On November 6–7, the Samford Center for Worship and the Arts hosted its final Worship Exchange of 2024. The event featured special guest Rory Noland, a respected author, songwriter and director of Heart of the Artist Ministries. Drawing from over 40 years of church ministry experience, Noland shared valuable insights on the relationship between artistry and worship. He emphasized the importance of spiritual wellness for those in ministry leadership roles.
During the event, Rory collaborated with CWA staff to create resource videos addressing contemporary challenges faced by worship leaders. These videos drew from his books, including "The Heart of the Artist," "Transforming Worship," "Worship on Earth as in Heaven" and his latest work, "Fighting on Our Knees." Over two days, he engaged with undergraduate Samford students in various Music and Worship classes. These included Intro to Worship Leadership, Music Practices in Worship, and the Samford Worship Collective—a group that had been studying Noland's book "Transforming Worship" this semester.
“Dr. Noland provided profound insights on what it means to be a healthy leader in ministry,” said Jeremy Sigmon, Samford sophomore and president of the Samford Worship Collective. “He emphasized the importance of implementing spiritual disciplines prior to entering ministry. This resonated with me, encouraging me to continue prioritizing my spiritual development, especially as a college student.”
The second day kicked off with a worship session led by the Samford Worship Collective in Reid Chapel at 10 a.m. This session included a teaching segment from Noland on The Prayer Life of Ministry Leaders. Participants, including local ministry leaders and Samford students, then engaged in a Q&A lunch at the Samford Rotunda Club. They discussed topics related to worship and artistry, exploring how creative expressions can enhance worship, the importance of nurturing spiritual health among worship leaders, and effective strategies for addressing disconnection in ministry.
“It was a wonderful experience to be able to interact with such an influential voice in worship ministry leadership,” said Dr. Jonathan Rodgers, Area Coordinator of Music and Worship and Director of the Samford Worship Collective. “I have received a lot from Rory’s teaching over the years, and I’m thankful our students were able to benefit from his wealth of experience and wisdom.” 
Rory addressed crucial questions about how churches can better engage and value artists while tackling the challenges worship leaders face in maintaining their spiritual well-being. His focus on character development, as presented in his best-selling book, "The Heart of the Artist," struck a chord with attendees. They recognized the vital role a worship leader's character plays in creating a vibrant worship experience for their congregations.
Throughout the event, participants explored the dynamics of healthy relationships within creative ministries and how a worship leader's character influences the quality of worship. Noland also highlighted the importance of prayer, particularly through the Psalms, in shaping the Christian experience in a post-Christian world.
This event provided more than practical tools and strategies—it fostered a sense of community among artists and leaders, highlighting the value of support in creative ministry.
“Rory Noland reminded us that artistry and worship are deeply intertwined, each nourishing the other,” said Dr. Emily Andrews, Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts. “He inspired worship leaders and artists to pursue spiritual wellness as the foundation of their creative work, igniting a renewed sense of purpose for those dedicated to leading the church in worship.”
