Jeremy Van Valkenburg // It's not a number—it's a feeling. Every Sunday morning, worship leaders and audio engineers face the same unspoken question: How loud is too loud? The answer isn't found in a decibel meter or a technical manual. It lives somewhere in the intersection of room acoustics, congregation culture, and pastoral vision. Your sanctuary isn't like anyone else's. Your sound system has its own personality. Your people bring their own expectations, backgrounds, and sensitivities. So why do we keep looking for one-size-fits-all solutions to volume? In this candid conversation, we'll dig into the real factors that should drive your audio decisions. We'll talk about the grandmother in the third row who covers her ears, the teenager who says it's "too quiet," and the pastor who wants people to "feel" the music. We'll explore how room size, PA configuration, musical style, and community vision all play into finding that sweet spot where everyone can encounter God through sound. This isn't about finding the "right" decibel level—it's about finding your right level. Come ready to share your struggles, learn from others' experiences, and leave with practical ways to navigate the volume conversation in your unique context. Because when it comes to church audio, one sound doesn't fit all—and that's exactly as it should be.