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Brad Damas leads worship at Shoreline Church in Knoxville. For years, he hid a drinking problem while leading on Sundays. Then one night in a jail cell, God met him. He has been sober for 10 years. We talk about what it is like to lead on an empty well, why Shoreline will not call its staff “family,” and how a church that runs lean uses paid players and volunteer production. If you have ever wondered if you are the only one struggling, this one is for you. Learn more about Shoreline Church: https://www.shorelineknox.com/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep271-brad-damas-god-met-me-in-jail&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep271-brad-damas-god-met-me-in-jail&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

They can sing. They can play. But are they ready to lead people? We’re in Knoxville with Collin O’Neel from Sevier Heights Church, talking about what happens when talent gets ahead of character—and how we help young worship leaders grow without handing them the keys too soon. We also get honest about wanting the job someone else has, leading when we’re not the one in charge, and why praying before a hard conversation is more than the churchy answer. Learn more about Sevier Heights Church: https://sevierheights.org/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep270-collin-oneel-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep270-collin-oneel-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

We’re at Faith Promise with worship pastor Jess Elston, and this one gets personal. Jess talks about growing up as a Black woman in the South feeling like she had to be twice as good, and how a church that believed in her helped her step into leadership. We also get into the stuff we don’t always admit when we want a bigger role: the paycheck, the title, and wanting to prove we can do it better. Jess brings us back to a better question: who are we leading right now? Plus, communication mistakes and why the tech team eats first. Learn more about Faith Promise Church: https://www.faithpromise.org/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep269-jess-elston-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=ep269-jess-elston-worship-leadership&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

We’re at Fellowship Church in Knoxville with Spencer Garland. Years before coming here, he quit ministry and thought he was done for good. Then the pastor he’d clashed with called when his family was grieving. We talk about trying to fix the worship team at 22, the questions he wishes he’d asked his pastor, and what brought him back. If you’ve ever thought, “I can’t keep doing this,” this one’s for you. And no, the answer isn’t to stay somewhere that keeps hurting you. Learn more about Fellowship Church: https://fellowshipknox.org/ 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=268-fellowship-church&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=268-fellowship-church&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

David was 27 when he became worship pastor at First Baptist Concord, leading people old enough to be his grandparents. We talk about the pressure to prove you belong, why asking for help felt like admitting failure, and what changed when he stopped trying to have every answer. We also get into why Concord still has a choir, why you have to join it before getting a microphone, and how to move a church forward without treating its history like something to get rid of. Learn more about First Baptist Concord: https://concordonline.org 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=267-first-baptist-concord&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=267-first-baptist-concord&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Three months to get their new church building ready. Two pieces of painter’s tape delay the opening. And when Easter rolls around, the LED wall still won’t work. We’re at Heart and Soul Church in Knoxville with worship pastor Tristan Hayes and AJ Rucker, talking about late nights, making old gear work in a new room, and keeping a team together when everybody’s tired. Then AJ tells us about the churches he served before Heart and Soul, the moves that didn’t go as planned, and why he still shows up to serve after all of it. 👉 Learn more about MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=266-heart-and-soul&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=266-heart-and-soul&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

A church hires a production company, signs the contract, and then says it doesn’t have the money to pay the bill. Now what? That story opens up a much bigger conversation about what happens when poor planning puts other people in a bad spot. How should leaders own the mistake? When should staff push back? And how do you protect your integrity when the final decision isn’t yours to make? We get into budgets, contracts, accountability, and why being a church doesn’t excuse us from doing business the right way. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=265-church-budget-crisis&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=265-church-budget-crisis&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Ministry burnout often begins when church production and worship leaders neglect the very things their leadership depends on. In this candid episode, we examine how demanding ministry seasons can undermine sleep, nutrition, spiritual disciplines, mental health, marriage, and family life. We share practical ways to prepare for busy church calendars, build sustainable habits, ask for help, and serve with excellence without sacrificing what matters most. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=264-ministry-self-neglect&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=264-ministry-self-neglect&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

We confront the pride and self-importance that can undermine church production teams, contrasting technical leaders who make others feel valued with those who seek recognition, titles, gear, or influence. We examine the grumpy church tech stereotype, insecurity, prayer, volunteer care, gossip, leadership by influence, and the temptation to build a public platform while neglecting local ministry. Along the way, we offer worship and technical arts leaders an honest framework for evaluating their priorities and team culture. 👉 Sign up for a free trial of MxU https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

We tackle a recurring church leadership tension: how should worship and production share a limited budget? Examining when technical systems should take priority over instruments, tracks, custom in-ears, and team expenses; why hidden infrastructure needs are difficult to communicate; and how equipment inventories, capital planning, and honest assessment can prevent emergency gear requests. This episode offers practical guidance for worship leaders, technical directors, and church executives who want to fund people and systems with greater clarity and stewardship. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teams https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-tech-budget-262&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Why worship leaders and church production teams often struggle to understand each other—and how shared purpose, stronger relationships, and a common language can close the gap. The conversation explores identity and status, vague creative feedback, unhealthy team culture, leadership responsibility, and the practical work required from musicians, audio engineers, and technical arts leaders to build trust and collaborate well. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teams https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-production-gap-261&utm_medium=social 💻 See MxU in action: book a demo call https://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo 🆓 Discover free resources https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=worship-production-gap-261&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the community https://www.facebook.com/app.mxu https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Behind every Dude Perfect show is a team making the impossible look easy. In this episode, we talk with Jeff about live sound, touring, and the systems and mindset that help create consistently great experiences. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teamshttps://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sixth-dude&utm_medium=social 💻 See MxU in action: book a demo callhttps://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo 🆓 Discover free resourceshttps://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=sixth-dude&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the communityhttps://www.facebook.com/app.mxuhttps://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Should your church use timers—or are they doing more harm than good? In this episode, we talk through the purpose of timers, how they can help production teams, worship leaders, and communicators stay aligned, and why the goal isn't sticking to the clock—it's serving people well. Plus, we share practical ways to use technology to make Sunday mornings smoother without losing flexibility. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teamshttps://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=timers&utm_medium=social 💻 See MxU in action: book a demo callhttps://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo 🆓 Discover free resourceshttps://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=timers&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the communityhttps://www.facebook.com/app.mxuhttps://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Building great church systems isn't about automation—it's about people. In this episode, we discuss why your systems should create more margin to train, care for, and serve your volunteers instead of becoming the focus of your ministry. 👉 Learn more about MxU: the All-in-One app for worship & tech teamshttps://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=peoploversystems&utm_medium=social 💻 See MxU in action: book a demo callhttps://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo 🆓 Discover free resourceshttps://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=peoploversystems&utm_medium=social 👥 Join the communityhttps://www.facebook.com/app.mxuhttps://www.instagram.com/mxu.app

Cody recently left his church—but not because of conflict, burnout, or scandal. In this episode, we talk about discerning God's direction, honoring your leadership, involving your family, and how to navigate a church transition with wisdom and humility. 👉 Learn more about MxU: https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=codyleft&utm_medium=social Book a free demo: https://savvycal.com/mxu-team/MxU-Demo FREE RESOURCESTake advantage of all the free resources for worship and tech teams that MxU has to offer (growing weekly):https://getmxu.com/resources?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=codyleft&utm_medium=social JOIN THE COMMUNITYFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/app.mxuInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mxu.app WHAT IS MxU?Train volunteers, plan services, and run Sunday — from one app built for worship and production teams. https://getmxu.com?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=codyleft&utm_medium=social