Podcasts about church plant

What happens when a simple lack of communication leads to a complete Sunday service meltdown? And more importantly, how do you fix it before it happens again?In this episode, we sit down with Marc Millan, an experienced executive pastor and ministry leader, to tackle the vital role of communication between church leadership and the tech booth. We break down the early warning signs of a communication breakdown and establish exactly who should be responsible for managing the Sunday service flow.Link to ServiceCrew resources. In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Marc Millan's Background & Ministry Journey4:45 When a Communication Breakdown Causes a Sunday Meltdown12:00 Early Warning Signs of a Tech Team Communication Failure20:00 Key Sunday Service Details You Must Know Ahead of Time22:45 Who Is Actually Responsible for the Sunday Service Flow?27:30 How to Debrief a Sunday Failure Without Finger-Pointing34:15 Is It Possible to Communicate Too Far in Advance?Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get up to 80% off with our Barn Burner sale! Get 20% off the rest of our inventory with code BARNBURNER26.  Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you actually get your Executive Pastor to say "Yes" to new church tech gear? And on the flip side, what does your leadership team wish you understood about the church's finances?In this highly practical episode, we are joined by Pete Rodriguez, who shares his incredible journey of leaving his career during the Wall Street financial crisis to becoming an Executive Pastor. Pete brings his high-level financial expertise into the church tech world, breaking down exactly how to weigh a "want" versus a "need" when planning your AVL budget.ServiceCrew Resources LinkIn this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Pete Rodriguez Joins the Podcast!1:00 From the Wall Street Financial Crisis to Executive Pastor8:45 Budgeting: Weighing a "Want" vs. a "Need" in Church Tech11:45 Knowing When Your Church Should Actually Spend Money17:00 How to Pitch the Tech Gear Lifecycle to Your Executive Pastor21:30 Is It Time for a Budget Band-Aid or a Full Upgrade?26:00 Strategy: How to Stagger Your Gear Replacement Costs37:30 The Instant "Yes" and "No" for Church Tech Purchases44:00 Advice Pete Would Give to His Past Self as an XP45:00 What Every Executive Pastor Wishes Their Tech Director Knew47:00 What Every Tech Director Wishes Their XP KnewGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get up to 80% off with our Barn Burner sale! Get 20% off the rest of our inventory with code BARNBURNER26.  Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Get your ServiceCrew resources here! What happens to your Sunday service when your most critical technical volunteer gets sick, goes on vacation, or moves away? If your church production relies entirely on one or two people, you are one person away from a total disaster.In this episode, we tackle the danger of having a "single point of failure" in your tech booth. We break down the crucial importance of cross-training your church tech volunteers so that your audio, video, and lighting positions are never dependent on just one person.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Meet Our Guest & Guest Host7:00 What Happens When Your Lead Techs Miss a Sunday?14:00 The Crucial Importance of Cross-Training Volunteers22:00 Documentation: Building a Church Tech Knowledge Base33:00 Is Building a Massive Volunteer Bench Actually Realistic?40:40 How to Communicate Your Need for Volunteers to Leadership43:30 The Danger of Depending on Just One Tech VolunteerGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you define "excellence" in a church tech ministry? And when a volunteer consistently falls short of that standard, how do you actually "fire" them and find a new ministry that better suits them? In this episode, we are joined by church production veteran David Leuschner to tackle the hardest leadership conversations in ministry. We discuss the biblical definition of excellence, debate whether there should be different standards for the on-stage worship team versus the behind-the-scenes production techs, and answer the uncomfortable question: how many errors are your volunteers actually allowed to make?In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: The HouseRight Event & Toby's Lack of Taste4:30 David Leuschner (Digital Great Commission Ministries) Joins8:15 Defining True "Excellence" in Church Production14:45 How to Train Your Volunteers for Excellence21:00 The Debate: On-Stage vs. Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Standards26:00 What Does the Bible Actually Say About Excellence?28:45 The Budget Debate: Is It Okay to Spend a Fortune on AVL Gear?30:30 Grace vs. Standard: How Many Errors Are Volunteers Allowed?35:00 The Hardest Conversation: How to Fire a Tech Volunteer41:45 Keep Sundays Running: Focus on TransitionsGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Lisia Malcolm Burnett visited the Ministerial Care team this week at the Church of God General Assembly 2026. Lisia is a wife, mother, church planter, and businesswoman serving on the Regional Youth board and the Evangelism and Church Plant board for Ontario/Eastern Canada. Lisia received counseling from Dr. Tim Maness and wanted to share her story of strength and recovery through our pastoral counseling program on this episode of Pastoring on Purpose.

Wednesday Service | A teaching on Acts 18:1-11 with Pastor Josh BlackVictory Calvary Chapel is a church in Menifee, California. We gather for Jesus, to worship Him, to follow Him, and represent Him wherever we go. To learn more, visit us at www.victorycc.com.

What if the most radical spiritual act you could commit is a burst of shared laughter? Join Mark Winner and Liz Brainard as they share how Open Table Friends Church threw out the polished facade of their religious tradition to build a digital sanctuary rooted in chaotic joy and messy authenticity.  Full Video of the "Fun" Meeting for Worship - https://www.youtube.com/live/y9VqDeUXchk Become a monthly supporter! Sign up for the Daily Quaker Message.

What is it actually like to run Sunday morning production when global superstar Carrie Underwood is on your worship team? And more importantly, how do you sustain the intense pace of church tech without completely burning out?In this episode, we are joined by Shaun Miller of Rolling Hills Church (Franklin, TN). After Toby recaps his recent trip to an L-Acoustics event, Shaun shares his experiences balancing a healthy marriage with the chaotic touring lifestyle. We then dive into the unique culture at Rolling Hills, breaking down their specific church tech setup and what it is like to mix a service with a celebrity on the stage.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby's Trip to the L-Acoustics Event6:40 Shaun Miller (Rolling Hills Church) Joins11:15 Balancing Marriage and the Touring Lifestyle19:00 What It's Like Having Carrie Underwood on Your Worship Team22:15 Behind the Scenes: The Rolling Hills Tech Setup29:00 Avoiding Burnout: How to Identify It Before It's Too Late47:45 Did Shaun Actually Like Toby's Book?58:00 Tech Disaster Story: "I Swear We Sent You the Videos!"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

In this message, Pastor Karl walks through Matthew 19, where the Pharisees approach Jesus with pointed questions about divorce — testing him against the competing rabbinic schools of Shammai and Hillel. Rather than settling the debate on their terms, Jesus redirects them to God's original design for marriage from Genesis, addressing not just the surface question but the deeper issue underneath it: a hardened heart that looks for loopholes instead of surrendering to God's standard.Pastor Karl unpacks what Scripture teaches about marriage, divorce, and remarriage with pastoral care and honesty about how difficult these teachings can be to live out. He also explores the chapter's turn toward children, and the story of the rich young ruler — a man who came asking about religious righteousness but was really wrestling with money and control.The big idea: Jesus confronts the hardness of our hearts because his kingdom calls for commitment and sacrifice, while our natural tendency is to search for loopholes and excuses. This message is an invitation to let Scripture rebuke, correct, and train us — and to rely on the power of God's Spirit rather than our own willpower to live faithfully.Join us in person 8:00am, 9:30am & 11:00am every Sunday morning.37193 Ave 12 #3h, Madera, CA 93636For more visit us at flipside.churchFor more podcasts visit flipsidepodcasts.transistor.fm

How do you manage the audio and production logistics for a massive, Broadway-level biblical stage production? And how exactly do you engineer a giant LED wall to completely disappear in under 15 seconds?In this episode, we are joined by Tim Zeager to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Sight & Sound Theatres(Branson, MO).In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Discovers Theater in Branson, Missouri5:15 Tim Zeager (Sight & Sound Theatres) Joins10:45 The Story Behind Sight & Sound Ministries21:45 Behind the Scenes: The Monitor Setup at Sight & Sound25:00 Engineering: Making a Massive LED Wall Disappear in 15 Seconds29:00 Gear Talk: The PA System Powering Sight & Sound35:45 Lessons From Tim's Time in the Studio39:00 Live Production Disaster: Mixing From the Basement43:00 Keep Sundays Running: Preparation is KeyGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Who is Jesus according to Jesus? We are answering that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 14, Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Within each of these three words, we find something we desperately long for—something we were created for. Yet, we frequently replace these authentic longings with cheap, enticing counterfeits. These counterfeits promise fulfillment but ultimately leave us empty.In this message, we discover that while we tend to be preoccupied with our destination, what we truly need—and what Jesus offers—is a way of life that transforms both us and the world around us.

In this episode, we are joined by Dave Bookhout from Grace Family Church to tackle some of the biggest debates in church tech. We dive deep into the culture of the tech booth, discussing how to actively recruit church tech volunteers and answering the tough question of who should actually be allowed to serve on Sunday mornings.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Claims God Tricked Him4:30 Dave Bookhout (Grace Family Church) Joins14:15 The Debate: Can Non-Christians Serve on the Tech Team?23:15 Strategies for Recruiting Church Tech Volunteers30:45 Gear Talk: Production Setup at Grace Family Church33:45 Current Church Production Tech Trends to Watch39:30 Should Your Church Actually Buy an LED Wall?42:45 Church Tech Disaster: "Are You on Fire, or Am I?"47:00 Keep Sundays RunningGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

What exactly is "Church Hurt," and how do you heal when the very place meant to provide spiritual safety becomes the source of your deepest pain?In this heavy but incredibly necessary episode, we are joined by creative leader Stephen Brewster. After kicking things off by discussing his journey in helping local churches write and produce their own original music, the conversation shifts to the painful reality of serving in ministry. Stephen opens up about his own personal experiences with church hurt and explains why we might need to reframe the conversation from "the church hurt me" to "broken people hurt me."In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro Antics5:30 Stephen Brewster: Helping Churches Release Original Music13:30 Defining "Church Hurt" in Modern Ministry25:00 Stephen's Personal Story of Church Hurt33:00 Reframing the Pain: "Church Hurt" vs. "People Hurt Me"41:00 Why You Still Need to Go Back to Church54:00 How to Be a Solution to Toxic Church Culture57:00 Thinking of Quitting Ministry? Start Here.Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How does one of the most influential mega-churches in the country handle their production, and what makes their team culture so unique?In this episode, we are joined by Bailey Binder of North Point Church. We dive into the personal journey of making the massive decision to move out of state for a new ministry role. Then, we pull back the curtain on North Point, breaking down what makes their church culture so wildly different, how their massive church tech setups are designed, and the exact strategies they use to manage their production volunteers.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Blake & Toby's Lifetime Achievement Awards4:45 Bailey Binder (North Point Church) Joins11:00 Navigating a Move to an Out-of-State Church Role15:30 What Makes North Point Church's Culture So Different?25:30 Behind the Scenes: The North Point Church Tech Setup28:15 How North Point Manages Production Volunteers34:15 Church Tech Disaster Story37:30 Keep Sundays Running: The Importance of Self-CareGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

As a Technical Director, when was the last time you were actually able to take a Sunday off? If your church relies heavily on volunteers, stepping away from the tech booth can feel completely impossible.We also tackle the massive, ongoing debate regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in church tech. Is it a helpful tool or a dangerous shortcut? Finally, we share a hilarious Church Tech Disaster story and wrap up with a crucial reminder: the only way to keep Sundays running long-term is by providing actual, genuine care for your team.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Touring Atlanta Churches6:30 Jeremy McKee  Joins12:45 Running a Volunteer-Heavy Production Ministry28:00 Which Tech Workflows You Should Automate34:15 The Big Question: Can a Tech Director Take a Sunday Off?39:15 Should Your Church Be Using AI in Production?42:30 Church Tech Disaster Story45:45 Keep Sundays Running: Genuine Volunteer CareGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Hang out with us at The Mix in Vegas here! Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you handle the immense pressure of designing a creative live event specifically for creatives? And as technology rapidly evolves, should church production teams be embracing or avoiding Artificial Intelligence (AI)?In this episode, we are joined by Luke McElroy, the visionary founder of the SALT Conference and the SALT Community. Luke pulls back the curtain on the difficulty of live events, sharing the inspiring origin story of SALT and what it actually takes to run a massive gathering for church technical artists. We also zoom out to discuss the profound, eternal impact that worship and production teams have on their congregations every single Sunday.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Reality and Difficulty of Live Events4:00 Luke McElroy (Founder of SALT Conference) Joins8:45 The Origin Story of the SALT Conference15:30 Behind the Scenes: Running Events for Creatives18:15 The Eternal Impact of Worship and Production Teams22:50 The Pressure of Designing a Conference For Creatives26:30 Storytime: The Christian Magicians Disaster35:40 The Big Debate: Should Church Production Use AI?45:20 Church Tech Disaster Story: "We Couldn't See a Thing"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Hang out with us at The Mix in Vegas here! Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

In this interview, we hear from Erin Popova who is the Dean of Students of EnterMission. EnterMission is a guided gap year program that seeks to help students navigate life, faith, service, and their future. They partner with domestic and international partners to help their student discover how to live missionally wherever God takes them.

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We will answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 15, Jesus declares, "I am the true vine." Often, we focus primarily on His command to "abide." We rightly understand that this passage holds a profound truth about our need to be rooted in Him as our ultimate source of rest and life. However, we sometimes overlook the fact that this text has just as much to say about what we produce. Because we are rooted in the vine, we inevitably "bear fruit" as we participate in the mission of God all around us.Ultimately, this is a message about rest and work—abiding and going. It challenges us to simultaneously dig deep into the source of life and reach out to offer that life to the world around us.

Where do you start when you want to level up the production at a new church? And how do you keep pushing forward when life throws you a devastating diagnosis?In this episode, we are joined by Josh Suender of Faith Community Church (Clayton, NC). We start with some practical, high-value tech talk, breaking down the exact first steps you should take to level up your church production. Josh shares his favorite creative AVL gear moves to streamline your workflow, how to keep MultiTracks from getting "weird" and chaotic on stage, and the massive benefits of implementing Bitfocus Companion in your tech booth.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby's Adventures in Worship Leading5:30 Josh Suender (Faith Community Church) Joins7:45 Josh's Start in Church Production11:20 Assessing the Production Baseline at a New Job14:00 The First Steps to Level Up Your Church Production16:20 Creative AVL Moves to Streamline Your Tech28:45 Keeping MultiTracks from Getting "Weird" on Stage30:15 Implementing Bitfocus Companion in Your Setup36:00 Josh's Battle for His Life: A Stage 4 Diagnosis48:15 Keep Sundays RunningGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Hang out with us at The Mix in Vegas here! Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Forest Baptist Chruch commisons the New Hampshire Church Plant and ordinates Matthew Hubley as a pastor and leader of the church plant. Click here and check out our brand new FBC podcast website with all of your favorite sermon book series, Wednesday night lesson series and FBC Extra episodes all categorized in one place!

We dive into the heart of volunteer leadership, discussing why people always matter more than the production, and establishing the true "minimum standard of care" every Technical Director owes their team. Willow also shares incredible insights on the specific benefits of having more women in church production and actionable strategies for how to recruit them.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Hates Talking to People5:00 Willow Hodge (Hope Fellowship Church) Joins8:45 Willow's Start in Church Production11:15 The Golden Rule of Tech: Why People Matter Most20:00 Timecode Debate: How Much Should Your Service Depend On It?22:15 The Minimum Standard of Care for Tech Volunteers33:40 The Power and Benefits of Women in Church Production39:00 How to Actively Recruit More Women to Your Tech Team41:15 Church Tech Volunteer Disaster Story44:15 Keep Sundays Running: Ask Questions and ListenGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

James breaks down the actual logistics of how remote mixing works, the philosophical question of whether online audiences are actually engaging in worship or just watching a sermon, and if your church should make the transition to a remote setup. We also discuss practical leadership strategies for communicating with a frustrating pastor, recap our FILO 2026 hijinks, and comment on  the details of the infamous "Clayton Gregory Incident."In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: FILO 2026 Conference Hijinks6:45 James Hurley Joins the Podcast8:00 From NASA to Church Tech: Production at the Highest Level11:00 The Big Debate: Should Every Church Remote Mix?19:45 Online Engagement: Are People Actually Worshipping at Home?25:45 The Logistics: How Remote Mixing Actually Works27:15 Should Your Church Transition to Remote Mixing?38:30 Storytime: The Clayton Gregory Incident47:30 How to Communicate with Your Pastor When You're Frustrated50:15 Church Production Disaster Story55:15 Keep Sundays Running: The Power of FellowshipGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

What does it take to mix Front of House for a massive arena rap tour? And how can church technical directors apply those touring strategies to a Sunday morning service?In this episode, we are joined by Travis Stoker, the Front of House (FOH) Engineer for chart-topping rapper NF. Travis pulls back the curtain on NF's live audio setup, sharing exactly how he approaches mixing live rap and hip-hop, the specific gear he's taking on tour, and his secrets for managing massive subwoofer setups to get that perfect low-end punch.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Fun Concert Experiences4:50 Travis Stoker (NF's FOH Engineer) Joins6:15 Travis's Journey to Mixing for NF12:00 How to Mix Audio for Rap and Hip-Hop15:00 Gear Talk: What is Travis Using on Tour?20:30 Using Backing Tracks: Concerts vs. Church33:15 The Debate: Should Your Church Use Timecode?36:00 Do FOH Engineers Need System Design Knowledge?42:45 Subwoofer Setups for Mixing Heavy Low-End50:00 Live Production Disaster Story59:30 Keep Sundays Running: The Power of TeamsGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How long can you keep your church's production running on "Band-Aid" fixes before you finally need a complete AVL upgrade? And how do you pitch that massive expense to your leadership team?In this episode, we are joined by Neil Brown of Henderson Hills Church to talk about smart budgeting, integration, and safety. Neil breaks down how to have the difficult conversation with leadership about moving from cheap, temporary fixes to a strategic, full-scale AVL upgrade. He also explains why it's okay to hit pause mid-integration if a project is heading in the wrong direction.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Does Toby Want to Burn ChurchGear Down?6:45 Neil Brown (Henderson Hills Church) Joins13:00 When to Pause and Reevaluate Mid-Integration24:30 Moving from "Band-Aid" Fixes to Full AVL Upgrades31:30 Cool Production Life Hacks on a Tight Budget38:15 What Churches Are Spending Too Much Money On42:00 Safety Warning: Double-Check Your Rigging!46:00 Keep Sundays Running: Avoid Last-Minute ChangesGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you convince your senior pastor to approve the new AVL gear your church desperately needs? And if budgets get slashed, do you sacrifice your gear upgrades or your room's acoustic treatment?In this episode, we are joined by the team from City Church to tackle the hardest parts of church production leadership. We break down the strategy of using your church's specific vision to pick the right gear, rather than just the most expensive gear. We also dive into the technical weeds with a guide to Objective-Based Mixing and how to properly assess your room acoustics. In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Dangers of Changing Things on Your Congregation5:00 Storytime: Being Assaulted in the Tech Booth!11:00 Networking: How to Meet Local Church Techs17:00 Gear Talk: What is City Church Using?18:00 How to Convince Your Pastor to Approve New Gear20:00 A Guide to Objective-Based Mixing27:00 Using Church Vision to Pick the Right Gear29:40 The True Importance of Room Acoustics31:30 Budget Cuts: Do You Sacrifice Gear or Acoustics?39:30 Keeping Church Tech Volunteers Excited to Serve43:30 Tech Takeaway: Set Your Volunteers Up for SuccessGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We will answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims he makes in the Gospel of John, known as the "I AM" statements.In John 8, Jesus declares, "I am the light of the world." Interestingly, this is the only "I AM" statement he also attributes to his followers (Matt. 5:14). We are called to be the light of the world as we walk alongside the ultimate Light.The interactions surrounding this claim demonstrate that light reveals what is hidden—not to destroy, but to restore; not to shame, but to heal. We can only effectively fulfill our calling to be "light" if we first step into that light ourselves, experiencing the full weight of Jesus' love and grace.

How important is church planting—and does the local Church still matter today?In this episode of the Be Bold For Jesus Podcast, we sit down with Pastor Kenney Bahr of North Church Coeur d'Alene to unpack the heart behind church planting, the importance of being sent by God, and why reaching people far from Jesus still requires new churches today.From not even wanting to be a pastor to stepping fully into his calling, Kenney shares powerful stories of faith, obedience, and building a church from the ground up with just a small team. This conversation dives into culture, community, and what it really looks like to live out Acts 2, while emphasizing unity among churches and the mission to see lives transformed by the Gospel.Whether you're a church leader, believer, or simply curious if the local church still matters in today's culture—this episode will challenge and encourage you.✝️ Be Bold For Jesus Conference 2026 ✝️https://bebold4jesus.org/spokane/https://bebold4jesus.org/Instagram: @bebold4jesusministries✌️ Learn More About North Church Coeur d'Alene ✌️https://northchurch.net/cdaInstagram: @northchurchcda

Is the hype around immersive audio actually worth the massive investment for your church? And how do you keep your production and worship teams united when your church is experiencing explosive, multi-site growth?In this episode, we are joined by Eric Allen, Audio Engineer at Community Bible Church (CBC) in San Antonio. We start by unpacking what it takes to manage production across a rapidly growing, multi-site congregation, including exactly how CBC bridges the gap between the worship band and the tech booth.In this episode you'll hear0:00 Intro: Toby & Blake Are Bad at First Dates5:30 Eric Allen (Community Bible Church) Joins8:45 Managing Explosive Church Growth12:30 Integrating Production and Worship Teams14:16 Uniting a Multi-Site Worship Experience22:00 Defining Immersive Audio in a Church Setting24:00 Things to Consider Before Upgrading to Immersive28:30 The Real Benefits of Immersive-Based Mixing39:30 Weighing the Decision: Is Immersive Worth the Cost?42:48 Tech Disaster Story 1: The Brownout47:25 Tech Disaster Story 2: The Blackout51:45 Keep Sundays Running: The Work You Do Monday to FridayGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

In this episode, we are joined by Estian Els to get a global perspective on church tech. We dive into the realities of running a massive 7,000-person church in Africa, breaking down exactly what gear they use and the unique struggles of navigating international supply chains to get it.Estian also shares a brilliant leadership hack: why you need to bring your senior pastor to the FILO Conference. Finally, we zoom out to discuss the broader state of the global church, exploring exactly what the American church needs to learn from the African church when it comes to worship, community, and production.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Are You Scared to Travel Internationally?5:15 Estian Els Joins the Podcast9:04 Estian's Start in Church Production17:30 Gear Talk: Production for a 7,000-Person Church in Africa19:50 The Supply Chain Struggle: Getting AVL Gear in Africa24:45 Life Hack: Take Your Pastor to the FILO Conference34:30 The Current State of the Church in Africa37:30 What the American Church Can Learn from the African Church44:00 Church Tech Disaster Story47:00 Keep Sundays RunningGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

In this heavy but incredibly important episode, we are joined by Will Martin of Gateway Church. Will shares the raw reality of navigating one of the most publicized church crises in recent history. We discuss the immediate emotional toll on the production team, how to lead volunteers through the shock, and the harsh realities of staff turnover and attendance drops following a major scandal.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: False Miracles6:14 Will Martin (Gateway Church) Joins10:45 The Fallout: Navigating a Pastor's Moral Failure18:00 Leading a Tech Team Through a Church Crisis27:30 The Reality of Staff Turnover After a Scandal32:30 How Moral Failures Impact Church Attendance35:00 Should Lead Pastors Be Held to a Higher Standard?47:30 Supporting Church Leadership During a Crisis52:30 Gateway Church's Transition to a New Pastor57:00 Keep Sundays Running: Knowing Your "Why"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you communicate your actual value to your church leadership without overwhelming them with tech jargon?In this episode, we are joined by FILO Founder Todd Elliott. Todd shares the origin story of how FILO was created to support the often-overlooked production community.We dive into a deep conversation about the title of "Technical Artist," why using intentional tech jargon to sound smart usually backfires with your senior pastor, and the best ways to bridge the communication gap between the tech booth and the executive team. In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Chicago Keeps Trying to Kill Us5:20 Todd Elliott (Founder of FILO) Joins11:00 Game: Church Camp or Frat House?17:15 The Origin Story of the FILO Conference27:30 The Debate: Are Church Techs "Technical Artists"?34:00 How to Communicate Your Value to Church Leadership38:00 The Danger of Using Tech Jargon with Pastors49:30 Keep Sundays Running: Forecasting Gear FailureGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here.  Up to 50% off select categories and 20% off everything overall in stock! Grab a great deal deal and enter to win a "Keep Sundays Running" kit with fun swag and tech essentials here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

When money is tight, is it ever a good idea to buy a cheap, imported LED wall?In this episode, we sit down with Eduardo Rivera from People's Church to tackle the harsh realities of church tech budgets. We discuss how to start upgrading your gear when your budget is basically zero, and how to coach volunteer teams who yearn for new gear. Topics Covered:Prioritizing budgets: Live Stream vs. In-Person WorshipThe hidden costs of cheap LED wallsDefining production excellence without comparing your church to othersGear and setups currently used at People's ChurchLeading and coaching tech volunteers who suffer from "Gear Acquisition Syndrome"In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Stop Paying to Store Used AVL Gear5:55 Eduardo Rivera from People's Church Joins8:15 Eduardo's Start in Church Tech13:30 Defining Production Excellence at People's Church15:45 The "Church Down the Street" Comparison Trap19:45 Gear Talk: What is People's Church Using?23:00 Budget Strategy: Live Stream vs. The Auditorium25:00 Should You Buy a Cheap LED Wall?34:15 Where to Start When Your AVL Budget is Zero36:45 Coaching Techs Who Always Want New Gear39:49 Church Tech Disaster Story44:44 Tech Takeaway: Always Carry a FlashlightGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.  Apply to work at ChurchGear here!Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Is the church doing enough to invest in the next generation of technical artists? And how do you balance the pressure for a "perfect" Sunday mix with the need to let young volunteers make mistakes and learn?In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 HouseRight Event Recap & Listener Shoutouts6:15 Gene Kim (Lauren Daigle's FOH Engineer) Joins12:30 Are We Investing in the Next Generation of Church Techs?32:30 Mentorship: Allowing Volunteers to Make Mistakes37:30 Core Topics for Mentoring Young Audio Engineers46:00 What It's Like Mixing FOH for Lauren Daigle48:00 Gear Talk: Gene Kim's Favorite Audio Tools Right Now57:00 Disaster Story: “Take it all off”1:00:30 Tech Takeaway: Providing Peace of MindGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.  Apply to work at ChurchGear here!Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Dear Church Greetings to you all!If you'd prefer, you can watch the video version of this podcast here.The brokenness of the carnal recruitment processes of the world is reflected in the recruitment processes (and adverts) of the Church.What do we include in our person specification for a church leader?We include at least these 14 points in our personal specification for a church leader:1. A man who is able to describe personal cost associated with their stand for the Gospel;2. A man who is able to describe personal repentance and specific examplesof their change of mind recently;3. A man who is able to describe relationships as well as estrangements;4. A man who is able to describe their urgent burden for the lost;5. A man who is NOT popular with everyone;6. A man who even has enemies;7. A man who has been ostracised;8. A man whose stand for doctrinal clarity has been personally costly;9. A man who can describe turning down an opportunity to alleviate pain,ultimately declining out of conviction;10. A man who is calling the Church to repentance as a Body and not onlyindividual members;11. A man who is willing to relocate, to be disrupted, including family/children/job;12.  A man whose testimony is radically different post-2020 cf. pre-2020;13. A man who sings/praises God every day;14. A man who weeps for the state the Church and the glory of His Name.If you would like to help us to begin a new house church, please see here.

How do you lead your church tech team after a tornado has lifted off your church's roof? In this episode, we are joined by Mac Brown of Second Baptist Church in Houston, TX. We start by tackling the tension between the pulpit and the tech booth before diving into one of the wildest stories we've ever heard on the podcast: leading a church tech team after a literal tornado ripped the roof off their building.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Pastor vs. Production: Who Wins Setup Disputes?6:30 Mac Brown (Second Baptist Houston) Joins8:30 When a Tornado Rips the Roof Off Your Church10:30 Mac's Start in Church Production17:45 Leading a Tech Team Through a Tornado Disaster23:00 Acoustic Treatment vs. Room Aesthetics25:00 Lessons from Portable Church to Permanent Building28:30 Did Pastor Ed Young Take a Helicopter Between Services?31:00 Second Houston's Most Difficult Production Projects34:15 Communicating Unrealistic Executive Requests to Your Team40:45 Church Tech Disaster Story43:45 Tech TakeawayGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.  Apply to work at ChurchGear here!Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Is buying the best, most expensive gear always the right answer to your church's production problems? (Spoiler alert: Usually not.)In this special episode recorded live at MxU, we are joined by Spencer De Young and Dillan Howell. We dive straight into the controversial stuff, discussing exactly why your church probably shouldn't buy a DiGiCo 338 console and the hard truth about whether you actually need a giant LED wall.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The "Great Gear Fixes Everything" Myth4:30 Spencer De Young & Dillan Howell (Live at MxU) Join6:30 Why Your Church Shouldn't Buy a DiGiCo 33817:00 Are AVL Integrators Overselling to Churches?20:45 How to Choose the Right AVL Gear for Your Room36:00 The Hard Truth About Giant LED Walls41:15 What New Tech Volunteers Actually Need48:45 Storytime: Getting "Blaked" at MxU52:30 Tech Takeaway: Spend Church Budget Like It's YoursGet chapter one of Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.  Apply to work at ChurchGear here!Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Serving in the production booth can be incredibly isolating. Without a strong culture, church tech volunteers and staff often burn out in silence. So, how do you fix it?In this episode, we sit down with Christian Acevedo of Celebration Church to talk about the life-saving power of community in church production.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Snowstorms & "The Mix" Events5:30 Christian Acevedo (Celebration Church) Joins9:40 Christian's Journey to Celebration Church14:30 Building a Thriving Church Production Community25:40 Raising Up the Next Generation of Church Techs30:00 The Dangers of Isolation in Tech Ministry 34:00 Gear Talk: What is Celebration Church Using?38:00 Church Tech Disaster Story42:00 Tech Takeaway: Checking Your Blind SpotsGet chapter one of Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.  Apply to work at ChurchGear here!Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Who is Jesus, according to Jesus? We are going to answer that question by exploring seven scandalous claims that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John. These are known as the "I AM" statements.In John 10, Jesus declares: "I am the good shepherd". We live in a culture that prizes self-determination and independence, yet we often find ourselves exhausted, anxious, and aimless. Jesus reveals that we cannot find true security while we are busy trying to be our own protectors. When we stop trying to outrun our vulnerabilities and look to the Good Shepherd, we realize that our need for safety, guidance, and belonging can only be met by the one who knows us by name and was willing to lay down His life for the flock.

Every year, as we enter into the lenten season, we are invited to reflect upon our brokenness, our mortality, and our deep need for Jesus and His resurrection. This exercise of writing your own epitaph will encourage you to consider your life - as it has been, as it is, and as it could be. What matters most? How do you want to be remembered? What does it look like to live life to the fullest? As we do this, we turn towards God, who is the author of our lives, and discern what it looks like to lead lives defined by worship and gratitude.

How do you allocate a new church build budget between Audio, Video, and Lighting? And at what church size does production start to get exponentially more expensive?In this episode, we sit down with Aaron Ruse (former Technical Director at Saddleback Church and FOH engineer for Matt Redman) to break down the reality of modern church production. Before diving into the interview, the guys react to the massive production behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Production Breakdown: Super Bowl Halftime Show4:25 Aaron Ruse (Saddleback Church / Sweetwater) Joins8:30 Aaron's Start in Church Production13:00 What It Takes to Mix FOH for Matt Redman14:30 Church Tech: What Has Changed in 20 Years (And What Hasn't)18:00 Essential Skills for Managing an LED Wall19:40 Production Trends to Embrace (and Which to Avoid)26:00 Acoustic Treatment Strategies for Worship Spaces34:00 The "Breaking Point" Where Production Costs Skyrocket38:45 Allocating Your AVL Budget: Audio vs. Video vs. Lighting43:00 Church Tech Disaster Story46:00 Tech Takeaway: Fostering Authentic WorshipGet chapter one of Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

When hiring a new church tech director, should you look for the person with the most technical knowledge or the best leadership potential? And if you are currently in the role, which skill set should you be developing first?In this episode, we are joined by Max Brown (formerly of Willow Creek Church) to tackle the age-old debate of Competence vs. Character. Max shares his experience running production at one of the most influential churches in the country, revealing the reality of their team size and workflows.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Blake's Beach Blunder4:45 Max Brown (Former Willow Creek) Joins9:00 Principles of Leading Church Production13:00 Debate: Developing Leadership vs. Technical Skills22:00 Hiring Strategy: Character vs. Competence?28:30 Inside Production at Willow Creek Church32:20 Can You Run a Sunday Service with Just Tracks?34:45 Willow Creek's Production Team Size46:20 Is Church Production an Art or a Science?51:30 Tech TakeawayGet Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

If you had a limited budget, would you spend it on a better PA system or a better mixing console? And with all the hype around spatial audio, should your church actually be looking at Immersive Audio installs?In this episode, we are joined by Johnny Ragin, the face behind Worship Sound Guy, and we dive deep into the gear debates every church tech has.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Handling Unsolicited Feedback5:00 Johnny Ragin (Worship Sound Guy) Joins7:00 Segment: Five Truths & A Lie16:45 Johnny's Start in Church Production21:15 Overcoming the Tech "Knowledge Gap"25:15 Training New Audio Volunteers27:45 Debate: Better PA vs. Better Console?28:45 Overused Production Effects & Tools33:00 Real Talk: Church Drum Budgets34:45 Is Immersive Audio Worth It for Churches?37:45 The Pros & Cons of Remote Mixing47:45 Rapid Fire: Favorite Audio Consoles49:00 Favorite PA System of All Time49:25 Favorite Audio Plugin51:00 Tech Takeaway: Keep It SimpleGet Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Taking risks in church production is terrifying. If you try something new and it fails, everyone notices. But if you never take risks, your production gets stale. So, how do you find the balance?In this episode, we sit down with John Williams, Production Director at Church of the King, to discuss how to push your church forward with strategic risks. We cover how to approach the first few months of a new church tech role, the safest ways to test new gear or workflows on a Sunday, and how to have difficult conversations with your pastor when a volunteer makes a mistake.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: The Biggest Risks We've Ever Taken5:00 John Williams (Church of the King) Joins6:15 John's Origin Story in Production15:00 Starting a New Role: The First 90 Days Strategy18:30 Taking Strategic Risks on Sunday Mornings22:00 Safe Ways to Test New Gear & Workflows35:30 Handling Volunteer Mistakes with Your Pastor38:45 Disaster Story: A Squirrel Destroyed Our Service43:45 Tech Takeaway: Keep the Main Thing the Main ThingGet Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

New church plants often begin with vision, faith, and a deep sense of calling—but they also come with real challenges. This devotional reflects on how easy it can be to assume a new church has everything under control, especially when leaders don’t openly ask for help. Over time, good intentions can quietly turn into distance or apathy, even when the need is still very real. The reminder here is simple and important: church planting is never meant to be done alone. God uses many people in different roles—some to plant, some to water—but He alone brings the growth. Even when we don’t know exactly how to get involved, prayer is always a meaningful place to start. Interceding for a church plant, its leaders, and its community is not a passive act; it’s participation in God’s work. This devotional encourages believers to be proactive rather than waiting for an invitation. Support doesn’t always look like finances or formal volunteering. Sometimes it’s faithful prayer, encouragement, or simply staying attentive to what God might be prompting you to do. When we care about what God is building in our communities, we reflect His heart for the Church—and trust Him to bring growth in His timing and His way. Main Takeaways New church plants often need more support than they openly express. God uses many servants, but He alone brings true growth. Prayer is a powerful and practical way to support church leaders and congregations. Believers don’t need to wait for an invitation to care or intercede. God is pleased when we show concern for His work in our local communities. Today’s Bible Verse “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” - 1 Corinthians 3:5 Your Daily Prayer Here is a brief excerpt from today’s prayer: “Help me not to become apathetic or turn away from those who need it… Only You can truly give it success.” You can listen to the full prayer here or read the devotional at the links below. Looking for more daily encouragement and faith-filled content? LifeAudio – Find daily devotionals, Christian podcasts, and biblical encouragement at LifeAudio.com Crosswalk – Explore prayer, faith, and Christian living resources at Crosswalk.com This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.orgTrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. https://trinitycredit.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, we explore the rare but inspiring career path from Production Director to Executive Pastor.We are joined by Dave Clark of Fellowship Church (Grapevine) to discuss how he transitioned from technical leadership to executive leadership. We break down the difference between treating ministry as a "job" versus a "calling," and Dave shares practical advice on how tech directors can build trust with senior pastors and get "unstuck" when they feel stagnant.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Toby's Church Planting Story6:30 Dave Clark (Fellowship Church Grapevine) Joins14:30 Defining Ministry: A Job vs. A Calling17:00 Career Path: From Tech Director to Executive Pastor21:45 How to Minister to Production Volunteers27:00 Getting "Unstuck" in Your Ministry Career29:00 Building Trust with Senior Leadership38:00 Pastor Ed Young's Wildest Production Requests48:00 Staying Calm During a Tech Disaster53:00 Avoiding "Imaginary Arguments"54:15 Tech Takeaway: Ask Questions to Understand55:45 C3 Conference PreviewYou can sign up for the C3 Conference with this link to get a special rate discount from $229 to $99. https://brushfire.com/fellowship/c3conference2026/598770/register?typeCode=C3COMEBACKGet Toby's new book "Sacred Spaces, Modern Production" here. Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

How do you lead when you don't make the final calls?Matt shares his personal story of reaching his breaking point and how to know when God is releasing you from your current church tech job.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 The Cost of Bad Acoustics in Big Halls6:15 Matt Kotthoff (Wooddale Church) Joins8:30 Debate: Is an AVL College Degree Worth It?10:45 Inside Production at Wooddale Church15:30 Essential Tech for Traditional Services17:25 Upgrading Gear for Choir & Orchestra20:45 Can One Room Do Both Traditional & Modern?24:25 Using "Choir Flex" for Better Audio27:30 Prioritizing Spoken Word Intelligibility36:30 Navigating Leadership When You Aren't in Charge43:00 The Breaking Point: When to Leave Your Church Job50:30 Discernment: Has God Released You?57:15 Matt's Moment of Clarity (Why He Left)Come Hangout With Your Tech Community at The Mix! Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Potesta, System Engineer for artists like Lauren Daigle and Tate McRae. We dive deep into the high-stakes world of touring production, covering everything from how to land your first big road gig to the critical lessons every local church can learn about PA system tuning and system design.Whether you're looking to upgrade your sanctuary's sound or considering a jump into the professional touring industry, Matt shares the "real-world" costs of professional audio services and how to protect your health while working in a high-demand industry.In this episode you'll hear: 01:00 Banter: Surprise Parties and Tech Interventions05:50 Guest Interview: Matt Potesta (Lauren Daigle & Tate McRae Tour)08:00 Career Roadmap: Landing a World-Class Touring Production Job13:00 Church Production vs. Touring: Pros, Cons, and Key Differences19:00 How to "Pay Your Dues" and Break into the Pro Audio Industry23:30 Touring System Design: Applying Road Lessons to Local Venues26:50 Budgeting for Sound: How Much Does Professional PA Tuning Cost?30:50 Should Churches Hire Independent Vetting for System Integrators?38:30 Career Advice: When to Transition from Church Tech to the Road43:20 Mental Health in Production: Prioritizing Health and Avoiding Burnout45:30 Pro Touring Disaster Story: Lessons from the Road48:00 Tech Takeaway: How to "Condition" Your Audience for Better ServicesCome Hangout With Your Tech Community at The Mix! Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!

Dillan Howell has run many large scale events. From corporate ballroom events to managing the artists for the Charlie Kirk Memorial, Dillan's see it all. What lessons has he learned from his time in large scale events that he would bring back to church production if he returned to a church tech role? In this episode you'll hear: 01:00 Field Trip: Behind the Scenes of a Weird Open House05:30 Guest Interview: Dillan Howell (Evnt Ready)11:30 Realities of Church Live Event Budgets14:30 Can You Run a Major Church Event on $50,000?17:00 How to Pitch Live Event Tech Budgets to Leadership22:30 Production Disaster Story: The Music Festival Fail25:30 Event Industry Lessons for Church Production Teams29:30 Common Mistakes Churches Make with Live Production33:45 Where Churches Waste Money on Production Gear42:45 Artist Management & Logistics for Large-Scale Events: Charlie Kirk Memorial50:45 Church Tech Takeaway54:35 Church Tech Confessional: Bad Live StreamsCome Hangout With Your Tech Community at The Mix! Resources for your Church Tech Ministry Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here! Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!