These days, that simple, profound truth is the driving force behind all of Shane Barnard and Shane Everett's decisions, both personally and professionally. The pace is slower and the direction is clearer. The men are simplifying their lives by pairing down, enabling them to stay rooted in their community and church and to be home more with their growing families.

Everett has two daughters, and his wife is expecting a third in June; while Barnard has two girls as well with singer-songwriter wife Bethany Dillon. They have reduced 150 tour dates from last year down to 80. In addition to their weekly classes, they also lead worship at The Porch, a Bible study for 20 and 30-something singles.

 

"We've been in a season of just really coming back to the Gospel and guarding the trust of our hearts and our bandwidth as believers to try to put an emphasis on fostering the heart that loves Christ more than stuff," Everett reveals. "In light of that, the shows are better, and the ministry's better. I feel like our relationship as a team—the Shane & Shane team—is healthier. We're tapping into the Source more. Time with the Lord has really enhanced every area of our ministry and family life. I feel like it's spilt over into the music."

 

"I actually feel like the Lord's really called Shane and I to speak [our] message to the church a lot more than to the un-churched," Barnard adds. "Eighty dates is doable, and we do feel called to still have a voice in that way, but the voice isn't more important than [our] daughters."

 

As for where their music lands, Shane & Shane are unapologetic about their message, and in the end, while they hope new record Bring Your Nothing resonates with numerous hearts, they're satisfied with the impact the songs have already had on their students.

 

"At least I have eight students who are being blessed by songs," says Barnard. "That's good enough for me."