Dan Dean
What if the greatest worship leaders aren’t the ones with the best voices? Dan Dean from Phillips, Craig & Dean drops a truth bomb that will change how you think about worship leadership forever.
After 50 years in ministry—20 as a worship pastor, decades as lead pastor—Dan reveals why the most impactful worship leaders often step back instead of stepping up.
In this episode, you’ll discover:
-
Why “doing it all yourself” actually weakens your team
-
The Bill Gaither principle for spotting hidden talent in your church
-
How Dan’s son leads worship by sitting in the front row (genius move)
-
When to sacrifice your “excellence standard” to develop others
-
The leadership mistake that destroys worship teams
If you’ve ever felt like it’s easier to “just do it yourself” or wondered how to pull the gifts out of your team members, this conversation will completely shift your leadership approach. The real question isn’t whether you can lead worship—it’s whether you can develop worship leaders.
About Dan Dean
Dan Dean grew up loving music—he started piano lessons in third grade and sang in his dad’s church as a teen. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University after studying ministry and music. For decades, Dan Dean has poured his heart into full-time ministry at Heartland Church in Carrollton, Texas. He served as worship pastor before becoming the lead pastor for many years. Now, Dan Dean continues as Legacy Pastor, mentoring and loving on their congregation.
Songwriting & the Ministering Trio
Dan Dean joined Randy Phillips and Shawn Craig in forming Phillips, Craig & Dean in 1992, launching a musical trio rooted in worship. They’ve released more than a dozen studio albums and earned over two million sales. Dan Dean has co-written many of their standout songs, earning Dove Award nominations and awards. Their hit “Revelation Song,” became a gold‑certified anthem for a generation of worshipers.
Solo Journey & “More”
In June 2025, Dan Dean released his long‑anticipated solo album, More, a heartfelt “country‑pop” project with banjo and mandolin warmth. The album is deeply personal—a tribute to family, calling, and heartfelt worship shaped over decades. Dan Dean embraced this fresh solo chapter after stepping back from lead pastoral duties. He’s excited to share new songs and stories through select solo dates.
Pastoral Heart & Personal Touch
Beyond music, Dan Dean leads with compassion—he and his wife Becky will soon celebrate four decades of marriage and ministry partnership. He founded Shepherd’s Rest, a nonprofit to uplift pastors and their wives. Dan Dean lives in Lantana, Texas, and treasures family, golf games, and deep conversations. His life weaves music, ministry, and mentoring into one purpose: serving God’s people.
Worship Online is your new secret weapon for preparing each week. With detailed song tutorials and resources, you and your team will save hours every single week, and remove the stress from preparing for a set. Try a free trial at WorshipOnline.com and see the transformation!
Mentioned in the Episode
—
If you like what you hear, please leave us a review! Also, shoot us an e-mail at podcast@worshiponline.com. We want to know how we can better serve you and your church through this podcast.
Don’t forget to sign up for your FREE 2-week subscription NOW!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed
