House Lights Podcast

The tension between the stage and the booth is one of the most common — and least talked about — dynamics in church production. In this episode, Gabe sits down with Landon Boggs, Experience Director at New Point Community Church (six campuses across eastern Ohio), for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about what it actually takes to lead both sides of the room well.Landon brings a rare perspective: decades of experience as a working musician and worship leader, now in an executive leadership role overseeing worship, production, video, and communications across a multi-site church. He’s lived on both sides of the tension — and he has a lot to say about it.This one covers a lot of ground: why production people are so often misunderstood by the leaders above them, what it looks like to lead people who are technically smarter than you, how to build a culture where volunteers become reproducers, and why trust — not title — is the real currency between the stage and the booth.Landon also tells the story of a young intern who had no idea what he was doing but was too good to let go — and what happened when a leader chose to invest instead of automate.Topics include:* The unique burden of leading highly capable, ministry-minded technicians* Why production people generate almost none of their own workload* Automation and AI: where to draw the line with volunteer positions* Building a pipeline from volunteer to staff (a real story, not a framework)* What worship leaders wish their production teams understood — and vice versa* Why you don’t need a microphone to lead worship This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit houselightspod.substack.com

Production people have a reputation: defensive, condescending, care more about gear than people. “My way or the highway.”The stereotype exists because some of us earned it. But it doesn’t have to be this way.In this episode, I’m talking about how to fight the production guy stereotype by becoming the kind of leaders people actually want to follow—leaders who look like Jesus.We are a support ministry. By design, we’re not in the spotlight—we make the people on stage look and sound awesome. That’s servant leadership.Scripture foundation:* Mark 10:45 - “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve”* John 13 - Jesus washing the disciples’ feet* Galatians 5:22-23 - The fruit of the SpiritJesus washed feet. We mix audio and run cameras. Same heart.The fruit of the Spirit in production leadership: Love, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control. The best production people are both deeply skilled AND deeply pastoral.If people can’t see the fruit of the Spirit in how you lead, you’re doing it wrong.How to fight the stereotype:* Humility - Take feedback graciously (Matthew 11:29)* Clarity - Jesus taught simply. Kill the jargon.* Collaboration - Jesus invited input. Don’t dictate.* People over protocol - Jesus chose people over rules (Mark 2:27)* Servant leadership - Serve your team firstThe challenge: Be excellent in your craft AND Christ-like in your character. When we all look more like Jesus, the stereotype dies.Don’t just be good at production. Be like Jesus to people. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit houselightspod.substack.com