Worship is my Weapon Podcast with Rita Springer

Pastor Philip Mitchell once fired his entire worship team. They were leading on Sundays and living a different life during the week, and he chose a year of one singer and a backing track over a compromised stage. In this episode of Worship Is My Weapon, Rita Springer sits down with the lead pastor of 2819 Church in Atlanta and author of Contend. Philip shares how a former street kid from Queens met Jesus on a bathroom floor, and what he believes is the greatest threat to the American church. He also explains why his worship leaders face each other instead of the crowd, and why some Sundays he never gets to preach. It’s a sobering and hopeful conversation about holiness, the fear of the Lord, and a worship culture that eats the fruit and stays away from the glory. Get Content here: https://www.amazon.co.za/Contend-Standing-Boldly-Biblical-Winning/dp/140036132X 00:00 Intro 00:51 Welcome & Introducing Pastor Phillip Mitchell 02:15 Contend: A Call to Surrender 03:35 Phillip’s Testimony: From Despair to Faith 06:48 Called vs. Chosen 09:14 What Has the Church Lost? 12:38 Sponsor: Amazing Kids 13:35 Intimacy with Jesus & a Compromised Gospel 18:10 Spiritual Warfare in Worship & the Arts 21:57 When Worship Becomes a Performance 25:54 Samson, Solomon & the Slow Drift of Compromise 31:11 Pastoring Worship Leaders & Building Accountability 35:42 Worship Is More Than Singing 39:46 Choosing Songs & Following the Holy Spirit 43:02 Writing Songs That Serve the Church 46:16 Worship Songs, Branding & Chasing Success 49:39 Full Surrender & the Cost of Discipleship 52:26 Pursuing Holiness Instead of Recognition 56:15 Why Phillip Removed an Entire Worship Team 57:39 Protecting Purity as the Church Grows 58:42 Falling Away from God & Learning Holy Reverence 01:01:36 Enjoying the Fruit Without Taking the Glory 01:04:08 Closing Reflections & Thanks If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What if the only reason you believed was where you were born? Clark Beckham, American Idol runner-up and one of the most soulful voices in music, grew up in church, went to Christian school and showed up every Sunday. At 16 he quietly decided none of it was real. He calls himself a “closeted little atheist.” In this conversation with Rita Springer, Clark tells what changed his mind. It wasn’t a debate. It was watching the people closest to him become completely different. He also tells about the night, two days after he finally believed, when his parents told him they were divorcing, and how God met him in that room in a way he still can’t forget. Rita and Clark also talk about why God told him “not yet” to American Idol, why he felt led away from becoming a worship pastor, what it’s like to be the only Christian in secular writing rooms, and how complex chords became a way to worship. If you grew up in church and ever quietly wondered whether any of it was true, this one’s for you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 01:04 Welcome & Meet Clark Beckham 02:15 Growing Up in a Musical Family 06:14 Choosing Lee University & Discovering His Calling 10:52 Sponsor: Amazing Kids 11:49 Life After College & American Idol 12:36 Growing Up in Church & Questioning Christianity 18:27 Seeing Real Faith Through Changed Lives 20:26 The Encounter That Changed Everything 22:41 Reaching People Who Think Church Is Fake 25:36 His Parents’ Divorce & Experiencing God’s Embrace 30:34 American Idol: Calling, Pressure & Reality TV 34:22 Overcoming Insecurity & Trusting God’s Timing 41:07 Thriving in the American Idol Experience 43:00 Breaking Out of the Christian Music Box 47:05 Called to Music Beyond Worship Leading 52:02 Following God Through Relationship & Obedience 55:03 Sharing Faith Outside the Church 58:30 Breaking Down the Secular–Sacred Divide 01:00:58 The Heart Behind Acoustic Worship Sessions 01:05:17 Musical Creativity That Serves the Song 01:10:27 New Music & Choosing Authenticity 01:12:50 His Vision for Music, Ministry & Fatherhood 01:15:54 What Fuels Your Calling? 01:17:21 Fighting Distraction & Discovering Creative Evangelism 01:23:10 Closing Encouragement & A Prophetic Connection If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Get When God Is Your Father: Amazon or leecummings.com What if the wound you thought God healed years ago shows up again, and that’s not failure but mercy? Pastor and author Lee Cummings (Radiant Church, Kalamazoo) joins Rita to talk about his seventh book, When God Is Your Father. It’s the book he thought would be the easiest to write and the one that took him over a decade. Lee opens up about a father who walked out, a stepfather who provided but never quite wanted him, and the grandfather who led him to God. He tells the night at 12 years old when he heard the Father say, “You’re not a mistake.” He and Rita get honest about why father wounds come back in every new season, why so many pastors are deeply insecure, and what it’s like to preach on Sunday while your own son is running from God. He also shares the dream that brought his son home. If you’ve ever struggled to see God as a Father who is good, who provides, and who actually wants you, this conversation is for you. Send it to someone who needs to hear it. 00:00 Intro 00:56 Welcome & Introducing Lee Cummings 02:09 The Story Behind When God Is Your Father 04:16 How Fatherlessness Affects Us Differently 06:37 Fatherhood Is Who God Is 08:16 Lee’s Childhood: Abandonment & Rejection 10:45 Sponsor: Amazing Kids 11:42 Childhood Wounds & a Grandfather’s Love 13:49 Encountering God as Father at 12 17:13 The Redemption of Lee’s Biological Father 19:32 Why Healing Comes in Layers 24:39 Father Wounds, Scarcity & Trusting God 26:31 Adoption, Identity & Calling God “Abba” 29:29 Finding Identity Beyond Titles & Performance 34:10 Healthy Ambition Without Competition 37:35 How to Know God as Your Father 41:16 The Prodigal Son & Returning Home 44:12 Rita’s Adoption Story & Parenting with God 47:47 Lee’s Son: A Prodigal’s Return 52:10 Trusting God with Your Children 54:12 Adoption & Being Chosen by God 56:49 The Heart Behind the Book 59:14 Asking God for an Encounter 1:00:24 Becoming Spiritual Fathers & Mothers 1:03:05 Building a Church with Lasting Weight 1:06:02 Spiritual Parenting, Correction & Encouragement 1:09:03 Closing & Where to Find the Book If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What happens when the person who hurt you never apologizes, and the closure you've waited your whole life for never comes? In this deeply personal episode of Worship Is My Weapon, Rita Springer welcomes back Lisa Jennett to share her journey of childhood trauma, family rejection, forgiveness, and healing. After spending five years caring for her aging mother, Lisa faced a heartbreaking decision that left their relationship fractured. Her mother stopped speaking to her and passed away without reconciliation.Together, Rita and Lisa explore finding healing without an apology, surrendering to God, and discovering how even anger, doubt, and unanswered questions can become acts of worship. If you've ever struggled with family wounds or wondered how to move forward without closure, this conversation is for you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw 00:00 Intro 01:03 Welcome Back, Lisa 03:47 Losing Her Mother and Revisiting the Past 07:28 The Journey Toward Forgiveness 10:51 Longing for a Mother's Acceptance 13:07 When Life Became Overwhelming 19:37 Reaching the Breaking Point 22:01 The Fear of Never Being Loved 26:42 A Painful Goodbye 30:21 Losing Her Mother Without Closure 33:48 Sponsor Break 34:45 The Watch That Changed Everything 40:58 Healing Doesn't Come From the Source of Pain 45:06 Confession, Comfort, and God's Love 50:22 Surrender Means Stepping Behind the Shield 58:19 Understanding Forgiveness and Family Wounds 63:07 Faith Is a Process, Not an Instant Miracle 68:13 Hold My Beer and the Hail Mary Pass 72:09 Can You Question God and Still Worship? 76:11 Finding God in the Small Things 82:29 What Does It Really Mean to Be Blessed? 87:41 Walking Through Pain Without Being Alone 90:03 Curiosity, Faith, and Final Thoughts If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What do you do when you no longer trust your pastor? How do you know whether it’s time to leave a church? And have you really lost your calling—or are you simply burned out? In this episode of Worship Is My Weapon, Rita Springer answers real questions from worship leaders, church staff and people navigating the complicated realities of serving in ministry. Rita gets candid about honoring leaders you disagree with, leaving a church without carrying offense into the next one, unhealthy expectations of loyalty, ministry burnout, losing your passion for worship, and the desire for a bigger platform. She also shares honestly about questioning her own calling as a songwriter and the exhaustion that can come from playing the “game” of the worship industry. And underneath every question is an even deeper one: What is God trying to do in you through the season you’re in? 0:00 Intro 1:10 Welcome to Worship Is My Weapon 5:25 Supporting Wearing Justice & the Podcast 7:30 The Story Behind Wearing Justice 9:30 What Today’s Q&A Is About 13:36 How Do I Honor a Pastor I No Longer Trust? 21:57 How Do You Know When It’s Time to Leave a Church? 25:56 What If Loyalty Doesn’t Allow Disagreement? 33:44 Burnout or Losing Your Calling? 38:23 What If I Don’t Feel Anything When Leading Worship? 45:10 Can I Want a Bigger Platform and Still Want Jesus? 52:50 Knowing God vs. Just Doing Ministry 53:47 Learning to Hear God’s Voice 60:01 Final Encouragement & Closing If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What if “the other side” doesn’t look anything like you thought it would? This week, Joe L and Lauren Barnes turn the tables and interview Rita about hearing God, prophetic words, obedience, suffering, spiritual comparison, and the story behind her upcoming record, The Other Side. Rita opens up about the danger of speaking too quickly when you believe God has said something—but also the cost of staying silent because you're afraid of getting it wrong. Together, they wrestle with why Christians can become obsessed with someone else’s “oil,” whether we sometimes romanticize the wilderness, and why following Jesus was never a promise that life would become easy. Sometimes the other side isn't a change in circumstances. Sometimes it's discovering that Jesus is still Jesus in the middle of them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 00:00 Intro 01:14 Welcome + Turning the Tables on Rita 05:10 How Rita, Joel & Lauren Met 07:19 The Prophetic Word That Changed Their Story 12:06 From Friendship to Family 14:12 Finding the Courage to Hear & Obey God 16:40 The Missionary, the Car & the Cost of Hesitation 23:15 What Happens When People Don’t Obey? 26:33 When It Feels Like God Didn’t Show Up 27:40 From Fed by Ravens to The Other Side 30:17 The Other Side Is a Mindset Shift 32:53 Are We Selling the Wrong Gospel? 35:15 The Unseen Battles Behind the “Oil” 36:48 Recognizing Jesus in the Distance 40:09 Revival, Repentance & the Wilderness 42:53 Don’t Chase the Wilderness for the Oil 47:22 You Don’t Know What Their Calling Cost 48:16 Stop Comparing Your Calling to Someone Else’s 51:22 What Are You Actually Called to Carry? 53:26 Find Your Own Fragrance 55:55 The Light at the End of the Tunnel 1:00:32 Can You Be Disappointed and Still Be Faithful? 1:02:40 What Does Contentment Really Mean? 1:04:44 The Story Behind “The Other Side” 1:06:25 What the New Record Will Sound Like 1:08:19 “I Just Want to Know Him More” If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Franni Cash joins Rita Springer for an incredibly honest conversation about growing up in what she describes as a cult, losing her community, questioning her faith, and eventually learning to separate who God is from the people who misrepresented Him. Franni shares the story behind We the Kingdom and why she ultimately knew she needed to step away—even while the band was experiencing incredible success. She opens up about crying every night on tour, the return of self-harm, and the realization that something looking “blessed” from the outside doesn’t always mean you’re supposed to stay. They also talk about forgiveness, therapy, rediscovering her love for music, the real story behind “Kool-Aid,” and Franny’s new chapter as a solo artist. Now that so much of the pain has healed, Franny is wrestling with a completely new question: What happens when an artist who has always created from pain learns to create from peace? If you’ve ever experienced church hurt, confused success with calling, or had to rediscover who God is beyond the people who represented Him, this conversation is for you. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 0:00 Intro 1:08 Welcome + Meet Franni Cash 3:15 Who Was Franni Cash? 5:43 Growing Up in a Church Cult 8:04 The Truth Comes Out 11:09 Finding God After Spiritual Trauma 17:17 Forgiveness, Surrender + Healing 18:50 Amazing Kids 19:46 Learning to Forgive 21:26 Songwriting, Theology + Finding Her Own Voice 22:56 Why Franni Left We The Kingdom 28:32 Choosing Her Life Over Success 31:29 Redefining God’s Favor 34:25 Who Is Franni Cash Now? 38:36 Breaking the Christian Music Mold 39:40 Falling in Love With Music Again 43:19 Choosing Art Over Commercial Success 47:52 Staying Creative Without Losing Yourself 51:20 Authenticity After a Controlling Church 53:23 The Story Behind “Kool-Aid” 55:32 Creating the Album + Finding Freedom 58:43 Can Great Art Come From Peace? 1:01:06 Creating Beyond Pain 1:04:22 Who Is Franni Cash Becoming? 1:07:27 The Future of Christian Art 1:11:25 Art, Evangelism + Authenticity 1:15:23 The “Unknown Daisy” Encounter 1:18:03 Creating With God 1:20:22 The Songs Still Waiting to Be Written 1:23:01 Franni’s New Record + Closing If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What do you do when you know God is good, but you’re still heartbroken over something He allowed? In this episode of Worship Is My Weapon, Rita Springer gets deeply honest about the difference between being heart-sick and being brokenhearted, the wounds we learn to live around, and the places where repeated disappointment can quietly affect our trust in God. Rita shares how God began revealing broken pieces she thought she had already moved past and the invitation to finally hand those pieces back to Him. If you’ve been praying, waiting, grieving, or wondering why God hasn’t changed something, this conversation is an invitation to be honest with Him, lay down the burden, and rediscover His nearness in the middle of your brokenness. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Welcome to Worship Is My Weapon 03:36 Living With a Broken Heart 05:39 Does God Allow Our Hearts to Be Broken? 08:13 Staying Curious in Your Faith 09:28 Giving God the Broken Pieces 11:29 Amazing Kids 12:26 Heart Sick vs. Brokenhearted 16:11 When the Hits Keep Coming 18:43 The Enemy Attacks Our Weaknesses 20:31 Finding Strength After Brokenness 26:11 God Is Near to the Brokenhearted 30:01 Accepting God's Invitation to Draw Near 33:28 How Crisis Reveals Our Relationship With God 35:32 Breaking Cycles of Disappointment 38:14 What Are You Still Holding Onto? 41:12 Giving God the Burden of Your Brokenness 42:42 Healing vs. Remaining Sensitive to the Wound 46:18 God's Desire Is to Heal and Restore 47:41 What to Do When God Feels Silent 49:26 Are You Heart Sick or Brokenhearted? 49:57 God Is Not Offended by Your Honesty 51:51 Surrendering Without Having All the Answers 52:30 Don't Let Worry Steal Your Wonder 53:44 Letting God Repair a Broken Heart If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What happens when a genuine calling from God slowly turns into a need to be chosen? Harvest Bashta Grapevine joins Rita Springer for an incredibly honest conversation about worship, ambition, disappointment, prophetic words, divorce, comparison and rediscovering why she fell in love with the presence of God in the first place. Long before Harvest was a worship leader, she was a young girl praying, “God, make me a voice.” But after discovering her gift, hearing that she was “anointed,” and watching others receive the opportunities she thought God had promised her, something began to change. In this episode, Harvest and Rita wrestle with a difficult question for every gifted believer: What if your calling was never supposed to become a platform? They talk about the worship industry, the danger of building your identity around your gift, prophetic words that create unrealistic expectations, surviving deep personal disappointment, and finding freedom in simply being faithful where God has planted you. 00:00 Intro 01:22 Welcome & Introducing Harvest Grapevine 07:02 Growing Up in Revival & a Family on Mission 11:56 "Lord, Make Me a Voice" 15:29 Living in the Prayer Room 20:03 Marked by God vs. Chosen by God 22:40 When Worship Became About People's Approval 28:58 The Fast Rise of a Worship Career 30:50 Losing the Doorkeeper Heart 35:00 Feeling Used by Ministry 39:28 Comparison, Rejection & the Industry 46:15 Divorce, Disappointment & Rock Bottom 49:20 God Restores Identity During Sabbatical 52:16 Returning to the Prayer Room 53:48 Why Worship Leaders Are Burning Out 59:09 Prophecy, Calling & Expectations 01:05:20 "I've Reserved You for Myself" 01:11:46 The Gift Was Never the Destination 01:18:42 Releasing Music vs. Loving Jesus 01:22:47 Advice for Dreamers & Staying Faithful 01:27:57 How to Handle Prophetic Words 01:33:53 Returning to Your First Love 01:35:03 Closing Thoughts If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What does it really mean to know who you are? Rita Springer sits down with Doe Jones for an honest conversation about identity, purpose, race, motherhood, anxiety, and living as the person God created you to be. From the story behind "Black Boy" to why she believes God made her a Black woman on purpose, this episode is a powerful reminder that your identity is found in Christ—not in the labels the world gives you. 00:00 Intro 01:04 Welcome Doe | The Story Behind Her Name 05:39 Growing Up Between Washington & Louisiana 07:24 Discovering Her Gift for Music 10:14 Knowing She Was Called to Create 12:24 Sponsor: Amazing Kids Curriculum 13:20 Christian Artist vs Christian Who Goes to Work 18:40 Creativity, Calling & Writing with God 20:08 Identity, Purpose & Being a Black Woman 25:30 The Powerful Story Behind "Black Boy" 32:46 Creating the New Album "Shiloh" 36:08 The Weight of Writing Songs for the Church 42:35 Women, Worship & Pioneering New Paths 46:04 Bridging Generations in the Church 48:19 Mental Health, Anxiety & Learning to Thrive 55:13 Does God Trust You? 56:02 Motherhood, Grace & Depending on God 58:16 Generational Blessing & God's Faithfulness 01:00:32 The New Album "Shiloh" 01:01:43 Touring While Raising Young Children 01:05:52 Final Thoughts If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What happens when the people around you are more talented than you? Rita sits down with longtime friend and pioneering Vineyard worship leader Cindy Rethmeier for an honest conversation about comparison, insecurity, female leadership, creativity, and learning to recognize what only you can bring. Cindy shares what it was like helping forge a path for women in worship, why increasingly talented musicians once intimidated her, and the lesson that eventually changed everything: comparison is deadly. They also reflect on the early Vineyard worship movement, raising up people who eventually surpass you, the pressure to “keep up” in modern worship culture, and why the microphone was never supposed to be the goal. If you've ever wondered whether you're talented enough, gifted enough, or qualified enough to lead the people around you, this conversation is for you. 00:00 Intro 01:15 Welcome Cindy Rethmeier 02:18 The Early Vineyard Movement 06:16 How Cindy Started Leading Worship 11:20 Discovering Her Calling 13:03 Women in Worship Leadership 17:01 Leading with Confidence & Authority 19:29 Leading When Others Are More Talented 20:17 Sponsor: Amazing Kids Curriculum 20:47 Knowing Who You Are 23:09 Has Worship Leadership Changed? 25:21 Finding Your Lane 27:08 Identity Beyond Ministry 31:16 Confidence, Risk & Calling 33:33 Comparison in Worship Ministry 36:10 John Wimber's Lasting Influence 39:55 Remembering Brian Doerksen 44:36 Comparison Is Deadly 48:16 Writing Songs Without an Agenda 52:21 Songs That Still Matter 56:11 Creating Every Day 58:39 Escaping the Pressure to Keep Up 01:02:09 Success vs. Calling 01:04:09 Advice for Young Women Worship Leaders 01:07:10 The Gift of Authenticity 01:08:37 Legacy, Grandchildren & What Matters Most 01:10:26 Final Thoughts & Closing If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman have been married for more than four decades, but they'll be the first to tell you it hasn't been a fairy tale. In this deeply honest conversation, Steven and Mary Beth join Rita to talk about the differences that once led a counselor to say they had “no business being married,” the devastating loss of their youngest daughter, Mary Beth's “free fall of faith,” and the decision to keep choosing each other through seasons that could have torn them apart. They also unpack what they've learned about counseling, surrender, soulmates, parenting adult children, adoption, and discovering the goodness of God in life's darkest places. Steven and Mary Beth's new book, Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home, tells the story of a marriage that isn't perfect, but by the grace of God, is still here. 00:00 Intro 01:08 Meet Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman 04:13 Why They Wrote "Still Here" 10:21 Why They're Still Here After 41 Years 11:45 What Makes a Marriage Last? 17:08 Sponsor: Amazing Kids Curriculum 18:04 Counseling, Therapy & the Ultimate Counselor 27:20 Learning Surrender in Marriage 31:21 What Is a Soulmate? 33:18 Growing Through Life's Hardest Seasons 35:55 Losing Their Daughter & Holding Onto Faith 39:47 "It's Worth It" — Why They Stayed 42:55 Parenting Through Pain & Letting Go 53:13 Adoption, Show Hope & Seeing the Heart of God 1:01:07 How Show Hope Has Helped Over 10,000 Children 1:05:30 Final Thoughts & Where to Find the Book 1:07:03 Marriage, Grandkids & Growing Older Together If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Patrick Lencioni joins Rita Springer to unpack the life-changing concept of Working Genius, discovering the two kinds of work God uniquely designed you to love. Together they explore burnout, calling, church leadership, parenting and why so many Christians feel like frauds when they're simply working outside their God-given design. If you've ever wondered why some work energizes you and other work drains you, this conversation is for you. 00:00 Intro 00:59 Rita's Unexpected Catholic Leadership Gathering 03:56 Pat's Vision for Christian Unity 06:46 Why Unity in the Church Matters 10:28 The New Divide Among Christians 14:16 Sponsor – Amazing Kids Curriculum 15:12 Performance vs. Authentic Faith 17:17 Why Young People Are Returning to Catholicism 22:17 The Working Genius Explained 29:06 The Six Types of Working Genius 34:15 Putting People in the Right Roles 40:16 Burnout in Church Leadership 45:40 Helping Young People Find Their Calling 57:15 Discovering Your "Burning" 59:40 Gifts vs. Virtues 01:04:23 Healthy Churches & Faithful Leadership 01:05:31 The Future of Church Unity 01:06:18 Surrender, Suffering & Spiritual Growth 01:12:39 Where to Learn More About Working Genius If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Christine D'Clario shares the story she never planned to tell. After accidentally admitting on live radio that she was battling mental illness, she expected her ministry to be over. Instead, her vulnerability opened the door for countless people to seek healing. This conversation explores burnout, trauma, Sabbath, therapy, worship, and the surprising purpose of healing. ---------------------------------------- Get a copy of Christine's new book, "Healing in the Desert: Finding Your Voice on the Journey from Brokenness to Freedom" here: https://a.co/d/03WCWaDg Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKt... If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What happens when the worst thing imaginable becomes your reality? Jennie Lusko shares the heartbreaking story of losing her five-year-old daughter and how she learned to trust God through unimaginable grief. Together with Rita Springer, they explore suffering, worship, healing, lingering in God's presence, and why grief doesn't mean you've lost your faith. This conversation will bring hope to anyone walking through loss. ---------------------------------------- Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw 00:00 – Trusting God Through the Unthinkable (Episode Intro) 01:15 – Welcome: Meeting Jenny Lesko & Ministry Beginnings 07:30 – Planting Fresh Life Church in Montana 14:00 – Raising the Next Generation & Why Youth Matter 16:30 – What Is the Church Missing Today? 20:30 – Fresh Mercies Every Day: Why Simple Faith Matters 24:00 – Learning to Trust God One Day at a Time 29:00 – Losing Their Daughter Lenya & Walking Through Grief 35:00 – Why We Need to Linger in God's Presence 39:00 – Feeling Forgotten by God: Rita's Starbucks Story 43:00 – What Does It Mean to Truly Flourish? 48:00 – Healing Comes When We Stop Numbing Our Pain 51:30 – Worship Is Our Weapon in Every Battle 59:00 – Can God Bring Purpose Out of Pain? 1:02:30 – Jesus Wept: Finding Hope in Deep Grief 1:06:00 – The Permission to Keep Grieving 1:09:30 – Final Encouragement & Where to Find Fresh Mercies Every Day If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Did the Church accidentally make people afraid of the Holy Spirit? In this conversation, Rita Springer sits down with Pastor Alex Seeley to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in Christianity. They explore how one generation turned the Holy Spirit into a spectacle while another avoided Him altogether—and why both extremes miss God's heart. Discover why the Holy Spirit is your greatest advantage, how to hear God's voice, why Scripture comes alive through His presence, and what it really means to live a Spirit-led life. Whether you're skeptical, curious, or longing for more of God, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. ---------------------------------------- Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw 00:00 Intro 01:00 Why the Church Needs the Holy Spirit Again 11:19 Sponsor: Amazing Kids Curriculum 12:16 Learning to Hear God's Voice 17:14 How to Fall in Love with Scripture 27:31 How Do You Know It's God Speaking? 32:52 When God Feels Silent 37:05 Finding God in Seasons of Suffering 41:58 Henry's Life-Changing Encounter with the Holy Spirit 50:50 The Holy Spirit Gives Practical Wisdom 56:43 Why Every Believer Needs the Holy Spirit 59:00 A Call to Live Spirit-Empowered If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Jeremy Edwardson has spent years uncovering one of the most fascinating family mysteries imaginable. Could his ancestor have been the hidden daughter of Queen Victoria's mother? From DNA tests and centuries-old archives to grief, creativity, and God's unexpected guidance, this conversation explores history, mystery, and the surprising ways purpose can emerge from pain. ---------------------------------------- Order Jeremy Edwardson's book, "Granny in the Attic" now: https://grannyintheattic.com/ Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Amy Grant joins Rita Springer for one of her most personal conversations yet. From influence beyond the stage to motherhood, songwriting, suffering, finding her voice, and learning to surrender, Amy shares the wisdom that has shaped over four decades of faith and music. This isn't just a conversation about Christian music, it's about living a life that truly sees people. ---------------------------------------- Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

Is it wrong to make money writing worship music? Can worship stay pure inside an industry? Rita Springer sits down with Poets & Prophets, the collective moniker for songwriters Rebekah White Williams, Josh Farro, Mitch Wong, and Tommy Iceland, four voices that have already shaped the landscape of modern worship and CCM, for an honest conversation about songwriting, calling, success, holiness, family and what the Church should be singing today. This vulnerable discussion challenges assumptions about worship while pointing back to Jesus, Scripture and serving the Church. ---------------------------------------- Try Amazing+ Free: Access the world’s first total ministry strategy from curriculum and technology, to training and resources, free for 30 days here: https://www.joinamazing.com/freetrial 📧 Got feedback or podcast topic suggestions? Email Rita: wearewearingjustice@gmail.com or oneseaththeater@gmail.com If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw

What if hearing God's voice isn't about being gifted, but about being hungry? In this solo episode, Rita Springer explores faith, trust, worship, and the story of Job. She challenges transactional Christianity, unpacks what it means to truly trust God through suffering, and explains why every trial can become a staircase into deeper intimacy with Him. If you've ever wrestled with disappointment, unanswered prayers, or hearing God's voice, this conversation is for you. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review! Follow Rita on ALL Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ritaspringer If you would like to support the Worship Is My Weapon podcast you can donate to Wearing Justice at https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=0f0e22b... 🙏🏻🕊️🤍 💌 Stay connected with Rita by signing up for her exclusive mailing list: https://2f1ja.share.hsforms.com/2ioKtH_9GRNiXq3hp6ykFmw