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Stop Crossing Your Fingers and Hoping for the Best:

A Better Way Forward

by Christine Loy March 2026

Are you the type of person who thrives on structure, or do you prefer to "go with the flow" and see what happens when the microphone turns on?

If you’re an artistic type, you might prefer to throw schedules to the wind to keep the creative juices flowing. While that spontaneity feels good in the moment, we often carry that same "Que Sera, Sera"—whatever will be, will be—attitude into our singing. (For my younger readers: maybe Google that one!)

I often hear singers say, "This is just how I sound," or "I just can't hit those high notes."

But I don't believe we are called to settle for "just how it is."

God is honored when we become intentional about the skills and assignments He has given us. In the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30, we see a clear mandate: take what you’ve been given, invest in it, and watch it grow. We are called to be faithful stewards of the natural gift we’ve been handed.

Here are three ways to step up the intentionality of your craft:

1. Make Vocalizing a Routine
Think of yourself as an athlete training for a marathon. You wouldn't run 26 miles without a warm-up, and you shouldn't ask your voice to lead a congregation without preparation. Psalm 33:3 tells us to "Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts."

Skillfulness requires practice. By integrating consistent exercises into your daily life—even just five minutes of hums and lip bubbles during your morning commute—you will begin to see a massive upgrade in your vocal strength and stamina. The key is consistency!

2. Work With a Coach
In any discipline, you will go further and faster with a guide. A coach can hear things you can't and identify your "next steps" before you even realize you're stuck. Seeking out a trusted mentor for a few sessions isn't just about technique; it’s about gaining the knowledge that builds true confidence. Knowledge is power, and it allows you to lead from a place of security rather than guesswork.

3. Think Long-Term
Intentionality is a lifestyle that preserves your voice for the long haul. Healthy habits—like consistent hydration, vocal rest, and physical sleep—aren't just "good tips"; they are acts of diligent stewardship.

It is easy to take your voice for granted or normalize hoarseness and fatigue. By knowing your vocal stressors now, you ensure you’ll still be singing a decade from now.

The Bottom Line
"Whatever will be, will be" does not apply to our calling or our spiritual lives. Just as our relationship with the Lord requires intentionality to flourish, our singing skills require discipline to grow.

Let's stop crossing our fingers and hoping for the best outcome. When we are obedient in the small things—like our vocal routines, our confidence takes off to worship with less distraction.

How will you bring more intentionality to your singing this week?

It All Matters: A Word for the Weary Worship Leader

by Christine Loy April 2025

Late rehearsals. Early Sunday mornings.

Planning sets, writing charts.

Fixing tech issues in a post-COVID reality.

Showing up when you’re tired. Striving because you’re empty.

Have you ever wondered, “Does this even matter?”

Recently, I asked myself that same question, realizing that the enemy at my door was exploiting my exhaustion and mindset. I was in a season where everyone needed something. I was juggling too many projects and growing frustrated with everything that wasn’t going the way I planned. I had no more bandwidth to be creative—or excited—about ministry or new ideas.

Deep down, I knew this wasn’t the Jesus way. Serving everyone around me until I dropped? That’s not the model He gave us.

The only remedy for my thought patterns was to get off the Ferris wheel and just stop. I had to lean into a new rhythm, one that included intentional rest in the Lord.

Jesus modeled this so beautifully. He spent time with His Father. He withdrew to lonely places to pray. He turned off the noise and stepped away from the hustle. Jesus knew how to recharge.

I was reminded the other day that, in several stories from the Gospels, the disciples had to wake Jesus up—wake Him up!—in the middle of precarious moments.
Shoe drop: Jesus napped—guilt free, I might add. And so should I.
(Mind blowing, right?)

So I accepted His invitation: to walk as He walked. Not the “serve until you drop” way, but with rhythms of rest, solitude, and prayer.

A true Sabbath made all the difference.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” — Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)

When we feel like we’re running on fumes, we leave the door open for the enemy to mess with our mindset… and when that happens, it can begin to mess with our ministry.

Maybe you serve your team, your church, or your family—and you’ve wondered the same thing:
Is what I’m doing even making an impact?

If that’s you, I want to encourage you with two simple steps:

Step back and rest.
Take a day to say “no” to everything you have to do. Read. Pray. Sleep. Refuel. Give yourself permission to pause.
Remember your calling has purpose.
Every word you sing. Every prayer you pray. Every sacrifice you make. Every moment you press through—it all matters. Because this is the Lord’s work. And we’re not doing the heavy lifting.

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

As worship leaders and music people, we’re not just filling time in a service. When we lead others in worship, we are pointing hearts to Jesus. And the beautiful truth is: the Holy Spirit takes it from there.

The easy yoke Jesus offers is all about connection to Him. We connect with Him—and it is the Holy Spirit who moves hearts. It’s a pretty good deal… if we can learn to embrace the rhythm of Matthew 11.

So don’t let burnout steal your joy or blur your purpose.

Keep showing up.
Keep Jesus first.
Keep worshipping.
Keep connecting with the Father.
Keep letting go of what you can’t carry.

The Kingdom is being built—one heart at a time. And we get to be a part of that.

Praying:
Lord, thank You for every worship leader who continues to show up, even when it’s hard. Breathe fresh life into weary hearts. Restore the joy of their calling. Remind them that every act of service, every song, and every moment of surrender is building Your Kingdom. Help us to keep our eyes on You, to stay tender in Your presence, and to lead others with love and humility. Refresh us, renew us, and keep us rooted in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Walking with God Through Every Season

by Christine Loy October 2024

Embracing Change and Transformation

There’s a beautiful song by Nichole Nordeman called Every Season that I often find myself singing or playing around this time of year.

As we watch the seasons change, it’s easy to reflect on the ways life shifts around us—whether in our faith, our ministry, or our daily routines.

Now, if you’re like me, maybe you’re not a big fan of change. I’m a creature of habit, comforted by the things that stay the same. Yet, we know God doesn’t call us to stay comfortable or stagnant. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

God’s vision for us is growth and transformation.

As we seek Him—through His Word, through prayer, and inviting the Holy Spirit into every corner of our lives—He works within us. Sometimes it’s a gentle revelation of the Father’s love.

Other times, it’s a deeper, more intense process where He chisels away at the hard, calloused parts of our hearts. In Ezekiel 36:26, God promises, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Whatever season you’re in, don’t forget His faithfulness. He’s the One who makes all things new (Revelation 21:5), who heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3), and who turns ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3). Through it all, He’s working within us, refining us, shaping us, and drawing us closer for His glory.

When we look back, we can see the distance we’ve traveled with Him, and when we look ahead, we can thank and praise Him for the amazing things He’s yet to do.

As worshipers first and singers second, let’s keep our eyes on Jesus and walk with Him through every season, holding tight to His promises.

Thanks Be To God!

3 Tips to Stress-Free Easter Week

by Christine Loy March 2024

Some have dubbed it the "Super Bowl of Sundays" for church musicians! For Worship Leaders and those in ministry, Easter week is very busy, super rewarding and sometimes quite stressful! You likely have extra services to prepare and to sing! It requires a good amount of stamina and a good bit of intentionality.

So, how do you walk into Easter week with joy in your step, fully ready, in good voice and stress free?

Here are my 3-Tips for a Stress Free Easter week!

Tip # 1 STAY close to JESUS

I know, it sounds obvious. We are worshipers before we are singers and staying close to Jesus in personal worship is the number one reminder for all of us to prepare for your Easter marathon. Be it 3-minutes in the car or 30-minutes in your prayer closet, find your favorite worship song and sing it to the Lord. Talk to Him often. Listen to Him and be in His Presence. He will fill you with strength and joy for the week ahead.

Tip # 2 STAY Hydrated

When I get busy, I often stop drinking water! (probably because I've switched to coffee and more coffee!) Don't do it! To do a vocal marathon like Easter week, we need to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK WATER, all week.

You can not hydrate enough in the days prior to long singing, especially if it's allergy season (Spring pollen and flowers are here!) and your allergy meds dry you out even more.

Tip # 3 STAY Vocally relaxed

If you want to be in tip-top shape on Easter (or earlier in the week) your voice could use warm-ups every day this week. Keeping loose, free and open will help you be relaxed and confident on the platform.

Click here to grab this FREE 5-minute Vocal warm up on YouTube.

My friends, I pray for a blessed week for your Ministry! I pray that you have beautiful worship to the Lord and confidence in your singing.

How Do You Compare?

by Christine Loy Sept. 2023

In talking with my students, and working with my own teams and choir this week, I was reminded of something. How many of us struggle with comparison syndrome?

Have you ever felt intimidated by someone else's talent level?

You may serve on your worship team or choir and think - Can God use me if my voice is not as "good" as someone else? (the answer is "YES!")

When I was in college, in a vocal performance oriented atmosphere, I quickly realized that there was always someone with more skill out there. Always someone who could sing better, or have effortless high notes, more put together... yadda, yadda. You spend a lot of time learning to scrutinize and analyze your performance - and thus compare yourself to others.

However, if I've learned anything in my Christian walk, it's this:

Mindset and thoughts are your battle ground... in ministry.... in life... and in singing, too!

Here is your friendly reminder: Don't compare. Don't listen to those lies. Do not let Comparison Syndrome steal your joy!

Now, when I hear phenomenal singing or incredible talent, it reminds me that the incredible beauty in that voice reflects the beauty and creativity of God, Himself. God can use anyone and he does. Celebrate the incredible talent around you and keep working on your gifts... in your lane... what He has You at this very moment!

God loves to hear you sing and worship Him!

"Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his Good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Singing with Joy,

-Christine

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