The Blue Vineyard Podcast

Most Christians carry an unspoken hierarchy of callings, with pastor at the top and tradesperson somewhere near the bottom. Luke Farrugia and Adam Weeks are both running for-profit businesses while staying deeply rooted in ministry, and in this episode they make the case that drawing that line at all might be the wrong question. This is a conversation about business, vocation, and what it actually...

We live in an age where AI can do pretty much everything. Brent Hardinge directs Adventist Connect at the North American Division, and his philosophy is simple: technology's job is to aid us in doing ministry, not replace our agency. In this episode, we explore what that looks like. 00:00 Introduction to Brent Hardinge and Adventist Connect 03:00 Brent's trajectory: early exposure to technology an...

Why do so many ministries struggle to get their message out? Christian marketer Stephen Lee has a confronting answer — it's not a tactics problem, and it's not a budget problem. It's a faith problem. In this episode, Luke and Adam sit down with Stephen Lee, founder of Compose Marketing, to unpack why the church so often undersells the most valuable message in the world — and what it looks like to...

What does the future of Adventist publishing actually look like? Jarrod Stackelroth has spent nearly 20 years in the thick of it. He was the editor of Adventist Record and Signs of the Times. And he has recently been called to be the associate editor of the Communications Department of the GC. In this episode, he gives an honest assessment of where the church's journalism and communication stand t...

Real life and digital life are blending together — and the local church is no exception. Pastor Wes Via has spent years figuring out how to leverage digital tools in the local church without losing what matters most: real relationships. In this episode, he shares practical examples from his own ministry, including how he uses a podcast as a Bible study resource to free up his one-on-one time for g...

In this episode, Adam and Luke dive deep into the evolution of Blue Vineyard, the Adventist technology landscape. They explore long-form podcasting, the launch of TrustLoop, and teacher appraisal solutions in our schools. Watch to learn how a relationship-first approach to technology is helping those who share God's truth with the tools they deserve. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: The Blue Vineyard Jou...

What is missing from the Adventist media landscape? Kahn Ellmers shares his wishlist for the types of shows the church should be producing, from daily adult devotionals to news commentary. You'll learn about the gaps in the current market and how your ministry might be the one to fill them. Plus, get access to Blue Vineyard's free "Podcast Launch Guide" to help you start your journey on the right...

Is your ministry actually unique, or are you just holding onto inefficient processes? This episode challenges the common assumption that "ministry work is different" to help you make smarter technology choices. You'll discover the hidden costs of off-the-shelf workarounds and learn how to identify which 20% of your operations truly justify a custom build. This honest debate will save you from wast...

Ever wonder why ChatGPT makes up Bible verses or misquotes Ellen White? In this episode, you’ll discover the fundamental "compression" problem with generic AI models. Emmanuel Higgins returns to explain how Advent AI uses advanced context engineering to solve this issue. You'll learn how to use this specialized tool to get accurate, sourced answers for your Sabbath School lesson or sermon prep, en...

In this episode, Adam and Luke takes you behind the scenes of Types and Symbols. They reveal the branding process used by one of Adventism’s top design studios. You’ll discover the power of establishing a "brand tone" before any design work begins and learn how that single step can clarify your entire communication strategy. Listen to understand their step-by-step process. It'll turn your complex...

What can the Michelin Guide teach us about ministry strategy? Luke and Adam discuss when technology isn't the solution, exploring the tension between automation and authentic human connection. Plus, they examine the role of AI in evangelism and why community is something technology can't replace. If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com...

What if a performance review could become a powerful tool for advancing your school's mission? Listen to this episode to learn how to do just that. You'll discover a transformative three-pillar framework, Professional Practice, Professional Behavior, and Missional Alignment, designed to foster holistic growth. By the end, you'll have a clear model for aligning your team's professional development...

While AI offers incredible efficiency, what are the hidden dangers for ministry? Luke is joined by Eric Louw and Emmanuel Higgins for a crucial conversation about the risks and rewards of AI. This episode provides a balanced, thoughtful framework for engaging with AI responsibly. ~ If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, contact us at hello@bluevineyard.com Do you offer se...

Is your website actually doing the job you paid it to do? In this episode, Luke and Adam talk about the process of a website audit. They break down the three key areas to evaluate: technical performance, user experience, and security. Using the analogy of a car needing regular maintenance, they explain why a website that's even 12-24 months old needs a professional check-up to ensure it’s still se...

Discover why storytelling is crucial for effective ministry in the digital age. Luke and Adam explore the elements of a compelling story, share examples of Adventist ministries using storytelling successfully (like Chai and Amazing Facts), and provide practical tips for crafting your ministry's narrative. ~ If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at hello@bluevi...

How do you tell a story that truly connects? Luke sits down with Kaleb Eisele, a seasoned storyteller and producer for the Oregon Conference, to explore the art of authentic storytelling. Kaleb shares his number one principle for building trust with interview subjects, the philosophy behind asking questions that reveal a person's journey, and how to find the meaningful stories that others often mi...

What does it take to migrate a massive ministry with thousands of pages and over 5,000 videos to a new platform? Luke and Adam sit down with Eric Kippel, IT Director for Amazing Facts, to discuss their journey from a decade-old legacy system to the robust ecosystem of WordPress. They explore the strategic thinking behind the move, the importance of hiring enterprise-level experts, and how the new...

How can your ministry's story cut through in the digital age? Luke welcomes Larry Witzel, who shares about 'parasocial relationships' – those one-sided but emotionally impactful connections we form online. You'll discover why consistency and authenticity are key to cultivating these digital bonds, and how to use them to invite people closer to Jesus and even into in-person church communities. Larr...

Governing decentralized ecosystems is always going to be challenging. Most leaders either try to give maximum autonomy or retain maximum control, but is there a better way? I sit down with Dominic Wells, CEO of Onfolio Holdings, to discuss his journey. You'll discover how centralizing strategy helps teams grow and become more efficient. Plus, you will learn how to apply these principles to your or...

Brent is the director of Adventist Connect and has been involved in technology and leadership at all levels of the church from local, all the way up to the North American Division and General Conference level. He has led the rollout of new technologies, digital ministry practices. We had the privilege of interviewing Brent and diving into both his story and specific practices you can apply in your...

Charles joins Luke on the Blue Vineyard Podcast to discuss his journey from corporate technology consultant to founder of Sabbatech, a company dedicated to empowering Adventist ministries through technology. Learn about the importance of quality, efficient processes, and the role of AI in accelerating the gospel commission. ~ If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact...

Kahn Ellmers, audio engineer and newest member of the Blue Vineyard team, joins Luke to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Christian musicians and podcasters. Discover practical advice on building a sustainable music ministry, leveraging technology for greater reach, and the importance of high-quality audio production. Want to learn more about Kahn's work? visit bluevineyard.com/audio...

What if we could reach the entire world with the Adventist message using the power of digital media? Join us as we talk with Jeremy Haas , founder of Christian Digital Network , about his bold vision of sharing 100 billion messages of hope and truth in the next 10 years. Discover the challenges and opportunities facing digital evangelism today and how you can get involved in this crucial work. ~ I...

Welcome to the Blue Vineyard Podcast—where Adventist administrators and ministry leaders find essential insights to navigate the evolving digital landscape of the church. This season, we’re bringing together expert voices and sharing firsthand experiences as we explore the digital tools and strategies reshaping Adventist ministry. Join us as we dive deep into the Adventist digital ecosystem. Produ...

What role will AI play in the future of the Adventist Church? Luke sits down with Jason Alexis, founder of Fluid Ministry , to discuss the opportunities and challenges presented by AI, The close relationship between how we do business and the building of our faith. Plus the need for the church to embrace innovation. ~ If you have an idea for an episode on the Blue Vineyard Podcast, Contact us at h...