Churchfront Podcast

Churchfront

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

  1. 4D AGO

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

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage - Part 2 Episode Description In part two of this worship pastor conversation, Matt and Sean Bennett tackle the practical realities of leading volunteers, building sustainable systems, and avoiding burnout. They discuss how to disciple a team of 30 people when you can only really pour into 5 or 6, why production should enhance worship without becoming the focus, and why planning doesn't limit the Holy Spirit - it actually creates space for him to move. Sean also shares why he has no desire to return to vocational ministry anytime soon, the "make it better" trap that burns out worship pastors, and the one simple rule that will save your sanity: Sundays are for service, not evaluation. In This Episode Discipleship at scale - You can't disciple 30 people on your own, so here's how to train disciples to be disciplers and create a sustainable leadership structure How production supports worship - Why the pendulum is swinging away from production-heavy worship, and how to let production enhance rather than distract Planning and the Holy Spirit - Why "I just want to be led by the Spirit" is a cop-out, and how good planning actually creates space for spontaneity The biggest pitfall - Why not keeping the main thing the main thing is the fastest way to burn out your team and lose sight of why you're actually there Practical tips for sustainability - Why Sundays are for service not evaluation, how to build yearly rhythms that include rest, and when to do acoustic sets to reset expectations Timestamps 00:00 - How to Disciple Your Team When You're Always On Stage 04:42 - How Production Supports Worship Without Becoming the Focus 09:53 - Systems and Planning: The Holy Spirit Shows Up on Monday Too 16:03 - The Biggest Pitfall: Not Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing 19:10 - The "Make It Better" Trap and How to Avoid Burnout 23:23 - Practical Tips: Sundays Are for Service, Not Evaluation Key Quotes "You can't lead 30 people on your own. At some point you have to teach your leaders to be leaders and to lead other people." "The Holy Spirit can show up on a Monday morning planning meeting just as much as he can show up on a Sunday during a service." "Sundays are for service, not for evaluation. You can't change Sunday. The only thing you can do is look at it for next week." "When we stand before God someday, he's not going to ask us how many perfect services we put on. He's going to ask us what our hearts were like." Resources Mentioned Planning Center ProPresenter Tom Jackson Productions Carey Nieuwhof podcast episode (referenced) Connect With Us Visit churchfront.com for free church production training and resources This is part 2 of 2. If you missed part 1, go back and watch that for insights on what to look for when taking a new worship pastor role and navigating the tension between excellence and authenticity.

    29 min
  2. 5D AGO

    What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Worship Pastor | Conversations With a Worship Pastor Part I

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Worship Pastor - Part 1 Episode Description Matt sits down with Sean Bennett, one of the newest members of the Churchfront team and a 16-year worship ministry veteran, to talk about what it's really like to lead worship and production teams. In part one of this two-part conversation, they discuss what to look for when stepping into a new worship pastor role, navigating the tension between excellence and authenticity, and how to lead a production team you can never actually be with. Both Matt and Sean have led in large churches, small churches, and multi-site churches. They've both been the worship pastor who also had to somehow lead the tech team. This conversation pulls back the curtain on the real challenges worship pastors face and offers practical wisdom for anyone in church production or worship leadership. In This Episode What to look for when interviewing for a worship pastor role - Why you need to see people at their worst before taking the job, and the red flags Sean wishes he'd paid more attention to Excellence vs. authenticity - How to define excellence in a way that doesn't lead to perfectionism, and why "doing the best you can with what you have" changes everything The worship/production leadership dilemma - Why churches should stop hiring one person to do both roles, and what to do if you're already in that position You're a pastor first - Why your primary objective is discipleship, not musicianship, and how that changes the way you lead your team Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: Meet Sean Bennett 03:27 - What I'd Do Differently Stepping Into a New Role 08:04 - The Tension Between Excellence and Authenticity 13:16 - Leading a Production Team You Can Never Be With 18:15 - You're a Pastor First, Leader Second Key Quotes "Excellence is doing the best you can with what you have. That starts with being honest about what you actually have." "If you're leading people, you are a pastor. Your primary objective is discipleship - helping someone become more like Jesus." "There are some churches that could not pay me enough to work for them. And knowing that ahead of time is a good thing." Resources Mentioned Working Genius Assessment by Patrick Lencioni Churchfront free courses at churchfront.com Connect With Us Visit churchfront.com for free church production training and resources This is part 1 of 2. Watch part 2 for more on discipling your team, building sustainable systems, and avoiding burnout.

    25 min
  3. JAN 22

    From Solo to 10+ Staff: Leadership Lessons for Church Leaders

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Podcast Notes: Leadership & Scaling from Solo to 10+ Team Members with Jake Gosselin Overview Matt interviews Jake Gosselin about growing Churchfront from a one-person YouTube channel into a 10+ person church AVL systems integration company. They talk through leadership growth, hiring, delegation, and how to maintain vision while scaling, with direct parallels to church leadership. Key Topics & Timestamps Vision as the Foundation (00:00–05:32) Why clear vision needs to come before leadership development Churchfront's mission: "Equip church leaders in spaces with innovative solutions for thriving ministry." The importance of a mission statement, vision statement, and core values A two-day workshop at Ramsey to clarify and communicate vision Natural progression from YouTube creator to leading a 10-person team Key Quote: "If there is no clear vision of where you're trying to bring that organization, then everything else that we're about to talk about with leadership development and scaling an organization is kind of irrelevant because nobody knows where you're going." The Transition from Hands-On to Hands-Off (03:23–07:54) How Jake went from knowing everything to empowering team decision-making Building systems so problems get solved without senior leader involvement Decision-making frameworks around mission, vision, values, and finances When leaders should stay involved vs. when to delegate Team members now have authority and clarity to address issues independently High-risk or costly decisions still require senior leader involvement Key Quote: "It's so cool that my brain, even though I can keep up with a lot of things, I can no longer keep up with all of the cool things that are happening in the business and probably some of the headaches." Hiring A-Players (07:54–13:04) Essential hiring criteria: Mission alignment — genuinely excited about equipping church leaders Self-leadership — evidence of personal discipline (health, appearance, habits) Character references — take time to call references and vet thoroughly Working Genius Assessment — using Patrick Lencioni's framework to build balanced teams Team vetting — multiple team members interview candidates Churchfront Focus: Churchfront only works with churches (not corporate AV, DJ setups, or other venues). Candidates need to genuinely care about the local church. Working Genius Details: $25 assessment (WIDGET acronym) Identifies whether someone leans toward Wonder/Invention vs. Tenacity/Galvanizing traits Helps place people into roles that fit their strengths Recommended for church staff to understand their "genius zones" Key Quote: "If you can't lead yourself, you can't lead others very well." The Challenge of Letting Go (13:37–16:56) Why control is tempting but unsustainable for growth Long-term vision motivates delegation Media/marketing was Jake's original specialty and the hardest area for him to delegate to Matt Over time, Matt learned Jake's standards and expectations Hiring people who are better than you in specific areas Real Examples: Chris installs, rigs, mounts, and runs cable better than Jake Spencer models and drafts 3D spaces faster in Vectorworks James creates better schematics Senior Leader Principle: Leaders should understand all departments without controlling them. Spend a few hours learning the basics so you can make informed decisions about major investments. Church Application: Senior pastors should take Churchfront courses (a couple half-days) to be more informed than most lead pastors when making major AV decisions. Key Quote: "I'm motivated by the long-term vision of where this is going and how big the organization has to go that I'm just like, 'Yeah, I don't need to control everything. I don't want that life where I feel like I have to because I'm just going to be miserable about that.'" Present Leadership Without Micromanaging (17:46–19:40) Weekly team meetings where everyone shares what they're working on Asking: "What did you do last week?" and "What are you working on this week?" (3–10 minutes) Five minutes with each team member can make a huge impact Being present builds trust across the org chart Service businesses succeed based on team health and performance Jake shifted from solo productivity to supporting team members Key Quote: "That five minutes of interaction with one of your team members a week, no matter where they're at in the org chart, goes a long way because they're like, 'Oh wow, our senior leader knows me. I can trust him.'" High-Leverage Activities (19:50–23:16) Definition of leverage: low input, high output—like a tool that multiplies your strength. What Jake focuses on now: Pre-design client conversations — 2–3 hours per project that sets the trajectory for large-budget projects (using Wonder/Invention/Visionary strengths) Media creation — 30 minutes to a few hours can reach thousands (what built Churchfront over 8–10 years) Leader development — multiplication only happens as the team grows from 10+ toward 20–30 For church leaders: Sunday preaching — communication at scale (in-person and online) Developing other leaders — especially in areas where you're less gifted Key Quote: "What can I put lower input into and gives me high output? That's what a lever or a tool is." Leadership Evolution (23:23–25:23) John Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership (applied): Position — title alone (doesn't get you much) Permission — relationships; people give you permission to lead Productivity — "Follow me because I produce results" (how Churchfront started) Leader development — "Follow me because I'll equip you to lead others" (current focus) Multiplication — creating leaders who create leaders Jake's journey: 2016: solo entrepreneur and highly productive individual Read leadership books and understood the growth track Started with productivity to get things off the ground With 10 people (and aiming for 20–30), he must focus on leader development to reach multiplication Key Insight: Leadership maturity means realizing it's more people-focused than anything else. Advice to 2016 Jake (25:44–28:06) What Jake would tell his younger self: "Buy more Bitcoin" (half-joking) With what he knows now, he could do in 2–3 years what took 10 But he wouldn't rush it—focus on the journey Be a man of good character Follow God Keep sustainable work-life balance Care for spouse and kids Don't rush—God multiplies right inputs into massive outputs Seek wise counsel on business strategy and online marketing Show up and do the work every day For young 20-somethings Jake mentors: Focus on self-leadership and the basics Better strategies exist—learn from wise voices Put in consistent daily work People don't see the late-night edits and behind-the-scenes grind Key Quote: "A lot of people see Churchfront and they're like, 'Wow, it's like 300,000 subscribers. It's a decent sized little business growing a lot.' It's like, yeah, that's after eight to 10 years of just showing up and doing it every single day." Main Themes Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater As church culture shifts away from overly corporate/produced approaches back toward authenticity, it's still worth keeping the leadership lessons that help organizations run well—especially because leadership often isn't taught deeply in Bible school contexts. Parallels Between Business and Church Leadership Churchfront is a Christian business that prays before meetings and focuses on serving the local church. The leadership principles Jake uses translate directly to church staff leadership, especially for teams of 5–15. The Secret Sauce In service businesses (and churches), the team and people are the product. That's why leader development and team health matter so much. Natural Progression Growth happens in stages. Jake went from being intimidated by the idea of 10 staff members to progressing through each hire and stage—each step building confidence for the next. Practical Takeaways for Church Leaders Clarify your vision first—mission, vision, and core values you return to weekly Hire A-players only—take time, use assessments, and get team input Build decision-making systems so your team can solve problems without you Stay present without micromanaging—even five minutes per person per week helps Focus on high-leverage activities—preaching, leader development, strategic decisions Understand all departments without needing to control them Invest in education—leaders should understand the basics of major spending areas Progress through leadership levels—from productivity to multiplication Prioritize character and self-leadership—in yourself and the people you hire Think long-term—consistent daily effort over 8–10 years creates remarkable results

    28 min
  4. JAN 8

    Carey Nieuwhof - Churchfront Leadership Podcast

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN   Carey Nieuwhof Interview - Podcast Notes Overview Conversation with Carey Nieuwhof about the shift in modern church worship from entertainment-focused to encounter-focused experiences, live streaming strategy, and church growth in the digital age. Key Themes 1. The Shift: Entertainment vs. Encounter The Problem with Modern Church Production Social media created a "copycat phase" where churches could suddenly see what megachurches were doing Churches adopted same equipment, same songs, same production values What was unique became ubiquitous - "we all became copies of each other" Gen Z is "the most marketed to generation in human history" and numb to production Quote: "Gen Z is the most marketed to generation in human history. And we're all kind of numb to the production. I don't think people are looking for hype. They're looking for hope." What People Actually Want Something real and tangible An experience of God, not just information about God Presence, not just presentation Transformation over information The Internet's Limitation Really good at delivering information (especially with AI) Cannot facilitate an encounter "There's something that happens in the room that doesn't happen online" 2. What "Encounter Over Entertainment" Looks Like The Tonal Shift Worship leaders being more sensitive to what's happening in the room, not just rehearsed transitions Preachers leaving space, not just hitting time marks Paying attention to what God might be doing (people crying, leaning in, visible reactions) Creating space to breathe Silence and Space "When I started in ministry, my goal was to get rid of as much silence in church as I could" Now: "Where else are you going to get silence? You don't get it unless you're in church" Don't have to fill every moment with words Can be silent or "noodle" on instruments while creating space Quote: "People's lives are so noisy and so crowded. I mean, we don't even sleep without white noise machines or anything like that. So where else are you going to get silence?" Evoke vs. Manipulate Can't plan a revival - it happens or it doesn't Job is to "set the table" and make space for the Holy Spirit Example: Great movies evoke genuine tears by accessing real emotions Cheap manipulation feels different Quote: "It's not our job as Christians to manipulate. It's our job possibly to evoke, to say, 'I'm going to set the table. I can't control the Holy Spirit.'" 3. The Liturgy Issue Modern Church is "Liturgically Malnourished" Liturgy = order of service (not an outdated term) Modern church handles joy and praise well Missing: contemplation, confession, lamentation, reflection Lost practices: prayers of confession, prayers of the people Carey's Confession Presbyterian background included prayers of approach and confession As church became attractional, prayer became "just an opportunity to clear the set for the sermon" Regrets thin prayers: "God, it's so good to be here today. We thank you so much. Amen." Quote: "It's like confess your sins to one another and you will be healed. We don't do that anymore. What if we did that?" Not Either/Or, But Both/And Keep good lighting, sound, production, and musicians who can play Add breathing room, texture, color, tone, mood Use liturgical calendar and historic practices adapted to modern context Don't approach Sunday as "slots to fill" Creative Freedom 52 Sundays = 52 blank canvases Already do this well at Easter and Christmas Can be more creative without confusing people Example: Good Friday Service Ended in darkness with no announcement Faded to black and stayed there People sat in uncomfortable silence, then slowly left "I wanted them to feel that discomfort... if you can even get a small sampling of that" Easter Sunday picked up in darkness, then sunrise/resurrection 4. Live Streaming Strategy Who Should Live Stream? Not every church needs to live stream everything Need good musicians to sound great online (around 400-500 attendance to have talent base) Need separate mix for online vs. in-house Poor production = "school play" - only interesting to those directly involved Quote: "A lot of churches, and these are well-meaning, beautiful Christian people. If you don't have the talent in production or in worship, you sound like a school play." Alternatives Stream just the message On-demand after, mixed in post-production Audio only if video isn't good Consider what strangers stumbling on feed would think The Discovery Argument Pre-COVID minority of churches streamed Now "everybody you want to reach is online" "All of non-Christian America, all the nuns, all the duns, all the atheists, all the agnostics, they're on the internet" Can't remember last time truly unchurched person hadn't watched online for weeks/months before visiting The New Foyer Online is now the foyer, not the physical lobby People investigate online before visiting By the time they show up, they're ready to go "further, faster" "They've already done their investigating. They've already asked ChatGPT all the questions" 5. Practical Service Design Handling Growth Pressure Multiple services create pressure to program everything tightly Solution: Trim 5 minutes from sermon Do 60-minute service with breathing room between Create more lobby/connection space Leverage outdoor space (if climate allows) Worship Set Strategy Don't need extended mix of everything Maybe two songs and a tag instead of three full songs "Sit in the tag for a while" Find the high-impact moments (example: bridge of "How Great Is Our God") Get to what matters, like talent shows do 90-second versions Quote: "You don't have to do the extended mix of everything, the seven minute version, do the tag. That would be great. Space is something that you can do in three minutes if you know how to do it well." Service Flow Examples Don't make people stand and greet (where else does that happen?) Have emotionally intelligent people on doors, not just available people Greet people the way THEY want to be greeted Consider kids moments, announcements, communion as natural transitions Call to commitment/involvement comes sooner now than 10 years ago 6. Online Presence Best Practices Website Design Design for new people first Show service times and location prominently (mobile friendly) Staff page is #3 most viewed - people want to see "are there people like me?" Use accurate photos (don't show 27-year-olds if congregation is 70+) Show actual diversity if you have it Quote (Seth Godin): "Culture is people like us do things like this. So what people are looking for, are there people like us?" Content Strategy Lead with best sermons, not just latest Most popular videos should be easy to find People don't care if it's from 2 years ago (still watching The Office) Have robust FAQ section for unchurched questions Position yourself for lost people, not just members 7. The Current Moment The Harvest is Ripe People are seeking more than maybe in past decade or two Culture is saturated with production - not the competitive edge anymore Mental health crisis caused by social media People desperate for something real What to Do Pray for it (spiritual activity) Make newcomer journey easy Take them somewhere when they show up Go deeper faster - they're ready Quote: "People come to church looking to find God, but sometimes all they find is us. They found a really cool song, they found a really great message, but they didn't actually find God in the midst of it." Give Them Meat Reference to Tara-Lee Cobble and The Bible Recap Provide historical context (helps Christians AND non-Christians) Don't be afraid to go deep on sin, gospel, redemption Write/speak in accessible "street Greek" like the New Testament Example Opening: "Hey, we're going back 3000 years. And there was a guy named David who was King of Israel. He was trying to keep the kingdom united because there was a north and a south. You can relate to that. These are divided times..." Quote (Tim Keller): "It's worse than you can possibly imagine and better than you can possibly dream." 8. Leadership Advice For Young Church Staff (25-40) Navigating Frustration with Leadership Write down actual issues you're facing (budget, staffing, expertise) Present respectfully, thoughtfully, submissively Good leaders will either provide resources or adjust priorities Identifying Toxic Culture Unrealistic expectations Unsympathetic to staff needs Expects 60-hour weeks with no life Toxic leader will get mad/defensive when approached Options in Toxic Environment Respectfully approach and share difficulties Accept the glass ceiling and stay Build healthy team within unhealthy body (temporary solution) Leave - "unhealthy bodies drive out healthy cells" Interview Questions for New Positions Ask to talk to current staff (not the pastor) Ask to talk to FORMER staff Find out who left and why Read Google reviews Have meals/experiences together (reveals character under pressure) Quote: "Ask around, ask if you have permission. Don't ask the pastor. Don't ask the pastor. Are you healthy? The toxic people, 'I'm so healthy.'" 9. Team Building & Growth Hiring Philosophy Only hire A players C players: you know immediately (late, unmotivated, incomplete work) - should be gone B players: good but not great - "it's too bad but we'll survive" A players: if they quit you'd need 3 people to replace them Quote (Netflix): "Adequate performance gets you a generous severance package." A Player Test If they knocked on the door saying "this is my last day," how

    1h 26m
  5. 10/17/2025

    The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth

    Apply to Join Churchfront Premium Apply to Join Churchfront Pro Free Worship and Production Toolkit Shop Our Online Courses Join us at the Churchfront Conference Follow Churchfront on Instagram or TikTok: @churchfront Follow on Twitter: @realchurchfront Gear we use to make videos at Churchfront Musicbed SyncID: MB01VWQ69XRQNSN Episode Title The Surprising Connection Between Online Views and Church Growth Episode Description Matt and Jake dive into The Unstuck Group's Q3 2025 report analyzing 252 churches to uncover surprising connections between worship style, online streaming, and church growth. Discover why declining churches juggle multiple worship styles, how online views predict growth, and why the cost barrier for quality streaming has never been lower. Key Takeaways 76% of surveyed churches now focus on modern/contemporary worship only Churches with multiple worship styles are more likely to be declining 96% of churches now offer online services (up from ~20% pre-COVID) Online views are a lead indicator for church growth 40% of online church viewers are first-time visitors The broadcast section is typically the smallest part of AV budgets Audio quality matters more than video quality for streaming Guest/Host Info Hosts: Jake Gosselin and Matt Woltjer from Churchfront Timestamps 0:00 Introduction: The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report Overview 1:11 76% of Churches Now Offer Only Modern/Contemporary Worship 3:52 Declining Churches Juggle Multiple Worship Styles 6:07 Living in the Tension: Traditional vs. Contemporary 7:42 Excellence in Worship - Both Styles Can Work 10:12 Vision is Essential - Don't Lead What You Don't Believe In 12:02 Your Space Dictates Your Style Limitations 14:09 Contemporary Worship = More Online Engagement 15:51 96% of Churches Now Offer Online Services 17:01 The Cost of Broadcasting Has Decreased Dramatically 19:36 Online Streaming Doesn't Hurt In-Person Attendance 20:47 Online Views as a Lead Indicator for Growth 22:50 40% of Online Viewers are First-Time Visitors 23:07 Audio First - The Key to Quality Streaming Resources Mentioned The Unstuck Group Q3 2025 Report ChurchTechToday Gitnux First Baptist Melbourne (traditional excellence example) Elevation Church (contemporary excellence example) Rock Harbor Church (historical building renovation example) Discussion Questions for Church Leaders Does your church currently offer multiple worship styles? What challenges has that created? How can your church pursue unity while honoring different generational preferences? If you're not currently streaming, what barriers are holding you back? How can you improve your online presence as a "front door" for visitors? Action Steps Review your church's online metrics - are views increasing or decreasing? Assess whether multiple worship styles are helping or hindering unity Evaluate your streaming setup - is audio quality your top priority? Consider how your building design supports or limits your worship style goals Social Media Pull Quotes "Churches trying to maintain multiple worship styles are much more likely to be declining. It's not about one style being better—it's about strategic leadership." - Jake & Matt "96% of churches now stream online, and here's the kicker: online views are a lead indicator for growth. If your views are increasing, you're likely a growing church." - Jake & Matt "People will watch bad video with good audio, but they won't watch bad audio with good video. Audio first, always." - Matt Woltjer "Your online stream isn't competing with in-person attendance—it's your front door. 40% of online viewers are first-time visitors researching your church." - Jake Gosselin "The worship wars are over. Now it's time to be one church with one vision, not two churches meeting in the same building." - Jake & Matt Episode Tags #ChurchGrowth #WorshipStyle #LiveStreaming #ChurchTechnology #TheUnstuckGroup #ContemporaryWorship #TraditionalWorship #ChurchAV #OnlineChurch #ChurchLeadership Production Notes Include link to The Unstuck Group report in description Add affiliate disclosure if applicable Consider creating supplementary graphics showing the key statistics Potential follow-up: Interview with The Unstuck Group team about their methodology

    25 min
4.7
out of 5
169 Ratings

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

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