Join the Blackbar team each month as they discuss different aspects of church media and marketing in today's culture. Get inspired, educated, and encouraged as the team dives deeper into learning better ways to share the greatest message ever told.
Send us a textThe guys look back at some of their favorite conversations from 2024 to reflect on what lessons are most important for church teams to prioritize in the coming year. Check out each of the previous conversations referenced in this episode: Surviving & Thriving In Church Media Teams: Insights with Phil BowdleBuilding Online Communities, Not Just Audiences with The Monochrome PodcastIs Social Media Good For Society? with JP DorseyJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a textNick and Zach are joined by three of the Certified Pro community leaders from the Blackbar Discord to share some lessons and encouragement they've picked up from their time in ministry. Follow Abner on Instagram: @axc_photoCheck out Blaise's worship resource platform:theworshipserver.comLearn more about the SALT Conference and John-Mark's work with their team: saltvirtual.comJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a textThe guys talk with Brent Reese, professional cinematographer and digital storyteller, about how to identify good stories and turn them into something that captivates others. Follow Brent's work and connect with him for your storytelling needs: https://www.instagram.com/reesmedia/https://www.instagram.com/brentlovesgames/Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a textCaleb & Zach dive into some 2024 tech-focused news stories that church creatives and media professionals should be aware of. From the DJI Drone bill and YouTube copyright to Meta VR and the price increase of Canva, the guys cover a handful of topics whose outcomes could have a lasting impact on church tech and media production.Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a textThe guys talk with Carmen Galeano of the Redwood Marketing Co about social media, trends, and how churches can best develop sustainable and achievable social media strategy. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a textThe guys talk with Ben Kristijanto & Tim Jackson of BNY and OHR LED about the ins and outs of LED walls for the church space and where to even begin when considering them for your services. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a Text Message.Caleb & Nick review the general Christian discourse surrounding the 2024 Olympics opening ceremonies, and they discuss whether Christians are ultimately helping or hurting the church's goal to reach the lost in digital spaces.Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a Text Message.The guys (alongside a special guest) dive into some tips and practical examples of where to start when creating or improving your church's website. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a Text Message.The guys are joined by Tessa Voccola, Brand & Content Manager for RVRB Agency, to share about what it takes to capture high quality content for live events. She also shares some tips on the value of pre-production and the importance of fueling yourself outside of your creative roles. To partner with RVRB for your event, visit their website:https://www.rvrb.com/Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Send us a Text Message.On this episode, the guys are joined by Luke McElroy and JT Bowling of the Monochrome Podcast to discuss how to build online communities and how to develop deeper connections within those communities. Check out the Monochrome Podcast:https://saltcommunity.com/podcast/Get more information about the SALT Conference and their community resources:https://saltcommunity.com/Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys are joined by author, leadership coach, and friend of the podcast Phil Bowdle to discuss how to navigate leadership, conflict, and tension within church media teams. Visit Phil's website for the resources that were discussed in today's episode:https://philbowdle.com/Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
In this community-inspired topic, the guys share three of their top tips for how to survive, grow, and thrive as a church media freelancer. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys chat with their first ever AI guest: Chat GPT 4o! From recommendations on sermon resources to suggestions for event ads to encouragements for the Blackbar community, Chat GPT 4o provides a unique look into the capabilities and potential of AI as it could be used for church media ministry. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
On this episode, the guys dive into 3 common marketing and advertising mistakes that churches tend to find themselves stuck in. They also discuss the potentials of Canva's acquisition of Affinity and how it might actually give Adobe a run for its money. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
On this episode, Caleb & Nick are joined by guest host Tim Jackson, team member of BNY productions and Ohr LED, to discuss some of the most exciting (and noteworthy) announcements for Christian churches and creatives from 2024's National Association of Broadcaster's show. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
On this community-inspired episode, Caleb and Nick dive into the topic of religious vs secular art and whether or not God can work through something if it's not explicitly "Christian." Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
On this episode, the guys are joined by guest Troy Picou, the children's pastor at Grand Rapids First, who has made a name for himself by creating extravagantly creative props, puppets, illustrations, character animations, and many, many other amazing things. Troy was gracious enough to share a behind the scenes look with us on how he's reaching the next generation of believers well. There's a fair bit of visuals that accompany our conversation today, so you can check out the VOD of the episode on our YouTube channel or you can find Troy Picou online on both YouTube (@troypicou) and Instagram (troypicou). Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys share 15 free tools that they use to support and simplify their creative workflow, and Caleb does an intro to 3D animation training with a focus on the free animation software called Blender. NOTE: Zach discovered after the fact that the project management application called Monday was a free month trial, not a free permanent seat. He still recommends it, but you would need to pay to use Monday when the trial is up. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys are joined by guest co-host JP Dorsey, previous President of North Point Bible College GR and pastor at Grand Rapids First, to discuss whether or not social media us truly a good or bad thing for society at large. They also discuss OpenAI's newest video software called Sora and how churches can practically and ethically integrate AI systems into their workflow. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Nick & Caleb are joined by guest co-host Dan Desrosiers (S1 Episodes 6, 7, & 85) to discuss how churches can best leverage media to connect with and grow their communities in 2024. They also discuss how to approach the nuanced conversation of upgrading your gear to your pastor and leadership team. Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Nick and Caleb talk with Mike Soroka, IT and networking guru, about why churches should care about modern cybersecurity, and they share some easy first steps every organization should take to protect their data. They also discuss Disney's expired copyright of the Steamboat Willie character, and how important it is for creatives to understand copyright and public domain.Join our Stream Team!https://forms.gle/2mpip9aVwHCkhyXm8Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys share about what they learned from the 2024 Passion Conference team on how to gather the most effective and impactful sermon clips for your church. They also talk about the new podcast format alongside their newest Q&A style segment called Blackout!Join our Stream Team!https://forms.gle/2mpip9aVwHCkhyXm8Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
On the last episode of 2023, the guys share some thoughts from a church creative's perspective about Carey Nieuwhof's recent blog post on declining church attendance. They also discuss the implications of the conclusion of the SAG-AFTRA strikes as well as Instagram's most recent algorithm changes. Read Carey Nieuwhof's full blog post "5 Church Attendance Statistics Every Church Leader Needs to Understand in 2024" here:https://careynieuwhof.com/church-attendance-statistics/Episode Timestamps: 2:59 SAG-AFTRA Strike Resolution25:47 Instagram Updated Its Algorithm... Again37:55 Why Church Attendance Is Declining & What Can We Do About It? Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
In the church and ministry creative field, last minute changes are as frequent as Sunday service, so on this episode the guys wanted to share some practical tips on how to navigate the unpredictable in a healthy way. They also share some predictions about the potential of Unreal Engine's Project Avalanche software, and they take a look at what can be learned about church photography from the advanced features of Sony's A9 III camera.Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys welcome guest co-host Alex Lyons as they discuss how to approach AI with faith and wisdom. They also kick off the episode analyzing and learning from the new Eddie Bower logo redesign. Episode Timestamps:3:20 Eddie Bauer Logo Redesign28:40 Beyond Fear: Embracing AI with Faith and WisdomJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
With the success of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour movie, the guys discuss how experiences like this could impact the ways that we both approach and engage in worship within our faith communities. They also get back into the Mac vs. PC debate on the heels of Apple's newest M3 Chip showcase.Episode Timestamps:2:42 Mac vs. PC in 202323:48 Could Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Affect Our Church Services?Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys lose their minds over the exciting new Adobe software features showcased at this year's Adobe Max event! They also circle back to last week's conversation to tie in how Meta's new social personality AI can impact the way we create social content, and they break down how the technology used for the recent Toy Story Funday Football broadcast could help churches approach children's ministry in a new way. Episode Timestamps:3:31 - Meta's New personality AI28:33 - Toy Story Meets Football?!50:00 - First Impressions of Adobe Max 2023Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Caleb & Nick welcome guest co-host Garrett Vandenberg as they discuss the ethics, theology, practical application, and potential future of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and AI generated music all within creative, faith-based spaces. Episode Timestamps:4:53 - The Ethics and Theology of AI Generated Music45:31 - The Future of AR/VR ChurchJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys have a little gear envy drooling over Sony's new Burano cinema camera while providing some practical explanations to cinema camera specs alongside more budget-friendly camera recommendations. They also discuss the potential implications of the ChatGPT based Open Interpreter with special guest Blaise Nelson, and they share some initial opinions of the featured products from Apple's September 12th keynote. Episode Timestamps:2:18 - OpenAi's Code Interpreter... in Your Terminal w/ Certified Pro Blaise Nelson20:13 - September 12th Apple Event40:27 - What We Can Learn From Sony's Ultimate Cinema CameraJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Throwing back to Blackbar's very first video on church marketing, the guys add a few fresh tips that they've learned over the years on how to best create church ads that are genuinely effective. Also, featuring Lifehouse Church's creative arts and worship Pastor Sharayah Bishop, they discuss the filters a church can develop to help determine what music is most in line with Scripture and the culture of their community. And finally, Caleb shares some practical tips on how to choose and leverage fonts for your project in the best way. Check out the video that inspired today's main topic - "How to Make Church Ads That Don't Suck":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVdbauk7SEc&t=22sYou can check out Pastor Sharayah's harmony & tutorial channel at Lifehouse Creative: https://www.youtube.com/@UCqKl6OmJC8-pguvHcd69rOQEpisode Timestamps:1:20 - What Is Not Church Music? w/ Pastor Sharayah Bishop27:46 - How To Pick The Right Font For The Job1:00:01 - How to Make MORE Church Ads That Don't Suck (Again)Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Now that they've all finally watched Barbie and Oppenheimer, the guys share their insight on what Christian Creatives can learn from blockbuster films and secular media. They also discuss the new copyright rules for AI art, try to understand how the resurgence of "dumb phones" correlates with cyber addiction, and breakdown the technical side of the pod. Episode Timestamps:2:44 - AI Art Can't Be Copyrighted, Federal Judge Rules17:11 - The Return of the Dumb Phones36:37 - How Does the Blackbar Podcast Work?52:34 - What can Church Creatives Learn from Barbenheimer?Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys examine the current trend of social media platforms moving away from "social" media toward a "consumption" media mentality and what that could mean for the future of social media. They also dive deep into the AI powered "Text Jesus" app, compare the value of new cameras like the Sony a6700 to the power of smart phones, and speculate on uses for Adobe Photoshop's new Generative fill tool!Episode Timestamp6:47 - Text Your Favorite Bible Character's AI22:40 - The New Sony A6700 Review38:10 - Generative Fill in Adobe Photoshop54:25 - Is "Social" Media Dead?Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
Welcome to the Blackbar podcast season 2! Caleb, Nick, & Zach kick things off by discussing some of the good, the bad, and the ugly of new AI applications as well as what the value is for church creatives of present and future AI tools. They also talk Davinci Resolve 18.5, Threads vs. X vs. Tik Tok, and potential implications of the Hollywood SAG-AFTRA strikes. Episode Timestamp3:06 - Davinci Resolve 18.520:31 - Threads and X's and now Tiktok?? Oh My!34:02 - Hollywood's Writers and Actors Are on Strike55:15 - The Emergence of Artificial IntelligenceJoin the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys talk life, media agency, and ministry updates as well as what's next for the Blackbar Podcast!Join the Blackbar Discord to keep the conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
The guys talk with Jason Poling, Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Church of Yuba City, about his church's VR ministry in the Metaverse. They discuss everything from connecting with digital natives and online anonymity to navigating the advantages and disadvantages of this relativity new and unreached missions field. If you'd like to experience any of their services or get connected to their team, you can do so here: https://cornerstoneyc.com/vr/Interested in starting or equipping your own Metaverse ministries? You can check out Cornerstone's classes and resources here:https://cornerstoneyc.com/metaverse-resources/
Zach talks with Brian Lee, Enneagram Coach & Owner of Gospel-Centered Enneagram, about Broken To Beloved; a summit moving toward healing & wholeness for those that have experienced church hurt, spiritual abuse, and religious trauma. For more information or to register for the Broken To Beloved Summit, visit: https://www.brokentobeloved.org/
Zach & Caleb talk with Spencer Jackson - Artist, Creative, & Campus Pastor - about 5 ministry survival tips that he learn from his time as Creative Director for Lifehouse Church. From the importance of creative intentionality to being prepared to take punches, Spence shares his heart about creativity and leadership. Follow Spence on Instagram to connect with his work: https://www.instagram.com/spence_4hire/ Also, today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is sponsored by LiveVoice, the app that makes audio streaming simple! Sign up at the link below and use code BLKBAR to get 10% off your first three months: https://livevoice.io/en
On our first episode for 2023, we tackle a topic that we feel is one of the biggest detriments to the health and the calling of those in the creative ministry. And that topic is burnout. To tackle this conversation, we've brought on our friends Dan Desrosiers (Ep. 6&7), Brian Lee (Ep. 23&24), and Nik Goodner (Ep. 59) with the objectives of defining burnout, humanizing the journey of navigating mental illness, & developing a holistic approach to mental health along the way. Check out the resources discussed in today's episode:- Try Softer by Aundi Kolber- Didn't See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof- Better Help (www.betterhelp.com)- Faithful Counseling (www.faithfulcounseling.com)- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988lifeline.org)Today's conversation was sparked by our video: Beat Ministry Burnouthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lw9VeHngpA8
Zach talks with James Meehan, Youth Pastor and Content Creator for Life.Church's Switch Student Ministry. They discuss some of the ins and outs of digital youth ministry, how to reach students in the digital age, and the importance of being intentional about your digital strategy.Also, today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is sponsored by LiveVoice, the app that makes audio streaming simple! Sign up at the link below and use code BLKBAR to get 10% off your first three months: https://livevoice.io/en
Recorded live from That Church Conference 2022, the Blackbar crew shares their first ever live keynote presentation!On this special episode, Caleb, Nick, & Zach present how digitizing your mission, getting specific, and adopting the model of digital missionaries can help churches work through the biggest hurdles that we all face when approaching online ministry. You can watch the VOD of the presentation on our YouTube channel:How We're Accidentally Killing the Online Churchhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk83k7PC1ow
Nick & Zach talk with Ben Stapley - a pastor, speaker, coach, content creator, producer, and all around jack of all trades. We discuss how to lead well while navigating the changing seasons of ministry, and Ben shares what he's learned on how to best oversee, train, and lead ministry teams.Also, check out the link below to set up a leadership coaching or consultation call with Ben:http://www.benstapley.com/coach
Recorded in a hotel room outside of Atlanta, the guys reconnect in person to talk about their experiences in rebranding and why brand identity is important. Today's conversation was sparked by our most recent video:How Often Should Your Church Rebrand? https://youtu.be/la2fdQQg1ds
On this episode, the guys talk with Justin Dean, Author, Marketing Director of Tithe.ly, and creator of That Church Conference, about both the importance and the necessity of public relations within the church. Justin also shares a bit about his time at Mars Hill Church and what he's learned on recovering from church hurt in a healthy way. The affiliate partner of today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is That Church Conference, the most practical conference for pastors and church leaders. Use code BLKBAR at checkout for $75 off your conference ticket, or sign up to attend for free at their website: thatcc.com/
On this episode, Caleb and Zach talk with Jillian Lawson, lead interior designer with the Jillian Design Co. Informed by years of ministry experience, Jillian shares with us why interior design matters and how it can serve as an active and powerful extension of ministry.Head to Jillian's website for access to her free resources, blog posts, and to schedule a discovery call for your interior design needs: https://www.jilliandesignco.com/churchesThe affiliate partner of today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is Buzzsprout, the reliable, efficient, and easy to use hosting platform for aspiring and existing podcasters alike! Sign up using the link below to receive a $20 Amazon gift card after your second paid invoice: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=691550Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/blkbar)
The guys talk with Tod Bolsinger, an author, consultant, & executive leadership coach, about leading well during times of crisis and uncertainty. Tod also talks a bit about the intersection of technology and theology as well as how that intersection has impacted the Christian faith. Text "CHANGE" to 66866 to stay connected with the Tod's resources at the Church Leadership Institute. Also, today's episode of the Blackbar Podcast is sponsored by LiveVoice, the app that makes audio streaming simple! Sign up at the link below and use code BLKBAR to get 10% off your first three months: https://livevoice.io/enSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/blkbar)
Recorded live at the University of Valley Forge, the Blackbar crew is back together in person once again! On this special episode, Caleb, Nick, & Zach start out with an update on what you can expect from the future of Blackbar. From ministry and community opportunities to the shifting of content scheduling, the guys look forward to what the next year and beyond holds! After the Blackbar update, stay tuned for a live recorded Q&A with the Digital Media students at UVF covering everything from advice for those getting started in media ministry to connecting with a healthy purpose regardless of how you use your talents. Also, you can check out our most recent travel vlog which discusses a bit more about what to expect from our upcoming content across the board:State of the Blackbar: 2022 & Beyondhttps://youtu.be/R9CLz7kOKlM
On this episode, the guys break down why churches are having such a difficult time growing online. They discuss in what ways the paradigm of digital evangelism has shifted in the past two years, and they share some practical ways churches can grow their digital ministries in the years to come. Today's conversation was sparked by this week's video:The 3 Big Reasons Your Church Isn't Growing Onlinehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4dm59faC2cAlso, you can join the Blackbar community Discord to keep today's conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/blkbar)
On this episode, Zach, Caleb, and Nick talk with Carl Barnhill, owner of ready made media company Twelve Thirty Media and host of the Making Sunday Happen podcast. The guys discuss some of the the overall experiences and struggles that Christian content creators are facing right now, and Carl shares some tips on how to best manage the stress and responsibilities that come with creating media in a crunch. Visit the link below to find out more information about Twelve Thirty Media as well as their training resources, ready made media, and custom media content: https://twelvethirty.media/ Also, be sure to check out Carl's podcast Making Sunday Happen:https://twelvethirty.media/training/podcasts/the-making-sunday-happen-podcast/
On part two of this two-part conversation, Caleb and Zach discuss faith deconstruction with Garrett Vandenberg, a record producer, multi-instrumental songwriter, and host of the This Could Be Interesting podcast. Throughout this episode, the guys work to identify ways that the Christian community at large as well as those in ministry-focused media can best aid those going through a season of deconstruction. As we work to address and navigate some of the difficulties surrounding this topic, please listen with an open heart and an open mind to this episode of the Blackbar Podcast.To connect more with Garrett's work, visit his website:https://www.garrettvandenberg.com/Or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettvandenberg/Check out Garrett's podcast This Could Be Interesting: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/this-could-be-interesting/id1554166655You can also hear his recent conversation with Caleb about Spiritual Techno-Optimism:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Znd4kpevESupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/blkbar)
On part one of this two-part conversation, Caleb, Nick, and Zach discuss faith deconstruction with Garrett Vandenberg, a record producer, multi-instrumental songwriter, and host of the This Could Be Interesting podcast. Throughout this episode, the guys work to define deconstruction as it pertains to the Christian faith, identify some of the most prominent needs of the deconstruction community, and ask whether or not the process of deconstruction can be healthy. As we work to address and navigate some of the difficulties surrounding this topic, please listen with an open heart and an open mind to this episode of the Blackbar Podcast.To connect more with Garrett's work, visit his website:https://www.garrettvandenberg.com/Or follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garrettvandenberg/Check out Garrett's podcast This Could Be Interesting: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/this-could-be-interesting/id1554166655You can also hear his recent conversation with Caleb about Spiritual Techno-Optimism:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1Znd4kpevESupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/blkbar)
On this episode, Nick and Caleb discuss what Christian influence has looked like in the world of video games and whether or not Jesus followers should embrace gaming culture. Check out the God Mode Activated gaming community: https://godmodeactivated.com/Join the Blackbar community Discord to keep today's conversation going:http://discord.blk.bar/
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