Incarnate church is the main thing — digital ministry is second, and it should always intentionally draw people into gathering together.

In this episode of our service teams mini-series, Tim, Joel and Brayden explore the practice of Communications. Starting with a trip back to 90s culture and the optimism of the Britpop era, they draw out how the internet has reshaped culture, attention, and community. From there, they reflect on what Soul Revival has learnt since COVID, when church was forced online and new opportunities — and challenges — emerged.

The team walks through Soul Revival’s approach to communications: discipleship and mission as the goal, not metrics; using the website as a newcomer’s shopfront; creating podcasts like The Shock Absorber and Chip Lunch; and using newsletters, technology, and content as tools that always point back to the physical church gathering.

Ultimately, communications is about creating touchpoints for people to grow in loving God and loving others, while never replacing the joy of gathered community around Jesus.

MINI-SERIES: Communications Service Team — Strategy

Stu, Tim, and Joel discuss why church communications need strategy. Drawing on Andy Crouch and Jay Kim, they explore how technology, online community, and AI affect formation—and why embodied relationships remain central.

Christians have always used tools to communicate, from Paul’s letters to AI, but digital spaces can’t replace real-life discipleship. At Soul Revival, that’s meant pursuing an 80/20 balance: online tools supplementing, not replacing, physical community.

They also contrast God’s truth-telling with AI’s flattery, reflect on formation in the mess of real life, and ask what kind of discipleship our content is shaping.

 00:00 – Technology and Christian formation
 10:06 – Online vs physical presence
 21:05 – What clear strategy looks like
 27:24 – AI vs God’s communication
 33:45 – Content for formation, not just consumption
 40:33 – Why discomfort grows us

Discussed on this episode:

Practicing the Way podcast
AI discussion guide
New Social Movement Theory
Third Place Theory
Why Grok Fell in Love With Hitler
Bowling Alone, by Robert Putnam
Think Biblically podcast
Chip Lunch podcast

“If we were meant to fully grasp God, we wouldn’t need Him—exploring faith, wonder, and dependence.”

With Stu out sick, Tim and Joel take a break from their mini-series on the Communications Service Team to chat about what’s caught their eyes and minds this week.

They explore Tim’s German heritage, wrestling with the tension between beauty and atrocity in culture, the challenge of engaging with complex heroes, and what it means for Christians to hold a non-anxious presence in a fallen world.

They also dive into Joel’s reflections on Augustine’s Enchiridion, helping us understand the dual nature of Jesus, the process of sanctification, and the grace of never fully grasping God.

Finally, they discuss the impact of technology on our lives—additive vs. extractive—and how our relationship with God shapes how we consume, create, and live in the world.

📌 Episode Timestamps:  
00:00 – Tim on German culture, Wagner & wrestling with flawed heroes
25:09 – Augustine, the Apostles’ Creed & why we can’t fully grasp God
38:32 – Additive vs extractive technology, AI, and discipleship

Discussed on this episode:
Puff the Magic Dragon
Katya Hoyer's Zeitgeist Substack
Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918, Katya Hoyer
Richard Wagner
Martyr Made podcast
LutheranSatire's St. Patrick's Bad Analogies
Spiritual formation and AI: A deep dive with Andy Crouch and Jay Kim
On Additive and Extractive Technologies, by Cal Newport
Are Podcasts Destroying Our Brains?
The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance
How We Work by Basecamp
Feel Good Productivity, by Ali Abdaal
Libero podcast
Motorsport Magazine podcast

Stu, Tim, and Joel explore the theology of communication, from the Sydney Sweeney ad controversy to how Christians can share the gospel wisely in a media-driven world.

MINI-SERIES: Theology of Communications

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The Shock Absorber continues it's mini-series on Soul Revival’s service teams — this time focusing on the Communications Team and the theology that underpins everything we say and share.

We break down the recent Sydney Sweeney ad controversy, explore the impact of the attention economy, and reflect on how God communicates through creation, scripture, and ultimately, His Son.

The conversation also tackles the dangers of church consumerism, the opportunities and pitfalls of online Christian content, and how believers can reclaim their missional voice in a media-saturated world.

American Apparel ad archive
Trust Me I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator, by Ryan Holiday
Monty Python's The Life of Brian
The War on Attention is a Spiritual War, by Ben Crosby
What Jaguar's controversial rebrand can teach us
Lessons from the Bud Light Boycott, One Year Later
Culture Making with Andy Crouch
The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance
Light Church, Swindon
Jon Crist
Blackboard Jungle

Why Soul Revival go away for a whole week as a church.

Joel, Ethan and Jai share why Soul Revival Church spends five whole days away together each year at Week Away—our annual church camp. We talk about how extended time and proximity help deepen existing relationships and spark new ones, all while growing together in God’s word.

We explore the beauty and challenge of having so much free time, the impact of late-night conversations, and why we love designing keepsake apparel each year. It’s about forming lasting memories, building unity in Jesus, and living out the Christian life together—one week at a time.

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

Socks on Bones
If I Were You podcast
Living with the Underworld, by Peter Bolt
Soul Revival Apparel
Liberti Church
U2's Songs of Innocence

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The Shock Absorber Podcast is a project of Soul Revival Church, where we explore how theology, strategy and practice intersect to help churches thrive in a changing world.

CONTACT US:
📧 Email
🌐 Website
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else)

MINI-SERIES: Part 5 on the Practice of Arts: Word ministry

In this episode, Stu, Joel and Brayden why God's word remains central to everything Soul Revival does as a church.  They reflect on their earliest (and often awkward!). We’re talking theology, history, practical training, and how God’s Word really does simplify church life when we keep it central.

They trace the influence of the Reformation and Anglican Prayer Book on how Soul Revival structures church services, unpack the role of the service leader, and talk through the value of liturgy, creeds, and communal prayer. Whether it’s Bible reading, leading from up front, or preaching itself, Word ministry reminds us that we’re not crafting vision—we’re responding to God’s vision.

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE

Crisis of Confidence, by Carl Trueman
BMX Bandits
Dr Bonamy
"Simpson eh?"

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The Shock Absorber Podcast is a project of Soul Revival Church, where we explore how theology, strategy and practice intersect to help churches thrive in a changing world.

CONTACT US:

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else): https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything

In a short break from our Arts service team series, we hear about Tim's trip to Kentucky to present and be part of the Intergenerational Ministry Conference. This is a crossover episode from our Chip Lunch podcast.

Brayden and Joel are joined by Jamie who makes his first appearance on the podcast as they continue our mini-series on the Arts Service Team at Soul Revival Church—this time focusing on the often-unseen but essential work of tech ministry, including sound, slide presentations, and livestreaming.

They begin by reminiscing about the early days of church tech—think overhead projectors and the high-stakes task of getting the lyrics right. It’s a lighthearted entry into a deeper conversation about serving in a ministry that’s usually only noticed when something goes wrong. Together, they reflect on how a focus on excellence, teamwork, and humility helps keep the goal clear: to point people to God’s word.

They explore how tech ministry can sometimes walk a tightrope—striving to do things well without falling into the trap of performance or perfectionism. They speak about the relational challenges that can arise between teams (like music and tech), and how grounding everything in a servant-hearted attitude—because we follow a servant Saviour—helps the church grow in unity.

They also outline the structure of Soul Revival’s tech teams across different gatherings, share how tech can be a gateway into ministry for youth and new volunteers, and encourage those serving to remember that even behind-the-scenes roles are vital in leading others to Jesus.

They finish on a helpful reminder: we don’t have to be perfect to lead. In fact, our imperfections often reveal the grace and goodness of God more clearly those new or old to church.

Timestamps
00:00 – First encounters with church tech & OHP nostalgia
04:57 – Tech ministry: only noticed when a mistake is made
18:26 – Excellence vs relationships, avoiding burnout
26:44 – Tech team structure & entry points into ministry
33:39 – Serving imperfectly but faithfully, centred on God’s word

CONTACT US:
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else): https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything

SERVICE TEAM MINI-SERIES: Practice of Arts (Music)

Brayden and Joel continue our mini-series on the Arts Service Team by diving into the practice of music ministry—particularly how preparation and intentionality help music serve the church community.

They begin by sharing memories of their favourite live music performances, reflecting on the joy, spontaneity, and relational nature of playing music in real time. Whether it's the energy between bandmates or the connection with a crowd, they explore how God has designed music to be not just emotional and expressive but deeply spiritual and communal.

From there, the conversation shifts into the practical rhythms of music ministry at Soul Revival. Brayden shares how intentional preparation—from reading the Bible passage ahead of the service to carefully choosing songs that support the flow of the gathering—helps keep the ministry Word-based and congregational. They explore the delicate balance between excellence and authenticity, affirming that it’s okay to make mistakes when the goal is to serve God and others, not perform.

The discussion also touches on recruiting team members using the "3 Cs" (Conviction, Character, Competency) and creating low-pressure environments for young people to grow in ministry. They highlight how Soul Revival’s Shock Absorber approach allows for leadership development without the heavy burden of perfectionism. The episode finishes with a hopeful look at the future of the Arts team and a celebration of those who give their time and talent to build a culture of service and friendship in the church.

00:00 Live music energy, starting bands, God's gift of music
17:24 Preparation and song selection, intentionality not performance
42:02 Recruiting musicians, the 3 Cs, Shock Absorber approach to training
58:31 Gratitude and hope for the future of the Arts ministry

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

VH1 Behind The Music
Led Zeppelin - Dazed And Confused Live
Get Yer Ya Ya's Out, The Rolling Stones
Let There Be Rock, AC/DC
Brayden's Chip Lunch
Arctic Monkeys
U2
Paul McCartney
Neil Young
Roger Waters
Jack White
The White Stripes, Under Blackpool Lights
Audioslave
Rage Against The Machine
Limp Bizkit
The Darkness
Justin Hawkins
The Hives

CONTACT US:

📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: shockabsorber.com.au
🛍️ Soul Revival Shop
🔗 Linktree (everything else)

SERVICE TEAM MINI-SERIES: Strategy of Arts

Joel, Stu and Brayden begin with a light-hearted yet thoughtful conversation about how music listening has changed over the decades—from records and tapes to CDs and streaming. They share memories of burning CDs and crafting the perfect mixtape, reflecting on how streaming has opened up access to a wider range of music than ever before.

But the discussion quickly turns to a deeper question: What does it mean to serve from the front of church—especially in music? The hosts unpack the difference between producing a polished product and building authentic Christian community. Drawing parallels to hospitality teams, they explore why churches rely on volunteers, not professionals, and how serving together in music and other arts is an act of friendship and worship—not performance.

They consider how Christian ministry can be counter-cultural in a world that prizes individualism and professionalism. Instead of treating music as a product, the Shock Absorber team frames it as a way of serving others and participating in the shared life of the church.

The second half dives into Soul Revival’s intergenerational approach to Arts ministry, where tradition meets cultural context under the authority of God’s word. They talk about how liturgical elements like the Book of Common Prayer provide a theological grounding that allows people of all ages to express their faith together in reverent, meaningful ways.

Brayden shares insights from his role leading Arts at Soul Revival—how involving young people in roles like handing out communion or leading youth bands deepens cross-generational discipleship. They explore how a team-based ministry structure, built around relationships and scalability, allows every arts-related role (from music to tech to preaching) to be integrated and sustainable.

Finally, they reflect on the freedom Soul Revival’s strategy offers gatherings like Yarrawarrah, where the absence of a music team doesn’t limit the ministry but creates visibility and missional engagement in a new way—offering a fresh model of what church can look like.

00:00 What have you been listening to?
04:18 From tapes to streaming: music access over time
15:34 Why we don't pay musicians at church
24:54 Intergenerational Arts ministry & liturgy
44:25 Youth bands and bottom-up leadership
52:48 Building and scaling team structures
1:03:46 Music-less gatherings & redefining church viability

DISCUSSED ON THIS EPISODE:

CONTACT US:

Shock Absorber Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.shockabsorber.com.au
Soul Revival Shop: https://www.soulrevivalchurch.com/shop
Explore more: https://linktr.ee/JesusChangesEverything