALT podcast, I talk with one of the smartest people I know: Mike McHargue – who also goes by the nickname, “Science Mike.” Rock concerts. Cathedrals. Forests. Spas. Office cubicles. And creative co-…

Art. Liturgy. And Evangelical Mega-Churches. On the 9th episode of the ALT podcast, I have a joint conversation with Willow Creek pastors Blaine Hogan & Aaron Niequist. Blaine Hogan is the creative pastor for Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, IL. He's had a career in acting, including a popular TV show. His path then led him to become the c…

Why isn't the Church known for art anymore? What happened? On the 8th episode of the ALT podcast, I sit down with my friend Preston Sharpe, who does a brilliant job at explaining why so much of the Church has become a creative wasteland. Preston is an artist-pastor who leads Sacrament Church in East Nashville. We first met at the PRAXIS Conference …

Liturgy for Small Groups? What does this look like? Rusty Gates is a fellow artist & explorer who has been attracted to liturgical forms of worship. His path led him to be a part of BLOOM Church in Denver, a garden of resurrection planted by Michael & Lisa Gungor & their longtime friend Andrew Arndt. BLOOM considers itself to be a "network of house…

An honest conversation with my mentor, Roy Cochran. Some of the best conversations about faith don't happen over a pulpit or a desk in a conference room... they happen over a table... & in this case, a table on a friend's back porch on a hot summer night. In this unique "live" one-take, unedited & unfiltered episode, CJ & I sit down with one of our…

The story of an Anglican priest serving in an evangelical church. What if the way we worship isn't just an expression of our faith but is part of what shapes our faith? On the 5th episode of ALT, Stephen Proctor interviews Glenn Packiam, a fellow liturgical explorer who happens to be an Anglican priest in an evangelical church. When he's not naviga…

Visual Worship. Environmental Projection. & Endless Possibilities. On the 4th episode of ALT, Stephen Proctor interviews visual worshiper Camron Ware, a projection artist & a pioneer of environmental projection in the Church. Camron is an incredible technologist whose passion & conviction for authentic worship can be clearly seen in his work. His c…

Contemplative. Liturgical. Sacramental. These are some of the defining marks of an ancient+future faith than many evangelical Christians are longing for in their worship. On the 3rd episode of ALT, Stephen Proctor interviews Chad Jarnagin, curator of the LUMINOUS Project, a contemplative experience designed to introduce curious explorers to the anc…

If you're easily offended, DO NOT listen to this bonus episode! Recording the 2nd Episode of ALT with Tony Anderson was an absolutely hilarious & random experience. We chased so many rabbit-trails & spun off into crazy cynical humor that made me laugh until I hurt. Tony is one of the funniest guys I know, & he knows how to laugh at the absurdity of…

One of the most successful film composers of my generation shares raw & honest thoughts on the landscape of creativity in today's church. A generation of young composers is rising up & filling our world with beautiful instrumental music, yet it's being mostly written & recorded using samples on computers instead of with orchestras in concert halls.…

Introducing ALT – a new podcast that explores the intersections of ART x LITURGY x TECHNOLOGY. Hosted by Stephen Proctor & w/ occasional co-hosting by CJ Casciotta. In this introductory episode, we share the heartbeat & vision behind this new podcast. You'll also get a glimpse into each of our stories, so that you know a little about the hosts. In …