Explore every episode of the podcast The ChurchGear Podcast
Dive into the complete episode list for The ChurchGear Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Why You Need Production Pals [Justin Firesheets]
17 Nov 2025
00:54:34
How important is it to have fellow church tech friends?
Justin Firesheets joins us to discuss how production friends can help improve your church's production, your morale and keep you sane!
In this episode you'll hear:
0:00 – Intro: Why church techs need church production friends and community 1:00 – How many friends do you actually need in church production? 5:36 – How Toby’s church tech connections saved the day 7:00 – Justin Firesheets on building relationships in the church tech world 22:00 – Why connecting with other church production leaders is up to you 27:00 – Practical ways to reach out and network with other church techs 42:25 – Church tech disaster story: awkward guest speaker walk-out music 47:20 – Tech Takeaway: Why everything in church production is harder when you’re alone 50:30 – Church Tech Confessional: Real talk from the production booth
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Producing the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service [Mosaic's Brad McCraw]
10 Nov 2025
01:09:51
How do you produce the largest Gospel presentation in history with less than 10 days?
Brad McCraw joins us to discuss how his team produced the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service with no time and the highest of stakes.
In this episode:
1:00 — Moments When Time Stood Still in American History 5:45 — How Brad McCraw Became the Production Lead for Charlie Kirk’s Memorial Service 11:00 — How Secret Service Affected the Production and AVL Setup 12:00 — How Mosaic Pulled Off the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service in Record Time 23:00 — Balancing Production Excellence While Grieving a Loss 26:00 — The Technical Workload Behind Producing the Charlie Kirk Memorial on Short Notice 27:30 — Behind the Scenes: Production Days Leading Up to the Memorial Service 34:45 — What Gear, Lighting, and Audio Equipment Were Used for the Memorial Service 38:45 — How Secret Service Protocols effect on the AVL and Broadcast Production 46:25 — When the Emotional Weight of the Event Finally Hit 1:05:00 — Finding Purpose: How Every Church Tech Role Can Serve the Gospel
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Executive Pastor & Tech Series: Getting Approvals [Southeast Church Pt3]
08 Sep 2025
01:14:15
How do you get your executive pastor to give a "yes" to all your requests?
We're joined by our Southeast Church friends today to continue our Executive Pastor and Tech podcast series.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Blake’s hilarious church tech mic moment 4:55 Southeast Christian Church team joins the podcast 6:50 Five Truths and a Lie: church production edition 16:00 What an executive pastor really does in church leadership 18:30 How church techs can build trust with their executive pastor 23:15 How to get a “yes” from your executive pastor as a church tech 33:15 The right way to ask your executive pastor for resources or budget 41:30 When church gear fails (and you warned it would) 45:45 System failure stories in church production 52:00 Why the church tech–integrator relationship matters 1:01:00 Handling tension with your executive pastor as a church production leader 1:07:10 Why church techs should talk about non-work things with pastors
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Christmas Disaster Stories [Church Techs Call In]
18 Dec 2023
00:50:22
How do we keep the most attended services of the year free from mishaps?
We are joined by some of our church techs pals to hear their "Christmas Disaster Stories" this week. We hope this can provide you some laughs as you prepare for your own Christmas Services this year!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Before Camera & Action - Lights![Tony Fransen]
11 Dec 2023
01:01:23
How do you become one of the best lighting designers in the production world?
Tony Fransen is a lighting designer who has worked with Prince, One Republic and many more artists. We discussed church lighting design, burnout prevention and some disaster stories that are as exhilarating as they are terrifying.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Meth Labs, Church Visits & Leg Lamps
6:30 Working with Prince [Tony Fransen joins us!]
22:30 Tony’s Tech Background
30:00 Landing the Lighting gig for One Republic
35:45 How do you draw your church congregation in with lighting?
40:25 How do you prevent burnout in church production?
45:20 How can church techs communicate work load during Christmas?
48:12 Disaster story: “Then the elephant walks in”
51:08 Disaster story: “Then the video wall snapped loose”
55:00 Tech Takeaway
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Building The Vegas Sphere [LAWO's Tony Staires ]
04 Dec 2023
00:59:44
What gear did it take to create The Vegas Sphere?
Tony Staires has worked in churches and he now works at LAWO. He joins the pod this week to tell us about LAWO's work in The Vegas Sphere Project! What gear did they use? What experiences can it create? Tune in to find out!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Taylor vs. U2 trivia
6:00 Texas, Gunpoints & Touring Life [Tony Staires joins us!]
14:45 Tony’s tech background
20:00 How to know if it’s time to leave ministry
25:45 Tony’s work on The Vegas Sphere!
29:35 Why The Sphere is amazing
37:55 The million $ bounty on hacking The Vegas Sphere
44:30 What other ways will The Vegas Sphere be used?
49:00 How is LAWO being used in church production?
53:10 Tech Takeaway on being where your feet are
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Prioritizing God, Family & Production Correctly [Crossroads Church’s Patrick Buescher]
27 Nov 2023
00:59:54
Many people say God and family are their top two priorities, yet most of us struggle to keep our church production work from intertwining with God in our priority list.
Patrick Buescher is the Assistant Director of Technical Operations at Cross Roads Church and he joins us to discuss how church techs can have longevity in church production.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Pastor egos & eating lead paint
7:00 Patrick Buescher joins us!
12:30 Patrick’s start in tech
15:30 Crossroads Church’s tech & team setup
21:00 Super Bowl of Preaching & Horse Weekend
26:15 Longevity in church tech
28:45 Burnout, Family, & Communication
44:45 Can I ever go to church with my family?
47:45 When do you know it’s time to leave your church?
50:00 Disaster story: They unplugged everything
53:40 Tech Takeaway on priorities
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Live-Streaming at Bethel Church [Jesse Maitland]
20 Nov 2023
00:56:32
What's it like producing services at Bethel Church?
Jesse is the Live Broadcast Director at Bethel Church in Redding. He joins us to talk about producing services at Bethel, live-streaming's eternal reach, and more!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Airplane disaster moments
5:45 Jesse Maitland joins us!
18:00 What it’s like doing production at Bethel
26:20 The pressure of production at Bethel
27:45 Handling Bethel’s production during the Pandemic
29:15 What production gear and team structure does Bethel use?
32:15 Where does Bethel Production get creative inspiration?
35:00 How do you upgrade your video setup?
38:00 Serving your online church community
41:15 Illegal Church: Live streams reach
44:00 Disaster story: “The sewage flooded the lobby”
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Video’s Impact on your Church [Ross Video’s Jeremy Bagwell]
13 Nov 2023
00:59:39
What production gear should your church budget prioritize? What production gear should your church consider skipping entirely?
Jeremy Bagwell works at Ross Video to help churches with their production gear needs. His episode with us is full of amazing insight, hot takes and budget saving perspectives.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Halloween costumes, Ryan gets burned & Toby is shameless
5:30 Jeremy Bagwell joins! And fails big time.
17:00 Jeremy’s tech background
21:45 Why is Ross in every big church?
24:20 Common Video Misconceptions
31:31 UHD and 4K hot take
37:15 Places churches SHOULD spend money on video
43:00 Upcoming trends: Pixels & Ai
48:00 Disaster Story: “Then I saw the fire”
51:25 Tech Techaway: Focus on what matters
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
From Transformation Church to Cross Point [Jeremy Van Valkenburg]
06 Nov 2023
01:07:58
How do we know when it is time to say "yes" to a new church tech position?
Jeremy Van Valkenburg is the Live Experience Pastor at Cross Point church and he has worked as a church tech in multiple churches over the years. We talk about transitioning between roles, how to establish a new team and more on this week's ChurchGear podcast!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Alligators & Northern travels
6:00 Jeremy Van Valkenburg joins us!
27:45 Jeremy’s first move at Transformation Church
29:00 How Chad Vegas ended up at Transformation Church
31:28 How they got Transformation Church’s arena set up
37:00 How does Transformation Church do Sunday services?
39:00 Sharing their hearts with Transformation’s Leadership on burnout
41:40 What gear is Transformation running?
49:00 Moving to Cross Point Church to Build the Team
56:00 Disaster story on a horrific Livestream picture
1:00:30 Tech Takeaway on Identity
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
How Lighting Impacts your Church’s Experience [DC Pro Founder Daniel Connell]
30 Oct 2023
01:18:38
How much should we prioritize good lighting for our church services?
Daniel Connell is a lifelong Lighting Director professional and founder of DC Pro. He joins us to discuss lighting's importance for church services, house lights' importance and the heart behind DC Pro's work.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 A Listener Gets a Raise!
4:00 Lighting’s importance to concerts
6:50 Daniel Connell joins the show!
15:45 Church on the Move’s tech history
33:00 How much AVL is needed for church services?
41:00 Lighting’s importance to church services
43:30 How do you find an LD for your church?
50:20 House Lights: the most vital but boring buy
59:15 The heart and logistics of working with DC Pro
1:09:00 Tech Takeaway on identity & work life balance
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
How to Improve your Church’s Video Today [Drake Kelch]
23 Oct 2023
01:00:00
How do you improve your church's livestream?
Drake Kelch started doing production at 13 years old! He has worked with Bethel Music and various other production positions for years and now he leads his own production company, DK Film.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 The Sphere in Las Vegas
7:30 Drake Kelch joins!
18:30 Drake’s start in production at Bethel at age 13!
23:30 What does a church “cinematic look” look like?
32:00 Handheld cameras vs. Dollies
33:30 Minimum cost to create a cinematic look
37:00 Ways to improve your video right now
45:25 Trends and churches Drake is watching now
47:00 Recent projects Drake’s proud of working with
51:30 Disaster Story: Church install weather complications
54:45 Tech Takeaway: Check your camera views
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Should Churches Use In-Ears? [64 Audio's Eddie Cruz]
16 Oct 2023
01:02:58
Should churches use In-Ears? Are the benefits worth the cost?
Eddie Cruz works at 64 Audio to help churches find the best In-Ears for their worship teams. He joins us to discuss the process of making Beyonce's In-Ears, how churches are using In-Ears and more on this week's pod.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Church Celebrations & Chris Tomlin’s In-Ear woes!
7:30 Eddie Cruz joins to explain monitor mixing
20:59 Beyonce’s Diamond In-Ears
25:45 Eddie’s tech journey
31:00 Eddie’s hang with Metallica & church clients
36:15 What are churches using? In-Ears? Wedges?
44:30 New In-Ear Tech Eddie is Seeing
51:00 Should churches use In-Ears?
53:45 Disaster Story: Exploding In-Ears
57:15 Tech Takeaway on the little things
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Executive Pastor & Tech Series: Budget [Covenant Church Pt2]
01 Sep 2025
00:54:07
How do you request budget the right way from your Executive Pastor?
Our Covenant friends join us to discuss the right and wrong ways to ask for a production budget from your XP.
In this episode:
1:00 Why the Global Church Production Community Feels Small 4:45 Covenant Church Production Team Joins the Podcast 12:45 Inside the Role of an Executive Pastor in Church Production 14:45 How Senior Pastors Shape the Vision for Production 18:30 How to Request Production Budget from Your Senior Pastor 24:45 The Wrong Way to Ask for AVL Budget from Leadership 30:00 Latest Gear Upgrade at Covenant Church Production 35:00 How to Choose the Right AVL Integrator for Your Church 37:45 Building Trust Between Church Techs and Executive Pastors 46:30 What Executive Pastors Wish Every Church Tech Knew 47:00 What Church Techs Wish Executive Pastors Understood
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
When do you get a new PA? [d&b’s Zach Brady]
09 Oct 2023
01:05:40
How do you know when it's time to replace your speakers? A full PA isn't a small cost.
Zach spent many years as a church tech, and he now works for d&b in their Business Development department. We talk about the things to think about when you're considering a new PA, the difference between working at a church and a manufacturer and finish with some fantastic disaster stories!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Betrayals at ChurchGear
5:15 Zach Brady of d&b joins us!
18:00 Zach’s church background
24:45 Church Work vs. Manufacture work
30:00 What’s the d&b difference?
39:45 How do Church Techs know its time to upgrade the system?
43:45 Never let a crisis go to waste
49:40 Disaster story: Beards and Breathing Machines
54:00 Disaster story: Fog and Dance Disaster
57: Tech Takeaway on Identity
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Community's Importance, Touring Life and Rock Lititz [Tone Stephens]
02 Oct 2023
00:51:53
How do we find community among our fellow church techs?
Tone Stephens joins us to discuss the importance of community, the touring life and his time at Rock Lititz!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s CA church visits
6:30 Tone Stephens joins the pod!
10:45 Drugs, Grammys and Queens
14:00 Tone’s close call with jail time
19:00 What is Rock Lititz studios?
22:30 Where the Church Tech Community comes together
28:30 The importance of community for church techs
30:44 The Thought Leader Connect Group Types
38:00 Touring Vs. Church
41:30 Disaster story: Why isn’t it working?!
45:10 Tech Takeaway
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Church Tech Pay Wrap up: Top Takeaways [Pay Series Pt.7 with Brian Dishon]
25 Sep 2023
01:15:32
How will the Church Tech Pay Series end?
Toby, Blake and Brian recap the entire series in our final episode! We cover the most surprising survey stats, the best quotes, and the top takeaways.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Brendon Petty’s Legs and MxU live!
4:20 Mariah Carey & BD nearly kills Steven Curtis Chapman!
13:30 Biggest Stats from the Church Tech Pay Survey
20:40 Best Quotes from the Series
32:00 Appreciation & Taking Pay off the Table
38:00 Benefits? Benefits! Benefits.
42:00 Biggest Overall Takeaways from the Series
53:00 Top Way to Increase Pay over the Series
1:03:15 How to have the “salary increase” convo well
1:10:00 Toby’s Benediction for the Church Tech Pay Series
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Event Overload, Flex Days, & Calling [Pay Series Pt.6 with Slingshot's Caleb Loeppky]
18 Sep 2023
00:57:25
What if the grass isn't greener in the secular production world?
Caleb joins us again to discuss event overload, secular vs church environments, and salary ranges.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 The NF and Greta Van Fleet concerts at Bridgestone
5:10 Salary ranges and negotiating offers
10:25 What does Billy the Tech making 75K look like?
16:30 Secular Production Salaries
18:30 The Tech Director reports to…everyone??
22:15 Should church techs be required to do every single event?
30:00 What if church is better than a secular job?
35:45 Flex days as a benefit package feature?
39:50 Will anyone ever feel like they are paid fairly?
44:00 What should the average Church Tech Salary BE?
48:00 Tech Takeaway on church calling
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Competing Job Offers & Big Raise Year [Pay Series Pt.5 with Slingshot's Caleb Loeppky]
11 Sep 2023
01:02:07
You just got a job offer for 25k more to leave your church tech job. But you want to stay. What do you do now?
Caleb Loeppky worked in multiple church tech positions before taking a role at Amplio. He also works with Slingshot to place church production people all across America. He joins us to discuss competing job offers, Pastor's housing allowances, and how to talk about your salary with your Executive Pastor well.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s past church jobs
8:15 Caleb Loeppky joins us!
13:45 How Caleb found his Church Tech Jobs
19:00 What are the current church tech jobs out there right now?
24:30 Getting underpaid for being a volunteer to staff person
28:00 How many years as a TD does it take for a big raise?
34:30 Taking a competing job offer to your Exec Pastor
38:50 Pastor’s Housing Allowance
42:00 Leaving your church
44:30 How do you figure out your salary range?
47:20 Should all new techs start at 35-50k at least?
51:20 Can you bring your boss a competing job offer?
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Scott Ragsdale on Why TD’s Leave Church [Pay Series Pt.4]
04 Sep 2023
01:11:21
How can church techs show the wider tech pay landscape to their church leadership?
Scott Ragsdale is a church production legend and is returning to the ChurchGear podcast for the church tech pay series to discuss the current state of live production, an easy method to illustrate low tech salaries and why church techs are leaving the church.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Budget pains
5:30 Scott Ragsdale comes back to the podcast!
7:15 One Crazy Quote and Two Lies from the TD Pay Survey
11:45 Open Tech Director Roles at the Crossing
14:00 Effects of the Vid on live production
20:00 Are churches willing to pay a TD accurately?
22:00 Why do church techs leave the church?
26:00 Average Church Tech Salaries
32:00 How to talk to your leadership about your salary
34:15 The Crossings struggle to hire new tech roles
43:30 The cost of the road
49:00 Freelancing: Away from church and at church
53:15 Church Tech Salary Ranges across America
56:40 Different Tech Salary Ranges by Role
1:00:31 The various hats a church tech wears
1:03:45 Tech Takeaway on life’s journey
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Exec Pastor's Ideal Church Tech Traits [Pay Series with Matt Wright PT.3]
28 Aug 2023
01:19:26
What salary/career questions have you always wanted to ask your Executive Pastor?
We spoke with Matt Wright from Slingshot Group about the title of "Pastor", Housing Allowances, and the Top 4 Qualities every Executive Pastor wants in their Tech Director.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Church interview HORROR story
8:00 Matt Wright joins us from Slingshot!
15:00 Matt’s past jobs
18:45 The 6 parts of an Executive Pastor’s Job
23:30 Why are church techs not given the “Pastor” title?
28:30 What is a minister’s housing allowance?
31:36 Get your social security money now?
32:45 Opting out of social security
41:20 Church Benefits. Some have them. Some don’t.
49:30 The 4 Qualities an Exec Pastor wants in a Tech Director
59:30 How do we approach the Exec Pastor for a raise
1:11:30 Tech Takeaway on loving one another
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Salary TD Ranges, Benefits and Raise Tips [Pay Series with Tim Foot Pt2]
21 Aug 2023
00:51:44
What expectations should churches and church techs have for salary ranges, raises and benefits packages?
Tim Foot joins us this week to kick off our Church Tech Pay Series! In the second of his two episodes with us we discuss benefits packages, salary ranges, and expectations for the TD and church.
In this episode you’ll hear:
1:00 Toby firing the Finance Director to save lunch
3:00 Coaching Churches on raising Tech Salaries
5:30 Expectations of a $75,000 salary Church Tech
6:15 Expectations of a $45,000 salary Church Tech
9:00 How to talk to your executive pastor about pay
14:00 Benefits packages convey culture
22:45 How many years does it take for a raise?
27:45 Skills that bring in raises
29:30 $80,000+ Tech Jobs
35:30 The importance of EQ (Soft skills)
42:30 Can the church pay equal to the secular market?
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Starting TD Salaries & Trends [Pay Series with Tim Foot Pt1]
14 Aug 2023
00:48:13
What should a church tech's starting salary be?
Tim Foot joins us this week to kick off our Church Tech Pay Series! In the first of his two episodes with us we discuss church tech starting salaries, current tech hiring trends and which tech role is the hardest to hire right now.
In this episode you’ll hear:
1:00 How we Hire at ChurchGear
6:46 Tim Foot from Slingshot joins us!
13:00 Two Truths and a Lie “Church Tech Pay” edition
19:45 Slingshot’s mission
21:20 When more candidates come to Slingshot during the year
24:20 Church Tech hiring trends
27:00 Hardest Tech role to hire right now
30:00 Could you hire a Video Director at $50K?
32:45 Showing churches your candidate is already on staff
37:45 Starting Salary needed for a church tech hire
42:30 Is it time to pay techs like software people?
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
MxU’s Jeff & Jay on Bad Rooms & Burgers
07 Aug 2023
00:58:58
What have our friends at MxU been up to?
We chatted with Jeff and Jay on how much a room can excuse a bad mix, MxU's upcoming events and which fast food burger is the best.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 CA Mega Church Visits, Floor Buying & In and Out
7:20 MxU’s Jeff & Jay join us!
8:30 Burger Battle: McDonalds, WhatABurger, In and Out
14:30 Two Truths & a Lie “Church Tech Pay” edition
19:35 Jeff & Jay’s recent touring travels
25:45 How much does a “bad room” damage a concert?
38:25 Concert etiquette on singing loudly
44:00 Gene Kim & Jay death match
48:45 Big announcement tease
50:00 Tech Takeaway on Sunday Farts & Caring for our Teams
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Executive Pastor & Tech Series: Trust [Crossroads Church Pt1]
25 Aug 2025
00:55:24
How do you build trust with your executive pastor?
Our friends from Crossroads Church join us for part 1 of our executive pastor series.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s Church Tour & Travels 5:00 Crossroads Church Production Team Joins 6:00 Ideal Church Auditorium Size 12:30 Church Production Budget: How Much to Spend 20:00 Building Trust with Your Executive Pastor 24:45 Explaining Tech Value to Your Pastor 28:15 Tech Questions That Annoy Pastors 31:15 How Pastors Should Share Big Vision with Techs 43:00 Why Choosing the Right Church Integrator Matters 45:00 What Church Techs Wish Pastors Knew 47:00 What Pastors Wish Church Techs Knew
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Building Flatirons Production Team [Flatirons & Bayside's Tyler Kaneshiro]
31 Jul 2023
00:49:32
How do you build a big production team in a healthy way? What is the ethicality of hiring techs from other churches?
Tyler came up at Bayside church and now he is leading the production team at Flatirons church.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Company culture, hiring patterns
6:15 Tyler Kaneshiro joins us!
9:30 Disney Princesses & Tyler’s implants
12:00 From Bayside to Flatirons church
15:30 Beginning to build the Flatirons production team
20:00 How did Tyler recruit his recent production hires?
29:00 Is it ethical to “steal” techs from another church?
33:45 Moments you knew a hire was or wasn’t right
35:00 Flatiron’s campuses and staff
37:15 Building the Flatirons production team
41:00 Disaster Story on Dante Cards
44:20 Tech Takeaway on Perspective
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Toby Reveals All [ChurchGear’s History]
24 Jul 2023
01:15:31
How did Toby create ChurchGear?
We are covering the failures, successes and surprises that culminated into ChurchGear's creation and success this week!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s horrible poison ivy and meth house
7:00 Toby’s first recording studio
13:50 Toby’s first business betrayal
18:00 Toby’s many new ventures and worship ministry run
21:55 Toby’s first gear flip
23:55 Toby gets his dream job! (It’s a nightmare)
29:25 Gear flipping full time
37:00 ChurchGear’s concept is proven
41:50 Toby hires Blake so he can start firing him
47:15 From Toby’s basement to a horror barn
54:00 Elevation and Central start calling
55:00 ChurchGear Culture’s First Stress Test
1:00:55 ChurchGear moves AGAIN!
1:07:30 ChurchGear predictions
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Producing in the Largest Church in America [Lakewood w/ Matt Walden]
17 Jul 2023
00:52:50
What's it like producing services in the largest church in America?
Matt Walden gives us the details on Lakewood's services, a fantastic tech takeaway and some spectacular disaster stories.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Fast cars and Toby’s Lakewood Experience
6:20 Matt Walden joins us!
7:50 Outer Space, the Pope and Audio around the Globe
18:00 How Matt Walden got into Video Production
23:00 What elements does Matt use to tell stories
29:15 What is Video Dust and why do the big names use it?
39:40 Disaster story: Kari Jobe’s most embarrassing moment
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Production is Creative [Willow Creek's Rebekah Wiedenfeld]
10 Jul 2023
00:58:05
How do you go from cold calling Willow Creek about their cool production setup to becoming their Creative Director?
Rebekah Weidenfeld joins us this week to talk to us about creative direction, working between production and worship and much more!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Organizing Services
4:55 Rebekah Weidenfeld joins us!
6:30 Biking across America and flying upside down
14:00 How Rebekah became Willow Creek’s Creative Director
17:35 Scott Ragsdale vs Todd Elliott show down
19:00 Advancing into a new church tech role
23:00 Keeping production and worship as a single team
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Thomas Rhett’s LD & Pernelli Winner [Alec Takahashi]
03 Jul 2023
00:56:24
How do you become Thomas Rhett's lighting designer and win the Pernelli award for lighting designer of the year by age 28?
Alec Takahashi joins us on the podcast this week to tell us. He also touches on the importance of mentorship, his approach to lighting and gives the infamous disaster story that resulted in the destruction of many of Bayside's lights.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Eating cockroaches, celebrity sightings, and Thomas Rhett Tacos
7:40 Alec Takahashi joins us!
15:30 From Bayside to lighting Thomas Rhett
23:00 His first “pinched myself” show
26:45 Staying excited for Sunday’s Services
29:30 Designing Lighting for Sunday
34:00 Moving people to worship through lighting
39:00 Alec won a Parnelli award!
43:40 Best Lighting Alec’s seen [Passion]
46:00 Disaster Story: Destroying all the lights
49:15 Tech Takeaway: Seek Mentorship
Plugs:
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Church of the Highland’s Justin Firesheets on Leadership & Growth
26 Jun 2023
01:00:13
How do you handle your church's tech needs when you go from 3 campuses to 24 campuses?
Justin Firesheets has grown a great deal in his years at Church of the Highlands. He joins us this week to discuss his top tech leadership traits, communication style and ways to improve.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s disrespectful children
4:55 Justin Firesheets joins us
18:00 Going from 3 campuses to 24 as the tech leader
23:50 Justin’s advice for advancing in your church
30:00 Improving your communication style
36:30 Justin’s favorite resources for professional development
44:10 Disaster story: Worst time for the projector to go down
49:45 Hodges Trivia
53:35 Tech Takeaway on accountability and relationships
Plugs: N/A this week
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Pioneering and Perfecting Mixing at North Point [Freelancer David Stagl]
19 Jun 2023
00:57:39
How do you constantly improve your mixing skills in a cutting edge environment like North Point Church?
David Stagl mixed at North Point for years before striking off on his own now as a freelance mix engineer for live and studio settings.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Electrocution, Shaq’s crew costs and near robbery
7:15 David Stagl joins us!
15:40 Northpoint disaster story
22:00 Pioneering at Northpoint
27:50 Studio vs Live sound
30:15 Improving your skills in live and studio
34:10 Preparing for a freelance gig
35:50 Going live and live streaming simultaneously
40:00 David’s approach to mixing in a live setting
44:00 Mixing in surround for live stream?
47:45 Disaster story on “cutting yourself off at the knees”
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Vision First, Gear Second [Nick Kofahl of Summit Integration]
12 Jun 2023
01:10:17
How do you outfit your church with the best system to spread The Gospel?
Nick Kofahl is the co-owner of Summit Integrated Systems and his team outfits churches with customized gear solutions.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s hairy body
4:30 Nick Kofahl joins us
7:00 Nick’s love of HiFi
20:40 How Nick landed at Summit Integrated Systems
26:00 What sets Summit apart
29:20 How Summit approaches projects
32:20 Communicating to all the decision makers
38:00 The work Summit turns away
42:00 Fixing other failed integrations
49:30 The conversations you need to fulfill a project
53:00 Nick’s blunt truth to production folks for projects
58:50 Tech Takeaway on shepherding your community well
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Shrimp Prank, Soundscape and Waves Plugin Hot Take [Daniel Ellis]
05 Jun 2023
00:52:52
How do you become a world class mix engineer?
Daniel Ellis has been mixing for over two decades, so he dropped by the podcast studio to bring his wisdom our way!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 A recruiter asks Blake to be the head of audio at a church?!
4:55 Daniel Ellis joins us!
12:15 Kicking Chris Tomlin out of FOH
18:25 Sneaking into Universal Theme park with Crowder
24:25 How Daniell got into mixing
26:22 What helped Daniell become a world class mixer?
31:50 Daniel’s mixing philosophy and plug in preferences
38:30 Immersive audio trends Daniel sees coming
41:10 Disaster Story on the problem being yourself
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Improving your Lighting via Relationships [Cherry Hill’s Chris Thomas]
29 May 2023
00:48:28
What lessons do you learn when you've lit some of the biggest churches in America like Willow Creek, Bayside and Cherry Hills?
Chris Thomas has worked at all three and he drops by the podcast to give us his wisdom on how he has improved his lighting by improving the key relationships that he has with other roles in the church.
In this episode you'll hear:
2:00 Ross’s favorite Early Service videos so far
11:45 Chris Thomas joins us!
18:30 Blowing up a 400 amp
25:00 From Willow Creek to Bayside to Cherry Hills
27:00 How are churches unknowingly causing church tech burnout?
30:50 Lighting and Video need to be in sync
32:40 Theories over Rules of Thumb for lighting
33:20 Lighting for the room or for video
35:25 How Chris got into church
38:45 Disaster story on shutting down rehearsal
41:45 Tech Takeaway on communicating with senior leadership well
Plugs: None this week!
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Live-streaming Expert! [Josh Nassar]
18 Aug 2025
00:52:13
Should your church livestream?
Josh Nassar joins us on the ChurchGear podcast this week to discuss livestreaming, budgeting for livestreaming and Toby gives a conversion story you can't miss!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 – How to Meet Your Spouse While Serving in Church Production
5:00 – Church Production Pro Josh Nassar Joins the Podcast
7:45 – Josh Nassar’s Journey Into Church AVL & Tech Ministry
11:15 – Getting Started in Church Live Streaming: Tips for Beginners
20:45 – The Cheapest Way to Live Stream a Church Service
29:00 – “Baffle Blake” Segment with HouseRight (Church Tech Challenge)
35:45 – Best Practices for Church Setup and Teardown Teams
43:45 – Church Live Stream Disaster Story: No Internet on Sunday
46:45 – Tech Takeaway: Why You Don’t Always Have to Follow the “Right Way” in Church Production
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Picking an LED Wall for your church [Davis Kornegay at FILO]
22 May 2023
00:48:35
Should your church buy an LED Wall?
How do we know the right wall, price and application? Davis Kornegay joins us live from the FILO conference to give us his wisdom on how to decide if your church needs an LED wall and how to pick one out.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s kids like Ross more
7:05 Davis Kornegay joins us!
15:00 Planning the Passion Conference
18:00 A morning at Passion City Church
23:45 How to pick an LED setup for your church
28:25 How LED walls are being used right now
30:30 Should your church get an LED wall?
33:45 Should the display show the band or just the lyrics?
39:30 Disaster Story on upside down towers
42:50 Tech Takeaway on not going through the motions
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
FILO Recap: Toby Stories, Blake Failures and A Big Betrayal
15 May 2023
01:09:50
Did you go to FILO's conference this year?
Join the crew as we recap the best moments from the trip. Toby and Dave have some stories and then we list all the ways Blake failed. Join us for the FILO Afterparty on this week's podcast!
In this week's episode you'll hear:
1:00 Birthday disasters and Toby’s Betrayal of Blake
3:40 Dave Roediger joins us!
9:30 Five Truths and a Lie of Blake’s FILO Failings
19:00 The Journey to FILO
28:20 Dave and Blake abandoned on Chicago’s streets
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Hard Conversations with Yourself [Stephen Brewster]
08 May 2023
01:10:16
How do we check in on ourselves to ensure our ego, identity and mental health are in a healthy spot?
Stephen Brewster helps worship teams turn their original music into worship albums. He drops by the podcast studio to drop some wisdom on how we can take care of ourselves well. This episode will help you ponder some new questions and will minister to your soul.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s crisis of calling
6:16 Stephen Brewster joins us!
8:15 Five internal fights and a fake
20:15 How do we check in on ourselves well?
23:00 Red flags for our mental health
27:30 How to know when its time to ask for help
37:15 How do we find contentment in our role?
53:15 How to know when it’s time to change churches
55:45 Finding our identity in the correct space
1:03:00 Tech Takeaway: Exercise to see you matter a lot
Plugs: Hangout with Stephen on Instagram, check out his podcast and order his wife's enneagram book.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Hard Conversations with your Worship Pastor [Chris McClarney & Josh Fisher]
01 May 2023
01:01:39
How can Worship and Tech have the hard conversations that'll allow both departments to serve the church well?
Josh Fisher and Chris McClarney would recommend just becoming best friends! They started out as pals in Jesus Culture. The duo is now working together at Church of the City Franklin where Chris serves as the Worship Pastor and Josh serves at FOH in a tech role.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Young Toby has a hand in his nose and another in his trousers
3:55 Josh Fisher and Chris McClarney join us!
5:00 Uber flipping, Cheetah feeding and Fox hunting
17:20 Are Worship and Tech two teams or one?
25:40 Which department takes the blame for mistakes?
33:30 Worship taking the bullet for tech
38:00 How Worship and Tech can establish better trust
45:30 Who has the power over the DB meter?
47:15 How do Worship and Tech trade feedback?
49:00 How to improve the relationships between Worship and Tech
53:55 Tech Takeaway on working better with your Worship Leader
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Hard Conversations with your Spouse [Todd & Bissy Elliott]
24 Apr 2023
01:24:34
How can we have the hard conversations with the key relationships that are involved in our lives as Church Techs?
Todd and Bissy Elliott joined us this week to kick off our "Hard Conversations" series! We talk about all the ways our spouse can be affected by our church tech role, how to know when it's time to switch churches, and the marital red flags to look out for.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Fighting with our spouses, sleep talking, and lawn work
6:45 Five Fights & a Fake
19:34 Todd’s past church tech jobs
23:23 How do you talk about changing churches?
28:20 Writing the “Rules of our Marriage” document
31:00 How did Todd and Bissy decide to move to Willow Creek?
35:00 Does your spouse have to attend the church you work at?
38:00 Does your family still come first at Christmas and Easter?
44:15 Who is the final decision maker? Your spouse or your Pastor?
50:45 When your spouse confronts the senior pastor
58:10 Red Flags to look out for in your marriage
1:03:30 How to know when it’s time to leave your church?
1:14:41 Tech Takeaway on frequent, smaller hard conversations
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Mixing for Hillsong United & Mick Jagger Moments [James Rudder]
17 Apr 2023
01:02:54
What was it like mixing for Hillsong United?
James Rudder joins the podcast to tell us about his adventures with Hillsong United, his favorite gear and he even has a few Mick Jagger stories!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Mosh pits and sitting next to The Edge
6:45 Getting lucky in Vegas and Table Tennis with guns!
12:10 Winning five bucks off MickJagger
18:45 How did James Rudder land the United mixing gig?
22:00 James’s favorite venues he’s mixed Hillsong United
25:00 James’s go to console
26:30 Analog gear vs. plugins
30:00 Disaster moment: The console was thunderstruck
35:30 The truth of the touring life
39:00 Touring Life -> L-Acoustics
42:00 Immersive Audio
53:45 Hearing a Hillsong United song after months of prep
57:00 Tech Takeaway on keeping to the plan on Sunday
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Putting your Health First [Chad Vegas of Transformation Church]
10 Apr 2023
01:03:47
Can you prioritize your own health and production work simultaneously?
Chad Vegas is the director of video production at Transformation Church in Tulsa Oklahoma. He tells us how he started prioritizing his health, why Transformation Church values high quality production services and more on this week’s episode.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby & Blake’s failed exercising habits
4:55 Grave digging & living on an island (Chad’s 5 Truths & a Lie)
13:00 Chad’s battle with COVID
19:00 What Chad’s health struggles have taught him
21:20 How church techs can put their health over church production
28:15 How Transformation Church creates church services
34:30 How to maximize your church’s production budget
38:44 How to improve your live stream
42:50 Transformation’s video suite upgrade
47:25 Disaster story
53:40 Tech Takeaway on caring for yourself so you can care for others
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Can any room be fixed? [Luke Vogel of Venueflex]
03 Apr 2023
00:59:28
Can Venueflex fix any room?
Luke Vogel was the Audio Director at Church of the Highlands for years. He is now the Director of Immersive Solutions at Venueflex where their company makes rooms handle audio better.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Celebrity pastors and shoes
6:45 Luke Vogel joins us
17:30 Luke’s journey into the church production life
21:30 Mixing Church of the Highlands Christmas Services
28:00 Church of the Highlands moved over to SSL consoles
30:40 Can Venueflex fix any room?
41:00 “Fix the room first”
43:00 The board melted with Steven Furtick
49:00 Don’t mix before you get married
53:05 Tech Takeaway on switching from technical to creative mindsets
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Mixing for Everyone Everywhere [Living Legend Harold Rubens]
27 Mar 2023
01:07:30
Harold has mixed for every major name in christian music. (Crowder, Steven Curtis Chapman and Mandisa just to name a few).
He joins us on the podcast to tell us how he got into church tech, how he found himself running audio for one of the biggest churches in America at 24 years old and more!
He also has some disaster stories that dance with death that you won't want to miss.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s family goes to Japan
7:00 Harold Rubens joins us!
12:30 Harold wins an Emmy!
15:38 Mixing & machine guns
21:00 How Harold Rubens became a fixture in church production
35:00 “I’m 24 years old and suddenly running a mega church”
36:00 Making memorable worship services
40:00 Best rooms Harold has mixed within
43:00 Disaster Story: death was an inch away
49:20 Disaster Story: losing the console right before a stadium show
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
From Drumming for Jesus Culture to FOH at Church of The City [Josh Fisher]
20 Mar 2023
00:53:53
What happens when opportunity and skill intersect?
You become the drummer for Jesus Culture!
Josh Fisher was the drummer for Jesus Culture, and he is now serving on the production team for Church of the City.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby and Blake shooting guns
5:15 Josh Fisher joins us from Church of the City!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Prioritizing The Right Parts [Lakepointe Church's Blaine Johnston]
11 Aug 2025
00:49:50
How do you stay grounded in church production to prevent burnout, death by comparison and connected to your spouse well?
Blaine Johnston joins us to discuss all of this and more on the ChurchGear podcast this week!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 – Wild Podcast Opening & When Pastors Cross the Line 4:30 – Guest Introduction: Blaine Johnston (Verify Name) 7:30 – What Does a Church Campus Producer Actually Do? 8:45 – The AVL Gear Setup at Lake Point Church 18:25 – Preventing Burnout in Church Production Teams 25:30 – Why Comparison is a Killer in Church Production 28:20 – “Baffle Blake” Segment with HouseRight 35:45 – Prioritizing Your Spouse Over Your Church Tech Role 42:00 – Church Production Disaster Story 44:15 – Tech Takeaway: Final Thoughts & Tips
Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here.
Get more money back in your budget and more space in your closet by selling us your used gear here.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Sell Us Gear: Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Buy Our Gear: Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can shop our gear store here.
Connect with us:
Sales Bulletin: Get better deals than the public and get them earlier too here!
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
Experiencing Klang, Innovating DiGiCo & Touring with Tomlin [Kyle McMahon]
13 Mar 2023
01:00:59
What is it like to work with the gear from DiGiCo and Klang?
Kyle McMahon cut his teeth as Chris Tomlin's FOH Engineer and Monitor Engineer. He has taken that experience to his new role as the Trainer and Application Support for Group One.
Kyle joins us to chat about every console under the sun, how DiGiCo thrived during the pandemic, and more.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:30 FOH setups of churches we’ve visited recently
4:45 Kyle McMahon joins us
6:30 Five Truths and a Lie with Kyle
16:30 Kyle’s journey into the church production life
23:15 What Kyle does at Group One (DiGiCo Distribution)
26:15 How did Group One thrive during the pandemic?
33:00 What does it sound like to experience Klang?
44:00 Paris Auto Show with One Republic
46:00 Disaster turned Glorious with Matt Redmon
49:26 Game: “Name that Console Brand”
53:25 Kyle’s favorite DiGiCo and non-DiGiCo console of all time
54:50 Tech Takeaway: Be really good at paperwork
Plugs: Check out what DiGiCo and Klang have going on and hit Kyle up on Instagram.
Resources for your Church Tech Ministry
Does your church have used gear that you need to convert into new ministry dollars? We can make you an offer here.
Do you need some production gear but lack the budget to buy new gear? You can get Certified Church Owned gear here.
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!
How Red Rocks Raised the Bar, not the Budget [Mark Wray]
06 Mar 2023
00:50:45
How did Red Rocks Church grow its reach during the covid lock down?
Furthermore, how did they raise the production level of their services without a giant budget increase?
Mark Wray is a Technical Director and Lighting Designer for Red Rocks Church, and he joins us on the podcast this week to tell us all the innovative ways Red Rocks has improved their services and community reach.
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby’s wife told him to tell his boxers story
5:45 Red Rocks Church’s Mark Wray joins us!
12:45 Mark’s journey into the Church Tech world
17:45 How Red Rocks church has leveled up
22:00 Making the most with the lights and line array you have
31:45 Red Rocks events
33:30 Disaster stories: Power is Gone
36:15 Red Rocks Amphitheater Trivia
40:00 Disaster story: Failed Confetti
44:25 Tech Takeaway on the courage to try, fail, learn and improve
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Moving Churches, Building Leaders, & Dysfunctional Cultures [Slingshot Group's Tim Foot]
27 Feb 2023
00:56:33
Church techs are asked to do more, know more, and reach more people.
We know the demands have risen, but have their salaries and support equally increased?
We talked with Tim Foot (Slingshot Group's President/CEO) on the podcast this week about the current church tech talent landscape, how churches are rethinking staffing and more!
In this episode you'll hear:
1:00 Toby getting fired and job hunting
6:20 Tim Foot of Slingshot Group joins us!
13:20 Tim’s ministry journey
17:20 The current church tech job climate
21:00 The “Churches need to pay techs” conversation
26:00 How to think about leaving your church
29:40 How to handle a tough church culture
34:50 “Leaders are built, not bought”
36:30 Resources to move from a 300 person church to 3000
40:30 Focusing on “Calling” to weather a tough season
43:40 Tasmania trivia with Tim
49:40 Tech Takeaway on trading “no” for “let me look into that”
Reviews: Leaving us a review on the podcast player you're listening to us on really helps the show. If you enjoyed this episode, you can say thank you with a review!