Churchfront Podcast

Épisodes

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  Your Preference is not Theology 18.09.2026 39min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok In this episode, Sean Bennett and Luke Jackson unpack one of the most common sources of conflict in church worship: confusing personal preference, ministry philosophy, and biblical theology. When those categories collapse into one, conversations about songs, service length, instruments, volume, style, and liturgy quickly become harder than they need to be. Sean and Luke talk through how churches can build a clearer worship philosophy by starting upstream with the purpose of the gathered church, reading Scripture as a unified story, and doing the theological homework before questions or criticism arise. They also explain why preference is not the enemy, but unexamined preference can quietly shape decisions that leaders mistake for conviction. If you lead worship, production, or church services in any capacity, this conversation will help you think more clearly about why your church worships the way it does—and how to explain those decisions with humility, clarity, and care. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  Church Video Systems That Volunteers Can Actually Run | Colby Griner 17.09.2026 47min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About This Week's Guest Colby Griner serves at Compassion Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia, where he oversees broadcast video at the main campus and supports production across multiple campuses. His background includes leading production in a smaller church environment, building volunteer-friendly systems, and helping churches make practical decisions about video gear, cameras, switching, routing, and live production workflows. In this session from the Churchfront Conference, Colby breaks down how churches should think about video systems based on their actual context, not just the gear they see other churches using. He compares broadcast cameras, cinema cameras, and PTZs, explains when each makes sense, and walks through the signal flow essentials that make live video work. You'll also hear practical guidance on ProPresenter outputs, fill and key graphics, routers, switchers, stream decks, and volunteer training. If your church wants a better-looking livestream or in-room video experience without creating a system only professionals can run, this episode will help you choose the right next step. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  The Missing Piece in Church AV Projects 04.09.2026 23min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok A great sound system, lighting rig, or LED wall can still fall short if nobody knows how to operate, maintain, and adapt it after installation. In this episode, Jake and Luke unpack one of the biggest things church leaders miss in AV projects: the ongoing need for training, support, system ownership, and engineering expertise. They explain why AV is different from other parts of a building project, why volunteers and operators should not be expected to function as system engineers, and how churches can plan for stabilization, documentation, ongoing support, and future growth before investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into new AVL systems. If your church is planning a new build, expansion, or major AV upgrade, this conversation will help you count the real cost of ownership and build a system your team can actually use with confidence. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.  
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  You Don't Have to Know Everything to Lead a Great Production Team | Danielle Iselin 31.08.2026 33min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About This Week's Guest Danielle Iselin serves at VIVE Church in Mountain View, California, helping lead production across a global church with 15 campuses. Her background in church production started at a young age, and her leadership experience gives her a practical, encouraging perspective for worship and production leaders who feel the pressure to know it all. In this Churchfront Conference keynote, Danielle challenges church production leaders to stop carrying everything alone and start becoming leaders of leaders. She explains what it means to "know enough to be dangerous," not by pretending to be the expert in every area, but by learning strategically, asking better questions, empowering gifted people, and staying deeply aligned with the vision of the church. If you lead worship, production, media, or AVL volunteers, this session will help you think differently about learning, delegation, team building, and the kind of leadership that strengthens your church for the long run. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.
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  How Not to Build a Church AV Budget 31.08.2026 23min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson talk through one of the most common ways churches waste money on AV: starting with a budget number before defining the actual ministry needs, space requirements, and system design. They unpack why rough percentages, contractor guesses, cheap local installs, and rushed timelines often lead to underbuilt systems, change orders, poor long-term support, and frustrated teams. Instead of treating AV like a last-minute line item, Jake and Luke explain why churches need a clear plan, informed consulting, and a long-term stewardship mindset before making major AVL decisions. If your church is planning a renovation, expansion, or AV upgrade, this conversation will help you ask better questions before spending six or seven figures on technology. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.  
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  Your Church Livestream Probably Isn't Growing Your Church | Stephen Sheppard 17.08.2026 58min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About This Week's Guest Stephen "Shep" Sheppard is a church production and broadcast leader with experience serving at Elevation Church, launching church campuses, supporting multi-site production teams, and helping churches improve their camera systems, video direction, and sermon capture workflows. In this episode, Shep challenges the assumption that livestreaming is still the main growth strategy for churches. Instead, he explains how production teams can use cameras, lighting, volunteer training, sermon recording, YouTube, and short-form content to steward the message more effectively throughout the week. You'll learn why the sermon deserves intentional camera coverage, why better lighting may matter more than new cameras, how to define roles for camera operators and video directors, and how churches of any size can create more useful content with the tools they already have. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.
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  Light Your Church Like a Pro | Pro Church Lights 06.08.2026 1h

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About This Week's Guest This episode features Frank and Wade from Pro Church Lights, teaching from the Churchfront Conference in Melbourne Beach, Florida. They help churches build practical, volunteer-friendly lighting systems that support worship, hospitality, and ministry impact. Church lighting is not about manipulating emotion. It is about setting the table so people can walk into a space that feels intentional, welcoming, and ready for worship. In this episode, Frank and Wade explain why lighting matters from both a biblical and practical perspective, then walk through five principles every church can use to improve its lighting: nail the foundational elements, simplify control, standardize looks, train volunteers, and upgrade strategically. Whether your church is starting with a basic lighting setup or trying to make an existing system easier for volunteers to run, this conversation will help you make smarter decisions and create a better worship environment. Lighting Cheat Sheet and Lightkey Project file - https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/mobile/folders/1-q8N2wDohDmCd1YxaQ0-8UQjUUkkmb-R?usp=sharing • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.
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  Why We Don't Give Churches AV Bids 30.07.2026 29min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson unpack why Churchfront does not start AVL projects by handing churches a quick bid or quote. They explain the difference between an estimate, bid, quote, proposal, and RFP, and why accurate pricing for church AVL work depends on design, engineering, site context, system goals, and clear specifications. Jake and Luke also walk through Churchfront's pre-design and consulting process, including the on-site visit, discovery conversations, inventory, program report, budget ranges, phasing recommendations, and the path from consulting to design, engineering, and final project proposal. If your church is planning an audio, video, lighting, broadcast, or renovation project, this conversation will help you understand what information is needed before a firm quote is possible and how to move forward with clarity instead of guesswork. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.  
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  The Church Production Debate Ends Here | Nathan Finochio 27.07.2026 46min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About This Week's Guest Nathan Finocchio is a speaker, teacher, and longtime worship leader who brings a sharp, theological perspective to conversations about worship, church leadership, and the role of the Holy Spirit in the gathered church. In this Churchfront Conference keynote, Nathan Finocchio makes a bold case for why church production matters. Rather than treating lights, sound, video, and AVL systems as distractions, Nathan argues that production can help facilitate the first ministry of the church: worshiping God. Nathan unpacks the biblical language of praise, sacrifice, priesthood, and presence, challenging church leaders and production teams to move from a consumer mindset to a priestly mindset. This conversation will help worship pastors, production directors, tech teams, and church leaders recover a deeper "why" behind the work of creating excellent worship environments. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.
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  Why is Church AV So Expensive? 27.07.2026 22min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok Why Is Church AV So Expensive? In this episode, Jake Gosselin and Luke Jackson break down why professional church AVL projects cost more than many churches expect. They explain the hidden work behind a reliable system, including engineering, logistics, insurance, software, support, staffing, travel, procurement, and long-term operational stability. Jake and Luke also talk about why Churchfront does not try to be the cheapest AV integrator. Instead, they explain how accurate pricing protects churches from risky shortcuts, underbuilt systems, poor support, and unstable vendors. If your church is planning a renovation, new build, or major AV upgrade, this episode will help you understand what you are actually paying for and how to evaluate the right AVL partner. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links.  
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  Reggi Beasley Churchfront Conference Keynote Session | Getting a Graceful Rhythm 09.07.2026 42min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok About Reggi Beasley Reggi Beasley is a worship leader and ministry builder who helps churches build healthy, thriving worship teams. In this Churchfront Conference keynote, he brings a pastoral word of encouragement for worship, production, and church leaders who are doing good work but feeling weary in the middle of it. In this episode, Reggi reminds ministry leaders that a sustainable life of service starts with receiving three simple but deeply needed truths: God sees you, God loves you, and God wants to spend time with you. Through the stories of Hagar, the prodigal son, and a personal moment from a ministry trip, he shows how grace restores our rhythm when performance, pressure, and responsibility begin to wear us down. If you lead volunteers, carry the weight of weekend services, or feel the tension between ministry calling and real-life exhaustion, this message will help you slow down, remember the Father's love, and lead from intimacy instead of striving. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  Stephen Sheppard | Former Elevation Church Broadcast Engineer Teaches the Biggest Lessons He Learned 08.07.2026 53min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok Former Elevation Broadcast Engineer on Building a Healthier Church Production Team About This Week's Guest: Stephen "Shep" Sheppard is a church production leader, content creator, and freelance broadcast/production specialist who has served in production roles at Elevation Church, Hope City Church, and multiple portable church environments. His experience spans volunteer leadership, broadcast engineering, campus launches, livestream systems, and coaching churches on how to build healthier production teams. In this episode, Shep shares practical lessons from years of leading church production teams through high-pressure Sunday environments. He talks about reducing stress in production, simplifying systems, documenting technology, improving communication, and building volunteer teams that are healthy enough to serve and still participate in the life of the church. You'll hear stories from portable church setups, live broadcast failures, team-building wins, and the leadership habits that help production directors support their pastors, multiply volunteers, and create sustainable systems for ministry. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN  
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  The Biggest AV Mistake Churches Make During Construction Projects 08.07.2026 47min

  Work with us on your next AV project Get training for production leaders and volunteers Join us at the Churchfront Live Conference  Follow us! Instagram Facebook TikTok The Biggest AV Mistake Churches Make During Construction Projects In this episode, Jake and Sean explain why church AV should not be treated like gear you add at the end of a construction project. AV is a specialty construction trade that affects structural planning, electrical requirements, HVAC coordination, sightlines, cabling, equipment racks, control systems, and long-term volunteer usability. They unpack when churches should bring AV into the process, why pre-design consulting matters, how realistic budgets are built, and why you cannot accurately quote a system that has not been designed. They also discuss how better planning, detailed documentation, and experienced project management can prevent costly surprises and help churches steward construction projects with wisdom. • • • • • Disclaimer: This video and description contain affiliate links. Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN
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  How to Build a Thriving Worship Ministry from Scratch 01.07.2026 35min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  Ryan Visconti | Leading Through Growth, Culture, and Conviction 15.06.2026 1h 1min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  Lee Fields Churchfront Conference Workshop | Building Volunteer Mixing Systems That Actually Work 15.06.2026 58min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  Josh Kelsey | How AI Is Transforming Church Ministry 15.06.2026 1h 9min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  Reggi Beasley | Leadership Lessons from Elevation Church and Building Healthy Worship Teams 15.06.2026 1h 22min

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  AI in Ministry | A Discussion With Josh Kelsey From Vineyard Church, California 12.06.2026 1h 9min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront 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.
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  Introduction to PA Design with Spencer Trefzger 12.06.2026 55min

  Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN In this episode, Matt sits down with Spencer, Churchfront's Director of Engineering, to break down the most common PA system problems churches face and how to design sound systems that actually serve the room. We're covering everything from phase cancellation and speaker placement to line arrays, point source speakers, acoustics, modeling software, and practical ways to improve your church's audio without breaking the budget. Whether you're planning a new audio system, troubleshooting an existing PA, or simply trying to understand why your room sounds the way it does, this conversation will help you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.