A Church-Wide Vision for Worship Renewal
By Mike O’Brien, M.W.S. 2016
Mike is the founder of Three Streams Worship Training LLC through which he pursues his vision to bring worship renewal to churches of every denomination and style of worship. A decade-long ministry fueled by his training at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies (IWS).
“It’s a joy to bring the Webber values of worship renewal into what is typically a very CCM-saturated space.”
Beautifully Diverse Ministry
For 18 years I served One Church as worship pastor (1997-2015). Since graduating from IWS, I’ve helped over 200 local churches/schools/universities by worship training, consultancy, and interim space across multiple streams of the Church through Three Streams Worship Training LLC. Any given week might look like this: Monday, I’m having lunch with a Lutheran pastor who needs a music minister. Tuesday, I’m Zoom coaching a Calvary Chapel worship leader. Wednesday, I’m preparing for an ancient-future worship workshop at a university. One weekend I’m leading worship at a Reformed church, and that same afternoon with Pentecostals. I’m not exaggerating, and honestly, I don’t have the language to fully describe the scope of the beautiful diversity I get to experience every week. In addition, for better or worse, a large part of my outreach now happens on social media.
Worship Renewal
While the Vineyard has always placed a strong emphasis on worship as encounter where songs become “a place that you go” and prayer ministry is central, the Eucharist has often been celebrated less frequently. In recent years, some Vineyard churches have been exploring more regular communion, and I’ve seen worship leaders taking a deeper responsibility in guiding congregations through it. I’ve been part of creating educational content and resources to support churches that are engaging Eucharistic practices in fresh ways.
One of the most encouraging aspects of my ministry has been seeing worship renewal take root in struggling churches. In one church, a solo worship leader was overworked and ready to step down. After a season of intentional mentoring and team-building, they now have a team-led model where multiple leaders share responsibility, new volunteers have stepped into meaningful roles, and the congregation is experiencing vibrant, participatory worship.
Webber Values
“My time at IWS was a custom fit for the work I do in the Church. I can’t say enough about how it has shaped and fueled my ministry.”
My time at IWS was a custom fit for the work I do in the Church. I can’t say enough about how it has shaped and fueled my ministry. It’s a joy to bring the Webber values of worship renewal into what is typically a very CCM-saturated space. Sometimes I feel like I’m shouting Webber values from the rooftops, and still, it feels like a fresh word to many people I serve.
The primary Webber value that resonates with the churches that I work with is that a rich worship expression recognizes that today’s modern expression is rooted in a much larger story of worship through the ages. This can be experienced through a few minor tweaks that can add a profound depth to a worship gathering. For example, adding a reading of scripture, a classic hymn, or a more embodied practice of the Eucharist in which congregants receive communion instead of “taking” it.
Life is full and rich in this season. I continue to write and record music, and Susan, my wife and partner in all things, is a spiritual director and homeschooler to our baseball-loving 14-year-old son. There’s always something new bubbling up, and we’re excited for what’s next.
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You can find more about Mike’s work at threestreamsworship.com, and follow along for practical worship leadership insights on social media: