ROCK Cast

Imagine your Rock admin takes two weeks off for vacation with no handoff, no Slack notification, no "just text me if you need something" message. What breaks first? Whatever comes to mind is your starting point for what Nassim Taleb calls the fragility list.In this episode, Jon, Emily, and Nicole apply Talebʼs concept of antifragility to church systems inside Rock. Most people think the opposite of fragile is tough, but Taleb says thereʼs a third category for things that become stronger under stress. Glass breaks under tension but muscle grows, so should your systems.Jon shares an update about v19 in Beta Testing, and early AI Agent capabilities in this release. After engagement from social media on church budgets and AI pricing, he explains further how churches can prepare their budgets now while AI tools are still subsidized.Visit the show notes to find all the resources talked about in this episode. Don't forget to join the new Rock Cast Rocket Chat Channel to see what other churches are saying about this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jon, Emily, and Nicole dream about what's possible for church admins and ministries when AI does the heavy lifting. Jon shares where AI is headed in 2026 and why writing the spec first pays off, with the Spark API Gateway story as proof.Nicole then makes the case for becoming a Rock Star. You don't have to be technical and the barrier to entry is lower than you think, you just have to start engaging now.Emily wraps up the conversation by showing how to turn James Clear's Atomic Habits into a working system inside Rock with workflows as the engine, Step Programs as the discipleship backbone, and AI Agents as the intelligence layer.Visit the show notes to find all the resources talked about in this episode. Don't forget to join the new Rock Cast Rocket Chat Channel to see what other churches are saying about this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon and Emily are joined by a new voice on the show, Nicole Shibata, who handles marketing, fundraising, and conference planning for Rock. In this conversation, the team covers the most consequential three months in AI since ChatGPT launched. They talk about what shipped in the industry, why the rapid pace matters, and what church leaders need to do about it now.Emily then unpacks Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality to understand how service is different than hospitality. This is where ministries have a unique opportunity to lead because Rock empowers churches with the tools they need to intentionally care for people. The real question is whether those tools are being used to create moments that are unexpected, meaningful, and unforgettable.Visit the show notes to find all the resources talked about in this episode. Don't forget to join the new Rock Cast Rocket Chat Channel to see what other churches are saying about this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock Cast, the team gives a brief update to v19 heading into pre-alpha and revisit the heart behind Rock. More than a ChMS, Rock was designed as a relational management system to steward people, not just data. The feature, Following, is one of the most underutilized tools that acts as a personalized digest to help you respond with care and track major life events. They deepen the conversation by challenging listeners to invest in volunteers and build a simple volunteer growth framework.Visit the show notes to find all the resources talked about in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Complexity is a well-intentioned trap that all churches fall into. In this episode, the team unpacks what they call the Complexity Trap, the moment when tools meant to support ministry start creating friction instead. Jon describes the first two steps of Elon Musk’s 5-Step Algorithm to help simplify your requirements and they apply it to real ministry functions like baptism forms and children's check in.Listen to the complete episode to hear their discussion and visit the show notes to find the resources they mentioned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 208 of Rock Cast, Jon and Emily tackle a hot topic in tech right now, vibe coding, and explore what it means for church software and digital ministry. As AI rapidly reshapes how software is built, some are asking whether traditional software is becoming obsolete, but what does that mean for churches?Listen to the complete episode to hear their discussion and visit the show notes to find the resources they mentioned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune into this episode to learn what quality the most successful Rock churches have in common. Hint: it isn't church size! Jon, Emily, and Nick offer fresh insight into the Essentials model and discuss a new program they're building to train Community members to help cast vision for Essentials churches. This is an empowering episode for churches of all sizes and one you'll want to share with your team.Find resources mentioned in this episode from the complete show notes at podcast-episode-207! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick highlight v19 updates like new Connections analytics, simplified status terms, a zero-config CAPTCHA and more. They also encourage churches to start 2026 by investing in their digital ministry culture by celebrating spiritual impact, providing ongoing training, and building healthy team habits. Tune in to learn how to lead your team and tools with purpose.Find resources mentioned in this episode from the complete show notes at podcast-episode-206! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final 2025 episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick talk about product grooming and the Community's responsibility in it. As the team continues to prune and refine the software, you can look forward to more change towards meaningful innovation.They also dive into Jon's articles on X covering the role of AI in digital ministry and an honest look into the evolution of the giving landscape. You can find links to his articles in the show notes and share them with your pastor! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't miss this conversational episode of Rock Cast as Jon, Emily, and Nick share three big updates: the v18 release, a conversation with a successful entrepreneur and goal setting ideas for your digital ministry in 2026.As many churches wrestle with "technical debt", they encourage listeners to use the prioritization framework to build an action plan for resolving this in the new year. The best way to set your digital ministry up for success is to remind yourself daily of true mission. Read the show notes to find a free printable resource you can leave on your desk to help guide you in your day-to-day decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon, Emily, and Nick discuss Rock's unique funding model and the special advantage of giving at the updated rate. Tune in to hear them share where your giving goes and how it's affecting our new testing and release strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick share how our latest development updates and implementations are anchored in wisdom and mission. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what the team has been building from the Outreach Toolbox and AI Agents to documentation improvements, and the v19 and v20 roadmap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn seven mindsets for building smarter, simpler solutions with Rock and discover how systems thinking can change the course of your digital ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special 200th episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick recount the milestones and miracles they've walked through since 2014. Despite their struggles and hardships, the team persisted. What started as a passion project is now a mission-driven movement empowering hundreds of churches globally. Listen to this episode to hear how far Rock has come! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the latest updates with the release of v17.5 Alpha as well as a view on extensibility. With RX25 just two weeks away, we cover everything you need to know—including how to get the mobile app and where to follow for exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Plus, we break down the upcoming donation increase for January 2026 and highlight what’s coming in the October Check-In and Lava classes. Don’t miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode takes you behind the scenes of what's happening in Rock, starting with a version update and a look at what’s coming in v17.3. The team explores integration best practices and systems thinking to help church digital teams work smarter and more effectively. You’ll also get a first look at RX25—registration is open, the schedule is live, and there’s plenty to get excited about! Plus, hear insights from the latest partner survey, a projected donation increase in 2026, and upcoming training opportunities, including new Lava and Check-In classes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode lays out the case for using volunteers on church digital teams, challenging the idea that paid staff should handle everything. The team unpacks why volunteers matter—from stewardship to discipleship—and offers practical tips for recruiting, training, and retaining them. Learn which roles work best, how to overcome common objections, and how to create a culture of trust and shared ownership. You’ll leave inspired to define one new volunteer role and start building your team with the people God’s already placed in your church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode kicks off with a look at Rock RMS version 17.1 updates, including a fix for Insights reports and guidance on unknown marital statuses. The team also addresses and clears up rumors around vendor incentives. Then, John lays out your “Mission Possible” for the summer — with practical ideas to level up in SQL, Lava, UI styling, communication, learning management, and more. Discover how to grow, lead, and prepare for RX! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Rock release is here – what does it mean for your instance? How can you customize Rock responsibly while leveraging SQL Server best practices? Explore insights from our RX25 discussion and discover key community announcements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, TX has built a culture around technology—and even AI—to empower innovative and personalized ministry. Hear how Pastor Jimmy Witcher built this culture and where they are going next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Choosing the right services and products is critical in ministry. What questions should you ask? Plus, explore feedback from over 80 churches and various vendors in the 2025 Integrated Services Survey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Kranda from Saddleback Church is one of the world’s first online pastors. Join Jon and Emily as they dive into a can't-miss conversation with Jay about the history and future of digital ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jon, Emily, and Nick dive into the latest Rock updates, including v16 enhancements, v17 in beta and an exciting look at Chat coming soon. Plus, RX25 has been redesigned for all church leaders and submissions for Gold Circle Awards are coming very soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two events in one. Game-changing insights. A stronger community. Plus, we’re very excited to announce that world-class speaker and New York Times best-selling author Dan Heath will be speaking on mastering the art of organizational change at RX25 Vision Day on Sept 23. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data analytics is a growing focus in the Rock community! Nearly a year ago, we welcomed Alex Edmiston to the Spark team as our first Spark Analyst. Since then, he’s been exploring Rock community data and building a Topical Hub for churches to share insights. Tune in as we discuss what’s unfolding and what’s next! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Updates and features are coming quickly. Join Jon, Emily and Nick as they discuss what what is and is not included in Next-Gen Check-In as well as vision casting the future of AI and church ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Lee Boone, Data Director at Biltmore Church in North Carolina, discusses how their team prepared for Hurricane Helene and navigated the influx of needs, resources, and volunteers during their relief efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In addition to the General Release of v16.7, Jon, Emily, and Nick discuss many of the tools the Rock Core Team is currently developing including the Learning Management System, Mobile Chat, and engagement tools to spur discipleship opportunities for church members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rock’s very first Rock Lava Class wrapped up in November and many graduates are already putting their newfound ninja skills to work in inspiring ways. We couldn’t wait to invite a few of them back to share their stories—why they took the class and how they’re making a difference in their churches now.Curious about joining an upcoming Lava Class? Find out more and sign up at rockrms.com/rock-lava. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before the year comes to a close, the Rock team has two gifts for the Rock community. (Did someone say embedded articles from The Bible Project?) Plan for what kind of warrior you are going to be in 2025 and hear more about the latest in the Rock community! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calvary Chapel Chattanooga knew Rock was the solution to bring everything together under one powerful system, but the technical complexities felt overwhelming. Join us to learn how they did it—and how your church can, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into how we can celebrate the amazing work taking place, along with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jon, Nick, and Emily as they discuss updates coming soon in Rock. Learn more about Rock'n Roadshows, as we hope to have many throughout the country with a brand new presentation. Also, hear about the new hires we have made over the last few months and the changes you can expect with them! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jon, Nick, and Emily as they dive into the latest updates in Rock and the Rock Community. Discover how you can get involved and make an impact in the Rock Community, no matter your technical skills. Plus, get a sneak peek into their future plans involving CSS and AI. Don’t miss out on the exciting lineup of upcoming Rock Classes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Join us for an exciting live recording from RX24, where we chat with AJ Chiepalich, the Digital Director at Church of the Highlands! AJ shares his highlights from the conference, delves into the transformative impact Rock has had on their ministry, and reveals the details behind their Gold Circle Award-winning Small Groups Directory and Registration Tool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s digital age, churches face the challenge of maintaining personal connections while expanding their reach through technology. Vision casting and a robust digital strategy are crucial for meaningful interactions. This blog explores leveraging Rock RMS features and an outreach toolbox to build engaging Rock websites and foster personal connections. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston, and Nick Airdo as they share practical tips on integrating technology with your church’s mission to enhance community engagement and support your ministry goals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we go behind the scenes at RX24 to give you an exclusive preview of what to look forward to at our upcoming conference. Discover the exciting sessions, meet the speakers, and get insider tips on making the most of your experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, our podcast will help you prepare for everything RX24 has to offer. Tune in for a candid look at the highlights of the conference. Don't miss out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're looking for a collection of Rock RMS tips and tricks from the core team, this is the RockCast episode for you. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston and Nick Airdo in discussing classifying people data, how to approach structured content and the content library, the impact of server size on performance, tips for lightning fast workflows and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of RockCast wraps up the second of two podcasts devoted to community Q&A. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston and Nick Airdo in a discussion that navigates NCOA, the move to Cloudflare for Captcha, the latest trends with Rock Mobile, the future of structured content and the ultimate goal of thinking ministry-first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of two podcast episodes featuring answers to community questions, join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston and Nick Airdo for insights into the progress with Obsidian, Rock Metrics and underused feature - Connection Statuses. Learn more about NextGen check-in and this year's upcoming Rock conference. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the latest insights and innovations in church management with the Rockcast podcast! Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston, and Nick Airdo as they discuss topics like utilizing ERA to track attendance and engagement, leveraging streaks for predictive analytics, and optimizing age brackets for targeted outreach. Stay ahead of the curve in church administration and leadership.Show Notes: Version Releases: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenotesRock Best Practices: ERA Documentation: https://community.rockrms.com/documentation/search/?Q=ERA Streaks Documentation: https://community.rockrms.com/documentation/search?Q=Streaks+&bookCategory=RX24 Information: RX Registration - https://rx.rockrms.com/ Hotel link- https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1694551025506&key=GRP&app=resvlinkRock Classes: https://community.rockrms.com/classes Rock SponsorsWe are thankful for our Rock Sponsors and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Rockcast today, Tj Peera, Director of Data Insights at Fairhaven Church, shares his journey from healthcare to church tech. We discuss aligning volunteer leaders with a shared vision, leveraging data for spiritual health outcomes, and creating a unified experience for all. Tune in for insights on church innovation!Show NotesTJ's Home Church: Fairhaven Church: https://fairhaven.church/ RX Conference Registration: RX Registration: https://rx.rockrms.com/ RX Content Subscription: https://community.rockrms.com/subscriptions/rx23TJ’s RX23 Session: https://community.rockrms.com/subscriptions/rx23/leader-platformRocket Chat: https://community.rockrms.com/chatRock PartnersWe are thankful for our Rock Partners and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune in to this week's RockCast with Jon Edmiston, Emily Forman, and Nick Airdo as they dive into the Next Generation of Rock and Obsidian, exploring front and back-end changes, block completion rates, rollout updates, and the impact on plugins. Get your questions answered!Show Notes:Details about Rock's newest version releases here: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenoteSpecialized Rock ClassesSQL for Rock Class: https://www.rockrms.com/sqlVirtual Master Class: https://www.rockrms.com/masterclassRX24 Conference Information RX Registration: https://rx.rockrms.com/Group Discounts: https://admin.sparkdevnetwork.org/page/3068RX Hotel Information: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1694551025506&key=GRP&app=resvlinkRock SponsorsWe are thankful for our Rock Sponsors and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on Rockcast discover the tech journey of Scott Solimine from Nesconset Community Church, a small church thriving on Rock. Scott's advice: tackle Rock one bite at a time. Learn how he leverages technology to solve problems and what features matter most to them. Tune in for insights on small church innovation!Show Notes Rock Community Recipes: https://community.rockrms.com/recipesRock U Videos: https://community.rockrms.com/rockuRecipes: https://community.rockrms.com/recipesEarly Access Grants: https://www.rockrms.com/grant-applicationVersion Information: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenotesRock PartnersWe are thankful for our Rock Partners and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of RockCast, the core team discusses the latest upcoming Rock features, community updates and email protection strategies for optimal delivery. They address challenges like bot attacks and the intricacies of Mailgun integration, emphasizing the importance of meticulous logging and trend analysis for effective threat combat.Show NotesDetails about Rockʼs newest version releases here: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenotesLearn about Googleʼs new bulk sender requirementsRock Blog: https://community.rockrms.com/connect/gmail-spam-requirementsPartner Blog: https://www.triumph.tech/resources/demystifying-email-spam-with-google-postmaster-toolsRock Partners with CDN Options https://www.triumph.tech/cdnRX Conference InformationSign up for our annual conference: https://rx.rockrms.com/RX hotel information: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1694551025506&key=GRP&app=resvlinkSpecialized Rock ClassesCheck-In for Rock Class: https://www.rockrms.com/check-inRock Finance Class: https://www.rockrms.com/rock-financeFollow Jonʼs Twitter/X account for best practice information: https://x.com/jonedmiston?s=20Rock SponsorsWe are thankful for our Rock Sponsors and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen to this episode as Rock's core team unveils exciting projects – from new versions to the integration survey and everything in between. Explore how the word "Reach" will shape our 2024 journey. Join us in the ascent; it's time to Reach Up. Show NotesKeep up to date on New Versions here: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenotesIntegrated Survey Results: https://www.rockrms.com/services-surveyRock Radar- https://www.rockrms.com/rock-radarYou can join the collaboration: https://community.rockrms.com/ideas-changesCollaborating with Dwell Community Church: https://community.rockrms.com/connect/dwell-community-church-collaborates-to-enhance-power-bi-report-viewer-blockSign up for our annual conference: https://rx.rockrms.com/Finance Class: https://www.rockrms.com/rock-financeUpdate your Rock Commitment: https://community.rockrms.com/organizationsRock PartnersWe are thankful for our Rock Partners and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't miss the Rock Cast 2023 wrap up! Join the core team as they explore this year's updates and offer a sneak peek into 2024's next-gen Check-in. Discover the power of generosity in time, words and talents. Tune in for insights that make a difference!Show Notes:The Biblecast with Pastor Jimmy - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biblecast-with-jimmy-witcher/id1558193888RX24 - https://rx.rockrms.com/RX Hotel- https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1694551025506&key=GRP&app=resvlinkRock Classes- https://community.rockrms.com/classesYear End Donations- https://www.rockrms.com/Rock/InvestChip Challenge: https://community.rockrms.com/chip-challengeRock SponsorsWe are thankful for our Rock Sponsors and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a special edition of Rockcast with Bayne Hulburt from RiverPointe Church. Explore Bayne's journey, discover how their church leverages data measurement for ministry, and learn the pivotal role of Rock's ERA tool in efficiently "closing the back door." Show Notes:River Pointe Church- riverpointe.orgBayne’s Sessions at RX23 and RX22From Numbers to Nudges: Transforming your Data into Actionable Data https://community.rockrms.com/subscriptions/rx23/from-java-to-jesus-how-wi-fi-presence-tracking-measures-coffee-house-to-chuMigrating Your Giving to a New Platform: https://community.rockrms.com/subscriptions/rx2022/migrating-your-giving-to-a-new-platformERA in Rock: https://community.rockrms.com/Rock/BookContent/5#person&familyanalyticsWi-Fi Presence https://community.rockrms.com/Rock/BookContent/36#welcomeRock SponsorsWe are thankful for our Rock Sponsors and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join the core team as they talk through the challenges of cloning core blocks in our new Best Practices series. Discover the latest updates and catch insights from the CITN conference in this tech-packed episode.Show Notes:Version Releases: https://www.rockrms.com/releasenotesBest Practices Series: https://community.rockrms.com/connect/cloning-blocks-best-practices-seriesRX24 Tickets: https://rx.rockrms.com/Rock PartnersWe are thankful for our Rock Partners and their support of the Rock Community. Visit their websites through the link above to learn how they can help your ministry and confirm that those you work with are as invested in the success of Rock as you are! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.