The conversation covers why we ask every church "why?" before recommending an upgrade, what a sound system upgrade is really for, why professional tools last longer, and how worship has always cost something. Then the audience takes over: the e-drums versus acoustic drums debate, how to bring traditional members along as a service modernizes, and the biggest challenge Churchfront has faced in becoming an integrator.

AI tools for church ministry, from the team that uses them every day. Churchfront is an AV integration company, and in 2026 we became an AI company too. Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson walk through how Claude now runs our email, calendar, files and projects, and what the same tools could do for a worship and production team.

You will hear how an inbox can sweep itself three times a day and hand back drafts in your own voice, how to get started with Claude connectors and skill files, how one photo of a tech closet can turn into a documented system inventory, how scheduled tasks help keep volunteers from falling through the cracks, why many church apps may give way to tools like Notion, and why growing your own understanding matters more than ever.

Tools in this episode:

Claude: https://claude.ai/ Notion: https://www.notion.com/

Superhuman: https://superhuman.com/

JobTread: https://www.jobtread.com/

We're hiring AVL technicians: https://churchfront.com/careers/ Read the full article: https://churchfront.com/2026/09/24/ai-workflows-church-production-leaders/

Free downloads:

Churchfront Toolkit: https://churchfront.com/toolkit/

Ambient pads for worship: https://churchfront.com/ambient-pads/

Get training for production leaders and volunteers: https://churchfront.com/premium/

Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference: https://churchfront.me/conference

0:00 Why 2026 is the year AI changed everything 0:52 Two worlds: ministry and the AV business 1:58 "I don't even open my email anymore" 4:31 Getting started: Claude, connectors and skill files 8:55 Travel, calendar and files on autopilot 12:53 Bringing these tools into worship and production ministry 14:52 Running a business through Claude and JobTread 16:22 Not letting volunteers fall through the cracks 18:52 Notion, super apps and the future of church software 21:57 How AI is changing Churchfront's business model 24:18 Documenting a church system with a voice memo 27:10 Keep growing your organic intelligence 29:35 Claude writes the skill files, you refine them 30:08 Finally enjoying the fruit of the systems Follow us! Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/churchfront Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/churchfront TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@churchfront • • • • • Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN #ChurchTech #AIforChurches #ChurchProduction

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About This Week's Guest Colby Griner serves at Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, where he oversees broadcast video at the main campus and supports production across multiple campuses. His background includes leading production in a smaller church environment, building volunteer-friendly systems, and helping churches make practical decisions about video gear, cameras, switching, routing, and live production workflows.

In this session from the Churchfront Conference, Colby breaks down how churches should think about video systems based on their actual context, not just the gear they see other churches using. He compares broadcast cameras, cinema cameras, and PTZs, explains when each makes sense, and walks through the signal flow essentials that make live video work.

You'll also hear practical guidance on ProPresenter outputs, fill and key graphics, routers, switchers, stream decks, and volunteer training. If your church wants a better-looking livestream or in-room video experience without creating a system only professionals can run, this episode will help you choose the right next step.

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A great sound system, lighting rig, or LED wall can still fall short if nobody knows how to operate, maintain, and adapt it after installation. In this episode, Jake and Luke unpack one of the biggest things church leaders miss in AV projects: the ongoing need for training, support, system ownership, and engineering expertise.

They explain why AV is different from other parts of a building project, why volunteers and operators should not be expected to function as system engineers, and how churches can plan for stabilization, documentation, ongoing support, and future growth before investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into new AVL systems.

If your church is planning a new build, expansion, or major AV upgrade, this conversation will help you count the real cost of ownership and build a system your team can actually use with confidence.

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About This Week's Guest Danielle Iselin serves at VIVE Church in Mountain View, California, helping lead production across a global church with 15 campuses. Her background in church production started at a young age, and her leadership experience gives her a practical, encouraging perspective for worship and production leaders who feel the pressure to know it all.

In this Churchfront Conference keynote, Danielle challenges church production leaders to stop carrying everything alone and start becoming leaders of leaders. She explains what it means to "know enough to be dangerous," not by pretending to be the expert in every area, but by learning strategically, asking better questions, empowering gifted people, and staying deeply aligned with the vision of the church.

If you lead worship, production, media, or AVL volunteers, this session will help you think differently about learning, delegation, team building, and the kind of leadership that strengthens your church for the long run.

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In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson talk through one of the most common ways churches waste money on AV: starting with a budget number before defining the actual ministry needs, space requirements, and system design.

They unpack why rough percentages, contractor guesses, cheap local installs, and rushed timelines often lead to underbuilt systems, change orders, poor long-term support, and frustrated teams. Instead of treating AV like a last-minute line item, Jake and Luke explain why churches need a clear plan, informed consulting, and a long-term stewardship mindset before making major AVL decisions.

If your church is planning a renovation, expansion, or AV upgrade, this conversation will help you ask better questions before spending six or seven figures on technology.

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About This Week's Guest

Stephen "Shep" Sheppard is a church production and broadcast leader with experience serving at Elevation Church, launching church campuses, supporting multi-site production teams, and helping churches improve their camera systems, video direction, and sermon capture workflows.

In this episode, Shep challenges the assumption that livestreaming is still the main growth strategy for churches. Instead, he explains how production teams can use cameras, lighting, volunteer training, sermon recording, YouTube, and short-form content to steward the message more effectively throughout the week.

You'll learn why the sermon deserves intentional camera coverage, why better lighting may matter more than new cameras, how to define roles for camera operators and video directors, and how churches of any size can create more useful content with the tools they already have.

• • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.

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About This Week's Guest This episode features Frank and Wade from Pro Church Lights, teaching from the Churchfront Conference in Melbourne Beach, Florida. They help churches build practical, volunteer-friendly lighting systems that support worship, hospitality, and ministry impact.

Church lighting is not about manipulating emotion. It is about setting the table so people can walk into a space that feels intentional, welcoming, and ready for worship.

In this episode, Frank and Wade explain why lighting matters from both a biblical and practical perspective, then walk through five principles every church can use to improve its lighting: nail the foundational elements, simplify control, standardize looks, train volunteers, and upgrade strategically. Whether your church is starting with a basic lighting setup or trying to make an existing system easier for volunteers to run, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions and create a better worship environment. Lighting Cheat Sheet and Lightkey Project file - https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1-q8N2wDohDmCd1YxaQ0-8UQjUUkkmb-R?usp=sharing • • • • •

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In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson unpack why Churchfront does not start AVL projects by handing churches a quick bid or quote. They explain the difference between an estimate, bid, quote, proposal, and RFP, and why accurate pricing for church AVL work depends on design, engineering, site context, system goals, and clear specifications.

Jake and Luke also walk through Churchfront's pre-design and consulting process, including the on-site visit, discovery conversations, inventory, program report, budget ranges, phasing recommendations, and the path from consulting to design, engineering, and final project proposal.

If your church is planning an audio, video, lighting, broadcast, or renovation project, this conversation will help you understand what information is needed before a firm quote is possible and how to move forward with clarity instead of guesswork.

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About This Week's Guest Nathan Finocchio is a speaker, teacher, and longtime worship leader who brings a sharp, theological perspective to conversations about worship, church leadership, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the gathered church.

In this Churchfront Conference keynote, Nathan Finocchio makes a bold case for why church production matters. Rather than treating lights, sound, video, and AVL systems as distractions, Nathan argues that production can help facilitate the first ministry of the church: worshiping God.

Nathan unpacks the biblical language of praise, sacrifice, priesthood, and presence, challenging church leaders and production teams to move from a consumer mindset to a priestly mindset. This conversation will help worship pastors, production directors, tech teams, and church leaders recover a deeper "why" behind the work of creating excellent worship environments.

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Why Is Church AV So Expensive?

In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson break down why professional church AVL projects cost more than many churches expect. They explain the hidden work behind a reliable system, including engineering, logistics, insurance, software, support, staffing, travel, procurement, and long-term operational stability.

Jake and Luke also talk about why Churchfront does not try to be the cheapest AV integrator. Instead, they explain how accurate pricing protects churches from risky shortcuts, underbuilt systems, poor support, and unstable vendors. If your church is planning a renovation, new build, or major AV upgrade, this episode will help you understand what you are actually paying for and how to evaluate the right AVL partner.

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Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About Reggi Beasley Reggi Beasley is a worship leader and ministry builder who helps churches build healthy, thriving worship teams. In this Churchfront Conference keynote, he brings a pastoral word of encouragement for worship, production, and church leaders who are doing good work but feeling weary in the middle of it.

In this episode, Reggi reminds ministry leaders that a sustainable life of service starts with receiving three simple but deeply needed truths: God sees you, God loves you, and God wants to spend time with you. Through the stories of Hagar, the prodigal son, and a personal moment from a ministry trip, he shows how grace restores our rhythm when performance, pressure, and responsibility begin to wear us down.

If you lead volunteers, carry the weight of weekend services, or feel the tension between ministry calling and real-life exhaustion, this message will help you slow down, remember the Father's love, and lead from intimacy instead of striving.

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Former Elevation Broadcast Engineer on Building a Healthier Church Production Team

About This Week's Guest: Stephen "Shep" Sheppard is a church production leader, content creator, and freelance broadcast/production specialist who has served in production roles at Elevation Church, Hope City Church, and multiple portable church environments. His experience spans volunteer leadership, broadcast engineering, campus launches, livestream systems, and coaching churches on how to build healthier production teams.

In this episode, Shep shares practical lessons from years of leading church production teams through high-pressure Sunday environments. He talks about reducing stress in production, simplifying systems, documenting technology, improving communication, and building volunteer teams that are healthy enough to serve and still participate in the life of the church.

You'll hear stories from portable church setups, live broadcast failures, team-building wins, and the leadership habits that help production directors support their pastors, multiply volunteers, and create sustainable systems for ministry. • • • • •

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Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok The Biggest AV Mistake Churches Make During Construction Projects In this episode, Jake and Sean explain why church AV should not be treated like gear you add at the end of a construction project. AV is a specialty construction trade that affects structural planning, electrical requirements, HVAC coordination, sightlines, cabling, equipment racks, control systems, and long-term volunteer usability. They unpack when churches should bring AV into the process, why pre-design consulting matters, how realistic budgets are built, and why you cannot accurately quote a system that has not been designed. They also discuss how better planning, detailed documentation, and experienced project management can prevent costly surprises and help churches steward construction projects with wisdom.

• • • • •

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Spirit, Skills, and Systems: The Formula Behind a Thriving Worship Ministry

The three pillars of a healthy worship ministry

Jake explains why thriving ministries are built on three essential foundations: the Spirit of God moving through the church, skilled leaders who elevate the ministry, and healthy systems that sustain long-term growth. Missing any one of these creates unnecessary limitations and frustration.

How Rock Harbor grew from a church plant to nearly 600 people

Reflecting on the past three years, Jake shares how Rock Harbor transitioned from a small mobile church into a rapidly growing congregation. As attendance increased, the worship and production ministry had to mature alongside the church through better leadership, stronger musicianship, and intentional systems.

Why momentum attracts talented volunteers

One of the biggest lessons from Rock Harbor is that excellence attracts excellence. Competent leadership and healthy culture naturally draw gifted musicians, production volunteers, and future staff members who want to contribute to a ministry that's moving forward.

Finding the first key volunteer

For churches starting from scratch, Jake and Matt argue that all it takes is one exceptional volunteer to begin changing the culture. They share stories of volunteers who recruited entire teams simply because they experienced healthy leadership and an encouraging ministry environment.

When churches should start paying worship leaders

Rather than waiting until a church becomes large, Jake encourages smaller churches to budget for skilled worship leadership intentionally. Investing in one dependable, competent leader often creates the momentum needed to attract additional volunteers and raise the overall standard of the ministry.

Navigating difficult conversations with volunteers

Not every musician is best suited for every role. Jake and Matt discuss how healthy leaders lovingly help people find the ministry where they're most gifted instead of allowing poor role alignment to frustrate both the individual and the team.

Building systems that prevent burnout

Many churches struggle with constant staff turnover, not because people lack passion, but because poorly designed systems create unsustainable workloads. Jake argues that healthy planning, scheduling, communication, and preparation are essential for protecting ministry leaders over the long term.

Why great systems matter more than most churches realize

From Planning Center workflows to service planning and AV infrastructure, effective systems allow volunteers and staff to focus on ministry instead of chaos. Healthy systems create consistency, reduce stress, and make growth sustainable.

Small churches don't need unlimited budgets

Jake pushes back against the idea that churches need expensive equipment to thrive. Even churches running older consoles and limited technology can create excellent worship experiences by maximizing their existing resources with better leadership, training, and intentional systems.

Vision without systems leads to burnout

Visionary leaders often excel at inspiring people but struggle to build the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth. Jake explains why churches must develop organizational systems alongside their vision if they want healthy, sustainable ministry.

• • • • •

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Guest background: Ryan Visconti is the Lead Pastor of Generation Church in Mesa, Arizona. A former Army officer who served in Iraq before entering ministry, Ryan brings a unique leadership perspective shaped by both military service and over a decade of leading a rapidly growing church. In this conversation, Ryan shares insights on church growth, staff culture, worship leadership, difficult personnel decisions, AI, and what it means to lead with conviction in an increasingly complex cultural environment.

Ryan believes worship and production are too important to be delegated without involvement from senior leadership. As a musician and former drummer, he sees worship as a central part of discipleship and church culture. Rather than viewing worship and production as separate departments, he sees them as essential ministry tools that help communicate truth and shape the spiritual life of the church.

One of the recurring themes of the conversation is finding the balance between oversight and empowerment. Ryan argues that many leaders overcorrect against micromanagement and unintentionally drift into abdication. While creative leaders need freedom to lead, pastors still have a responsibility to provide vision, theological oversight, and clear expectations.

Songs often leave a deeper imprint on church members than sermons. Ryan discusses his process for reviewing new songs, evaluating lyrics, and ensuring worship services reinforce sound theology. Generation Church also uses Scripture on LED screens during worship to connect song lyrics directly to biblical truth.

Generation Church has experienced significant growth over the past decade, and Ryan attributes much of their staff culture to a strong sense of mission. Team members understand the purpose behind their work, move quickly toward goals, and share a common commitment to reaching people with the gospel.

Ryan challenges the idea that ministry should be treated like a typical profession. Instead, he encourages staff members to see themselves as ministry families who are pursuing a shared calling together. This perspective shapes how the church supports staff spouses, children, and family life while helping prevent resentment toward ministry.

As a pastor's kid himself, Ryan is passionate about helping ministry families thrive. Generation Church intentionally invests in staff children through celebrations, gifts, special events, and additional support. The goal is for staff kids to grow up loving the church rather than resenting the ministry environment they were raised in.

Ryan reflects on the systems and leadership shifts required as Generation Church grew from approximately 500 attendees to one of the largest churches in the region. He discusses key growth barriers, assimilation systems, volunteer pipelines, and the importance of continually adapting leadership structures as the organization expands.

While both serving and small groups create community, Ryan believes serving can be one of the most effective pathways to engagement. Serving teams naturally create relationships, ownership, and a deeper connection to the mission of the church.

One of the most candid portions of the conversation focuses on leadership capacity. Ryan explains that churches must continually develop leaders because organizations can eventually outgrow the abilities of the people leading them. While these conversations are often difficult, leaders have a responsibility to prioritize the long-term health of the mission.

Ryan shares how his years as an Army officer continue to influence his approach to leadership. The military taught him the importance of leading by example, maintaining high standards, embracing accountability, and understanding that leadership requires both responsibility and courage.

Drawing on his military background, Ryan describes modern ministry as "wartime ministry." He believes church leaders face increasing cultural pressure and must be prepared to lead through controversy, opposition, and difficult conversations without compromising biblical convictions.

Ryan is cautiously optimistic about artificial intelligence. He already uses AI to accelerate sermon research and administrative tasks, but he also recognizes challenges that come with AI-generated misinformation and theological confusion. He believes church leaders will need to help people navigate a future where AI increasingly influences how individuals seek answers and form beliefs.

A major focus of the conversation is the relationship between truth and grace. Ryan argues that effective ministry requires both compassion and conviction. While leaders should genuinely care for people, they should also be willing to address difficult topics and provide clear biblical guidance rather than avoiding controversial issues.

Ryan discusses the painful reality that leadership sometimes requires difficult personnel and cultural decisions. Healthy organizations cannot avoid conflict forever, and leaders must be willing to protect culture, address problems directly, and prioritize the long-term health of the church over short-term comfort.

Ryan believes many young adults—especially young men—are searching for clarity, purpose, and truth. As culture becomes increasingly unstable, he sees growing opportunities for churches that are willing to communicate biblical truth clearly while helping people find meaning and hope through Christ.

• Generation Church

• ChatGPT

• Gemini

• Logos Bible Software

• Inside Elevation

• Elevation Church

• United States Army

• Charlie Kirk

• Leadership Research Services

• Real-Time AI Translation Technology

"Ministry is the one arena that is actually higher stakes than combat. In combat, this is life and death. In ministry, this is heaven and hell."

• • • • •

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Guest background: Lee Fields is a front-of-house engineer, audio educator, and one of the most respected voices in live sound for churches. In this Churchfront Conference workshop, Lee demonstrates his practical approach to building repeatable mixing systems that help volunteer audio engineers succeed week after week. Drawing from decades of experience in live production, he focuses less on mixing tricks and more on creating processes, gain structures, and source quality that deliver consistent results regardless of who is behind the console.

Lee challenges a common assumption among church audio leaders. Great audio leadership is not measured by how well you mix when you're behind the console—it's measured by how good the mix sounds when you're not there. The goal of every production leader should be building systems that enable volunteers to succeed consistently rather than relying on a single expert operator.

Many churches unintentionally create complicated mixing environments that overwhelm volunteers. Lee advocates for simpler workflows, fewer variables, and repeatable processes that lower the skill barrier while maintaining high-quality results. The easier the system is to operate, the more likely volunteers are to succeed.

Before touching a console, Lee explains that every mix is heavily influenced by factors that happen long before signal reaches the mixer. Room acoustics, speaker placement, PA tuning, source quality, and stage volume all have a greater impact on the final result than plugin choices or advanced processing techniques.

One of Lee's core philosophies is that great sound begins at the source. Well-tuned drums, properly dialed-in guitar tones, quality vocal technique, and intentional stage preparation solve far more problems than expensive gear or complicated processing chains ever will.

Rather than rebuilding a mix from scratch every weekend, Lee recommends creating a carefully designed baseline console file. By investing significant time into gain structure, EQ, compression, routing, and effects ahead of time, churches can create a starting point that volunteers can confidently use every week.

Lee emphasizes that gain staging is one of the most overlooked aspects of church audio. Compression thresholds, EQ decisions, effects sends, and overall mix balance depend on consistent input levels. If gain structure changes every week, nothing else on the console behaves predictably.

Many churches blur the lines between technical preparation and musical rehearsal. Lee explains the importance of separating line checks, soundchecks, rehearsals, and individual practice. When each step serves its intended purpose, teams become more efficient and less stressed.

Throughout the workshop, Lee demonstrates how EQ should be guided by what a source needs to contribute to the overall mix rather than arbitrary frequency targets. High-pass filters, low-mid cleanup, and frequency shaping all serve the larger goal of creating clarity and space for every instrument.

Instead of relying on extensive plugins and advanced processing chains, Lee demonstrates how effective results can be achieved using basic console tools. Careful use of EQ, compression, gates, and a small number of reverbs often produces more consistent and musical results than overly complicated setups.

Lee discusses practical strategies for integrating tracks into a live worship mix. Rather than sending every track element to a single stereo channel, he recommends separating important musical hooks, percussion elements, vocals, and support layers so engineers can maintain clarity and control.

The workshop includes several practical reverb strategies, including using high-pass filters, controlling low-mid buildup, and utilizing pre-delay to preserve vocal intelligibility. These subtle adjustments help create depth without sacrificing clarity in the mix.

When asked about his mixing process, Lee explains that great engineers develop a mental library of sounds through years of listening. Every EQ move and processing decision is guided by a clear sonic destination based on thousands of hours of critical listening and musical study.

• Allen & Heath Consoles

• Midas Wing

• Meyer Sound Loudspeakers

• Shure SM57

• Nord Keyboards

• MainStage

• Pro Tools

• Spotify

• Playback Tracks

"The quality of your mixing skill has nothing to do with how well you mix. It has everything to do with what it sounds like when you're not behind the console and someone else is."

• • • • •

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Guest background: Josh Kelsey is the Lead Pastor of Vineyard Church in California. In this conversation, Josh shares how his church is actively using AI across nearly every department—from sermon preparation and curriculum creation to operations, worship ministry, and discipleship. He offers a practical vision for how church leaders can use AI to reclaim time, reduce burnout, and focus more deeply on shepherding people.

Josh argues that many church leaders are approaching AI with unnecessary fear. While concerns around ethics and implementation are valid, he sees AI primarily as a tool—one that can dramatically increase effectiveness while freeing leaders to focus on ministry. He believes churches that embrace these tools thoughtfully will be able to pastor more effectively, not less.

Churches and nonprofits are often years behind the business world when it comes to adopting new technology. Josh believes AI is creating one of the largest technological shifts of our generation, and many church leaders risk missing opportunities simply because they haven't taken time to understand what's actually possible.

One of the most intriguing ideas discussed is whether AI can help churches scale without sacrificing the personal connection that often disappears as organizations grow. Instead of hiring more specialists for every operational challenge, churches may soon be able to use AI systems to maintain consistency, communication, and care at a much larger scale.

Rather than thinking of AI as a chatbot, Josh encourages leaders to think of it as an entire team of specialists available on demand. Administrative support, curriculum development, data analysis, planning, project management, and content creation can all be assisted by AI, allowing pastors to spend more time on teaching, discipleship, and relationships.

The conversation explores how tools like Planning Center, HubSpot, Notion, Logos, MultiTracks, and other church software platforms will likely become deeply integrated with AI through technologies like APIs and Model Context Protocol (MCP). Instead of manually moving information between platforms, leaders will increasingly interact with a single AI layer that understands and works across their entire ministry ecosystem.

Josh shares his personal workflow for annual sermon planning and weekly sermon preparation. What once required multiple staff meetings and days of planning can now be completed in minutes. He uses AI to help organize ideas, structure teaching series, review theological themes, and accelerate sermon preparation while maintaining full ownership over theological convictions and final content.

One of the biggest concerns among pastors is whether AI will replace authentic preaching. Josh argues that AI works best as a collaborator rather than a creator. By training AI on previous sermons, theological frameworks, and ministry values, leaders can use it to refine and organize their ideas while still maintaining their unique voice and convictions.

Vineyard uses AI extensively to create small group curriculum, discipleship resources, class materials, slide decks, teacher guides, and parent resources. Tools like NotebookLM help transform existing content into multiple formats, dramatically reducing preparation time while increasing consistency across ministries.

Worship and production teams are also leveraging AI. Josh and his worship pastor discuss using tools like Suno to create custom music, countdown tracks, and ministry-specific content. They also explore future possibilities for creating custom stems, backing tracks, and other resources that could significantly reduce production workload.

Throughout the conversation, Josh emphasizes the importance of transparency. Leaders should be honest about where AI is assisting their work while recognizing that many forms of ministry have always involved collaboration, research assistance, editors, and support staff. The key is maintaining integrity while leveraging powerful new tools.

Perhaps the most exciting implication is what AI means for under-resourced churches. Pastors who lack staff, consultants, formal training, or large budgets can now access tools that help bridge those gaps. Josh believes AI may become one of the most powerful ministry equalizers the Church has ever seen.

• Claude

• ChatGPT

• Gemini

• NotebookLM

• Planning Center

• HubSpot

• Notion

• Logos Bible Software

• Suno

• Zapier

• MultiTracks

• Google Workspace

"Imagine if you could free up 15 hours of your week to spend more time making sure the people in your church who are most forgotten actually get seen."

• • • • •

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Guest background: Reggi Beasley spent eight years on staff at Elevation Church, serving in multiple worship leadership roles before becoming Worship Pastor overseeing worship ministry across Elevation's multi-site campuses. In this conversation, Reggi shares practical leadership lessons from leading large teams, developing healthy ministry culture, navigating difficult personnel decisions, and helping worship leaders grow in both character and calling. Drawing from decades of ministry experience, he offers wisdom for church leaders seeking to build thriving teams without sacrificing people in the process.

Reggi shares what it was like overseeing worship ministry across Elevation Church's many campuses, caring for hundreds of worship team members while maintaining consistency, culture, and leadership development. He explains how healthy systems and clear communication help large ministries scale without losing their pastoral focus.

Strong ministry culture begins with leaders who can communicate vision clearly and model it consistently. Reggi explains that leadership is not just about saying the right things but communicating with the right spirit and heart. People follow both what leaders say and how they say it.

The conversation explores practical systems for auditioning and onboarding worship team members. Reggi explains why churches should depersonalize parts of the evaluation process while keeping pastoral care highly personal. Clear standards, structured feedback, and thoughtful communication can help leaders maintain excellence without damaging relationships.

One of the most practical leadership discussions centers around how churches can navigate difficult conversations when someone is not ready to serve on the platform. Reggi emphasizes the importance of protecting people's dignity while still maintaining standards that serve the health of the ministry.

Rather than becoming the sole source of feedback and correction, Reggi encourages worship pastors to build leadership layers within their teams. By empowering music directors, section leaders, and trusted volunteers, churches can create healthier cultures while preventing leaders from becoming bottlenecks.

One of Reggi's favorite leadership principles is learning to "save your voice." Instead of always being the person who delivers correction, leaders can create systems where accountability comes through trusted team members. This protects relationships, strengthens other leaders, and allows pastors to use their influence more strategically.

Every worship leader eventually faces difficult decisions around staffing, volunteers, standards, and inherited ministry cultures. Reggi shares lessons learned from both successes and mistakes, encouraging leaders to move slowly, lead with empathy, and prioritize people over programs.

Many young leaders feel pressure to create rapid change, but Reggi argues that meaningful ministry growth often happens slowly. Drawing on agricultural and biblical imagery, he explains why patience, consistency, and faithfulness produce deeper and more sustainable results than constant urgency.

From performance-driven identities to platform ambition, Reggi discusses some of the most common character challenges he sees among worship leaders. He encourages leaders to root their identity in Christ rather than influence, opportunity, or recognition.

A major theme of the conversation is the distinction between calling and assignment. Reggi challenges the modern tendency to treat every ministry opportunity as a calling, arguing instead that our primary calling is to follow Christ faithfully. Assignments may change, but identity remains constant.

Drawing from Ephesians 4, Reggi explores how ministry leaders are called to equip others rather than become the center of ministry themselves. Whether in the marketplace, church, or home, every believer has opportunities to participate in meaningful kingdom work.

Reggi shares his vision for Crown Collaborative, a new nonprofit focused on connecting, encouraging, and supporting pastors, executive pastors, and worship leaders. His goal is to help leaders learn together, laugh together, and build the kind of resilience that allows them to last for the long haul.

• Elevation Church

• Crown Collaborative

• Ephesians 4

• Micah 6:8

• Passion Conferences

• Hillsong Worship

• Chris Tomlin

• Louis Giglio

• Ableton Live

• In-ear monitor systems

"When you sit in a seat of leadership, you probably underestimate the way other people weigh your words."

• • • • •

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Churchfront Podcast — Josh Kelsey | How AI Is Transforming Church Ministry

Guest background: Josh Kelsey is the Lead Pastor of Vineyard Church in California. In this conversation, Josh shares how his church is actively using AI across nearly every department—from sermon preparation and curriculum creation to operations, worship ministry, and discipleship. He offers a practical vision for how church leaders can use AI to reclaim time, reduce burnout, and focus more deeply on shepherding people.

Key Topics

AI in the church: fear vs. opportunity Josh argues that many church leaders are approaching AI with unnecessary fear. While concerns around ethics and implementation are valid, he sees AI primarily as a tool—one that can dramatically increase effectiveness while freeing leaders to focus on ministry. He believes churches that embrace these tools thoughtfully will be able to pastor more effectively, not less.

Why churches are historically slow to adopt technology Churches and nonprofits are often years behind the business world when it comes to adopting new technology. Josh believes AI is creating one of the largest technological shifts of our generation, and many church leaders risk missing opportunities simply because they haven't taken time to understand what's actually possible.

Scaling ministry without losing community One of the most intriguing ideas discussed is whether AI can help churches scale without sacrificing the personal connection that often disappears as organizations grow. Instead of hiring more specialists for every operational challenge, churches may soon be able to use AI systems to maintain consistency, communication, and care at a much larger scale.

AI as a team of specialists Rather than thinking of AI as a chatbot, Josh encourages leaders to think of it as an entire team of specialists available on demand. Administrative support, curriculum development, data analysis, planning, project management, and content creation can all be assisted by AI, allowing pastors to spend more time on teaching, discipleship, and relationships.

The future of church software The conversation explores how tools like Planning Center, HubSpot, Notion, Logos, MultiTracks, and other church software platforms will likely become deeply integrated with AI through technologies like APIs and Model Context Protocol (MCP). Instead of manually moving information between platforms, leaders will increasingly interact with a single AI layer that understands and works across their entire ministry ecosystem.

How Josh uses AI for sermon planning Josh shares his personal workflow for annual sermon planning and weekly sermon preparation. What once required multiple staff meetings and days of planning can now be completed in minutes. He uses AI to help organize ideas, structure teaching series, review theological themes, and accelerate sermon preparation while maintaining full ownership over theological convictions and final content.

Using AI without losing your voice One of the biggest concerns among pastors is whether AI will replace authentic preaching. Josh argues that AI works best as a collaborator rather than a creator. By training AI on previous sermons, theological frameworks, and ministry values, leaders can use it to refine and organize their ideas while still maintaining their unique voice and convictions.

Curriculum creation and discipleship workflows Vineyard uses AI extensively to create small group curriculum, discipleship resources, class materials, slide decks, teacher guides, and parent resources. Tools like NotebookLM help transform existing content into multiple formats, dramatically reducing preparation time while increasing consistency across ministries.

AI-powered worship ministry Worship and production teams are also leveraging AI. Josh and his worship pastor discuss using tools like Suno to create custom music, countdown tracks, and ministry-specific content. They also explore future possibilities for creating custom stems, backing tracks, and other resources that could significantly reduce production workload.

The ethics of AI and transparency Throughout the conversation, Josh emphasizes the importance of transparency. Leaders should be honest about where AI is assisting their work while recognizing that many forms of ministry have always involved collaboration, research assistance, editors, and support staff. The key is maintaining integrity while leveraging powerful new tools.

A leveling of the playing field for small churches Perhaps the most exciting implication is what AI means for under-resourced churches. Pastors who lack staff, consultants, formal training, or large budgets can now access tools that help bridge those gaps. Josh believes AI may become one of the most powerful ministry equalizers the Church has ever seen.

Notable tools mentioned

• Claude

• ChatGPT

• Gemini

• NotebookLM

• Planning Center

• HubSpot

• Notion

• Logos Bible Software

• Suno

• Zapier

• MultiTracks

• Google Workspace

Key Quote

"Imagine if you could free up 15 hours of your week to spend more time making sure the people in your church who are most forgotten actually get seen."

• • • • •

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In this episode, Matt sits down with Spencer, Churchfront's Director of Engineering, to break down the most common PA system problems churches face and how to design sound systems that actually serve the room. We're covering everything from phase cancellation and speaker placement to line arrays, point source speakers, acoustics, modeling software, and practical ways to improve your church's audio without breaking the budget.

Whether you're planning a new audio system, troubleshooting an existing PA, or simply trying to understand why your room sounds the way it does, this conversation will help you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

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Churchfront Podcast — Erwin McManus Lead Pastor, Mosaic Church (Los Angeles) | Author, The Seven Frequencies of Communication

Guest background: Erwin McManus has led Mosaic in LA for 35 years, building a congregation averaging in its twenties across 40+ nationalities. He's also an author, speaker, and has been a longtime participant in the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek.

Key Topics

What holds church leaders back The most common internal limitation isn't skill or resources — it's the lack of felt permission. Pastors are often communal and loyal by nature, which also makes them dependent on someone saying "it's okay to go for it." The church culture tends to withhold permission rather than grant it. This is a big reason conferences are so magnetic — they're not primarily about information, they're about permission receiving. People go to be in a room where they feel free to dream, risk, and believe. Erwin said a large part of his life's work has been giving people permission: to dream big, to risk, to try low-percentage ideas, and to fail without that defining their worth.

Giving permission downward in the org chart Leaders often receive permission at a conference and then come back and tell their team what to do — which is not the same as giving permission. True permission-giving means creating space for people to grow, develop, dream, and execute in their own way. Key principle: hold tight to where you're going, hold loosely to how you get there. Someone can execute at a high level and still do it differently than you would — and that's okay.

"It's All About People" vs. "You Can't Take Everyone With You" (from Mind Shift)McManus intentionally places these as Chapter 1 and Chapter 3 as a juxtaposition. Most leaders lean hard toward one and neglect the other. His advice: read both, figure out which one resonates more, then go apply the other one. That tension is where relational elegance lives.

When people leave, they attack your character At Mosaic, after major style and culture shifts, the people who left rarely said "I don't like the music." They attacked Erwin's character because it made them the hero of their story. He found the exceptions refreshing — the people who were honest ("the church is too young," "too diverse," "too evangelistic") made it easy to respond. His approach: when you bring clarity as a leader, you're giving people the gift of choice. If they hate who you are now, they're going to really hate who you're becoming — so this is actually a good time to part ways. "If you're everything, you're nothing."

The white interior at Mosaic Hollywood During the 18-month pandemic shutdown, Aaron McManus pitched painting everything white — stage, speakers, walls. No precedent existed for it. The idea was: when people come back, we don't want them having a nostalgicexperience — we want them going forward. The white space became a blank canvas for projection and lighting in every direction. It's now been widely imitated. (They did the same thing at their current Pasadena theater space, which was the longtime home of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.)

The Seven Frequencies of Communication The seven frequencies are a framework for understanding how people communicate and how they're heard — not just outwardly but internally, since your inner voice shapes the health of your soul. The frequencies: Commander, Challenger, Healer, Motivator, Professor, Seer, Maven. This isn't a static identity — it's a dynamic range you can access. The goal is mastery over your frequencies, not just defaulting to your primary one.

• Every frequency also has a shadow — the dark version of the same trait. Commander → Dictator. Seer → Perfectionist. Challenger → Manipulator. Motivator → Performer. We tend to access our shadows with zero effort and have to work to access the authentic frequency. That's true of all positive human characteristics: courage, forgiveness, integrity all require work. Their negative counterparts (fear, bitterness, dishonesty) require nothing.
• Practical example: Erwin's wife Kim is a Commander. 42 years of "turn off the lights and lock the doors" instead of "I love you." He learned to translate that as I love you, keep me safe. His daughter Mariah is a Challenger — she's always trying to elevate him, but it reads as reprimand. Understanding the frequency means getting offended less.

Hire for character, not for frequency When Jake asked whether leaders need Commander or Challenger to run a department, Erwin's answer was simple: if the character is right, the frequency will work itself out. A high-Motivator leader who doesn't have Commander will still make people want to achieve for them — and the team will learn to push for clarity on execution. Environmental health matters more than frequency profile.

Commanders and competency Commanders have competency as a core value. If you move a Commander into a new role without giving them enough context, resources, and framing, they won't feel like they're being trusted — they'll feel like they're being set up to fail. The key: make sure they feel equipped, not just trusted. "He just wants to make sure he has enough swords."

Seers in leadership Many megachurch pastors are Commander-Seer combinations. The risk for Seers is confusing movement with momentum — pivoting sideways to get around an obstacle, while the team thinks the direction has changed entirely. The Seer knows they're still heading north; they forgot to communicate why they went east first. Solution from their team's side: instead of assuming the vision changed, ask "this feels like a direction change — is this a strategic move to get there faster? Help me communicate it well."

Churchfront "Captive Consultant" se...

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In part two of this worship pastor conversation, Matt and Sean Bennett tackle the practical realities of leading volunteers, building sustainable systems, and avoiding burnout. They discuss how to disciple a team of 30 people when you can only really pour into 5 or 6, why production should enhance worship without becoming the focus, and why planning doesn't limit the Holy Spirit - it actually creates space for him to move.

Sean also shares why he has no desire to return to vocational ministry anytime soon, the "make it better" trap that burns out worship pastors, and the one simple rule that will save your sanity: Sundays are for service, not evaluation.

• Discipleship at scale - You can't disciple 30 people on your own, so here's how to train disciples to be disciplers and create a sustainable leadership structure
• How production supports worship - Why the pendulum is swinging away from production-heavy worship, and how to let production enhance rather than distract
• Planning and the Holy Spirit - Why "I just want to be led by the Spirit" is a cop-out, and how good planning actually creates space for spontaneity
• The biggest pitfall - Why not keeping the main thing the main thing is the fastest way to burn out your team and lose sight of why you're actually there
• Practical tips for sustainability - Why Sundays are for service not evaluation, how to build yearly rhythms that include rest, and when to do acoustic sets to reset expectations

00:00 - How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage 04:42 - How Production Supports Worship Without Becoming the Focus 09:53 - Systems and Planning: The Holy Spirit Shows Up on Monday Too 16:03 - The Biggest Pitfall: Not Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing 19:10 - The "Make It Better" Trap and How to Avoid Burnout 23:23 - Practical Tips: Sundays Are for Service, Not Evaluation

"You can't lead 30 people on your own. At some point you have to teach your leaders to be leaders and to lead other people."

"The Holy Spirit can show up on a Monday morning planning meeting just as much as he can show up on a Sunday during a service."

"Sundays are for service, not for evaluation. You can't change Sunday. The only thing you can do is look at it for next week."

"When we stand before God someday, he's not going to ask us how many perfect services we put on. He's going to ask us what our hearts were like."

• Planning Center
• ProPresenter
• Tom Jackson Productions
• Carey Nieuwhof podcast episode (referenced)

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This is part 2 of 2. If you missed part 1, go back and watch that for insights on what to look for when taking a new worship pastor role and navigating the tension between excellence and authenticity.

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Matt sits down with Sean Bennett, one of the newest members of the Churchfront team and a 16-year worship ministry veteran, to talk about what it's really like to lead worship and production teams. In part one of this two-part conversation, they discuss what to look for when stepping into a new worship pastor role, navigating the tension between excellence and authenticity, and how to lead a production team you can never actually be with.

Both Matt and Sean have led in large churches, small churches, and multi-site churches. They've both been the worship pastor who also had to somehow lead the tech team. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real challenges worship pastors face and offers practical wisdom for anyone in church production or worship leadership.

• What to look for when interviewing for a worship pastor role - Why you need to see people at their worst before taking the job, and the red flags Sean wishes he'd paid more attention to
• Excellence vs. authenticity - How to define excellence in a way that doesn't lead to perfectionism, and why "doing the best you can with what you have" changes everything
• The worship/production leadership dilemma - Why churches should stop hiring one person to do both roles, and what to do if you're already in that position
• You're a pastor first - Why your primary objective is discipleship, not musicianship, and how that changes the way you lead your team

00:00 - Introduction: Meet Sean Bennett 03:27 - What I'd Do Differently Stepping Into a New Role 08:04 - The Tension Between Excellence and Authenticity 13:16 - Leading a Production Team You Can Never Be With 18:15 - You're a Pastor First, Leader Second

"Excellence is doing the best you can with what you have. That starts with being honest about what you actually have."

"If you're leading people, you are a pastor. Your primary objective is discipleship - helping someone become more like Jesus."

"There are some churches that could not pay me enough to work for them. And knowing that ahead of time is a good thing."

• Working Genius Assessment by Patrick Lencioni
• Churchfront free courses at churchfront.com

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This is part 1 of 2. Watch part 2 for more on discipling your team, building sustainable systems, and avoiding burnout.

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Matt interviews Jake Gosselin about growing Churchfront from a one-person YouTube channel into a 10+ person church AVL systems integration company. They talk through leadership growth, hiring, delegation, and how to maintain vision while scaling, with direct parallels to church leadership.

• Why clear vision needs to come before leadership development

• Churchfront's mission: "Equip church leaders in spaces with innovative solutions for thriving ministry."

• The importance of a mission statement, vision statement, and core values

• A two-day workshop at Ramsey to clarify and communicate vision

• Natural progression from YouTube creator to leading a 10-person team

Key Quote: "If there is no clear vision of where you're trying to bring that organization, then everything else that we're about to talk about with leadership development and scaling an organization is kind of irrelevant because nobody knows where you're going."

• How Jake went from knowing everything to empowering team decision-making

• Building systems so problems get solved without senior leader involvement

• Decision-making frameworks around mission, vision, values, and finances

• When leaders should stay involved vs. when to delegate

• Team members now have authority and clarity to address issues independently

• High-risk or costly decisions still require senior leader involvement

Key Quote: "It's so cool that my brain, even though I can keep up with a lot of things, I can no longer keep up with all of the cool things that are happening in the business and probably some of the headaches."

Essential hiring criteria:

1. Mission alignment — genuinely excited about equipping church leaders

2. Self-leadership — evidence of personal discipline (health, appearance, habits)

3. Character references — take time to call references and vet thoroughly

4. Working Genius Assessment — using Patrick Lencioni's framework to build balanced teams

5. Team vetting — multiple team members interview candidates

Churchfront Focus: Churchfront only works with churches (not corporate AV, DJ setups, or other venues). Candidates need to genuinely care about the local church.

Working Genius Details:

• $25 assessment (WIDGET acronym)

• Identifies whether someone leans toward Wonder/Invention vs. Tenacity/Galvanizing traits

• Helps place people into roles that fit their strengths

• Recommended for church staff to understand their "genius zones"

Key Quote: "If you can't lead yourself, you can't lead others very well."

• Why control is tempting but unsustainable for growth

• Long-term vision motivates delegation

• Media/marketing was Jake's original specialty and the hardest area for him to delegate to Matt

• Over time, Matt learned Jake's standards and expectations

• Hiring people who are better than you in specific areas

Real Examples:

• Chris installs, rigs, mounts, and runs cable better than Jake

• Spencer models and drafts 3D spaces faster in Vectorworks

• James creates better schematics

Senior Leader Principle: Leaders should understand all departments without controlling them. Spend a few hours learning the basics so you can make informed decisions about major investments.

Church Application: Senior pastors should take Churchfront courses (a couple half-days) to be more informed than most lead pastors when making major AV decisions.

Key Quote: "I'm motivated by the long-term vision of where this is going and how big the organization has to go that I'm just like, 'Yeah, I don't need to control everything. I don't want that life where I feel like I have to because I'm just going to be miserable about that.'"

• Weekly team meetings where everyone shares what they're working on

• Asking: "What did you do last week?" and "What are y...

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Conversation with Carey Nieuwhof about the shift in modern church worship from entertainment-focused to encounter-focused experiences, live streaming strategy, and church growth in the digital age.

The Problem with Modern Church Production

• Social media created a "copycat phase" where churches could suddenly see what megachurches were doing
• Churches adopted same equipment, same songs, same production values
• What was unique became ubiquitous - "we all became copies of each other"
• Gen Z is "the most marketed to generation in human history" and numb to production

Quote: "Gen Z is the most marketed to generation in human history. And we're all kind of numb to the production. I don't think people are looking for hype. They're looking for hope."

What People Actually Want

• Something real and tangible
• An experience of God, not just information about God
• Presence, not just presentation
• Transformation over information

The Internet's Limitation

• Really good at delivering information (especially with AI)
• Cannot facilitate an encounter
• "There's something that happens in the room that doesn't happen online"

The Tonal Shift

• Worship leaders being more sensitive to what's happening in the room, not just rehearsed transitions
• Preachers leaving space, not just hitting time marks
• Paying attention to what God might be doing (people crying, leaning in, visible reactions)
• Creating space to breathe

Silence and Space

• "When I started in ministry, my goal was to get rid of as much silence in church as I could"
• Now: "Where else are you going to get silence? You don't get it unless you're in church"
• Don't have to fill every moment with words
• Can be silent or "noodle" on instruments while creating space

Quote: "People's lives are so noisy and so crowded. I mean, we don't even sleep without white noise machines or anything like that. So where else are you going to get silence?"

Evoke vs. Manipulate

• Can't plan a revival - it happens or it doesn't
• Job is to "set the table" and make space for the Holy Spirit
• Example: Great movies evoke genuine tears by accessing real emotions
• Cheap manipulation feels different

Quote: "It's not our job as Christians to manipulate. It's our job possibly to evoke, to say, 'I'm going to set the table. I can't control the Holy Spirit.'"

Modern Church is "Liturgically Malnourished"

• Liturgy = order of service (not an outdated term)
• Modern church handles joy and praise well
• Missing: contemplation, confession, lamentation, reflection
• Lost practices: prayers of confession, prayers of the people

Carey's Confession

• Presbyterian background included prayers of approach and confession
• As church became attractional, prayer became "just an opportunity to clear the set for the sermon"
• Regrets thin prayers: "God, it's so good to be here today. We thank you so much. Amen."

Quote: "It's like confess your sins to one another and you will be healed. We don't do that anymore. What if we did that?"

Not Either/Or, But Both/And

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The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth

Matt and Jake dive into The Unstuck Group's Q3 2025 report analyzing 252 churches to uncover surprising connections between worship style, online streaming, and church growth. Discover why declining churches juggle multiple worship styles, how online views predict growth, and why the cost barrier for quality streaming has never been lower.

• 76% of surveyed churches now focus on modern/contemporary worship only
• Churches with multiple worship styles are more likely to be declining
• 96% of churches now offer online services (up from ~20% pre-COVID)
• Online views are a lead indicator for church growth
• 40% of online church viewers are first-time visitors
• The broadcast section is typically the smallest part of AV budgets
• Audio quality matters more than video quality for streaming

Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront

0:00 Introduction: The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report Overview 1:11 76% of Churches Now Offer Only Modern/Contemporary Worship 3:52 Declining Churches Juggle Multiple Worship Styles 6:07 Living in the Tension: Traditional vs. Contemporary 7:42 Excellence in Worship - Both Styles Can Work 10:12 Vision is Essential - Don't Lead What You Don't Believe In 12:02 Your Space Dictates Your Style Limitations 14:09 Contemporary Worship = More Online Engagement 15:51 96% of Churches Now Offer Online Services 17:01 The Cost of Broadcasting Has Decreased Dramatically 19:36 Online Streaming Doesn't Hurt In-Person Attendance 20:47 Online Views as a Lead Indicator for Growth 22:50 40% of Online Viewers are First-Time Visitors 23:07 Audio First - The Key to Quality Streaming

• The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report
• ChurchTechToday
• Gitnux
• First Baptist Melbourne (traditional excellence example)
• Elevation Church (contemporary excellence example)
• Rock Harbor Church (historical building renovation example)

1. Does your church currently offer multiple worship styles? What challenges has that created?
2. How can your church pursue unity while honoring different generational preferences?
3. If you're not currently streaming, what barriers are holding you back?
4. How can you improve your online presence as a "front door" for visitors?

1. Review your church's online metrics - are views increasing or decreasing?
2. Assess whether multiple worship styles are helping or hindering unity
3. Evaluate your streaming setup - is audio quality your top priority?
4. Consider how your building design supports or limits your worship style goals

1. "Churches trying to maintain multiple worship styles are much more likely to be declining. It's not about one style being better—it's about strategic leadership." - Jake & Matt
2. "96% of churches now stream online, and here's the kicker: online views are a lead indicator for growth. If your views are increasing, you're likely a growing church." - Jake & Matt
3. "People will watch bad video with good audio, but they won't watch bad audio with good video. Audio first, always." - Matt Woltjer
4. "Your online stream isn't competing with in-person attendance—it's your front door. 40% of online viewers are first-time visitors researching your church." - Jake Gosselin
5. "The worship wars are over. Now it's time to be one church with one vision, not two churches meeting in the same building." - Jake & Matt

#ChurchGrowth #WorshipStyle #LiveStreaming #ChurchTechnology #TheUnstuckGroup #ContemporaryWorship #TraditionalWorship #ChurchAV #OnlineChurch #ChurchLeadership

• Include link to The Unstuck Group report in description
• Add affiliate disclosure if applicable
• Consider creating supplementary graphics showing the key statistics
• Potential follow-up: Interview with The Unstuck Group team about their methodology

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Guests: Josh Howerton (Senior Pastor) and Chris Kuti (Worship Pastor) from LakePoint Church Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront

• Josh's approach: Uses ChatGPT weekly for sermon prep as a "high-powered research assistant"
• Prompt strategy: "Give me 20 interesting facts about [passage] that are historical, cultural, theological, archeological, linguistic, or biblical that most Christians wouldn't know"
• Chris's usage: Meeting organization, content creation, voice conversations during drives
• Key principle: Use AI as a tool that serves you, don't serve the tool
• Important caveat: Always fact-check AI outputs - they can be wrong up to 17% of the time

• The "negative world" concept by Aaron Renn - cultural shift from positive to neutral to negative perception of Christianity
• Common criticisms: "Tax the churches," "Money should go to the poor"
• Biblical response: Only Judas complained about expensive things being used to honor Jesus
• Economic reality: Larger churches often spend lower percentages on tech than smaller churches due to economy of scale
• Technology costs: Modern equipment costs significantly less than in the early 2000s

• Initial resistance: Reformed background's "theologized cynicism" toward self-promotion
• The turning point: People spend 16-18 hours/week on social media hearing secular perspectives
• "Air war vs. Ground war": Ground war = traditional discipleship, Air war = cultural engagement
• Digital Areopagus: Social media as the modern equivalent of where Paul engaged culture in Athens
• Current following growth: From 20-40k to significantly larger audience through strategic content

• Root causes identified:
  • Getting into ministry for wrong reasons (seeking bigger stages/record deals)
  • Senior pastors hiring for talent over pastoral gifting
  • Lack of pastoral development and broader leadership responsibilities
  • "Warm up the crowd" mentality rather than true pastoral partnership
• Solutions proposed:
  • Hire character first, develop competency
  • Give worship pastors genuine pastoral responsibilities
  • Focus on being pastors who happen to use music
  • Create long-term development paths

• Key principle: "Always bet on leadership" over pure talent
• Character evaluation: Look at family life as indicator of leadership capacity
• "Hire slow, fire fast" - don't ignore red flags in interviews
• Vision alignment: Ensure worship leaders can come under senior pastor's vision
• Josh's story: Had to fire a worship leader after 5 weeks for vision misalignment

• LakePoint's success factors:
  • Outgoing pastor (Steve Stroop) "left campground clean" - addressed problems before transition
  • Incoming pastor honored what came before rather than dismissing it
  • 70% credit to predecessor, 30% to successor for smooth transition
• Key advice for incoming leaders:
  • Honor those who built what you inherited
  • Watch your pace in first year - observe more than you act
  • Win relationships and excel on stage
  • Don't make major changes without building equity first

• Key relationships: Spouse who believes in you but isn't impressed by you
• Hire up: Surround yourself with people more talented than you
• Find joy in others' wins: Move from taking all the shots to giving others opportunities
• Dave Stone's wisdom: "Don't let praise go to your head, don't let criticism go to your heart"
• Josh's perspective: Staying confident is often harder than staying humble

• Chris's focus: Leadership pipeline development - never having to post job openings
• Josh's project: "Discipleship at scale" through vertically aligned content delivery
• Core principle: "We're in the disciple business, not the events business"
• Technology integration: Purpose-built app to connect sermon, podcast, reading plans, and groups

"If you find yourself on team Judas, get a different team." - Josh on criticizing church spending

"Two visions create division." - Chris on worship pastor alignment

"Don't let praise go to your head and don't let criticism go to your heart." - Dave Stone's advice

"We're not in the events business, we're in the disciple business." - Josh on ministry focus

"The loudest boos come from the cheapest seats." - Josh on handling criticism

1. Experiment with AI as a research and content creation tool while maintaining proper oversight
2. Evaluate your hiring process - prioritize character and leadership potential over pure talent
3. Assess succession planning - are you preparing for healthy transitions?
4. Review social media strategy - consider it as cultural engagement rather than self-promotion
5. Examine technology spending through economy of scale lens rather than raw dollar amounts
6. Develop internal leadership pipelines rather than constantly hiring externally
7. Align all ministry elements toward discipleship rather than just events

• ChatGPT/Grok for AI assistance
• Stream Deck for video production control
• Canon C80 cameras for podcast production
• Aaron Renn's "Negative World" essay
• Apple Maps analogy for leadership transitions

• LakePoint Church: [Church website/social media]
• Josh Howerton: [Social media handles]
• Chris Kuti: [Social media handles]

This episode was recorded at LakePoint Church's broadcast studio. Special thanks to Blaine for the viral video content and Carlos for the social media strategy insights mentioned during the conversation.

• Jesus Image Church building actually looks like a church (rare in modern construction)
• Gothic architecture elements with arched windows
• Stone facade reminiscent of historical church construction
• Departure from typical strip mall/warehouse church designs

• Industrial/commercial construction method adapted for church use
• Process: Pour concrete walls as slabs on ground → Frame windows/openings → Let cure → Use cranes to tilt walls into position
• Much faster than traditional masonry (decades vs. weeks)
• Requires expensive crane equipment but overall more efficient than historical cathedral construction

• Phase 1: $28.6 million, 56,000 square feet
• Phase 2: Additional $16 million expansion
• Total Investment: $44+ million
• Smart phased approach allows use of Phase 1 while planning/fundraising for Phase 2
• Simpler sanctuary design in Phase 1, enhanced sanctuary in Phase 2

• Known for charismatic, powerful ministry style
• Innovative in ministry approach, now extending to architecture
• Multiple ministries: worship, ministry school, prayer ministry
• Heavy building usage beyond Sunday services justifies investment

• Modern churches often designed for easy conversion (school, gym, commercial use)
• Jesus Image building will "never be anything but a church"
• Debate: Cost-effectiveness vs. purpose-built sacred spaces
• Traditional approach: building took centuries, but created lasting landmarks
• Architecture's role in facilitating impactful worship experiences

• $44 million not accessible to most churches
• Equipment costs (cranes) vs. long-term construction savings
• Question of whether traditional design is worth the premium cost
• Comparison to strip mall churches and pragmatic building approaches

• Building supports multiple ministry functions
• Architecture chosen to complement their charismatic worship style
• Investment in excellence across all ministry aspects
• Physical space designed to enhance spiritual encounters

Jake: "It's almost got like a gothic architecture look to it with those arched windows."

Matt: "They're not building a lot of our modern church buildings. If the church closed, the building would be quickly taken up by someone else that's not a church... But this is never going to be anything but a church."

Jake: "I think we're missing out on the power of architecture to support and facilitate impactful worship."

• Traditional church architecture is making a comeback in some circles
• Modern construction techniques can make historical designs more feasible
• Phased construction allows ambitious projects without overextending
• Purpose-built worship spaces vs. multi-use flexibility is an ongoing debate
• Architecture can be a ministry tool, not just a practical necessity

• Tech tour of Jesus Image when construction is complete
• Comparison series: Traditional vs. Modern church architecture
• Construction technique deep-dives for church building projects
• Budget-friendly ways to incorporate traditional design elements

• Plan potential visit to Jesus Image Church construction site
• Research other churches using similar traditional design approaches
• Investigate cost comparisons between construction methods

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Discussion about switching from Logic Pro to other broadcast audio solutions including Waves LV1, Studio One, and Pro Tools for church live streaming applications.

• Jake Gosselin - Host/Audio Expert
• Matt Woltjer - Audio Engineer/Consultant

• Most professionals using matrix mix from LV1 systems for broadcast
• Common approach: dedicated matrix send from main front-of-house mix
• Requires ongoing attention to maintain quality

Primary Problem: Time Drift

• Logic Pro gradually falls behind video stream
• Can drift up to 2+ seconds behind actual video
• Creates major sync issues for live streaming
• Problem appears unique to Logic Pro

Design Limitations

• Logic Pro optimized for studio recording, not live applications
• Apple's development priorities focus on studio use
• Pricing model ($200 for 18+ years) indicates different revenue focus

Ableton Live & Pro Tools

• No reported time drift issues
• Better suited for live applications
• More reliable for broadcast mixing

Waves LV1 System

• Purpose-built for live mixing
• Hardware controller integration
• Superior plugin processing
• Most expensive but most reliable option

Hardware Requirements

• Allen & Heath SQ: Requires Waves interface cards
• Dante Systems: Need Dante Wave Sound Bridge (~$3,000)
• LV1 Options:
  • Classic (most expensive, full features)
  • One C Compact (budget option, limited processing)
  • Proton Duo (insufficient for full mix)

Budget Considerations

• LV1 systems: $10,000+ for complete setup
• Additional hardware costs often overlooked
• Integration complexity increases total cost

Staffing Reality Check

• Many churches: 1-2 experienced engineers, 2-3 learning operators
• Common mistake: Experienced on FOH, beginners on broadcast
• Results in expensive equipment producing poor mixes

Fundamental Issues First

• Acoustic treatment more impactful than equipment upgrades
• Proper PA tuning essential before broadcast considerations
• Secondary console improves mix quality only 2-5%
• Room acoustics can transform entire sound

When to Choose Matrix Mix:

• Small to midsize churches
• Limited experienced staff
• Budget constraints
• Desire for consistency and reliability

When to Consider LV1:

• Dedicated broadcast mixing staff
• Sufficient budget for complete system
• Acoustics and PA already optimized
• Need for advanced plugin processing

Questions to Ask Before Upgrading:

1. What specific problems are you solving?
2. Do you have dedicated, experienced broadcast staff?
3. Are fundamental acoustic/PA issues addressed?
4. What's your complete system budget?
5. How complex is your current audio routing?

Recent consultation example:

• Church requesting lighting upgrades without understanding lighting theory
• Eight BLX wireless systems failing across multiple rooms
• Recommended: Learn fundamentals before spending money
• Upgrade to antenna-capable systems for multi-room use

Equipment Isn't Always the Answer

• Master current equipment before upgrading
• Address fundamental issues (acoustics, tuning) first
• Proper operation often more important than specific hardware

Context is Critical

• Every church situation is unique
• Professional consultation recommended
• Holistic system assessment necessary
• Strategic upgrade planning prevents expensive mistakes

Success Factors

• Experienced operation
• Proper implementation
• Fundamental acoustic treatment
• Realistic budget and expectations

1. Assess current system holistically before planning upgrades
2. Prioritize acoustic treatment and PA tuning
3. Evaluate staff experience and availability
4. Consider professional consultation for complex decisions
5. Focus on mastering current equipment capabilities

• Church Front premium membership for professional consultation
• Professional coaching calls available
• Community recommendations for Studio One and Pro Tools

• Evaluate specific broadcast mixing challenges
• Consider matrix mix optimization before new systems
• Plan strategic upgrade path with professional guidance
• Address fundamental issues before equipment purchases

Episode Duration: ~10 minutes Topic: Church Audio Technology Audience: Church technical teams, audio engineers, ministry leaders

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Matt and Jake react to Pro Church Tools' recent discussion about the current state of online church, diving deep into questions about quality, purpose, and audience for church live streaming in 2025.

• Pro Church Tools' Position: High-quality livestreams require dedicated mixing boards and professional expertise that most churches lack
• Matt & Jake's Pushback: 85-95% quality is achievable with proper fundamentals and doesn't require professional-level resources
• The Real Issue: Sometimes poor livestream quality stems from poor source material (musicianship, room acoustics)

• Matt's Honest Take: "Your livestream mix is not good because your musicians are not good"
• The Growth Mindset: Every great musician started as a not-so-great musician
• Foundation First: Master musicianship, room acoustics, and basic mixing before investing in expensive gear

• Key Statistic: 35% of online church attenders are retirement age (12 points above average)
• Implications for Ministry: Need to consider accessibility, content relevance, and viewing habits
• Snowbird Effect: Many older viewers are traveling members staying connected to home church

What are we streaming for?

• Marketing tool for church visitors
• Connection for homebound members
• Seasonal/traveling member engagement
• Accessibility for those who can't attend in person

• Start with fundamentals: Musicianship, room acoustics, basic mixing skills, proper lighting
• Avoid the gear trap: Don't buy expensive equipment without mastering the basics
• Quality target: Aim for "good enough" that serves your actual audience, not "perfect" that impresses other tech people

Jake: "You can compress a jackhammer, but it's still going to sound like a jackhammer."

Matt: "If you're the sound guy trying to get an online mix that sounds good from a band that doesn't sound good in house, then good luck."

Jake: "There's something magical that happens when you're in person in the room at worship every Sunday."

Matt: "The top four pages on church websites are always: homepage, about us, staff, and livestream."

1. Audit your fundamentals before investing in new gear
2. Understand your actual livestream audience (hint: it might be older than you think)
3. Optimize for accessibility - text size, audio levels, clear announcements
4. Invest in musical training for your team
5. Remember the goal: Complement, don't compete with, in-person worship

• Waves Real Tune plugin for pitch correction
• Importance of proper room acoustics
• Front-of-house mixing consoles for dual-purpose mixing
• Website analytics for understanding visitor behavior

• Who is your church's livestream actually serving?
• Are you starting with the right foundational skills?
• How do you balance quality aspirations with realistic resource constraints?
• What role should livestreaming play in your overall ministry strategy?

• Room acoustics basics for churches
• Building a volunteer tech team
• Church website optimization
• Generational differences in worship preferences
• Cost-effective lighting solutions for churches

This episode was a reaction to Pro Church Tools' video about online church. While we respectfully disagree on some technical points, we appreciate Brady and Alex for raising these important strategic questions about church technology.

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Join us for an in-depth conversation with Joey Parish, founder of Parish Drums and longtime touring drummer with Chris Tomlin and Shane & Shane. Discover how one drummer's need for portable gear led to a complete rethinking of drums designed specifically for worship contexts. From canvas drum heads to brush techniques, Joey shares practical insights for worship teams looking to solve volume and space challenges.

• Started playing in church in 5th/6th grade with a pawn shop drum kit
• Early touring with Chris Tomlin (the "little east Texas guy in a cowboy hat")
• Years on the road with Shane & Shane, learning nuanced, acoustic-focused drumming
• Transition from bus tours to flying and the birth of Parish Drums

• The Problem: Need for consistent, portable drums for fly dates
• The Research: Existing portable kits were too heavy (70+ lbs without cases)
• The Solution: Custom-built nesting kit under 50 lbs, fits in airline luggage
• Evolution: From 14" bass drum to current 18" bass drum design

• Wood Choices: Mahogany exterior, poplar interior (softer, less dense woods)
• Bearing Edges: Rounded edges for less resonance and more control
• Shell Depth: Shorter drums for quicker decay
• Goal: "Dead, thumpy" drums that don't require extensive muffling

• Patent Pending: First-of-its-kind cotton canvas drum heads
• Benefits: Extremely quiet, removes high frequencies, maintains attack
• Testing: Road-tested extensively during Shane & Shane Christmas tour
• Sound: Natural muffling without sacrificing musical quality

• Brush Advocacy: Nylon bristle brushes for volume control and articulation
• Brush Development: Creating improved brushes to solve durability issues
• Dynamic Range: Learning to play from whisper-quiet to full volume
• Adaptability: Removing drums as needed to fit the room/moment

• Counter-intuitive Tip: Turn problem instruments UP in your mix to naturally play softer
• Simplification: Turn off crowd mics, choir mics to maintain timing focus
• Click Track: Use plenty of click for solid timing foundation

1. Understand the Mission: Create an environment for corporate worship
2. Know the Songs: Learn originals thoroughly before adapting
3. Build Vocabulary: Play with different worship leaders to develop adaptability
4. Embrace Dynamics: Move beyond on/off playing to gradual dynamic shifts

• Play the Room: Adjust setup and dynamics to fit the space
• Less is More: Sometimes removing elements serves the music better
• Acoustic Partnership: Leave space for other instruments to fill

• Versatility: Parish drums work well with any standard drum mics
• Preference: Beta 98s on toms for wood hoop compatibility
• Studio Standard: 421s on toms, large diaphragm dynamics on kick
• Monitor Mix: Often removes bottom snare mic from personal mix for clarity

• Locking Tension Rods: Maintain tuning stability during transport
• Head Choices: Evans 56 Calftone (synthetic calfskin) for natural feel
• Snare Wires: Uses 12-strand instead of typical 42-strand for volume control
• Shell Materials: Prioritizes control over projection and resonance

• Extreme Dynamics: Shane plays from inaudible whisper to full volume
• Percussive Approach: Shane thinks like a drummer on guitar
• Negative Space: Musicians fill each other's gaps rather than competing
• Real-time Adaptation: Shared musical language allows for spontaneous changes

• Observation Period: Spent month doing sound before playing, learning the parts
• Musical Vocabulary: Built understanding of Shane's musical thinking
• Dynamic Response: Learned to match and complement extreme dynamic ranges

• Resource Support: Financial and operational backing for growth
• Shared Mission: Equipping churches with better tools for worship
• Content Creation: Part of comprehensive worship training platform

• Volume Control: Primary solution for churches struggling with drum volume
• Space Efficiency: Fits in corners, small stages, intimate settings
• Aesthetic: Eliminates need for drum shields in many cases
• Consistency: Same sound every service, regardless of room acoustics

• Website: parishdrums.com
• Innovation: Canvas heads and improved brush designs coming soon
• Focus: Drums designed specifically for worship contexts

• Website: theworshipinitiative.com
• Content: Songwriting, heart training, instrument training
• Mission: Comprehensive worship leader development

"I learned to do more with less. When you're touring with buses and trucks and trailers, you end up bringing more than you need... it really helped move me back to these are the fundamentals. This is man, you're here to keep time and occasionally do something interesting maybe."

"Every kit in every church is just covered in gaff tape and gels and big fat snare drum rings... So what I wanted to do was out of the box have just the dead, most dead thumpy drums with the least amount of resonance."

"If you just Google 'drum muffle,' you can just scroll for pages and pages and pages... everybody that I know in my whole career has been spent trying to tame frequencies, overtones, all that stuff."

"We want to sing together. We want to praise the Lord... We want to create an environment where that's the most possible."

Episode Length: Approximately 65 minutes Host: Luke Jackson Production: Church Front Worship and Tech Podcast

• Founder of The Worship Keys platform, which focuses on four main areas: music theory, gear/software, ministry, and industry
• Classically trained pianist who now lives in Nashville
• The Worship Keys podcast releases weekly on Wednesdays, featuring interviews with keys players

• Carson created the platform because he "wished something like this existed" when he was younger
• Piano has been central to his personal faith journey—often serving as his "prayer closet"
• Noticed a gap in resources specifically for worship keys players

1. Heart Posture: "If your heart is not in ministry...you're not going to stay on that stage satisfied"
2. Playing by Ear: Learning to listen and replicate what you hear is crucial
3. Nashville Number System: Understanding music theory through the number system
4. Ear Training: Practice playing unfamiliar worship songs by ear, then verify with chord charts
5. Focus on Fundamentals: Learn to play well before worrying about gear

• Classical training often emphasizes sight-reading and technical precision
• Worship contexts require playing by ear, improvisation, and band awareness
• Many pianists struggle with this transition because the learning approaches are fundamentally different

Despite some believing it's mainly useful for guitarists, Carson advocates for pianists using the Nashville Number System because:

• It facilitates whole-band communication
• Makes modulation easier
• Numbers are quicker to call out than complex chord names
• Works internationally across language barriers
• Promotes collaboration rather than piano-centric leadership

1. Overplaying the Low End: Creates muddiness when there's already a bass player
2. Doing Too Much: Sometimes simplicity serves the song better
3. Playing Full Triads in Both Hands: Consider simpler voicings like fifths or suspended chords
4. Not Understanding Context: Different musical styles require different approaches

• MainStage: Good for Mac users, moderate learning curve
• Ableton Live: Most powerful but steeper learning curve
• Sunday Keys App: User-friendly iPad app with AI capabilities ($120)

• Atmosphere Pedal by Aerospace Audio: Physical pedal with high-quality atmospheric pads built in
• Allows pianists to trigger pads without needing a computer on stage
• Features 10 different pad sounds based on atmospheric layers
• Small footprint allows it to be placed directly on the keyboard

Carson's typical setup includes:

• Arturia KeyLab MIDI controller
• MainStage software for sounds
• Focusrite 18i20 interface when running tracks
• Software from Sunday Sounds or Aerospace Audio for pads

Carson's advice:

• If your keyboard works well, keep it and upgrade your sounds through software
• Consider Sunday Keys app for simplicity and ease of use
• MainStage for Mac users who want more control
• Ableton Live for those willing to invest time in learning a comprehensive system
• Use iPad apps when available to avoid complex computer setups

• Features AI-generated sounds based on text or emoji descriptions
• Allows easy sharing of setlists between multiple campuses
• Affordable one-time purchase with optional annual updates
• Limitation: Cannot currently import custom-created patches

• Red Rocks Worship (particularly Spooky Scott)
• Elevation Rhythm (especially "Goodbye Yesterday")
• The Ramp Worship from Hamilton, Alabama
• Various gospel artists for technical inspiration

• Instagram: @theworshipkeys
• YouTube: The Worship Keys
• Email: Carson@theworshipkeys.com

• "If you're not using the number system as a pianist, maybe you're not meaning to, but it's like you're trying to say one up almost."
• "It's like buying a Lamborghini and driving it in first gear everywhere you go."
• "The piano was once looked at as a secular instrument that you only play in the bars and the pubs, and then it was brought into the church and people had big problems with that."
• "A lot of times they're asking you to do less in a full band context."

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• 00:00 - Opening quote and introduction
• 00:59 - Ben shares the moving story of his father's final moments
• 03:18 - The profound influence of worship music and responsibility it brings
• 05:35 - What should be the foundation of worship ministry?
• 06:37 - Foundation #1: Know your heart
• 11:06 - Foundation #2: Know your Bible
• 15:35 - Practical tips for selecting and using worship songs
• 17:44 - Foundation #3: Know your people
• 21:29 - The danger of prioritizing programs over people
• 24:27 - Final encouragement to show off God's glory
• 25:39 - Closing quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones

• Ben's father, despite being sedated and on a ventilator, communicated "It is well with my soul" in his final moments
• People rarely remember sermon details but often recall songs throughout their lives and even on their deathbeds
• What we sing has a profound influence on us, creating great responsibility for worship leaders

• Reference to 1 Timothy 4 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely"
• Cultural conditioning has led us to value competency over character
• Ephesians 5:18-19 commands being filled with the Spirit before addressing singing
• Many things can cause us to neglect our hearts: busy schedules, tasks, praise, or personal struggles
• "If our ministries are to bless the congregations that we lead, then our ministries have to be led and staffed by people who know that we have a great need for Jesus."

• Compare Ephesians 5:18-19 with Colossians 3:16 - singing flows from being Spirit-filled and Word-filled
• Technological and musical excellence alone don't make disciples
• "What truly makes disciples is the Word of God revealed by His Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of His people."
• "The song book of a church is an indicator of that church's maturity."
• People need biblically rich lyrics to help them through grief, shame, and cultural confusion

• Songs should use biblical language and themes
• Songs should be singable for the congregation
• Find creative ways to incorporate Scripture into worship times (slides, readings, etc.)
• Style preferences (old/new, simple/complex, upbeat/slow) are secondary to biblical content
• "When your people are moved by a melody...make sure that what you are giving your people to sing is something worth singing from the Word."

• Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3 both emphasize singing "to one another"
• Corporate worship is both vertical (to God) and horizontal (to each other)
• We need each other's voices when we're struggling to worship
• Practical implication: music shouldn't be so loud that congregants can't hear each other
• "The church is Jesus's bride. These are his people. He cherishes them. He gave his life for them."
• You can't shepherd people you don't know

• Help people do what they were designed to do - worship God
• Attempts to reform behavior or conform people to church culture will fail
• "What you win people with is what you win them to."
• "Use those instruments, use those melodies, use the soundboards, use the lighting controllers to show off God's glory, and give your people the kinds of songs that they will sing on their deathbeds."

"What we sing has a profound influence on us." - Ben Haley

"With great power comes great responsibility." - Ben Haley (quoting Uncle Ben from Spider-Man)

"We have been conditioned by our culture to value competency over character. We prefer platform over piety. We choose hype over holiness." - Ben Haley

"Great melodies don't make disciples. A brighter projector doesn't make disciples. An online service with better EQ doesn't make disciples." - Ben Haley

"The song book of a church is an indicator of that church's maturity." - Ben Haley

"Church music is not a one-way street from an individual to God. It's also something we do with each other and for each other." - Ben Haley

"Church leaders are not leaders of nobody. We are leaders of people." - Ben Haley

"I can forgive a man for a bad sermon...if he gives me some dim glimpse of the majesty and the glory of God, the love of Christ my savior, and the magnificence of the gospel." - Martyn Lloyd-Jones (quoted by Ben Haley)

• 1 Timothy 4 - "Watch your life and doctrine closely"
• Ephesians 5:18-19 - "Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
• Colossians 3:16 - "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly...singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
• Psalm 146 - "Praise the Lord, O my soul"
• John 10 - Jesus knows his sheep and they know his voice

• Stephen Miller (author referenced regarding worship leadership)
• Charles Spurgeon (quoted regarding personal worship)
• Martyn Lloyd-Jones (quoted in opening and closing)

For worship leaders and tech teams wanting to implement Ben's teaching:

1. Evaluate your personal worship habits and spiritual disciplines
2. Review your church's song selections for biblical content and singability
3. Make an effort to build deeper relationships with congregation members
4. Consider ways to incorporate more Scripture into your worship services

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• 0:08 - Welcome and introduction
• 1:12 - Church Front hiring announcement
• 5:28 - NAB Show 2025 overview
• 6:43 - Hollyland cameras for vertical video
• 7:12 - Lyntec power sequencing systems
• 11:14 - Canon CR-N100 PTZ camera
• 12:33 - Church Front's studio camera setup (CR-N500 & CR-N300)
• 15:05 - Canon RC-IP1000 PTZ controller
• 17:40 - Canon C400 cinema camera
• 20:31 - Allen & Heath AHM matrix mixing system
• 24:18 - DiGiCo Quantum mixing console
• 25:39 - Blackmagic Design booth and new gear
• 27:47 - SMPTE 2110 IP video protocol benefits
• 32:16 - Blackmagic Pyxis 6K camera
• 33:55 - ATEM Mini Extreme ISO G2 switcher
• 36:01 - ATEM Constellation switchers
• 41:02 - PTZOptics Hive Studio for remote camera operation
• 42:07 - Meeting PTZOptics team
• 43:07 - Santa Barbara church architecture discussion
• 44:45 - Why modern churches favor utilitarian buildings
• 48:15 - Economic factors affecting church construction
• 52:49 - Revitalizing vs. building new facilities
• 54:16 - Church growth strategies and building acquisition

• AVL Technician position available at Church Front (Melbourne, FL)
• Apply at churchfront.com/avl-technician
• Responsibilities include equipment rack assembly and system deployment

Lyntec Power Sequencing

• Integrates power sequencing into electrical panels
• Offers motorized circuit breakers and remote control
• Provides flexibility for system automation in new church builds

Canon Camera Technology

• CR-N100: More affordable alternative to the CR-N300 (no SDI, but keeps NDI capability)
• CR-N500: High-quality PTZ now used in Church Front studio
• C400: Cinema camera alternative to the RED Komodo with Canon's color science and autofocus

Allen & Heath AHM

• Matrix mixing system for simpler audio control
• Perfect for events requiring basic microphone and playback functionality
• Can bypass the main console for volunteer-friendly operation

Blackmagic Design Technology

• SMPTE 2110 IP protocol for video distribution over CAT6 cables
• Saves money compared to expensive 12G-SDI cabling ($2/foot)
• Studio cameras with 10Gb ethernet for single-cable connectivity
• Pyxis 6K camera at just $3,200

PTZOptics Hive Studio

• Remote camera operation via internet
• Allows volunteers to control cameras from home
• Part of growing remote production trend

• Critique of modern "black box" utilitarian church buildings
• Benefits of intentional, beautiful worship spaces
• Economic factors (inflation) making quality construction more difficult
• Strategies for church growth:
  • Acquiring existing church buildings
  • Building smaller (250-500 seats) beautiful spaces
  • Multi-site approach vs. single large campus
• Community formation in different sized worship spaces

• Church Front Toolkit: churchfront.com/toolkit
• Church Front job board: churchfront.com/job-board/
• Church Front Facebook Group (for discussions)

• Website: churchfront.com
• Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and other platforms

Stay tuned for more church tech insights and integration project updates.

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• Michael introduces the concept of "active mixing" versus boring mixing
• The challenge: Moving beyond "it sounds fine" to creating engaging, dynamic mixes
• Creativity as the antidote to boring mixing

• Biblical concept of creation: bringing order from formlessness
• The playground analogy: Children with fenced playgrounds use 90% of the space vs. 30% without fences
• "Sometimes what feels like a straight jacket is actually a Narnia closet"
• Leadership through specificity and making finer distinctions

• Prescriptive leadership can be valuable when appropriate
  • The progression from 10 Commandments (prescriptive) to Sermon on the Mount (descriptive)
  • Matching leadership style to team maturity level
• Create "sit-down chords" - signals that create clear expectations
  • Setting up rhythms and cues that guide the worship team
• Organize tracks by function, not just instrument:
  • Percussion: Rhythm-driving elements
  • Foundation: Bass and low-end elements
  • Filler: Pads and ambient elements
  • Leads: Melodic elements that guide congregation
• Gamify growth paths for volunteers
  • Create progressive learning steps (like unlocking levels in a game)
  • Apply "arbitrary limits" that help beginners master fundamentals before moving on
• Name and assign musical ownership
  • Clarify who owns each musical element at any given time
  • Consider adding a dedicated "music producer" position

• "Rhythm Randy needs a retirement party"
  • Moving beyond mindlessly strumming the chord chart
  • Playing a part rather than just playing the chart
• Use the whole playground within boundaries
  • Finding creative ways to express within structure
• Create "alley-oop" moments
  • Intentional handoffs between instruments
  • Setting up moments for other musicians to shine
• Beware of "bedroom vacuums"
  • Sounds created in isolation often take up too much sonic space
  • Smaller sonic footprint needed in larger ensembles
• Interesting is greater than good
  • Focus on creating compelling sounds, not just technically correct ones
• Hire both "Jekyll and Hyde"
  • Balance between foundational players and texture specialists

• Be the guide - lead with your decisions
  • Take charge of the mix and make intentional choices
• Use contrast effectively
  • Create distinction between elements (can't have "close" without "far")
  • Highlight different instruments in different sections
• Anticipate "oops" moments, don't just react
  • Push faders before transitions, not after they happen
• Vary verse highlights
  • Intentionally feature different instruments in different verses
  • Keep congregation engaged through variety
• Develop common tonal language
  • The "5-1-2" system for describing frequency ranges
  • Creating shared vocabulary for sound issues
• Reference the real
  • Compare your mix to professional recordings
  • Combat ear fatigue by checking against references
• Mise en place - everything in its place
  • Strategic console layout for efficient mixing
  • Positioning faders for easy access during active mixing

• Start with clear direction (10 Commandments approach) then move to principles (Sermon on the Mount)
• Have the courage to be specific with your team
• Embrace structure as a pathway to creativity

• "Sometimes what feels like a straight jacket is actually a Narnia closet."
• "Move away from playing the chart to playing the part."
• "It is in that company's best interest to give you a patch that sounds great out of the box, but that's taking up a lot of real estate to make it sound good on its own."
• "Be the guide, take charge, lead your congregation with your decisions."
• "There cannot be close if there's not far, there cannot be wide if there isn't narrow."
• "Interesting is greater than or at least equal to good."

1. For Worship Pastors:

   • Organize tracks by function rather than instrument type
   • Create clear growth paths for volunteers
   • Be appropriately prescriptive with newer team members

2. For Musicians:

   • Consider your sonic footprint within the full band context
   • Play intentional parts, not just the chord chart
   • Create sounds that are interesting, not just technically correct

3. For Sound Engineers:

   • Use your left and right hands strategically on the console
   • Intentionally highlight different instruments in different verses
   • Reference professional mixes to maintain perspective

For more insights on active mixing and creative worship production, connect with Michael Curtis and the Church Front team.

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• Jake and Matt joking about camera specifications and recording quality
• Initial discussion about their podcast setup needs

• Microphone considerations:
  • Shure SM7B microphones (with mention of the DB version with built-in preamp)
  • Discussion about the need for Cloud Lifters with standard SM7Bs
• Audio equipment:
  • Yamaha DM3D digital mixer with Dante capabilities
  • Headphone monitoring options (in-ear vs. over-ear)
• Studio furniture:
  • Plans for a larger 72" x 36" Uline cafe table
  • Preference for a setup where hosts face each other for better interaction
• Acoustic treatment:
  • Prime Acoustic panels already installed
  • Need for cloud panels (jokingly assigned to Chris)

• Nanlite PavoTubes for accent lighting
• Discussion about permanent vs. flexible lighting options
• Consideration of Aperture softboxes for overhead lighting
• Preference for movable stands with casters for flexibility

• Currently using Sony FX3 camera
• Plans to transition to PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras with NDI connectivity
• Benefits of NDI: single ethernet cable for power, control, and video
• Production approach using ECAMM Live software
• Discussion about camera mounting options

• Looking at additional warehouse space with the same landlord
• Need for more assembly, rack-building, and testing space
• Benefits of pre-programming and pre-building systems before installation
• Goal of improving craftsmanship in rack builds

• Announcement: moving to Rock Harbor Church in Florida
• Limited capacity of 200-250 attendees (down from ~400 last year)
• Conference dates: November 4-5, 2025
• Location benefit: half a mile from the beach
• Advice to get tickets early due to limited availability

• Shure SLXD4Q Dante:
  • New Dante-enabled version of SLXD wireless system
  • Comparison with higher-end ULX-D and QLX-D systems
  • Price point and channel count considerations
  • Space-saving quad-channel receiver in single rack space
• Dante Virtual Sound Card Pro:
  • New subscription model ($100 first year, $125 subsequent years)
  • Increased channel count: 128x128 at 48kHz
  • Discussion about subscription pricing models
• Waves Titan Sound Grid Server:
  • High-performance audio processing server
  • Comparison with other Waves servers (Proton)
  • Use cases for high channel counts and plugin-heavy mixing
• Waves Classic LV1 Console:
  • Price increase from $8,000 to $9,500
  • Church Front has three units coming in (with two potentially available)
  • Discussion about modular vs. all-in-one system approaches
• Stream Deck rack mounts and panels:
  • Custom mounting solutions for Stream Deck controllers
  • Companion satellite server integration options
  • Applications for church control systems

• Request for feedback on the new show format
• Plans for future in-person and remote guest episodes
• Mention of potential call-in question format
• Information about joining the Church Front crew

• Shure SM7B microphones (including DB version)
• Yamaha DM3D digital mixer
• Uline cafe tables
• Prime Acoustic panels
• Nanlite PavoTubes
• Aperture lighting products
• Sony FX3 camera
• PTZ cameras with NDI
• ECAMM Live software
• Shure SLXD4Q Dante wireless systems
• Waves Titan server
• Waves Classic LV1 console
• Stream Deck mounting solutions

1. Visit churchfront.com to connect with their team
2. Join the waitlist at churchfront.com/crew if interested in working with them
3. Consider attending Church Front Conference 2025 in Florida (get tickets early)
4. Email hello@churchfront.com with any questions
5. Leave a review if listening on podcast platforms

Follow Church Front on social media and visit churchfront.com for more information about their services and upcoming events

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• Kelsey's opening insight: "Whether someone sings in corporate worship probably has very little to do with how they feel about the songs themselves. It has everything to do with how they feel about their voices."
• Introduction of Kelsey McGinnis, musicologist and researcher of congregational music
• Her approach to using questions as the foundation for research and writing

• The problem with starting with bad questions
• How even problematic questions can lead to important insights
• The process of refining questions to get to deeper truths
• Why questions about music often reveal deeper issues about community

• The problematic initial question: "Why aren't men singing in church?"
• Why this is a bad question (confrontational, assumes something not necessarily true)
• How online discourse frames this issue ineffectively
• Conversation with Dr. Randall Bradley from Baylor University (director of Baylor Men's Choir)
• Key insight: "Whether someone sings in corporate worship probably has very little to do with how they feel about the songs themselves. It has everything to do with how they feel about their voices."
• Stories from men about their relationship with their voices:
  • Being made fun of during adolescent voice changes
  • Feeling their low voices intrude during quiet worship moments
  • Not feeling their vocal contribution is valued
• The importance of mentorship for young male singers
• Better question: How do we create worship where all voices feel welcomed and valued?

• The strange initial question: "Is it more boring to be a church drummer now than it was 20 years ago?"
• Why this question arose (multiple drummers independently expressing the same sentiment)
• How worship music style has evolved over 30 years:
  • Movement from rock-based to EDM-influenced styles
  • Increased use of click tracks, pads, and loops
  • More accessible technology changing worship landscapes
• Better questions: "What has changed for drummers in the past 20 years? Has anything meaningful been lost?"
• Contrasting drummer experiences:
  • One drummer who feels more creative with new technology
  • Another who feels increasingly obsolete
• The deeper question: "How do we let worship evolve without pushing people aside?"
• The challenge of obsolescence in church ministry
• Observations from the Sing Conference in Nashville:
  • Older worship leaders finding community where they don't feel obsolete
  • The need for intergenerational inclusion in worship

• The limiting initial question: "Should churches use live autotune?"
• Problems with "should" questions (invite simple yes/no answers)
• Various perspectives on autotune:
  • As "spellcheck" or "bowling bumpers" for vocalists
  • As pitch coordination similar to click tracks
  • Concerns about becoming "karaoke franchises"
• Better questions: "What are we really worried about with technology? When do we cross a threshold?"
• Parallels to concerns about AI-generated art
• The deeper question: "How do we balance humanity and imperfection with our desire for excellence?"
• Thought-provoking quote: "Contemporary worship is in its Vogue magazine era—the Photoshopped version of itself"
• The church's opportunity to model acceptance of imperfection and humanity

• Common question: "How do we make space for lament in our worship?"
• Widespread sense that popular worship doesn't adequately address lament
• Conversation with Matt Maher about emotional whiplash in services
• Better questions: "What do we actually need to lament? What hurt are we responding to?"
• The need for worship to respond to hurt both inside and outside church walls
• Letting worship be shaped by love of neighbors rather than love of excellence

• The human desire for easy answers and clear categories
• Why superstitious views of music (healing frequencies, etc.) miss the point
• The challenge of moving beyond online "takes" to deeper community questions
• The value of telling stories that lead to wiser questions

• "Whether someone sings in corporate worship probably has very little to do with how they feel about the songs themselves. It has everything to do with how they feel about their voices."
• "If you feel like your voice is a gift, that it has a place, you're more likely to offer it as a sacrifice of praise."
• "I want to be part of a community where people aren't primarily valued for their ability to serve a particular aesthetic."
• "Contemporary worship is in its Vogue magazine era—the Photoshopped version of itself."
• "One radical thing that the church can do is be a place where we can model acceptance of the awkwardness and imperfection that comes about when you allow people to create something together."

• Dr. Randall Bradley from Baylor University
• The Sing Conference in Nashville (hosted by Keith and Kristin Getty)
• Religion News Service article on autotune in worship
• Matt Maher (songwriter and worship leader)

1. Examine the questions you're asking about your worship ministry
2. Consider how your technology choices affect people's sense of belonging
3. Create space for all voices to feel valued in your worship context
4. Evaluate whether your pursuit of excellence might be excluding certain voices
5. Look for ways to let your worship respond to the hurt in your community

For more insights on worship ministry questions, connect with Kelsey McGinnis or visit churchfront.com/conference

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• David opens with reflections on the current state of worship ministry
• Concerns about worship becoming too automated and standardized
• The danger of "sleepwalking through worship" when relying too heavily on technology

• 25 years in worship ministry
• Host of the Beyond Sunday podcast for 12 years
• Served as a worship pastor at his home church in Pittsburgh for 12 years
• Sold his house and traveled in an RV with his family for 5 years
• Currently based in Orlando, Florida

• Family decision to sell everything and travel
• Visited nearly 40 national parks and all lower 48 states
• Combined adventure with ministry - partnering with churches for training and workshops
• Recording the podcast from their RV wherever they had WiFi

• Started as a blog before transitioning to a podcast
• Focus on practical worship ministry topics
• Emphasis on serving the "underdog" local church worship leader
• Has recorded over 330 episodes interviewing worship leaders and artists
• Covers everything from rehearsal techniques to team development

• David's concerns about homogenization in church worship
• "What God's doing at Bethel is wonderful, but what God's doing at my church is amazing as well"
• Warning against equating worship ministry success with being a worship artist
• Encouragement to embrace your church's uniqueness and "don't despise small beginnings"
• "Worship ministry isn't about writing songs or being cool... it's about loving people and making disciples"

• Discussion about the "climbing the ladder" mentality in worship ministry
• Importance of evaluating church culture and staff health
• Some worship pastors finding renewed joy in smaller churches after megachurch burnout
• Warning against "shiny object syndrome" - the constant pursuit of the next opportunity
• "Maybe instead of transplanting yourself to a team that's more put together, God is calling you to invest in your little team"

• David's experience serving diverse churches during his RV travels
• Finding common ground across different worship styles and approaches
• Universal desire for authenticity and encountering God
• Helping teams focus on playing together rather than just playing perfectly
• "Rehearsal practice is personal and rehearsal is relational"

• The shift away from midweek rehearsals and its impact
• Getting too focused on executing flawless services
• Missing the relational and spiritual elements of worship preparation
• "We've gotten really good at pulling off excellent services... but we miss out on the presence-based flow in worship"

• Importance of unity with church leadership before making changes
• Building trust with your pastor before introducing new worship approaches
• The problem with "playlist worship" - hitting play and running on autopilot
• Practical suggestions: planning fewer songs to create more space
• Introducing medleys and acapella moments for more organic worship

• Planning intentional space in every worship set
• The power of quiet moments when the band drops out
• Creating opportunities for the congregation to sing without amplification
• "My favorite moments of worship are when the band has dropped out and the people of God are just singing at the top of their lungs"
• Incorporating simple refrains that don't require people to think too much

• Reflection on the current trends in worship songwriting
• Concerns about songwriting becoming an idol
• Provocative suggestion: "What if we just went on a worship songwriting fast for six months?"
• Benefits of focusing less on what's trending and more on what local congregations need
• Balance between developing creativity and obsessing over new songs

• David mentions Aiden King's "Thank You So Much Jesus" as a recent favorite
• Discussion of the distinction between worship music as a listening category versus congregational worship
• David's love for ambient, instrumental music (particularly Hammock)
• The therapeutic value of music without lyrics for worship leaders

• Where to find David: Instagram and YouTube @BeyondSundayWorship
• David's appreciation for the Church Front ministry and resources

• "We're sounding the same, we're doing the same songs in the same way... it's almost like we're on autopilot a little bit."
• "Don't despise how small your church is right now... that's the beauty of the body of Christ."
• "Worship ministry isn't about writing songs, it's not about being cool... it's about loving people. It's about making disciples."
• "My favorite moments of worship are when the band has dropped out and the people of God are just singing at the top of their lungs."
• "What if we just went on a worship songwriting fast for six months? What would that do for us if we just stopped writing songs and releasing worship music for a little bit?"

• Beyond Sunday Worship (David's ministry)
• Beyond Sunday podcast
• Aiden King's music
• Hammock (ambient instrumental music)

1. Evaluate whether your worship ministry has become too programmed or automated
2. Plan intentional spaces in your worship sets for organic moments
3. Consider the unique identity of your church rather than copying megachurch models
4. Build trust with your leadership before introducing significant worship style changes
5. Balance excellence with authenticity in your approach to worship

Follow David Santistevan on Instagram and YouTube @BeyondSundayWorship

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• Welcome to The Church Front Show with Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer
• Jake introduces himself as "low voltage specialist" while Matt jokes about being the "Stream Deck guy"
• Mention of Church Front's website and the new "Toolkit" featuring gear packages and bundles

• Discussion of Resi's response to their previous streaming platform comparison video
• Key issues identified by Resi:
  • Tests were conducted on outdated firmware missing critical improvements
  • Resi Mini encoder was configured at a much higher bitrate (15 Mbps vs. 4 Mbps)
• Jake's acknowledgment: "We messed up. We mess up all the time. Don't take everything we said as the final truth."
• Explanation of philosophical differences between streaming platforms:
  • BoxCast prioritizes near real-time delivery even with occasional quality reduction
  • Resi prioritizes consistent video quality with accepted delays
• Matt explains the challenges of recording comparison videos: "We recorded this video three times... you have to basically stop what you're doing, congest your network or cut the cable..."

• Response to a social media post about a 26-year tech volunteer who was abruptly dismissed
• The volunteer had served for 26 years and was told by a new pastor (8 months at the church) they were "going in a different direction" with no further explanation
• Perspectives from both sides:
  • Leadership should build relationships and provide clear communication about vision
  • Volunteers should maintain open communication and approach changes with humility
• Matt's insight: "If you build good relationships with your people, hopefully it never comes to this type of a post... if you can do it through that element of respect and love and relationship, it's going to turn out way better."

• Current equipment upgrades:
  • Shure SM7B microphones (not the DB version as intended)
  • Yamaha DM3 mixer
  • CRM 300 camera with a 500 model on the way
  • NDI video integration with ECAMM
  • Uline cafe table (72″ x 36″)
  • Prime Acoustic wall panels
• Jake's appreciation for ECAMM: "ECAMM now in my opinion is a little bit underrated as a live stream solution for churches"
• Discussion of ProPresenter's limitation: lack of NDI HX output

• Announcement about company expansion
• Currently hiring for a Solutions Specialist role
• Future need for additional AV technicians for upcoming projects
• New warehouse space development
• Applications available through the Church Front website resources page

• DIY Front of House Console Build:
  • YouTube creator completely disassembled an Avantis console
  • Integration with rack-mounted computers to create a 4-in-1 system
  • Controls audio, ProPresenter, lighting, and video
  • Matt's warning: "Don't do this until you've had your Avantis for at least two years and the warranty's no longer good."
• LED System Installation:
  • Church in Nebraska with 6.5′ x 11.5′ LED screens
  • Impressive architectural integration including sliding door to reveal screens
• Universal Audio Apollo Headphone Amp:
  • Discussion of potential studio upgrade
  • Cost-effective alternative using Dante feeds and Loop Back software
• SQ Mixer Firmware Update (v1.6.0.0):
  • Matrix mixes can now be split (six mono matrices instead of three stereo)
  • Both USB ports can record simultaneously
  • Enhanced app control capabilities
  • MAC compatibility for firmware updates

• Matt's advice: "Don't be one of the churches that completely changes your DNA for the people that are going to come twice a year... you don't want them to be shocked by the difference between what you did for Easter and what you do the next weekend."
• Jake's warning: "Easter's not the time to try new tech!"
• Recommendation to plan major tech upgrades months in advance, not weeks before major services
• Jake: "If you are having to expend all of your creative brain power to put together a tech system that you didn't take the time to learn, test and use, and then your whole week is just consumed with stress... you quite frankly deserve that stress because you did not take the time to be responsible in planning."
• Matt's reminder: "Your job at that moment is to minister. Even if you're on sound, even if you're on video, your job is to minister, not worry about tech."

• Church Front Premium:
  • Training and personalized advice through group coaching
  • Consultation on upcoming AV projects
  • Equipment recommendations with Spencer, their lead design engineer
  • Access to all Church Front courses
• Church Front Pro (formerly Church Front Accelerator):
  • Comprehensive consulting, design, and AV integration
  • On-site surveys and assessments, including Matterport scans
  • Professional system design using Vectorworks
  • Assembly, installation, commissioning, training, and support

• Shure SM7B microphones
• Yamaha DM3 mixer
• CRM 300 and 500 cameras
• ECAMM live streaming solution
• Avantis audio console
• Universal Audio Apollo headphone amp
• Allen & Heath SQ mixer (firmware v1.6.0.0)
• Prime Acoustic panels

1. Check for firmware updates on your existing equipment
2. Evaluate your volunteer relationships and communication strategies
3. Plan any Easter tech upgrades well in advance
4. Focus on ministry, not just technical excellence, during high-attendance services
5. Visit churchfront.com to explore their Premium and Pro services

Visit the Church Front website resources page for job opportunities and more information about their toolkit of recommended gear packages

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Brad shares his perspectives on balancing technical excellence and ministry values, managing resources, improving leadership, and fostering a collaborative environment across multiple campuses.

From addressing infrastructure challenges to innovative practices in worship and production, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for ministry leaders and tech teams alike.

00:00 The Power of Prayer in Ministry

01:11 Introduction to Brad Bramer

02:30 Brad's Journey to Southeast Christian Church

04:40 Building Unity in Creative and Technical Teams

07:34 Overcoming Divisiveness Through Curiosity

09:56 Practical Steps for Team Integration

12:26 The Importance of Communication and Prayer

15:33 Navigating Feedback and Growth in Ministry

23:51 Maintaining Spiritual Focus in Technical Roles

25:21 Overview of Southeast Christian Church

25:41 Technical Aspects of Multi-Campus Church Services

27:14 Empowerment and Flexibility in Worship

28:08 Streamlining Worship with Technology

29:26 Balancing Consistency and Creativity

31:57 Communication and Coordination Challenges

33:39 Maintaining Simplicity and Efficiency

36:05 Standardizing Systems Across Campuses

38:48 Creating and Sharing Content

44:19 Handling Technical Issues and Encouraging Growth

48:54 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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