Develop a Discipleship System
2024 Round of Vetting for CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project for United Methodist Worship Leaders
By Diana Sanchez-Bushong and Nelson Cowan
There is wisdom in a hymnal. It’s a curated collection of songs and resources at a particular time and for a particular people that reflects the theological richness of a tradition and fosters faith formation through corporate worship. There is also wisdom in contemporary worship songs in an “unbound” format. New songs are being sung unto the Lord by diverse people with different musical styles, featuring a wide scope of theological perspectives and commitments. Since they are unbound, new songs are always being added to the rotation! As United Methodists, how might we balance our call to “sing a new song” while staying committed to singing our faith with understanding?
Discipleship Ministries has been engaged with this work since 2015 with our CCLI Top 100 Project, and most recently with our CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project. Through these projects, we offer vetted collections of contemporary worship songs that we encourage United Methodist congregations to sing. All songs are evaluated for their resonance with Wesleyan theology, use of language for God and humanity, and performance practice. You can read more about our guidelines here.
The 2024 CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project features songs on the CCLI Top 100; others are supplemented (i.e., “+ beyond”) to address representation and diversity. Our team wanted to uplift songs and artists from Black, Latino/a/e, and Asian communities; songs and artists from underrepresented music labels and independent artists; songs and artists from the “global song” genre; and songs and artists that represent the richness of the United Methodist theological spectrum. Additionally, we sought to promote underrepresented thematic emphases of contemporary congregational music, such as lament, inclusion/welcome, and justice.
Our ten-member team is composed of United Methodist and pan-Methodist pastors, theologians, and contemporary worship practitioners who reflect the diversity of our denomination. The team is led by Rev. Dr. Nelson Cowan, Project Manager, who works with Dr. Diana Sanchez-Bushong, Executive Director of Worship Ministries and Director of Music Ministries at Discipleship Ministries.
This year, we offer to you another list of 64 songs to consider. Click the link below to download the free PDF:
DOWNLOAD CCLI Top 100 + Beyond: Recommended Song LIst 2024 (PDF)
2024 CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Team Members:
Rev. Dr. Nelson Cowan (he/him) is the project manager for the CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project. A pastor, worship leader, and liturgical theologian, he serves as Director of the Center for Worship and the Arts at Samford University.
Rev. Jackson Henry (he/him) serves as the Pastor of Worship and Music at First United Methodist Church, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Jackson has a love of the analysis of church music and observing the way it builds community, so the CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project speaks to his heart as a worship leader.
LaQuentin "Q" Jenkins (he/him), MDiv, is a traveling professional vocalist and clinician, currently serving as worship leader for Valley Kingdom Ministries International in Oak Forest, Il. Q's passion for justice, congregational worship and black sacred music are at the core of his ministry.
Rev. R. DeAndre Johnson (he/him) is a pastor, worship leader, musician, and teacher. He is an ordained deacon and serves as the Pastor of Discipleship at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, Houston, TX.
YoungKwang "YK" Jun (he/him), a dynamic worship leader from New Jersey, radiates joy and enthusiasm well beyond church walls, leading heartwarming worship sessions at United Methodist annual conferences, jurisdictional conferences, and various denominational events. Learn more at ykministry.com.
Rev. Dr. Lydia Esther Muñoz (she/her/ella) is an ordained elder in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and currently serves as Executive Director of the National Plan for Hispanic/Latino Ministry.
Dr. Cameron Malakai Overton (he/him/his) is a Black Queer and Trans pastor, church planter, and community organizer. He spends his time as a co-pastor at Zao MKE Church, a queer and trans-led church in Milwaukee Wisconsin, and as the director of operations at Ubuntu Research and Evaluation, both working toward the liberation of all people.
Felicia Patton (she/her), MSM, MTS, is the Director of Music at Kingswood United Methodist Church in Buffalo Grove, Il. Felicia has been a featured soloist and band leader in the Chicago land area for well over 15 years, where she also teaches voice, piano, and guitar.
Dr. Diana Sanchez-Bushong (she/her) is the Executive Director of Worship Ministries and Director of Music Ministries at Discipleship Ministries, an agency of The United Methodist Church.
Debbie Wong (she/her) is a worship leader and scholar interested in the intersection between worship and spiritual formation. Currently a ThD candidate in Liturgical Studies and Spiritual Formation at Duke Divinity School, her work focuses particularly on contemporary and charismatic expressions of Christian worship.
Other Collaborators
Jacob Hery (he/him) is a United Methodist worship artist focused on creating affirming congregational music. See jacobhery.com.
Katherine Mullen (she/her) is honored to have collaborated on the CCLI Top 100 + Beyond Project. Katherine serves the beautiful people at First United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL as the Minister of Community Engagement and Contemporary Worship Leader.
Contact Us for Help
View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.