The ChurchGear Podcast

Are mega-churches actually more creative, or do they just have bigger budgets? And when it comes to your online service, should you really be livestreaming your worship set, or just the preaching?In this episode, we are joined by Brady Shearer, founder of Pro Church Tools, to tackle some of the most debated topics in church communications and media. We dive into the unrealistic expectations that mega-churches set for local congregations, and try to identify the single biggest issue facing the church today.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Is Obsessed With AI5:15 Brady Shearer (Pro Church Tools) Joins the Podcast!11:00 How Mega-Churches Set Unrealistic Expectations for Everyone Else15:40 Are Mega-Churches Actually More Creative?21:00 Identifying the Biggest Issue in the Church Today24:30 The Livestream Debate: Should You Stream Worship or Just the Sermon?32:30 Hot Take: Why Your Church Needs Fewer Announcements39:00 The Absolute Best Way to Recruit Church Tech Volunteers44:00 Church Tech Disaster Stories49:00 Keep Sundays Running: If It Works, Do It Again51:00 The Most Common Mistakes Churches Make During AnnouncementsTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

Are modern church services finally moving away from dark, concert-style rooms and shifting back toward brighter environments? And if you are a lighting director, how do you make the jump from the MA2 console to the MA3?In this episode, we are joined by freelance AVL production expert Aria Hailey. Aria shares her journey into live production and discusses the reality of freelancing in the current industry. We explore a massive trend happening right now: why so many highly skilled audio and lighting techs are actually leaving the touring world to take full-time church tech jobs.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: How Much Trouble Will Toby Get Into in Vegas?4:45 Aria Hailey’s Journey Into AVL Production9:15 The Highs and Lows of Freelancing in Live AVL13:00 Overcoming "Blue Dot Syndrome" in Live Production15:15 The Trend: Are Techs Leaving Tours for Church Jobs?20:00 Designing Church Lighting for the Congregation (Not Your Ego)23:00 Lighting Trends: Are We Shifting Back to Brighter Church Services?28:15 How to Train the Next Generation of Church Lighting Techs33:00 Console Talk: The Biggest Differences Between MA2 vs. MA335:30 Tech Disaster Story: "Hey, There is Smoke Behind Me!"40:00 Keep Sundays Running: The Power of SnacksTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

What is it like to transition from playing arenas with a legendary Christian rock band to running Sunday morning production for a massive multi-site congregation?In this incredible episode, we are joined by Ronny Cates, former bassist for the iconic band Petra and current production leader at 12Stone Church. Ronny shares amazing behind-the-scenes stories of what Petra's massive concerts and touring gear looked like in their prime, and tackles the heavy debate of whether or not modern Christian music has officially stalled out.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: The Live Event "Blue Dot" Trend4:45 Ronny Cates (12Stone Church / Petra) Joins9:20 How Ronny Ended Up in the Legendary Rock Band Petra13:00 Behind the Scenes: Petra Concerts & Touring Gear16:00 The Big Debate: Has Christian Music Stalled Out?22:00 Stop Copying Other Churches' Audio Mixes28:30 Mixing for Your Congregation (Not Your Personal Preference)37:00 Transitioning from Arena Tours to Church Tech40:00 Inside the Production Culture at 12Stone Church41:30 Church Tech Disaster: Double Checks and Backups45:00 Keep Sundays RunningTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you manage the massive logistical nightmare of running production for a 3,000-seat auditorium? And more importantly, how do you pull off a center-stage "Worship in the Round" setup without completely ruining your audio and lighting?In this episode, we are joined by Debbie Uecker-Keough from Water of Life Church to talk about high-level church production at scale. We chat about the gear challenges and visual challenges of designing a service "in the round," and debate whether it is actually crazy to buy permanent AVL gear for those types of center-stage setups.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby’s Iron Gut6:25 Debbie Uecker-Keough (Water of Life Church) Joins8:00 Debbie’s Start in Church Production10:40 The Unique Challenges of a 3,000-Seat Auditorium13:00 The Logistics of Doing "Worship in the Round"17:45 Is It Crazy to Buy Permanent Gear for In-the-Round Setups?20:30 Training Church Tech Volunteers at Scale26:45 Gear Talk: Is Debbie on AVID’s Payroll?33:30 Navigating Church Production as a Female Leader35:45 Church Tech Disaster: LED Wall Dilemmas & Planning to Fail46:00 Keep Sundays RunningTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

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

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

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

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

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

How do you manage the audio and production logistics for a massive, Broadway-level biblical stage production? And how exactly do you engineer a giant LED wall to completely disappear in under 15 seconds?In this episode, we are joined by Tim Zeager to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Sight & Sound Theatres(Branson, MO).In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Discovers Theater in Branson, Missouri5:15 Tim Zeager (Sight & Sound Theatres) Joins10:45 The Story Behind Sight & Sound Ministries21:45 Behind the Scenes: The Monitor Setup at Sight & Sound25:00 Engineering: Making a Massive LED Wall Disappear in 15 Seconds29:00 Gear Talk: The PA System Powering Sight & Sound35:45 Lessons From Tim’s Time in the Studio39:00 Live Production Disaster: Mixing From the Basement43:00 Keep Sundays Running: Preparation is KeyTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

In this episode, we are joined by Dave Bookhout from Grace Family Church to tackle some of the biggest debates in church tech. We dive deep into the culture of the tech booth, discussing how to actively recruit church tech volunteers and answering the tough question of who should actually be allowed to serve on Sunday mornings.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Claims God Tricked Him4:30 Dave Bookhout (Grace Family Church) Joins14:15 The Debate: Can Non-Christians Serve on the Tech Team?23:15 Strategies for Recruiting Church Tech Volunteers30:45 Gear Talk: Production Setup at Grace Family Church33:45 Current Church Production Tech Trends to Watch39:30 Should Your Church Actually Buy an LED Wall?42:45 Church Tech Disaster: "Are You on Fire, or Am I?"47:00 Keep Sundays RunningTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

What exactly is "Church Hurt," and how do you heal when the very place meant to provide spiritual safety becomes the source of your deepest pain?In this heavy but incredibly necessary episode, we are joined by creative leader Stephen Brewster. After kicking things off by discussing his journey in helping local churches write and produce their own original music, the conversation shifts to the painful reality of serving in ministry. Stephen opens up about his own personal experiences with church hurt and explains why we might need to reframe the conversation from "the church hurt me" to "broken people hurt me."In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro Antics5:30 Stephen Brewster: Helping Churches Release Original Music13:30 Defining "Church Hurt" in Modern Ministry25:00 Stephen’s Personal Story of Church Hurt33:00 Reframing the Pain: "Church Hurt" vs. "People Hurt Me"41:00 Why You Still Need to Go Back to Church54:00 How to Be a Solution to Toxic Church Culture57:00 Thinking of Quitting Ministry? Start Here.Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How does one of the most influential mega-churches in the country handle their production, and what makes their team culture so unique?In this episode, we are joined by Bailey Binder of North Point Church. We dive into the personal journey of making the massive decision to move out of state for a new ministry role. Then, we pull back the curtain on North Point, breaking down what makes their church culture so wildly different, how their massive church tech setups are designed, and the exact strategies they use to manage their production volunteers.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Blake & Toby’s Lifetime Achievement Awards4:45 Bailey Binder (North Point Church) Joins11:00 Navigating a Move to an Out-of-State Church Role15:30 What Makes North Point Church's Culture So Different?25:30 Behind the Scenes: The North Point Church Tech Setup28:15 How North Point Manages Production Volunteers34:15 Church Tech Disaster Story37:30 Keep Sundays Running: The Importance of Self-CareTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

As a Technical Director, when was the last time you were actually able to take a Sunday off? If your church relies heavily on volunteers, stepping away from the tech booth can feel completely impossible.We also tackle the massive, ongoing debate regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in church tech. Is it a helpful tool or a dangerous shortcut? Finally, we share a hilarious Church Tech Disaster story and wrap up with a crucial reminder: the only way to keep Sundays running long-term is by providing actual, genuine care for your team.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Touring Atlanta Churches6:30 Jeremy McKee  Joins12:45 Running a Volunteer-Heavy Production Ministry28:00 Which Tech Workflows You Should Automate34:15 The Big Question: Can a Tech Director Take a Sunday Off?39:15 Should Your Church Be Using AI in Production?42:30 Church Tech Disaster Story45:45 Keep Sundays Running: Genuine Volunteer CareTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you handle the immense pressure of designing a creative live event specifically for creatives? And as technology rapidly evolves, should church production teams be embracing or avoiding Artificial Intelligence (AI)?In this episode, we are joined by Luke McElroy, the visionary founder of the SALT Conference and the SALT Community. Luke pulls back the curtain on the difficulty of live events, sharing the inspiring origin story of SALT and what it actually takes to run a massive gathering for church technical artists. We also zoom out to discuss the profound, eternal impact that worship and production teams have on their congregations every single Sunday.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Reality and Difficulty of Live Events4:00 Luke McElroy (Founder of SALT Conference) Joins8:45 The Origin Story of the SALT Conference15:30 Behind the Scenes: Running Events for Creatives18:15 The Eternal Impact of Worship and Production Teams22:50 The Pressure of Designing a Conference For Creatives26:30 Storytime: The Christian Magicians Disaster35:40 The Big Debate: Should Church Production Use AI?45:20 Church Tech Disaster Story: "We Couldn’t See a Thing"Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

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

We dive into the heart of volunteer leadership, discussing why people always matter more than the production, and establishing the true "minimum standard of care" every Technical Director owes their team. Willow also shares incredible insights on the specific benefits of having more women in church production and actionable strategies for how to recruit them.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Hates Talking to People5:00 Willow Hodge (Hope Fellowship Church) Joins8:45 Willow’s Start in Church Production11:15 The Golden Rule of Tech: Why People Matter Most20:00 Timecode Debate: How Much Should Your Service Depend On It?22:15 The Minimum Standard of Care for Tech Volunteers33:40 The Power and Benefits of Women in Church Production39:00 How to Actively Recruit More Women to Your Tech Team41:15 Church Tech Volunteer Disaster Story44:15 Keep Sundays Running: Ask Questions and ListenTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

James breaks down the actual logistics of how remote mixing works, the philosophical question of whether online audiences are actually engaging in worship or just watching a sermon, and if your church should make the transition to a remote setup. We also discuss practical leadership strategies for communicating with a frustrating pastor, recap our FILO 2026 hijinks, and comment on  the details of the infamous "Clayton Gregory Incident."In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: FILO 2026 Conference Hijinks6:45 James Hurley Joins the Podcast8:00 From NASA to Church Tech: Production at the Highest Level11:00 The Big Debate: Should Every Church Remote Mix?19:45 Online Engagement: Are People Actually Worshipping at Home?25:45 The Logistics: How Remote Mixing Actually Works27:15 Should Your Church Transition to Remote Mixing?38:30 Storytime: The Clayton Gregory Incident47:30 How to Communicate with Your Pastor When You're Frustrated50:15 Church Production Disaster Story55:15 Keep Sundays Running: The Power of FellowshipTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

What does it take to mix Front of House for a massive arena rap tour? And how can church technical directors apply those touring strategies to a Sunday morning service?In this episode, we are joined by Travis Stoker, the Front of House (FOH) Engineer for chart-topping rapper NF. Travis pulls back the curtain on NF's live audio setup, sharing exactly how he approaches mixing live rap and hip-hop, the specific gear he's taking on tour, and his secrets for managing massive subwoofer setups to get that perfect low-end punch.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Fun Concert Experiences4:50 Travis Stoker (NF’s FOH Engineer) Joins6:15 Travis’s Journey to Mixing for NF12:00 How to Mix Audio for Rap and Hip-Hop15:00 Gear Talk: What is Travis Using on Tour?20:30 Using Backing Tracks: Concerts vs. Church33:15 The Debate: Should Your Church Use Timecode?36:00 Do FOH Engineers Need System Design Knowledge?42:45 Subwoofer Setups for Mixing Heavy Low-End50:00 Live Production Disaster Story59:30 Keep Sundays Running: The Power of TeamsTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How long can you keep your church's production running on "Band-Aid" fixes before you finally need a complete AVL upgrade? And how do you pitch that massive expense to your leadership team?In this episode, we are joined by Neil Brown of Henderson Hills Church to talk about smart budgeting, integration, and safety. Neil breaks down how to have the difficult conversation with leadership about moving from cheap, temporary fixes to a strategic, full-scale AVL upgrade. He also explains why it's okay to hit pause mid-integration if a project is heading in the wrong direction.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Does Toby Want to Burn ChurchGear Down?6:45 Neil Brown (Henderson Hills Church) Joins13:00 When to Pause and Reevaluate Mid-Integration24:30 Moving from "Band-Aid" Fixes to Full AVL Upgrades31:30 Cool Production Life Hacks on a Tight Budget38:15 What Churches Are Spending Too Much Money On42:00 Safety Warning: Double-Check Your Rigging!46:00 Keep Sundays Running: Avoid Last-Minute ChangesTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review! 

How do you convince your senior pastor to approve the new AVL gear your church desperately needs? And if budgets get slashed, do you sacrifice your gear upgrades or your room's acoustic treatment?In this episode, we are joined by the team from City Church to tackle the hardest parts of church production leadership. We break down the strategy of using your church's specific vision to pick the right gear, rather than just the most expensive gear. We also dive into the technical weeds with a guide to Objective-Based Mixing and how to properly assess your room acoustics. In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Dangers of Changing Things on Your Congregation5:00 Storytime: Being Assaulted in the Tech Booth!11:00 Networking: How to Meet Local Church Techs17:00 Gear Talk: What is City Church Using?18:00 How to Convince Your Pastor to Approve New Gear20:00 A Guide to Objective-Based Mixing27:00 Using Church Vision to Pick the Right Gear29:40 The True Importance of Room Acoustics31:30 Budget Cuts: Do You Sacrifice Gear or Acoustics?39:30 Keeping Church Tech Volunteers Excited to Serve43:30 Tech Takeaway: Set Your Volunteers Up for SuccessTake our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th!  Connect with HouseRight on your next integration project here. Check out jobs at HouseRight here.  Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here. Resources for your Church Tech MinistrySell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here. Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram here! Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!