The ChurchGear Podcast

Hosted by Toby Walters [Church Tech Advocate]

Technology Interviews Religion Spirituality Christianity

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Episodes

234

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

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.

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60 recent

August 10, 2026Episode 23253 min

Don't Let Your Knowledge Base Literally Walk Out [ServiceCrew Pt1]

Get your ServiceCrew resources here! What happens to your Sunday service when your most critical technical volunteer gets sick, goes on vacation, or moves away? If your church production relies entirely on one or two people, you are one person away from a total disaster.In this episode, we tackle the danger of having a "single point of failure" in your tech booth. We break down the crucial importance of cross-training your church tech volunteers so that your audio, video, and lighting positions are never dependent on just one person.In this episode you'll hear:0:00 Intro: Meet Our Guest & Guest Host7:00 What Happens When Your Lead Techs Miss a Sunday?14:00 The Crucial Importance of Cross-Training Volunteers22:00 Documentation: Building a Church Tech Knowledge Base33:00 Is Building a Massive Volunteer Bench Actually Realistic?40:40 How to Communicate Your Need for Volunteers to Leadership43:30 The Danger of Depending on Just One Tech VolunteerGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

August 3, 2026Episode 23147 min

How Many Errors Are Your Tech Volunteers Allowed to Make? [David Leuschner]

How do you define "excellence" in a church tech ministry? And when a volunteer consistently falls short of that standard, how do you actually "fire" them and find a new ministry that better suits them? In this episode, we are joined by church production veteran David Leuschner to tackle the hardest leadership conversations in ministry. We discuss the biblical definition of excellence, debate whether there should be different standards for the on-stage worship team versus the behind-the-scenes production techs, and answer the uncomfortable question: how many errors are your volunteers actually allowed to make?In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: The HouseRight Event & Toby’s Lack of Taste4:30 David Leuschner (Digital Great Commission Ministries) Joins8:15 Defining True "Excellence" in Church Production14:45 How to Train Your Volunteers for Excellence21:00 The Debate: On-Stage vs. Behind-the-Scenes Volunteer Standards26:00 What Does the Bible Actually Say About Excellence?28:45 The Budget Debate: Is It Okay to Spend a Fortune on AVL Gear?30:30 Grace vs. Standard: How Many Errors Are Volunteers Allowed?35:00 The Hardest Conversation: How to Fire a Tech Volunteer41:45 Keep Sundays Running: Focus on TransitionsGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

July 27, 2026Episode 2301 hr 11 min

Identifying Burnout & Celebrities on the Team [Shaun Miller]

What is it actually like to run Sunday morning production when global superstar Carrie Underwood is on your worship team? And more importantly, how do you sustain the intense pace of church tech without completely burning out?In this episode, we are joined by Shaun Miller of Rolling Hills Church (Franklin, TN). After Toby recaps his recent trip to an L-Acoustics event, Shaun shares his experiences balancing a healthy marriage with the chaotic touring lifestyle. We then dive into the unique culture at Rolling Hills, breaking down their specific church tech setup and what it is like to mix a service with a celebrity on the stage.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby’s Trip to the L-Acoustics Event6:40 Shaun Miller (Rolling Hills Church) Joins11:15 Balancing Marriage and the Touring Lifestyle19:00 What It's Like Having Carrie Underwood on Your Worship Team22:15 Behind the Scenes: The Rolling Hills Tech Setup29:00 Avoiding Burnout: How to Identify It Before It’s Too Late47:45 Did Shaun Actually Like Toby’s Book?58:00 Tech Disaster Story: "I Swear We Sent You the Videos!"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

July 20, 2026Episode 22951 min

Inside Sight & Sound Theatres: Disappearing LED Walls & Monitor Setups [Tim Zeager]

How do you manage the audio and production logistics for a massive, Broadway-level biblical stage production? And how exactly do you engineer a giant LED wall to completely disappear in under 15 seconds?In this episode, we are joined by Tim Zeager to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Sight & Sound Theatres(Branson, MO).In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Discovers Theater in Branson, Missouri5:15 Tim Zeager (Sight & Sound Theatres) Joins10:45 The Story Behind Sight & Sound Ministries21:45 Behind the Scenes: The Monitor Setup at Sight & Sound25:00 Engineering: Making a Massive LED Wall Disappear in 15 Seconds29:00 Gear Talk: The PA System Powering Sight & Sound35:45 Lessons From Tim’s Time in the Studio39:00 Live Production Disaster: Mixing From the Basement43:00 Keep Sundays Running: Preparation is KeyGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

July 13, 2026Episode 22853 min

Can Non-Christians Serve in Tech? + The LED Wall Debate [Dave Bookhout]

In this episode, we are joined by Dave Bookhout from Grace Family Church to tackle some of the biggest debates in church tech. We dive deep into the culture of the tech booth, discussing how to actively recruit church tech volunteers and answering the tough question of who should actually be allowed to serve on Sunday mornings.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby Claims God Tricked Him4:30 Dave Bookhout (Grace Family Church) Joins14:15 The Debate: Can Non-Christians Serve on the Tech Team?23:15 Strategies for Recruiting Church Tech Volunteers30:45 Gear Talk: Production Setup at Grace Family Church33:45 Current Church Production Tech Trends to Watch39:30 Should Your Church Actually Buy an LED Wall?42:45 Church Tech Disaster: "Are You on Fire, or Am I?"47:00 Keep Sundays RunningGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

July 6, 2026Episode 2281 hr 6 min

Navigating Church Hurt & Knowing When to Quit [Stephen Brewster]

What exactly is "Church Hurt," and how do you heal when the very place meant to provide spiritual safety becomes the source of your deepest pain?In this heavy but incredibly necessary episode, we are joined by creative leader Stephen Brewster. After kicking things off by discussing his journey in helping local churches write and produce their own original music, the conversation shifts to the painful reality of serving in ministry. Stephen opens up about his own personal experiences with church hurt and explains why we might need to reframe the conversation from "the church hurt me" to "broken people hurt me."In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro Antics5:30 Stephen Brewster: Helping Churches Release Original Music13:30 Defining "Church Hurt" in Modern Ministry25:00 Stephen’s Personal Story of Church Hurt33:00 Reframing the Pain: "Church Hurt" vs. "People Hurt Me"41:00 Why You Still Need to Go Back to Church54:00 How to Be a Solution to Toxic Church Culture57:00 Thinking of Quitting Ministry? Start Here.Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

June 29, 2026Episode 22745 min

Inside North Point Church: Tech Setups & Volunteer Culture [Bailey Binder]

How does one of the most influential mega-churches in the country handle their production, and what makes their team culture so unique?In this episode, we are joined by Bailey Binder of North Point Church. We dive into the personal journey of making the massive decision to move out of state for a new ministry role. Then, we pull back the curtain on North Point, breaking down what makes their church culture so wildly different, how their massive church tech setups are designed, and the exact strategies they use to manage their production volunteers.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Blake & Toby’s Lifetime Achievement Awards4:45 Bailey Binder (North Point Church) Joins11:00 Navigating a Move to an Out-of-State Church Role15:30 What Makes North Point Church's Culture So Different?25:30 Behind the Scenes: The North Point Church Tech Setup28:15 How North Point Manages Production Volunteers34:15 Church Tech Disaster Story37:30 Keep Sundays Running: The Importance of Self-CareGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

June 22, 2026Episode 22651 min

Volunteer-Heavy Ministries & Taking A Sunday Off [Jeremy

As a Technical Director, when was the last time you were actually able to take a Sunday off? If your church relies heavily on volunteers, stepping away from the tech booth can feel completely impossible.We also tackle the massive, ongoing debate regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in church tech. Is it a helpful tool or a dangerous shortcut? Finally, we share a hilarious Church Tech Disaster story and wrap up with a crucial reminder: the only way to keep Sundays running long-term is by providing actual, genuine care for your team.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Touring Atlanta Churches6:30 Jeremy McKee Joins12:45 Running a Volunteer-Heavy Production Ministry28:00 Which Tech Workflows You Should Automate34:15 The Big Question: Can a Tech Director Take a Sunday Off?39:15 Should Your Church Be Using AI in Production?42:30 Church Tech Disaster Story45:45 Keep Sundays Running: Genuine Volunteer CareGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

June 15, 2026Episode 22556 min

Christian Magicians, Blind Tech Booths & Hosting SALT Conference

How do you handle the immense pressure of designing a creative live event specifically for creatives? And as technology rapidly evolves, should church production teams be embracing or avoiding Artificial Intelligence (AI)?In this episode, we are joined by Luke McElroy, the visionary founder of the SALT Conference and the SALT Community. Luke pulls back the curtain on the difficulty of live events, sharing the inspiring origin story of SALT and what it actually takes to run a massive gathering for church technical artists. We also zoom out to discuss the profound, eternal impact that worship and production teams have on their congregations every single Sunday.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 The Reality and Difficulty of Live Events4:00 Luke McElroy (Founder of SALT Conference) Joins8:45 The Origin Story of the SALT Conference15:30 Behind the Scenes: Running Events for Creatives18:15 The Eternal Impact of Worship and Production Teams22:50 The Pressure of Designing a Conference For Creatives26:30 Storytime: The Christian Magicians Disaster35:40 The Big Debate: Should Church Production Use AI?45:20 Church Tech Disaster Story: "We Couldn’t See a Thing"Get expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!

June 8, 2026Episode 22456 min

Streamlining AVL Gear & The Battle of a Lifetime [Josh Suender]

Where do you start when you want to level up the production at a new church? And how do you keep pushing forward when life throws you a devastating diagnosis?In this episode, we are joined by Josh Suender of Faith Community Church (Clayton, NC). We start with some practical, high-value tech talk, breaking down the exact first steps you should take to level up your church production. Josh shares his favorite creative AVL gear moves to streamline your workflow, how to keep MultiTracks from getting "weird" and chaotic on stage, and the massive benefits of implementing Bitfocus Companion in your tech booth.In this episode you'll hear: 0:00 Intro: Toby’s Adventures in Worship Leading5:30 Josh Suender (Faith Community Church) Joins7:45 Josh’s Start in Church Production11:20 Assessing the Production Baseline at a New Job14:00 The First Steps to Level Up Your Church Production16:20 Creative AVL Moves to Streamline Your Tech28:45 Keeping MultiTracks from Getting "Weird" on Stage30:15 Implementing Bitfocus Companion in Your Setup36:00 Josh’s Battle for His Life: A Stage 4 Diagnosis48:15 Keep Sundays RunningGet expert help and care on your next integration project with our friends at HouseRight here. Take our survey here and you'll get the full report emailed to you December 4th! 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 MinistrySell 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!Early Service: Get our best gear before it goes live on our site here. Instagram: Hangout with us on the gram 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!