I knew my responsibilities. I could lead people and navigate the day-to-day demands of the role. I embraced being the “guardian of the product” and the “protector of the license.” Even the responsibility of answering to a board of directors didn’t intimidate me.

No, the thing that gave me pause was the reality that one day I would stand before God and give an account for how well I stewarded this incredibly powerful tool He had placed into my hands. That realization became the motivation behind the somewhat unconventional path I chose to lead KYTT down.

Coos Bay, Oregon, is indeed a “small market,” and some of the initiatives we undertook may not be practical—or even desirable—in other markets. But I am convinced of this: to whatever extent we invest in the spiritual well-being of the communities we serve, beyond our programming, the overall impact our stations have will grow.

I was asked by the CMB team to briefly explain a statement I made in a previous article having to do with the fact that Christian radio was not fully capitalizing on the influence we have in the communities we serve. I offer that not as an indictment, but as an observation born out of experience, and as an invitation to consider what more might be possible.

If sounding great on the air and attracting a larger listenership is the fuel that ignites our vision, then respectfully, I would contend that the vision is too small. Not wrong—just incomplete.  I believe we can do more.  

Is it possible that your station’s presence in its community could serve a greater purpose than it does right now? Could the content of your broadcast be a means to an infinitely more important end, rather than the end itself?

Those were questions I wrestled with at length early on in my tenure as GM.  And the grappling led me to a deeper burden for my community—a growing passion for the souls of the people who live here. Along with that came a revelation that KYTT could do a better job of serving the local churches by coming alongside those pastors and leaders and helping them fulfill God’s calling in their ministries.

I won’t go into detail here (although, if you’re interested, I’d love to share more), but I will say that the decision to intentionally partner with these vibrant fellowships changed everything for KYTT.  It reinvigorated our mission.  We began to see that when the station “washed the feet” as it were of the Church, the seeds of revival were sewn, and our shared vision for growth produced real fruit.

One of the early initiatives of this new partnership was a unifying movement among dozens of area churches called “Pray Oregon Coast.”  The simple prayer of an itinerant revivalist is what the Lord used for me to begin to see what was possible.  Once I believed that God truly wanted the station to help bring churches together, I was fully committed.

We started with a simple vision: bringing pastors and their spouses together for a nice dinner program, to thank them for faithfully serving Christ and His church. It was a tremendous success, which led to more regular gatherings and, ultimately, a shared vision of reaching the area for Christ. All of this grew out of a belief that our presence in a community was multifaceted and not limited to what happens on the air.

Another example of this kind of community engagement was a listener-funded benevolence outreach called the Good Neighbor Fund. Through that fund, the KYTT listening family ministered to hundreds of families and individuals.  Everything from covering past-due water and power bills to rescuing a widow’s home, which was on the verge of foreclosure. We didn’t set out to create something this broad, but with every step of faith, the Lord provided the wisdom, discernment, and resources needed to accomplish His purposes.

Songwriter Allen Levy once said, “To do small things well, over a long period of time, in the same place, seems to be how the Kingdom moves forward.” I believe that.

What KYTT has done in one rural community along the Oregon Coast may not look the same as what God intends for your station. But perhaps it can serve as an encouragement to consider that what happens on the air is only the beginning of our influence for the Kingdom.

Rick Stevens recently retired after a 45-year career in Christian radio. He can be reached at: guitargrandpa59@gmail.com

The post Using Our Influence for the Greater Good first appeared on CMB.

The post Using Our Influence for the Greater Good appeared first on CMB.

“Christian radio is mostly just preaching to the choir.”

“Why are so many of us content with that when there are so many lost people that Jesus wants us to reach?”

It’s a valid question.

I have a different one:

“Is it possible we’ve misunderstood what the choir actually needs?”

We act like longtime “choir members” have moved on from needing the Gospel. What they need now are…reminders, instructions, motivation, or maybe a Medi-Share spot.

The Gospel is for “getting saved.” God did His part; now we do ours.

That message is an exhausting dead end.

No one ever finds assurance looking at their own track record or heart. Woe to them if they do.

There is always something more you should have done, could have done, or left undone.

Many of the faithful in your audience’s choir, even after years of singing, live with anxiety, uncertainty, and lack of assurance.

Every once in a while they hear reminders that obedience is necessary. And that’s good, because it is.

Yet…obedience is fruit from the tree, not a receipt showing proof you paid.

If choir members ONLY hear burden, we shouldn’t be surprised when they either despair or pretend.

The choir you’re supposedly preaching to so much is replete with people who don’t need another list, pep talk, time-waster, or false comfort.

They need Christ. They need the Gospel. Daily.

If that sounds basic to you, congratulations! You understand.

Air, water, and food are basics, too.

Too many in the choir are barely getting enough to survive.

They’re subsisting on empty spiritual calories

Seems to me if you’re looking to reach the lost, check the choir loft. There are tons of ‘em up there.

They, like all of us, need to hear, again and again, that Jesus did not merely make salvation possible and then hand us the bill for the rest!

That’s bad news.

They need the steady Gospel good news that their standing with God rests on Jesus, not on them.

So, if someone dismissively says “Christian Radio is just preaching to the choir,” remember: by doing it faithfully, you’re preaching exactly what the choir needs to hear.

So they can keep singing.

Doug Hannah is the Senior Director of Content for Family Radio/Loam Media

The post The Choir Is Starving first appeared on CMB.

The post The Choir Is Starving appeared first on CMB.

The voices below are a snapshot of what happens when leaders choose to be stretched. They show what it looks like to grow in clarity, confidence, and purpose, and to come out stronger not just as professionals, but as people.

“I love emotionally and intellectually wrestling with complex concepts and self-development.  Every single week in the CMB Leadership Mentoring program there was something in the curriculum that stopped me in my tracks and made me think deeply about what I am doing and why – challenging me to rethink the status quo of my own leadership in my organization. I’ve changed many things about the way I work due to the program – some just subtly and others boldly and with great conviction. I cannot more highly recommend participation in the CMB mentoring program.” Kelly Brandon, Managing Director, Donor Ministries / Blue Ridge Broadcasting (WMIT)

“CMB Leadership Mentoring provided many valuable insights for personal growth and leadership development. I particularly benefited from learning more about communicating and collaborating with others in the organization that have different personality styles. Learning to prioritize tasks has been extremely beneficial both personally and professionally.” Colleen Dick, GM, The Truth Network

“Useful. Applicable. Transformative. These are just a few of the words I would use to describe my experience with the CMB Leadership Mentoring program. The wide range of topics we explored challenged me to think deeply—not only about how to lead others, but also about how to lead myself. It was an experience that strengthened my self-awareness, sharpened my leadership approach, and equipped me with practical tools I will carry forward.” Bryan Harada, PD/On-Air, BOOST

“This mentorship program will have a lasting impact on my faith and my career. I have valued every aspect of this program: the pages of notes from the workbook sessions, the nuggets of wisdom from industry leaders, the one-on-one meetings with my mentor, and the meaningful classroom dialogue.  Every month offered valuable leadership principles, real life applications, and practical ideas I could implement right away. I would do the program again in a heartbeat.” Brittany Riva, PD, WCSG

“I’m incredibly thankful to Hope Media Group for getting me into the mentorship program. Incredibly grateful. I’m also incredibly grateful for my mentor Dave St. John. During our time before the “official” start and even now past the actual program, I continue to learn from him and his leadership. Learning from other leaders who have gone before me in the program was a blessing as well. It is always great to get other perspectives. One of the biggest takeaways from my time in the program was just the constant theme I had with my mentor and that theme was “clarity and expectations” this was so huge for me. It came at a perfect time in my own leadership. I would encourage anyone who is trying to figure out where they are going or wants to be challenged to rise above mediocrity to take a step into being challenged by industry veterans and a curriculum that will cause to look inward to better serve outward.” Brent Sears, Station Manager, WayFM Denver 

Investing in tomorrow’s leaders starts today. Learn more about CMB Leadership Mentoring >>

The post Lessons in Leadership: Insights from Mentoring first appeared on CMB.

The post Lessons in Leadership: Insights from Mentoring appeared first on CMB.

Megan Fathauer – PD, Shine.FM (WONU)

We’ve worked hard since this past summer, and finally, in February, we launched our video podcast studio. My boss could tell you the research on the importance of younger generations having video, along with podcasts, and we’re excited to finally be making that happen and giving our listeners more connection from our ministry!

Scott Herrold – Chief of Content, Hope Media Group

I’m closely watching how the in‑car digital dashboard is evolving. Automakers are prioritizing software over radio hardware, and that shift will stretch our radio mindset. I’m focused on how the digital extensions of our radio brands can show up more powerfully in that environment and create a stronger presence for listeners on the road.

Ben Holson – PD, KTIS

One thing we’re doing right now is investing in people and systems that can adapt. Platforms will change, technology will evolve, and media habits will shift—but trusted voices, strong relationships, and flexible infrastructure will carry us forward. We’re focusing on building a team and a culture that can learn quickly, experiment wisely, and stay rooted in our mission no matter how the landscape changes.

Josh Hooper – Chief Content Officer & PD, The River (WCVO)

We are currently building a comprehensive Digital Roadmap for our future. Our Digital Team and the growth of The River’s digital content are paramount to the future success of the ministry, so we’re setting the foundation now for growth, increased influence, and investment into the digital space.

Ty McFarland – Sr. Director of Content, CRISTA Media

Growing podcasting. Integrating beneficial AI. Sharing faith more boldly. Forcing myself to keep an open mind.

Matt Stockman – Brand Director, Pillar Media

​​We are prioritizing two things. First, launching Smart TV apps, because radio listening via connected TVs is growing rapidly and will only accelerate over the next five years. Second, we are doubling down on measuring and monetizing streaming and DTS AutoStage. Mark my words: traditional radio measurement is nearing its end, and in five years, the way stations prove audience and value will look very different from what Nielsen does today.

The post 2030 Starts Now first appeared on CMB.

The post 2030 Starts Now appeared first on CMB.

Lindsay Crane – Media Marketing, Awakening Events

In a world where requests are often at the touch of a button, radio is still building community where streaming platforms can fall short. I’ve worked enough radio promotion booths where listeners stop by asking for their favorite DJ, because what happens between the music is what keeps listeners tuning in. People are craving connection, and radio forms relationships beyond the song playlist.

Dave Gordon – Senior Director – Media Markets, Northwestern Media

Radio still matters because in this fragmented world, radio remains one of our generation’s last real companions.  It’s quick to comfort and encourage us with the perfect blend of songs, stories, and emotions – from trusted, relatable voices.  When a radio station is operated and programmed by mission-driven broadcasters, it cares for the people of its community like nothing else can. 

Matt Hahn – US Director of Radio/Media Marketing, Compassion International

Christian Radio has the greatest impact of allowing listeners to be local and global from their favorite station…just a couple of examples we’ve had recently through Compassion Radio Campaigns: 

“I have been listening to Star 99.1 and was moved with Compassion when I heard about the desperate situations children are experiencing. I’m a mom and grandmother, and I can’t imagine how severe the suffering these children are experiencing daily.  I’m honored to be a servant and is willing to care for this sponsored Child.” 

“God has been so gracious and blessed me. I want to do the same. 41 years ago, I lost my sister in a car accident. Her name was Susan, and I wanted to sponsor a child in her honor. My sponsored child’s name is Susana. Thank you, Christian Radio.” 

Paul Jacobs – President, Jacobs Media

When we talk to the CMB audience, we continually hear how, at a moment of need – a family challenge, health, or basic day-to-day life – Christian music radio comes up with the right song, the right Bible verse, or the right tone that immediately uplifts them and helps them deal with their issue. What other medium or platform can do that? Only radio…it still matters!

Kenny Jay – President, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner

In a world of news fatigue and mistrust in social media and AI, radio remains an authentic connection and an escape that makes listeners feel good.

Sarah Taylor – On-Air Talent & Music Director, Spirit 105.3

Recently, a young woman named Victoria supported SPIRIT 105.3 during a fundraiser. It was her first time giving, because she’d just found the station. She said she’d wanted to “get closer to God” and was tired of all the “noise” she heard on other stations, so she hit the seek button on her dial. She said the music made such a difference in her relationship with God that she wanted to become a partner in ministry for others who were seeking. I think about her every time I start my shift.

The post Why Radio Still Matters first appeared on CMB.

The post Why Radio Still Matters appeared first on CMB.

Those experiences helped me learn principles I’d like to pass along to you. My hope is that they will help you if you choose to give or receive the benefit that comes from capable mentoring. Here are five that stand out to me.

Approach mentoring with humility and gratitude

This relationship benefits greatly from humble hearts. When the person doing the mentoring believes they’ve got all the answers and that the person being mentored just needs to listen and learn, you’re off to a bad start. People pay attention to people who pay attention to them. When the sharing of ideas begins with my understanding of what’s important to you and why it carries the weight it does, it has a greater chance of yielding healthy fruit. I try to approach the process from the viewpoint, “Here’s something I’ve learned in this area. I’d like to see if it sparks a fresh idea for you.” That way, I’m coming alongside my mentee to guide rather than making pronouncements. But humility and gratitude must cut both ways. When the person receiving the mentoring has an open and humble heart (rather than thinking there’s nothing new he/she needs to learn), true growth can take place.

Set goals that are both short-term and realistic

Any mentoring relationship must have a clear destination. It’s best for both the mentor and the mentee to define what success in this relationship looks like to them. This will help them come together on goals they can both support. I’ve seen (and been part of) too many projects that never clearly understood where the finish line was. Because of that, success was compromised by the simple fact that no one clearly understood where they were going or how they would get there. The clearer and more attainable the goals are, the easier it will be to gauge where you are on our journey toward meeting them.

Mentoring should be symbiotic

Remember the words “symbiotic relationship” from high school biology? They describe a bond between two different organisms that produces a mutually beneficial relationship. Symbiosis also applies to mentoring. The mentee benefits from the wisdom being shared by someone who in many cases has been exactly where the mentee is now. But this isn’t a one-way street. The mentor also benefits. He or she is following the biblical example of taking those hard-fought lessons God has taught them and helping others see or do things differently. Sometimes the greatest impact you can have on a mentee is to say, “Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

Mentoring IS a relationship

It’s too easy to forget that mentoring must be more than a way to learn. Mentoring builds a deeper bond between those who are involved in it. God has designed relationships between two people (or two radio stations) to do more than meets the eye. In my years as a mentor, I’ve gained much from relationships that, on the surface, appeared more one-sided than they actually were. I learned about the individual people I was serving and listened to where they were in their journey with Christ. This not only made our relationship sweeter, I developed a better understanding of why they were who they were and how their role was important to fulfilling God’s call on their lives. As is often the case in God’s economy, what appeared from the outside to be my contribution to them turned out to be a gift to my own heart – and theirs too, I hope.

Mentoring takes time

Like many things in life, mentoring takes time. While it can produce results (seemingly) overnight, most of what grows from mentoring takes time. The ability and commitment from both parties to embrace the power of allocating time is key. Whether you’re considering becoming a mentor or a mentee, the discipline of slowing down and not feeling like you have to have an immediate answer will serve you well.

Mentoring is multi-faceted and almost always includes elements of listening, asking  questions, encouraging, and teaching. Each of those things, done correctly, takes time. Whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, you will hear things that will take time for you to process. To do that well, you may need to ask clarifying questions to better understand your path forward. Once that pathway is clear, the mentor and mentee can both begin walking toward the same destination.

With more than five decades of experience in Christian radio, Jon Hull is an Audience Growth Consultant for Finney Media. He can be reached at jon@finneymedia.com

The post 5 Things I’ve Learned In Mentoring first appeared on CMB.

The post 5 Things I’ve Learned In Mentoring appeared first on CMB.

Risk may sound exciting when you are at Momentum, but it feels different when you are back home making decisions that affect your station, your team, and your listeners. Maybe your risk was large and visible. Maybe it was quiet and internal. Maybe it is still in progress and you are waiting on results. However it looked, I hope you can already see what God is doing because of that step. Sometimes risk pays off fast, and sometimes it unfolds slowly. What matters most is that you stepped out in faith. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God holds us steady. 

Take a moment and ask yourself what God is doing right now because of your choice. Did you reach new people in your community? Spark new ideas in your staff meetings? Stretch your leadership in ways you did not expect? 

God often grows us through the uncomfortable stuff. Comfort is nice, but it rarely moves us forward.

Now what? It is tempting to look back at 2025 and think, “Whew, glad that is over. Time to play it safe again.” But what if the risk you took was only the warm up for something greater as God is writing the next chapter. 

Here are a few questions worth asking your team as you look toward 2026:

• What risk helped us honor our mission most?
• What surprised us?
• Where did God show up?
• What is still unfinished?
• What might God want to grow even greater in the year ahead?

Risk is about being obedient to the direction God is nudging us. We are not chasing headlines, we are following Jesus. And following Jesus usually involves some level of stepping out before everything is certain.

So what is He nudging you toward now? What idea keeps resurfacing? What opportunity feels bigger than you? Pay attention to those things. Pray about them. Talk with your team. And consider what faithful courage might look like in this next season.

You took risks in 2025. God saw them all. Now take what you learned and let God grow it into something greater. Keep stepping. Keep listening. Keep trusting God who promises to hold you steady and lead you into a year that is truly greater.

The post Beyond the Risk first appeared on CMB.

The post Beyond the Risk appeared first on CMB.

Texts, emails, and the occasional, “thanks for ruining my makeup,” let them know something was connecting. It wasn’t because the pieces were dramatic or theatrical, although they were, but because they were honest. Listeners weren’t giving out thank yous for the production (although, in my admittedly biased opinion, I feel it was fantastic). They were giving their thanks for naming the things they were already carrying.

More than anything, it’s another reminder that when storytelling is vulnerable and intentional, and the production simply serves the story, something deeper can take place.
It’s not hype …
It’s not zips and zaps and jingles and jangles.
It’s connection.
It’s truth touching truth.
The kind of real-life ministry that CCM radio is uniquely positioned for, often in the spaces no other medium can reach.

At the end of the day, production and imaging aren’t about impressing someone with the station’s cleverness and awareness, or about showing off our technical skills with parametric EQ’s and compression ratios. I mean sure, part of it is telling people what we want them to think about us and making an impression that keeps us top of mind in those diary markets. But while we do that, we can also create little pockets of humanity in between the songs. Moments in listeners’ lives where they might take a deep breath, nod, or whisper to themselves, “Yeah… me too.”

If that happens even once, then the stories have done their job.

The post When You Choose Stories Over Sleigh Bells first appeared on CMB.

The post When You Choose Stories Over Sleigh Bells appeared first on CMB.

Leadership has had a traditional approach of top-down management–a boss mentality that places one figure at the top, with an org. chart below carrying out directives. Many leaders approach their role as a boss, where they set the rules and enforce them, expecting their team to follow suit. While this approach can be effective, it’s not always the most fruitful or long-lasting. As a leader in the church, adopting a coaching approach to leadership can be a game-changer. 

Leaders who desire to invest in community, build up leaders, and multiply their impact will benefit from making this shift. 

What is the Coaching Approach to Leadership?

Coaching is a leadership style that focuses on empowering others to achieve goals. Unlike a boss, a coach does not just tell people what to do. Instead, a coach helps his or her team members identify their strengths and weaknesses and works with them to develop their skills and abilities. The coach provides guidance, support, and accountability, allowing individuals to take ownership of their progress and growth. This ownership is a key distinction between boss-led teams and coach-led teams. 

Tips for Transitioning from Boss to Coach

If you’re a church leader who’s used to the traditional boss approach, transitioning to a coaching style can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you make the shift:

1. Start with Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the foundation of effective coaching. Before you can help others, you need to understand yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses. Take some time to reflect on your leadership style and identify areas where you can improve. Ask yourself the tough questions like, Am I afraid to trust my team? Am I trying to prove my own value? Am I addicted to being the hero? Any of these motives sneaking into your leadership will kill any potential development of future leaders.

2. Build Trust

Trust is essential in coaching relationships. Your team needs to trust that you have their best interests at heart and that you’re invested in their growth and development. Building trust takes time, but you can start by being open, honest, and transparent. Listen to your team members’ concerns and ideas, and respond with empathy and understanding.

3. Ask Questions

Coaching is about asking questions, not giving answers. Instead of telling your team what to do, ask them what they think and how they would handle a situation. Encourage them to think critically and come up with solutions on their own. Asking questions helps individuals develop their problem-solving skills and fosters a sense of ownership over their growth and development.

4. Set Goals

Coaching is goal-oriented. Set clear, measurable goals with your team, and work with them to develop a plan for achieving those goals. Regularly check in to monitor progress and provide support and feedback. Goal-setting helps individuals stay motivated and focused on their development. And as you regularly do this, your team will discover you’re all necessary parts of this common goal. Each skill and talent is necessary in accomplishing the best work as a whole.

5. Be Accountable

Accountability is critical in coaching relationships. Both you and your team need to be accountable for your actions and commitments. Set expectations, hold yourself and others accountable, and celebrate progress and achievements along the way.

6. Provide Feedback

Feedback is an essential part of coaching. Provide both positive and constructive feedback to help your team grow and develop. Be specific, timely, and focus on behavior rather than personality. Feedback helps individuals identify areas where they can improve and highlights their strengths.

Transitioning from a boss to coach is a mindset shift that requires time, effort, and patience. But the benefits are enormous. By adopting a coaching approach to leadership, you can empower your team to take ownership of their growth and development, leading to a more engaged, fulfilled, and productive community. Most importantly, you’ll be investing in a multiplying effect of leadership to carry out meaningful kingdom work in the years to come. Let’s steward this potential well!

Link to Original Source

The post Shifting from Boss to Coach first appeared on CMB.

The post Shifting from Boss to Coach appeared first on CMB.

Was he psychic? Or are these things just obvious to an astute observer?[1]

Many years ago, I met a radio researcher who claimed that the answer to just one question was the key to winning or losing radio stations. Just like in Fool the Guesser. Curious about what that question might be? I was too. The question was “What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of (radio station name)?”

His line of thinking was that if most listeners mentioned the base music position of the radio station, the station was in a healthy place. If they mentioned the morning show, a contest, a feature, or some other programming element before music, he would say the station was not properly branded, and in a bit of trouble. The classic radio example is Howard Stern. Howard’s brand was so powerful, it overpowered the base positions of the stations that carried his show. When he fled for Sirius, a large percentage of the brands were forced to flip with no foundation to stand on.

Today, that remains a critical question and one of the most valuable health checks you can perform on your radio station. Indeed, it forms the foundation of the Coleman Insights Image Pyramid philosophy. Listeners must be able to, in a word or two, be able to explain what your station represents. What kind of music is it famous for? This applies for Spoken Word stations as well, with the Base Talk position replacing the Base Music position.

As the Image Pyramid demonstrates, the importance of the correct answer to the “one question” doesn’t mean the other elements are not important to study as well. The base position is the foundation, the other elements provide brand depth.

The “one question” exercise can be applied to any brand. Certainly, other audio brands in the podcast and streaming segments, but in other product categories as well. Take Spirit Airlines, in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. If consumers start regularly answering the one question with “cancelled flights” instead of “low fares,” Spirit is going to have a serious problem.

While no replacement for comprehensive research, try this exercise with your brand. Ask about the first thing that comes to mind.

What’s the answer?

Link to Original Source

The post I Can Tell How Healthy Your Brand Is With One Question first appeared on CMB.

The post I Can Tell How Healthy Your Brand Is With One Question appeared first on CMB.