Churchfront Podcast

Equipping church leaders and spaces with innovative solutions for thriving ministry. Practical strategies and interviews on leadership, worship, and production. Learn more at www.churchfront.com

Culture Is the Root, Systems Are the Fruit | Chris Kuti 10/19/2026

Who Should Be in Charge of Your Church's AV Project? 10/18/2026

Is All This Church Tech Really Necessary? 10/17/2026

The AI Workflows Every Church Production Leader Should Try 09/29/2026

The AI Workflows Every Church Production Leader Should Try Work with us on your next AV project: 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: Superhuman: JobTread: We're hiring AVL technicians: https://churchfront.com/careers/ Read the full article: Free downloads: Churchfront Toolkit: Ambient pads for worship: Get training for production leaders and volunteers: Join us at the Churchfront Live 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 /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/43064118

Your Preference is not Theology 09/18/2026

Church Video Systems That Volunteers Can Actually Run | Colby Griner 09/17/2026

The Missing Piece in Church AV Projects 09/04/2026

You Don’t Have to Know Everything to Lead a Great Production Team | Danielle Iselin 08/31/2026

How Not to Build a Church AV Budget 08/31/2026

Your Church Livestream Probably Isn’t Growing Your Church | Stephen Sheppard 08/17/2026

Light Your Church Like a Pro | Pro Church Lights 08/06/2026

Why We Don’t Give Churches AV Bids 07/30/2026

The Church Production Debate Ends Here | Nathan Finochio 07/27/2026

Why is Church AV So Expensive? 07/27/2026

Reggi Beasley Churchfront Conference Keynote Session | Getting a Graceful Rhythm 07/09/2026

Stephen Sheppard | Former Elevation Church Broadcast Engineer Teaches the Biggest Lessons He Learned 07/08/2026

The Biggest AV Mistake Churches Make During Construction Projects 07/08/2026

How to Build a Thriving Worship Ministry from Scratch 07/01/2026

How to Build a Thriving Worship Ministry from Scratch Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Spirit, Skills, and Systems: The Formula Behind a Thriving Worship Ministry Key Topics 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. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41920680

Ryan Visconti | Leading Through Growth, Culture, and Conviction 06/15/2026

Ryan Visconti | Leading Through Growth, Culture, and Conviction Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN 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. Key Topics Why lead pastors should care about worship and production 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. Leading without micromanaging 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. How worship shapes theology 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. Building a healthy staff culture 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. Ministry families versus ministry jobs 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. Caring for staff kids intentionally 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. Growing a church from 500 to thousands 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. Why serving is often more powerful than small groups 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. When organizations outgrow their leaders 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. Lessons from military leadership 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. Wartime ministry in a changing culture 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. AI and the future of ministry 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. Teaching truth with clarity and compassion 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. Difficult leadership decisions and church health 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. Reaching a new generation searching for truth 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. Notable tools, organizations, and resources mentioned • Generation Church • ChatGPT • Gemini • Logos Bible Software • Inside Elevation • Elevation Church • United States Army • Charlie Kirk • Leadership Research Services • Real-Time AI Translation Technology Key Quote “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.” • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41655380

Lee Fields Churchfront Conference Workshop | Building Volunteer Mixing Systems That Actually Work 06/15/2026

Lee Fields Churchfront Conference Workshop | Building Volunteer Mixing Systems That Actually Work Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Churchfront Conference Workshop — Lee Fields | Building Volunteer Mixing Systems That Actually Work 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. Key Topics The true measure of an audio director 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. Why consistency matters more than complexity 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. The upstream factors that shape every mix 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. Sources matter more than gear 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. Building a default mix file for volunteers 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. The importance of proper gain structure 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. Line check, soundcheck, and rehearsal are not the same thing 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. EQ decisions driven by musical context 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. Why less processing often sounds better 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. Managing tracks in modern worship environments 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. Reverb techniques for clarity and depth 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. Developing your ear as an engineer 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. Notable tools and equipment mentioned • Allen & Heath Consoles • Midas Wing • Meyer Sound Loudspeakers • Shure SM57 • Nord Keyboards • MainStage • Pro Tools • Spotify • Playback Tracks Key Quote “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.” • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41655315

Josh Kelsey | How AI Is Transforming Church Ministry 06/15/2026

Josh Kelsey | How AI Is Transforming Church Ministry Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN 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 and resources 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.” • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41655215

Reggi Beasley | Leadership Lessons from Elevation Church and Building Healthy Worship Teams 06/15/2026

Reggi Beasley | Leadership Lessons from Elevation Church and Building Healthy Worship Teams Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN 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. Key Topics Leading worship across a multi-site church 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. Why culture rises and falls on leadership 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. Building healthy audition and onboarding processes 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. Protecting relationships while maintaining standards 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. The power of delegated leadership 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. Why leaders should “save their voice” 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. Handling difficult transitions and team changes 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. Patience, growth, and long-term ministry impact 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. Common leadership challenges facing worship pastors 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. Calling versus assignment 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. Equipping the saints for ministry 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. Crown Collaborative and encouraging church leaders 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. Notable resources and organizations mentioned • Elevation Church • Crown Collaborative • Ephesians 4 • Micah 6:8 • Passion Conferences • Hillsong Worship • Chris Tomlin • Louis Giglio • Ableton Live • In-ear monitor systems Key Quote “When you sit in a seat of leadership, you probably underestimate the way other people weigh your words.” • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41654950

AI in Ministry | A Discussion With Josh Kelsey From Vineyard Church, California 06/12/2026

AI in Ministry | A Discussion With Josh Kelsey From Vineyard Church, California Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN 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.” • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/41628010

Introduction to PA Design with Spencer Trefzger 06/12/2026

Erwin McManus on Leadership, Communication, and Building a Church That Lasts Churchfront Podcast 02/26/2026

Erwin McManus on Leadership, Communication, and Building a Church That Lasts Churchfront Podcast Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN 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" segment Erwin's advice for Churchfront: since they're committed to serving churches exclusively, look for where churches are growing fastest — new residential development, emerging demographics — and think about what a scalable package looks like for smaller churches. The message is too important not to be heard clearly, which makes sound and AV integration genuinely mission-critical work. He also noted that once a building is built, the acoustic future is largely set — making early architectural involvement from integrators essential. Book/Resource mentioned: The Seven Frequencies of Communication — includes an assessment on their website. Also mentioned: Mind Shift by Erwin McManus. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/40243115

How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage | Conversations With a Worship Pastor Part II 02/05/2026

How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage | Conversations With a Worship Pastor Part II Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage - Part 2 Episode Description 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. In This Episode 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 Timestamps 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 Key Quotes "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." Resources Mentioned Planning Center ProPresenter Tom Jackson Productions Carey Nieuwhof podcast episode (referenced) Connect With Us Visit churchfront.com for free church production training and resources 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. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/39817580

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Worship Pastor | Conversations With a Worship Pastor Part I 02/04/2026

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Worship Pastor | Conversations With a Worship Pastor Part I Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Worship Pastor - Part 1 Episode Description 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. In This Episode 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 Timestamps 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 Key Quotes "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." Resources Mentioned Working Genius Assessment by Patrick Lencioni Churchfront free courses at churchfront.com Connect With Us Visit churchfront.com for free church production training and resources This is part 1 of 2. Watch part 2 for more on discipling your team, building sustainable systems, and avoiding burnout. /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/39817540

From Solo to 10+ Staff: Leadership Lessons for Church Leaders 01/22/2026

From Solo to 10+ Staff: Leadership Lessons for Church Leaders Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Podcast Notes: Leadership & Scaling from Solo to 10+ Team Members with Jake Gosselin Overview 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. Key Topics & Timestamps Vision as the Foundation (00:00–05:32) 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.” The Transition from Hands-On to Hands-Off (03:23–07:54) 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.” Hiring A-Players (07:54–13:04) Essential hiring criteria: Mission alignment — genuinely excited about equipping church leaders Self-leadership — evidence of personal discipline (health, appearance, habits) Character references — take time to call references and vet thoroughly Working Genius Assessment — using Patrick Lencioni’s framework to build balanced teams 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.” The Challenge of Letting Go (13:37–16:56) 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.’” Present Leadership Without Micromanaging (17:46–19:40) Weekly team meetings where everyone shares what they’re working on Asking: “What did you do last week?” and “What are you working on this week?” (3–10 minutes) Five minutes with each team member can make a huge impact Being present builds trust across the org chart Service businesses succeed based on team health and performance Jake shifted from solo productivity to supporting team members Key Quote: “That five minutes of interaction with one of your team members a week, no matter where they're at in the org chart, goes a long way because they're like, ‘Oh wow, our senior leader knows me. I can trust him.’” High-Leverage Activities (19:50–23:16) Definition of leverage: low input, high output—like a tool that multiplies your strength. What Jake focuses on now: Pre-design client conversations — 2–3 hours per project that sets the trajectory for large-budget projects (using Wonder/Invention/Visionary strengths) Media creation — 30 minutes to a few hours can reach thousands (what built Churchfront over 8–10 years) Leader development — multiplication only happens as the team grows from 10+ toward 20–30 For church leaders: Sunday preaching — communication at scale (in-person and online) Developing other leaders — especially in areas where you’re less gifted Key Quote: “What can I put lower input into and gives me high output? That's what a lever or a tool is.” Leadership Evolution (23:23–25:23) John Maxwell’s Five Levels of Leadership (applied): Position — title alone (doesn’t get you much) Permission — relationships; people give you permission to lead Productivity — “Follow me because I produce results” (how Churchfront started) Leader development — “Follow me because I’ll equip you to lead others” (current focus) Multiplication — creating leaders who create leaders Jake’s journey: 2016: solo entrepreneur and highly productive individual Read leadership books and understood the growth track Started with productivity to get things off the ground With 10 people (and aiming for 20–30), he must focus on leader development to reach multiplication Key Insight: Leadership maturity means realizing it’s more people-focused than anything else. Advice to 2016 Jake (25:44–28:06) What Jake would tell his younger self: “Buy more Bitcoin” (half-joking) With what he knows now, he could do in 2–3 years what took 10 But he wouldn’t rush it—focus on the journey Be a man of good character Follow God Keep sustainable work-life balance Care for spouse and kids Don’t rush—God multiplies right inputs into massive outputs Seek wise counsel on business strategy and online marketing Show up and do the work every day For young 20-somethings Jake mentors: Focus on self-leadership and the basics Better strategies exist—learn from wise voices Put in consistent daily work People don’t see the late-night edits and behind-the-scenes grind Key Quote: “A lot of people see Churchfront and they're like, ‘Wow, it's like 300,000 subscribers. It's a decent sized little business growing a lot.’ It's like, yeah, that's after eight to 10 years of just showing up and doing it every single day.” Main Themes Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater As church culture shifts away from overly corporate/produced approaches back toward authenticity, it’s still worth keeping the leadership lessons that help organizations run well—especially because leadership often isn’t taught deeply in Bible school contexts. Parallels Between Business and Church Leadership Churchfront is a Christian business that prays before meetings and focuses on serving the local church. The leadership principles Jake uses translate directly to church staff leadership, especially for teams of 5–15. The Secret Sauce In service businesses (and churches), the team and people are the product. That’s why leader development and team health matter so much. Natural Progression Growth happens in stages. Jake went from being intimidated by the idea of 10 staff members to progressing through each hire and stage—each step building confidence for the next. Practical Takeaways for Church Leaders Clarify your vision first—mission, vision, and core values you return to weekly Hire A-players only—take time, use assessments, and get team input Build decision-making systems so your team can solve problems without you Stay present without micromanaging—even five minutes per person per week helps Focus on high-leverage activities—preaching, leader development, strategic decisions Understand all departments without needing to control them Invest in education—leaders should understand the basics of major spending areas Progress through leadership levels—from productivity to multiplication Prioritize character and self-leadership—in yourself and the people you hire Think long-term—consistent daily effort over 8–10 years creates remarkable results /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/39817430

Carey Nieuwhof - Churchfront Leadership Podcast 01/08/2026

Carey Nieuwhof - Churchfront Leadership Podcast Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Carey Nieuwhof Interview - Podcast Notes Overview 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. Key Themes 1. The Shift: Entertainment vs. Encounter 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" 2. What "Encounter Over Entertainment" Looks Like 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.'" 3. The Liturgy Issue 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 Keep good lighting, sound, production, and musicians who can play Add breathing room, texture, color, tone, mood Use liturgical calendar and historic practices adapted to modern context Don't approach Sunday as "slots to fill" Creative Freedom 52 Sundays = 52 blank canvases Already do this well at Easter and Christmas Can be more creative without confusing people Example: Good Friday Service Ended in darkness with no announcement Faded to black and stayed there People sat in uncomfortable silence, then slowly left "I wanted them to feel that discomfort... if you can even get a small sampling of that" Easter Sunday picked up in darkness, then sunrise/resurrection 4. Live Streaming Strategy Who Should Live Stream? Not every church needs to live stream everything Need good musicians to sound great online (around 400-500 attendance to have talent base) Need separate mix for online vs. in-house Poor production = "school play" - only interesting to those directly involved Quote: "A lot of churches, and these are well-meaning, beautiful Christian people. If you don't have the talent in production or in worship, you sound like a school play." Alternatives Stream just the message On-demand after, mixed in post-production Audio only if video isn't good Consider what strangers stumbling on feed would think The Discovery Argument Pre-COVID minority of churches streamed Now "everybody you want to reach is online" "All of non-Christian America, all the nuns, all the duns, all the atheists, all the agnostics, they're on the internet" Can't remember last time truly unchurched person hadn't watched online for weeks/months before visiting The New Foyer Online is now the foyer, not the physical lobby People investigate online before visiting By the time they show up, they're ready to go "further, faster" "They've already done their investigating. They've already asked ChatGPT all the questions" 5. Practical Service Design Handling Growth Pressure Multiple services create pressure to program everything tightly Solution: Trim 5 minutes from sermon Do 60-minute service with breathing room between Create more lobby/connection space Leverage outdoor space (if climate allows) Worship Set Strategy Don't need extended mix of everything Maybe two songs and a tag instead of three full songs "Sit in the tag for a while" Find the high-impact moments (example: bridge of "How Great Is Our God") Get to what matters, like talent shows do 90-second versions Quote: "You don't have to do the extended mix of everything, the seven minute version, do the tag. That would be great. Space is something that you can do in three minutes if you know how to do it well." Service Flow Examples Don't make people stand and greet (where else does that happen?) Have emotionally intelligent people on doors, not just available people Greet people the way THEY want to be greeted Consider kids moments, announcements, communion as natural transitions Call to commitment/involvement comes sooner now than 10 years ago 6. Online Presence Best Practices Website Design Design for new people first Show service times and location prominently (mobile friendly) Staff page is #3 most viewed - people want to see "are there people like me?" Use accurate photos (don't show 27-year-olds if congregation is 70+) Show actual diversity if you have it Quote (Seth Godin): "Culture is people like us do things like this. So what people are looking for, are there people like us?" Content Strategy Lead with best sermons, not just latest Most popular videos should be easy to find People don't care if it's from 2 years ago (still watching The Office) Have robust FAQ section for unchurched questions Position yourself for lost people, not just members 7. The Current Moment The Harvest is Ripe People are seeking more than maybe in past decade or two Culture is saturated with production - not the competitive edge anymore Mental health crisis caused by social media People desperate for something real What to Do Pray for it (spiritual activity) Make newcomer journey easy Take them somewhere when they show up Go deeper faster - they're ready Quote: "People come to church looking to find God, but sometimes all they find is us. They found a really cool song, they found a really great message, but they didn't actually find God in the midst of it." Give Them Meat Reference to Tara-Lee Cobble and The Bible Recap Provide historical context (helps Christians AND non-Christians) Don't be afraid to go deep on sin, gospel, redemption Write/speak in accessible "street Greek" like the New Testament Example Opening: "Hey, we're going back 3000 years. And there was a guy named David who was King of Israel. He was trying to keep the kingdom united because there was a north and a south. You can relate to that. These are divided times..." Quote (Tim Keller): "It's worse than you can possibly imagine and better than you can possibly dream." 8. Leadership Advice For Young Church Staff (25-40) Navigating Frustration with Leadership Write down actual issues you're facing (budget, staffing, expertise) Present respectfully, thoughtfully, submissively Good leaders will either provide resources or adjust priorities Identifying Toxic Culture Unrealistic expectations Unsympathetic to staff needs Expects 60-hour weeks with no life Toxic leader will get mad/defensive when approached Options in Toxic Environment Respectfully approach and share difficulties Accept the glass ceiling and stay Build healthy team within unhealthy body (temporary solution) Leave - "unhealthy bodies drive out healthy cells" Interview Questions for New Positions Ask to talk to current staff (not the pastor) Ask to talk to FORMER staff Find out who left and why Read Google reviews Have meals/experiences together (reveals character under pressure) Quote: "Ask around, ask if you have permission. Don't ask the pastor. Don't ask the pastor. Are you healthy? The toxic people, 'I'm so healthy.'" 9. Team Building & Growth Hiring Philosophy Only hire A players C players: you know immediately (late, unmotivated, incomplete work) - should be gone B players: good but not great - "it's too bad but we'll survive" A players: if they quit you'd need 3 people to replace them Quote (Netflix): "Adequate performance gets you a generous severance package." A Player Test If they knocked on the door saying "this is my last day," how do you react? C player: "Thank goodness, now I don't have to fire them" B player: "Too bad but we'll survive" A player: "Grabbing the waste basket and throwing up" Growth Wisdom Don't settle on staff because you're panicking Will eventually become bloated with no profit Profit = "permission to do this again tomorrow" (Seth Godin) Most businesses fail not from lack of vision but lack of cash Use tools like Working Genius to find right fit Don't just find A players - find A players with gifts your team needs Cultural Values Write them down and review regularly Ritz-Carlton: 26 values, reviewed 2-3 daily in team meetings Use to evaluate: "Where are we winning/losing with our values?" Catch team members exemplifying values Values help instill culture as org chart grows 10. Upcoming Projects Carey's New Book Topic: AI and the Future Church Thesis: "As the world becomes more artificial, we need to become more human as Christians" Church's future direction is human connection Expected publication: 2026 Latest Book "At Your Best" - about time, energy, and priorities Notable Statistics & Data Points 72% of teenagers have tried AI chatbots 31% prefer AI companionship to human companions Pre-COVID: minority of churches streamed services Can't recall single unchurched person who didn't watch online for weeks/months before visiting Around 400-500 attendance: churches start having talent base for good production 80-95% of church growth in America is conversion growth (not transfer) Top 3 website pages: Homepage, Messages, Staff/About Production Quality Basics Good Enough to Stream Great singing (doesn't need to be phenomenal) Decent lights Pretty good mix Can work with church of 150-200 with good coaching Everything else can be helped with technology Bare Minimum Great guitarist + great vocalist = "off to the races" Don't feel pressure to have full mediocre band Add musicians as you find/afford great ones Practical Takeaways Create space in services - silence, breathing room, sensitivity to the room Recover lost liturgical practices - confession, lamentation, contemplation Go deeper faster - people are ready for meat, not just milk Design for online discovery - unchurched people are investigating you Lead with best content - not just latest content Only hire A players - don't panic hire when growing Build real human connection - counter to increasingly artificial world Make newcomer journey easy - they're ready to engage quickly Be creative with 52 Sundays - not just slots to fill Focus on encounter over entertainment - production supports experience, doesn't replace it Questions for Further Reflection How can we create more space for confession in our services? What would it look like to "evoke" rather than "manipulate" in worship? Are we positioning our online presence for unchurched discovery? Is our production supporting encounter or replacing it? What emotions are people carrying into our services, and how do we acknowledge that? Are we moving too fast for the Holy Spirit to work? Memorable Quotes "I don't think people are looking for hype. They're looking for hope." "People aren't looking for more information. They're looking for presence, not just presentation." "The internet is really good at information, especially with AI. You want to know anything, you can find out anything, but the internet can't really facilitate an encounter." "It's not our job as Christians to manipulate. It's our job possibly to evoke." "Where else are you going to get silence? You don't get it unless you're in church." "If you don't have the talent in production or in worship, you sound like a school play." "Everybody you want to reach is online." "Your foyer has moved online." "People come to church looking to find God, but sometimes all they find is us." "As the world becomes more artificial, we need to become more human as Christians." "Adequate performance gets you a generous severance package." "Profit is permission to do this again tomorrow." /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/39644715

The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth 10/17/2025

The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Episode Title The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth Episode Description 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. Key Takeaways 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 Guest/Host Info Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront Timestamps 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 Resources Mentioned 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) Discussion Questions for Church Leaders Does your church currently offer multiple worship styles? What challenges has that created? How can your church pursue unity while honoring different generational preferences? If you're not currently streaming, what barriers are holding you back? How can you improve your online presence as a "front door" for visitors? Action Steps Review your church's online metrics - are views increasing or decreasing? Assess whether multiple worship styles are helping or hindering unity Evaluate your streaming setup - is audio quality your top priority? Consider how your building design supports or limits your worship style goals Social Media Pull Quotes "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 "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 "People will watch bad video with good audio, but they won't watch bad audio with good video. Audio first, always." - Matt Woltjer "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 "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 Episode Tags #ChurchGrowth #WorshipStyle #LiveStreaming #ChurchTechnology #TheUnstuckGroup #ContemporaryWorship #TraditionalWorship #ChurchAV #OnlineChurch #ChurchLeadership Production Notes 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 /episode/index/show/churchfront/id/38607825

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