The MxU Podcast

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/

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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/

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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/

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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