Learning Curve: How long have you been leading worship?
Lee McDerment: 7 years this May, all at NewSpring Church. I started leading worship for NSC the day after I graduated from college in 2000.

Learning Curve: What is one of your favorite aspects of leading worship?
Lee McDerment: I'm a musical addict. My favorite part is worshiping God as LOUD as we can. Turn up the Marshall stack and praise the LORD! Watching people grow into passionate worshipers is also a great thrill for me.

Learning Curve: What are some struggles you have experienced in leading worship?
Lee McDerment: As a strong leader, the hardest part for me has been the struggle of working under authority. I love my pastor and have complete trust and respect for him and he's been one of my closest friends since he hired me 7 yrs ago. But I struggle with pride and so if he feels like God wants us to do a particular song on a particular day, my flesh wants to scream "but I'm the one who picks the songs, you big jerk! Why can't you let me do my job?!?!?" See how childish that is?
Perry has never been wrong when he follows God with a song choice. I just have a prideful grip on what I mistakenly think is "mine." I've found that God brings us freedom through the authority structure of the church. The other biggest struggle for me is being compassionate and honest with players. When someone can't cut it anymore, or someone's late, or when someone has an attitude issue, I find that I am either too passive or too harsh. I've tried hard to seek the advice of skilled, Christ-like, managers in that area.

Learning Curve: Do you have any advice for fellow worship leaders?
Lee McDerment: Read the Bible like crazy. Get your eyes on every page. Follow David's example in Psalm 119 (vs 13 specifically). And, go to as many rock concerts as you can. Go see U2, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Justin Timberlake. Go see Tomlin, Crowder, Third Day! go see every live concert experience you can get your hands on. Budget for it. You need the scriptures for bedrock and the concerts for skill, artistic permission, and relevance.

Learning Curve: What are 3 albums you are currently listening to?
Lee McDerment: John Mayer - Continuum, Watermark - A Grateful People (live), Killswitch Engage - The End of Heartache

Learning Curve: What are some books that you are reading or that you recommend?
Lee McDerment: I'm currently reading, The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
Recommended: Worship Evangelism - Sally Morgenthaler, Hearing God's Voice - Blackaby

Learning Curve: Can you share some things that you do to pastor or care for your musicians and artists?
Lee McDerment: Be someone whose private passion for God out steps their public passion. (that's good advice from Beth Moore.) Lead by example. And pray as much as you can with them on Sundays.

Learning Curve: What are some things you have done to find or attract musicians and artists?
Lee McDerment: First, make incredible music. Great artists know good stuff when they hear it and they will jump onboard when they hear it. Second, be an authentic person.

Learning Curve: What are some of the ways you deal with the challenges that can come with dealing with artists and those with creative personalities?
Lee McDerment: I don't deal with it well, honestly. I wish everyone could hold their gift loosely and joyfully give up their place when someone better comes along. But that's not reality. It's like breaking up with someone, sometimes. I just have to pray hard to make sure that the decisions I make with my artists are God's will. Then I can blame it on Him.

Learning Curve: What are some things that you do to keep the writing process and the songs fresh?
Lee McDerment: Listen to lots and lots of different music. Play instruments with inspiring tones. Get an mbox and toy with Reason. Set aside songwriting weekend retreats. Go to lots of concerts.