ROCK Cast

In this episode of Rock Cast, the team gives a brief update to v19 heading into pre-alpha and revisit the heart behind Rock. More than a ChMS, Rock was designed as a relational management system to steward people, not just data. The feature, Following, is one of the most underutilized tools that acts as a personalized digest to help you respond with care and track major life events. They deepen the conversation by challenging listeners to invest in volunteers and build a simple volunteer growth framework.Visit the show notes to find all the resources talked about in this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Complexity is a well-intentioned trap that all churches fall into. In this episode, the team unpacks what they call the Complexity Trap, the moment when tools meant to support ministry start creating friction instead. Jon describes the first two steps of Elon Musk’s 5-Step Algorithm to help simplify your requirements and they apply it to real ministry functions like baptism forms and children's check in.Listen to the complete episode to hear their discussion and visit the show notes to find the resources they mentioned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 208 of Rock Cast, Jon and Emily tackle a hot topic in tech right now, vibe coding, and explore what it means for church software and digital ministry. As AI rapidly reshapes how software is built, some are asking whether traditional software is becoming obsolete, but what does that mean for churches?Listen to the complete episode to hear their discussion and visit the show notes to find the resources they mentioned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tune into this episode to learn what quality the most successful Rock churches have in common. Hint: it isn't church size! Jon, Emily, and Nick offer fresh insight into the Essentials model and discuss a new program they're building to train Community members to help cast vision for Essentials churches. This is an empowering episode for churches of all sizes and one you'll want to share with your team.Find resources mentioned in this episode from the complete show notes at podcast-episode-207! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick highlight v19 updates like new Connections analytics, simplified status terms, a zero-config CAPTCHA and more. They also encourage churches to start 2026 by investing in their digital ministry culture by celebrating spiritual impact, providing ongoing training, and building healthy team habits. Tune in to learn how to lead your team and tools with purpose.Find resources mentioned in this episode from the complete show notes at podcast-episode-206! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final 2025 episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick talk about product grooming and the Community's responsibility in it. As the team continues to prune and refine the software, you can look forward to more change towards meaningful innovation.They also dive into Jon's articles on X covering the role of AI in digital ministry and an honest look into the evolution of the giving landscape. You can find links to his articles in the show notes and share them with your pastor! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Don't miss this conversational episode of Rock Cast as Jon, Emily, and Nick share three big updates: the v18 release, a conversation with a successful entrepreneur and goal setting ideas for your digital ministry in 2026.As many churches wrestle with "technical debt", they encourage listeners to use the prioritization framework to build an action plan for resolving this in the new year. The best way to set your digital ministry up for success is to remind yourself daily of true mission. Read the show notes to find a free printable resource you can leave on your desk to help guide you in your day-to-day decisions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon, Emily, and Nick discuss Rock's unique funding model and the special advantage of giving at the updated rate. Tune in to hear them share where your giving goes and how it's affecting our new testing and release strategy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick share how our latest development updates and implementations are anchored in wisdom and mission. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at what the team has been building from the Outreach Toolbox and AI Agents to documentation improvements, and the v19 and v20 roadmap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn seven mindsets for building smarter, simpler solutions with Rock and discover how systems thinking can change the course of your digital ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this special 200th episode of Rock Cast, Jon, Emily, and Nick recount the milestones and miracles they've walked through since 2014. Despite their struggles and hardships, the team persisted. What started as a passion project is now a mission-driven movement empowering hundreds of churches globally. Listen to this episode to hear how far Rock has come! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we dive into the latest updates with the release of v17.5 Alpha as well as a view on extensibility. With RX25 just two weeks away, we cover everything you need to know—including how to get the mobile app and where to follow for exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Plus, we break down the upcoming donation increase for January 2026 and highlight what’s coming in the October Check-In and Lava classes. Don’t miss it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode takes you behind the scenes of what's happening in Rock, starting with a version update and a look at what’s coming in v17.3. The team explores integration best practices and systems thinking to help church digital teams work smarter and more effectively. You’ll also get a first look at RX25—registration is open, the schedule is live, and there’s plenty to get excited about! Plus, hear insights from the latest partner survey, a projected donation increase in 2026, and upcoming training opportunities, including new Lava and Check-In classes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode lays out the case for using volunteers on church digital teams, challenging the idea that paid staff should handle everything. The team unpacks why volunteers matter—from stewardship to discipleship—and offers practical tips for recruiting, training, and retaining them. Learn which roles work best, how to overcome common objections, and how to create a culture of trust and shared ownership. You’ll leave inspired to define one new volunteer role and start building your team with the people God’s already placed in your church. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode kicks off with a look at Rock RMS version 17.1 updates, including a fix for Insights reports and guidance on unknown marital statuses. The team also addresses and clears up rumors around vendor incentives. Then, John lays out your “Mission Possible” for the summer — with practical ideas to level up in SQL, Lava, UI styling, communication, learning management, and more. Discover how to grow, lead, and prepare for RX! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The latest Rock release is here – what does it mean for your instance? How can you customize Rock responsibly while leveraging SQL Server best practices? Explore insights from our RX25 discussion and discover key community announcements. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trinity Fellowship Church in Amarillo, TX has built a culture around technology—and even AI—to empower innovative and personalized ministry. Hear how Pastor Jimmy Witcher built this culture and where they are going next. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Choosing the right services and products is critical in ministry. What questions should you ask? Plus, explore feedback from over 80 churches and various vendors in the 2025 Integrated Services Survey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jay Kranda from Saddleback Church is one of the world’s first online pastors. Join Jon and Emily as they dive into a can't-miss conversation with Jay about the history and future of digital ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Jon, Emily, and Nick dive into the latest Rock updates, including v16 enhancements, v17 in beta and an exciting look at Chat coming soon. Plus, RX25 has been redesigned for all church leaders and submissions for Gold Circle Awards are coming very soon! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two events in one. Game-changing insights. A stronger community. Plus, we’re very excited to announce that world-class speaker and New York Times best-selling author Dan Heath will be speaking on mastering the art of organizational change at RX25 Vision Day on Sept 23. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data analytics is a growing focus in the Rock community! Nearly a year ago, we welcomed Alex Edmiston to the Spark team as our first Spark Analyst. Since then, he’s been exploring Rock community data and building a Topical Hub for churches to share insights. Tune in as we discuss what’s unfolding and what’s next! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Updates and features are coming quickly. Join Jon, Emily and Nick as they discuss what what is and is not included in Next-Gen Check-In as well as vision casting the future of AI and church ministry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Listen in as Lee Boone, Data Director at Biltmore Church in North Carolina, discusses how their team prepared for Hurricane Helene and navigated the influx of needs, resources, and volunteers during their relief efforts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In addition to the General Release of v16.7, Jon, Emily, and Nick discuss many of the tools the Rock Core Team is currently developing including the Learning Management System, Mobile Chat, and engagement tools to spur discipleship opportunities for church members. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rock’s very first Rock Lava Class wrapped up in November and many graduates are already putting their newfound ninja skills to work in inspiring ways. We couldn’t wait to invite a few of them back to share their stories—why they took the class and how they’re making a difference in their churches now.Curious about joining an upcoming Lava Class? Find out more and sign up at rockrms.com/rock-lava. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before the year comes to a close, the Rock team has two gifts for the Rock community. (Did someone say embedded articles from The Bible Project?) Plan for what kind of warrior you are going to be in 2025 and hear more about the latest in the Rock community! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Calvary Chapel Chattanooga knew Rock was the solution to bring everything together under one powerful system, but the technical complexities felt overwhelming. Join us to learn how they did it—and how your church can, too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dive into how we can celebrate the amazing work taking place, along with some exciting updates you won’t want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jon, Nick, and Emily as they discuss updates coming soon in Rock. Learn more about Rock'n Roadshows, as we hope to have many throughout the country with a brand new presentation. Also, hear about the new hires we have made over the last few months and the changes you can expect with them! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Jon, Nick, and Emily as they dive into the latest updates in Rock and the Rock Community. Discover how you can get involved and make an impact in the Rock Community, no matter your technical skills. Plus, get a sneak peek into their future plans involving CSS and AI. Don’t miss out on the exciting lineup of upcoming Rock Classes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Join us for an exciting live recording from RX24, where we chat with AJ Chiepalich, the Digital Director at Church of the Highlands! AJ shares his highlights from the conference, delves into the transformative impact Rock has had on their ministry, and reveals the details behind their Gold Circle Award-winning Small Groups Directory and Registration Tool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s digital age, churches face the challenge of maintaining personal connections while expanding their reach through technology. Vision casting and a robust digital strategy are crucial for meaningful interactions. This blog explores leveraging Rock RMS features and an outreach toolbox to build engaging Rock websites and foster personal connections. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston, and Nick Airdo as they share practical tips on integrating technology with your church’s mission to enhance community engagement and support your ministry goals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we go behind the scenes at RX24 to give you an exclusive preview of what to look forward to at our upcoming conference. Discover the exciting sessions, meet the speakers, and get insider tips on making the most of your experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned pro, our podcast will help you prepare for everything RX24 has to offer. Tune in for a candid look at the highlights of the conference. Don't miss out! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you're looking for a collection of Rock RMS tips and tricks from the core team, this is the RockCast episode for you. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston and Nick Airdo in discussing classifying people data, how to approach structured content and the content library, the impact of server size on performance, tips for lightning fast workflows and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of RockCast wraps up the second of two podcasts devoted to community Q&A. Join Emily Forman, Jon Edmiston and Nick Airdo in a discussion that navigates NCOA, the move to Cloudflare for Captcha, the latest trends with Rock Mobile, the future of structured content and the ultimate goal of thinking ministry-first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.