The ChurchGear Podcast

Toby Walters [Church Tech Advocate]

Are you a church tech director? If so, this podcast exists to serve you specifically. Each week we pull the tech director out of the booth and place them onto the stage to share their most outlandish stories and hidden wisdom from the tech trenches. Hosted by Toby Walters and Blake Hodges. read less
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Episodios

Elevating Without Imitating [Elevation Church's Shep]
13-01-2025
Elevating Without Imitating [Elevation Church's Shep]
How do you draw inspiration from other churches without also bringing expectations to make your church service be just like theirs?Stephen Sheppard is the Broadcast Engineer for Elevation Church and he joins us this week to discuss gear, live streams and the importance of staying true to your church's vision. In this episode you'll hear: 0:30 Toby’s new favorite church production celebrity 3:30 Shep joins the podcast! 14:30 How did you get involved in church production? 17:40 Who does Shep look to for inspiration? 20:45 How are you making the Elevation Livestream right now? 26:30 What advice would you give to a smaller church trying to do Elevation? 32:20 Where should a church with a small budget start with live streaming? 34:24 If you were launching a church tomorrow, where would you start? 39:30 Can a church recruit from another church? 43:15 Disaster story: “Worst call I’ve ever received” 46:18 Disaster story: “The scariest thing that has happened at Elevation for me was”49:00 Tech Takeaway: “Be nice to people”Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
45 Years of Production Wisdom [Sweetwater's Kent Morris]
16-12-2024
45 Years of Production Wisdom [Sweetwater's Kent Morris]
What church production history and wisdom do you pick up when you've been in the game for 45 years? Kent Morris joins the ChurchGear podcast this week to discuss the changes he has seen over the years, the lessons he has picked up along the way and he ends on some very encouraging words for those currently in the tech trenches. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 Hanging out at Church of the Highlands 5:10 Kent Morris of Sweetwater joins us!16:45 How did Kent get into church production? 20:00 What was church production like 45 years ago? 24:00 How has church production changed over the past 40 years? 27:45 How important have interpersonal skills become in church production? 37:45 What do you think is coming in church production over the next 10 years? 41:30 Disaster story: “There is no logical reason the gear should have worked” 46:45 Tech takeaway: Excellence > Perfect Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Good & Bad Reasons to Change Jobs [Dennis Choy]
09-12-2024
Good & Bad Reasons to Change Jobs [Dennis Choy]
How do you know when it is time to change churches and take a new church production job? Dennis Choy joins us this week to discuss his new job and the process he went through to make the decision. If you're looking for real life insight into the good and bad reasons to change church production jobs, this is your episode.  In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Toby doesn’t know who Pentatonix is?5:00 Dennis Choy joins us!11:30 Dennis’s background in church production 15:45 Good and bad reasons to change church tech jobs 23:45 Bad reasons to leave your church production job 30:00 How to win the first 90 days of your new church production job 33:00 How can you build and destroy trust in a new church tech job? 44:30 Tech TakeawayResources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Being the Church Post Hurricane Helene [Biltmore Church's Tyler Flores]
02-12-2024
Being the Church Post Hurricane Helene [Biltmore Church's Tyler Flores]
How do you lead your production team after a devastating hurricane hits? Tyler Flores is the Central Production Minister of Biltmore Church, and he joins the podcast to discuss how the church is helping the community in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 Funny observations of celebrity golf tournaments 5:30 Tyler Flores, the Central Production Minister of Biltmore Church, joins! 14:00 How did Tyler become the Central Production Minister of Biltmore Church? 16:40 How did Hurricane Helene impact Biltmore Church? 21:15 How did Biltmore Church pivot to help the community in the hurricane Helene aftermath? 24:00 How do you lead your team to care for people during a crisis? 27:00 What production projects does Biltmore Church have coming up? 28:45 How do you launch a church production campus well? 34:15 Disaster story: "Please stay. Maybe we can get it working again." 40:45 Tech Takeaway: Find a place for all of your people Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Lee Fields on Church Hurt
25-11-2024
Lee Fields on Church Hurt
How do you recover from Church Hurt?  Lee Fields joins us this week to discuss Church Hurt. We get into his journey to recover and the reflections he has had now that some time and counseling have happened. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Speculating about the Mike Tyson & Jake Paul fight3:15 Lee Fields joins 8:00 Lee’s UFC fight story 10:00 What goes into pulling off production for a UFC fight?13:00 Five Truths and a Lie with Lee Fields 24:00 What's it like Mixing for Hillsong United? 25:00 Is every worship band the same right now? 32:30 How do you handle Church Hurt? 51:00 Can you confess and ask for help at church? 59:00 How do you separate how God sees you from how your church sees you? 1:03:30 Should I take this church production job? Advice. 1:10:00 What’s Lee up to now? 1:16:00 Tech Takeaway: God didn’t call a meeting to decide how he feels about you. 1:17:00 Lee’s hot take on a mic 1:22:00 Church Tech Confessional: It was a freak out. Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Preparing for Christmas [Mannahouse Church's Peter Zatsepin]
18-11-2024
Preparing for Christmas [Mannahouse Church's Peter Zatsepin]
What are Christmas services like in Portland, Oregon? Peter Zatsepin is a Production Technician at Mannahouse Church and he joins us this week to discuss preparing for Christmas. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 How much does the weather impact your mood? 4:30 Peter Zatsepin joins us from Mannahouse Church!14:00 How did you get into church production?18:30 What's it like doing church in Portland Oregon?21:50 What is it like prepping Christmas services for Mannahouse church? 24:15 How do you maintain your health during the Christmas Service Season? 27:00 How do you communicate the upcoming church rush well to your spouse?30:00 How do you handle conflict during a Sunday Service? 39:00 Church Production Disaster story: "Then they turned the microwave on" 43:45 Tech Takeaway: Your work and effort matters to your church 48:00 Church Tech Confessional: Trust fall Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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 shop our gear store here.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Becoming a System Integrator on the Fly [Dream City Church's Eric Mooney]
11-11-2024
Becoming a System Integrator on the Fly [Dream City Church's Eric Mooney]
Your church needs you as their church tech to be their integrator. Now what?Eric Mooney is the Audio Director at Dream City Church and he joins us to tell us his journey of going from youth pastor, to audio director, to integration work for his church. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 Toby meeting Blake for the first time3:45 Eric Mooney joins us! 17:00 Eric’s church production background 23:30 Becoming a system integrator on the fly 35:00 Learning to lead in church production 38:00 Learning to become a church tech quickly 43:15 Church Tech Disaster Story 46:20 Tech Takeaway: Production Directors are leading worship 51:15 Church Tech Confessional Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Battle Royale: Audio Consoles [Jeff Sandstrom & Drew Hester]
04-11-2024
Battle Royale: Audio Consoles [Jeff Sandstrom & Drew Hester]
What happens when you pit two audio experts against one another in a mixing Battle Royale conversation? Drew Hester and Jeff Sandstrom are too polite to fully fight it out in a Battle Royale, but they both join us for our first "fight it out" episode in the church production space. Join us for takes on what matters most in audio, the best consoles for the best situations and the best audio disaster stories. In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 People telling Toby to turn it down 4:00 How to know when it’s too loud15:00 What’s more important? FOH or monitors? 20:40 What piece of gear would you use in a fight to the death? 26:00 What console would you not want at a festival? 28:30 What console do you want with 30 seconds to start mixing? 32:00 What console would you recommend if electricity was going to be spotty?33:15 Worst Mixing story (Drew Hester) 37:00 Worst Mixing story (Jeff Sandstrom) 41:50 Disaster story: Don’t trip on the fader 42:50 Disaster story (Jeff Sandstrom) 45:30 Disaster story Drew: Chris Tomlin show 49:00 Disaster story: Head set mic in an arena Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
3 Months to Live Changes Your Mix [Armando Fullwood]
28-10-2024
3 Months to Live Changes Your Mix [Armando Fullwood]
How do you respond when you are given 3 months to live?Armando Fullwood joins us this week to tell us what his health journey taught him about faith, life and mixing. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Mixing behind glass windows 4:45 Armando Fullwood joins us!11:00 How did you get into live production?15:00 What is happening in live production outside of church?19:30 How can you prevent burnout? 22:20 What a health crisis taught Armando about Mixing and Life 27:30 How to stay healthy as you mix 38:00 Disaster story: The console just blew up 41:30 Tech Takeaway: Don’t take it so serious 46:00 Church Tech Confessional: "There was fire" Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Running FOH for Miranda Lambert [Todd Wines]
21-10-2024
Running FOH for Miranda Lambert [Todd Wines]
What's it like running audio for a Vegas residency? Todd joins the pod to tell us about running sound for Miranda Lambert in Vegas, a disaster story and we wrap with a church tech confessional. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Touring Willow Creek Church5:00 Todd Wines joins us 16:00 How did Todd get into church production? 22:00 Running FOH for Miranda Lambert in Vegas 29:30 Handling a bad source 36:00 Giving advice to your younger self 40:00 Disaster story 46:40 Tech Takeaway 49:40 Church Tech Confessional Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
FOH For All the Legends [Doug Kimball]
14-10-2024
FOH For All the Legends [Doug Kimball]
How do you end up mixing for legendary artists like Jay Z and Marilyn Manson? Doug Kimball got into the mixing game early via editorials and he stops by the podcast this week to give us the lessons he learned along the way. We wrap with some wild disaster stories and a church tech confessional that'll have you laughing and cringing. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Meeting celebrities 4:45 Doug Kimball joins us!11:15 How did Doug get into production? 13:15 Mixing for Jay Z 16:00 How did Doug become the mixer for A level artists? 18:15 Doug’s top tip to work well with the musical artists 21:00 Doug’s preferred gear 22:45 What gets you fired on a tour quickly 24:30 What were Doug’s most challenging mixes in his time? 27:10 Mixing for Marilyn Manson30:00 How do you think bigger for mixing your church? 34:30 Disaster story: “He went to prison for that” 38:30 Disaster story: “She pulled power the wrong directcion” 39:45 Favorite FOH Rack Gear 50:00 Church Tech Confessional: “I was trying to impress this girl.” Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Unconventional Service Times [Christ's Church of the Valley's Blair Drake]
07-10-2024
Unconventional Service Times [Christ's Church of the Valley's Blair Drake]
How do you build a volunteer team when your main service is Saturday night? Blair drops by to discuss their unusual service times, recruiting volunteers and wraps with multiple disaster stories. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 What do you do when your production gear gets stolen? 4:50 Blair Drake joins us! 13:00 How did Blair get started in church production? 16:15 How do they pull off their weekly services with their volunteers? 19:30 Where are you recruiting volunteers? 26:00 What big events do you do? 30:30 Disaster stories40:45 Church Tech Confessional Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Volume Complaints & Touring Stories [Newsboys's John O' Neal]
30-09-2024
Volume Complaints & Touring Stories [Newsboys's John O' Neal]
What do you learn touring in production for over two decades?  John's been running FOH for Newsboys for over two decades and he joins us this week to discuss his time with them, being out on the road, and how to handle volume complaints intellectually or hilariously. In this episode you'll hear:1:00 Accents, Blake’s tech fail, and Charles Manson 5:30 John O' Neal joins us! 12:00 Near Death production story 18:30 How do you get into church production? 26:45 What gets you kicked off a tour bus? 31:00 What gear is John running for Newsboys 31:30 What trends does he see coming in production turn 35:30 What does Doug say when people complain about the volume? 49:00 Disaster story: “I just deleted your whole show file.” 55:15 Tech Takeaway: prioritize vocals in worship 60:25 Church Tech Confessionals: Fader Disaster Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Getting Volunteers Started Well [Willow Hodge of Hope Fellowship Church]
23-09-2024
Getting Volunteers Started Well [Willow Hodge of Hope Fellowship Church]
How do you take an interested, inexperienced volunteer and turn them into a tech genius? Willow Hodge is the Video Director at Hope Fellowship Church and she joins to give us a masterclass on training new volunteers.  In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 ChurchGear Fantasy League is here! 3:50 Willow Hodge joins us! 10:20 How did you get your start in church production? 15:20 How do you recruit and develop church production volunteers? 22:40 Volunteers feeling growing pains26:45 Should church production people have pastor in their title? 31:10 What’s it like being a woman in production? 37:25 Church Production Disaster story43:45 Tech Takeaway: Jesus isn’t shaking his head at tech mistakes Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service
Prioritizing Life Over Production [Dan McLaughlin]
16-09-2024
Prioritizing Life Over Production [Dan McLaughlin]
How do you keep production from disrupting your priority list?  Dan is a Monitor Engineer and RF Coordinating expert. He joins us to discuss balancing production with your life, vetting production jobs and some RF deep dive discussions! In this episode you'll hear: 1:00 Our new and first sponsor stops by: 64 Audio!5:45 Kids are great! 10:00 Dan McLaughlin joins us! 19:45 How do you recover from a PreShow emergency? 24:00 How did Dan get into production?29:45 How do you keep your marriage strong while you’re on the road? 35:15 How do you vet a church production job? 42:00 RF talk 52:15 Disaster story: "It costs us but it was fine." 55:15 Tech Takeaway: Don’t over stress it1:00:30 Church Tech Confessional: Missing pack Resources for your Church Tech MinistryDoes 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.  Connect with us: Follow us on FacebookHang out with us on InstagramSee all the ways we can serve your church on our WebsiteGet our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early ServiceResources 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 shop our gear store here. Connect with us: Follow us on Facebook Hang out with us on Instagram See all the ways we can serve your church on our Website Get our best gear sent to your inbox each Monday before it goes public via the Early Service