It’s a data-driven conversation with Ryan Burge, a social scientist and minister, who explores the intricate factors influencing church growth and decline. Burge sheds light on how external demographics, strategic church planting, and the balance between divine calling and data-driven decisions shape religious communities. The episode also covers clergy satisfaction, positive chaplaincy experiences, the evolving religious landscape, and how Substack fosters meaningful audience engagement. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on the complexities of religion in modern society.

In this episode:
(00:00) Guide pastors to think like social scientists.
(06:39) Churches largely apolitical; misconceptions about religion exist.
(08:18) Context influences church growth more than efforts.
(17:16) Bridging religious and non-religious through impartiality.
(18:45) The numbers readers care about.
(23:45) Email remains essential, resilient against platform changes.
(28:23) Recommended podcast episodes for digital strategies.

Find more notes and connect with MyCom:
www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

#ChurchGrowth #ReligiousTrends #RyanBurge #MyComPodcast #Demographics #StrategicPlanning #ClergySatisfaction #Substack #DataDrivenDecisions #ReligionAndSociety #ReligiousData #Chaplains #CommunityBuilding #AmericanReligion #Podcast

Keywords: church growth, religious trends, Ryan Burge, MyCom Podcast, demographics, church planting, clergy satisfaction, chaplaincy, data-driven decisions, religion and society, Substack, social scientist, religious data.

In this episode of MyCom, we’re talking with Mark Elsdon. Mark helps us dissect the evolving nature of church property stewardship and the pivotal role congregations can play in their communities. The episode sheds light on numerous innovative approaches for churches dealing with property and financial transitions, emphasizing mission-driven strategies that align with both historical teachings and contemporary needs.

Mark Elsdon is the director of Pres House at UW-Madison and oversaw it’s transformation into a 250 unit apartment complex. He is co-founder of Rooted Good. He is ordained in the PCUSA. And has written two books: “Gone for Good” and “We Aren’t Broke”.

In this episode:
(00:00) Reassessing faith communities amidst change and scarcity.
(05:53) Traditional giving model becoming unsustainable for churches.
(07:47) Accelerating church involvement.
(13:08) Focus church activities on mission, not business.
(16:07) Traditional Sunday church attendance is declining.
(18:59) Interview community to identify needs and solutions.
(22:07) Exploring community impressions, strengths, and opportunities.
(24:54) Church ownership shift: considerate property transition discussions.
(28:37) Church donated closed property for housing.
(33:42) Start with community listening before technical aspects.
(35:47) Sell smartly, consider future impact and legacy.

MyCom is produced by United Methodist Communications. Find show notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

In this milestone 100th episode of the MyCOM Church Marketing Podcast, host Ryan Dunn welcomes former producer and host Dan Wunderlich, an elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and pastor at Lakeside UMC. Join us for a deep dive into digital ministry, church communications, and innovative outreach strategies. Discover how technology and improv can enhance your church’s visibility and engagement. Perfect for church leaders seeking to adapt to changing tech trends and improve their digital outreach.

Topics Covered:
– Dan’s journey from pastoring to podcasting
– Using improv techniques in ministry
– Adapting to new technology in church communication
– Future trends in social media and youth tech use
– Strategies for engaging sermon content
– AI tools in ministry and social media strategies

Don’t miss this insightful conversation that’s packed with valuable tips for church leaders! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes.

In this episode:
(00:00) Celebrating the 100th MyCom episode
(03:23) Dan Wunderlich reflects on his 77 episodes, remote collaboration success.
(07:35) Interviews with diverse professionals broadened my perspective.
(12:11) Balancing creativity with audience preference is key.
(16:13) Strategy became outdated; learning by doing necessary.
(17:27) Early adopter of Facebook for ministry outreach.
(22:41) Gen Z editor excels in trendy video styles.
(23:41) Struggling to condense nuanced messages concisely.
(26:42) Strives for connection by improvising during sermons.
(31:24) Shift towards low-tech, mindful tech use.
(36:13) Future of United Methodist Church: contraction, adaptation, renewal.
(38:24) Episode 100 concluded; next episode in one month.

#DigitalMinistry #ChurchCommunications #ChurchMarketing #TechnologyAndReligion #DigitalOutreach #UnitedMethodistChurch #ImprovInMinistry #SermonPreparation #FutureOfChurch #PodcastingForChurches #SocialMediaStrategy

Discover how digital ministry has transformed from a niche to an essential part of church outreach. Dive into our latest MyCom episode for insights on purposeful digital ministry that bridges real and virtual communities.

Tap into practical strategies and insightful discussions featuring Charles Vogl, Dr. Kelly Price, Mike Kim, Nelson Musonda, and Dana Malstaff.

In this episode:

(00:00) Crash course in digital ministry and community-building.
(05:27) Value promise essential for audience engagement and retention.
(09:23) Four categories of motivating behavior.
(12:14) Personal brand: ideas, expertise, reputation, personality.
(17:33) Finding questions helps build online spiritual community.
(21:08) Create supportive, engaging posts to influence others.
(25:27) Compelling topics for valuable content
(27:10) Creating valuable, user-focused content by connecting beliefs.

MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.

Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

In this episode of MyCom, host Ryan Dunn engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Reverend J.J. Warren about the intricacies of building genuine emotional connections within digital church communities. Drawing from his theological background and experiences with the Young Prophets Collective, J.J. discusses the evolution of virtual worship spaces, the significance of platforms like Discord and Instagram, and the challenges of maintaining boundaries in digital ministry.

Join us as we explore innovative ways to foster intimacy and inclusivity in online spiritual environments and navigate the complexities of virtual engagement.

In this episode:
(00:00) Pastor J.J. Warren’s digital journey and advocacy.
(03:21) Misconceptions about young people and social media.
(06:43) The pandemic raised questions about online church.
(11:45) Social media as an extension of self.
(15:37) Creating safe digital space for excluded young people.
(19:02) Cultural practices in the Philippines adapting to online.
(23:18) Church offers more agency; relieving stress/anxiety.
(27:26) Create a private space for intimate communication.
(31:12) Virtual gatherings around the world for worship.
(35:12) Proximity and intimacy in virtual private space.
(39:29) Connecting community through intentional online church platform.
(43:01) Setting digital boundaries as a Gen Zer.

MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.

Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

In this episode, host Rev. Ryan Dunn chats with guests Nathan Webb and Shane Russo about their innovative strategies for utilizing YouTube to grow their digital church communities. They dive deep into the tools, challenges, and unique approaches they leverage for successful content creation and audience engagement.

Rev. Shane Russo is the founder and lead architect of GoBe.church–an all-digital expression of church. He also is currently the lead pastor of Niles First United Methodist Church in Niles, Ohio. Check out the YouTube ministry @GoBeChurch

Rev. Nathan Webb, AKA “Nerd Pastor Nate”, is the founding pastor of Checkpoint Church–an all-digital ministry for nerds, geeks and gamers. He posts regularly on YouTube at @CheckpointChurch

The Checkpoint Church viral video Nathan and Shane referred to is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZUpgTMhNJc&t=5s

In this episode:
(00:00) Introducing Rev. Ryan Dunn, the new host
(05:40) Juggling physical church with online ministry growth.
(08:03) Transition from Twitch to YouTube reshaped outreach.
(11:44) Elements of organic virality, phenomena, Christian controversy.
(15:38) Experimenting with shorts to build online community.
(19:31) Strategize content and platform usage with purpose.
(22:35) Strategy for using YouTube in growing audience.
(25:30) Pastor discusses controversial topics, aims to inspire.
(28:36) Reluctant to engage online, but considering it.
(36:19) Dealing with toxic comments as vandalism.
(39:40) Channel strives for inclusion, not doormat behavior.
(42:39) Better timing and more strategic content choices.
(44:43) Creating and scheduling content efficiently across platforms.
(48:07) Effortlessly segment and create phenomenal clips.
(51:58) Video optimization and analytics.
(55:03) UMC podcast highlights digital storytelling and leadership.

For more episodes and episode notes: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

AI remains a hot topic online, in the news, and in the church. UMCommunications recently hosted a webinar on AI, and hundreds of people like you signed up. We have seen an explosion of AI tools – from standalone or customized apps (like PulpitAI, which we discussed earlier this year) to AI integrations in apps you are likely already using. The next generation of phones, tablets, and computers are being developed with AI built right in. So, as AI becomes even more integrated in our daily lives, we wanted to continue the conversation here on the podcast. Joining us today to help with that is Rev. James Lee, Director of Communications for the Eastern Pennsylvania and Greater New Jersey Conferences of the United Methodist Church.

Communications expert, Sabrina Joy Stevens will be hosting a MyCom Webinar on May 15th at 12pm (CST) to help our leaders with Clarity over Confusion post General Conference. Register here: https://umcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317103461585/WN_lIZSl3OmRcO8ykOHW356UA

Subscribe to MyCom Podcasts on YouTube here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/newsletters-and-podcasts/mycom-newsletter-subscribe

On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we are joined by someone who is an adept speaker, teacher, and all-around communications expert, Sabring Joy Stevens. Sabrina is not only our podcast guest today, but she’s also leading a webinar in May 2024 that is going to be a huge help to all of us as we respond to the General Conference both locally and online. Take some time today to learn how you can be a better digital storyteller for your church, or ministry, or even improve your personal communication using her strategies.

This MyCom Podcast is brought to you by UMC News, visit www.umnews.org to get today’s current news and sign up to get it daily in your inbox!

Looking for the BeUMC Leader Kit mentioned in the podcast? Find it here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/people-of-god-campaign-new

To see & hear more MyCom content, visit https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/mycom

#mycom #umc #beumc #unitedmethodistchurch #technology #techtips #outreach #marketingstrategy #marketing #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #churchleadershipresources #churchleadership #ministry #communicationskills #communicationscoaching

We spoke with UMCOM Video Producer, Kathryn Price, several years ago as we were all navigating the pandemic. On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we’re checking back in with her both for a refresher on creating sermon videos and to see what new tools and features we could all be using!

This MyCom Podcast is brought to you by EO Tours, to learn more about their customized tours visit here: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/sl24092924n#eotours

To see & hear more MyCom content, visit https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/mycom

Last year, we dipped our toes in the water of AI with an excellent primer from Kenny Jahng on what generative AI is, some ministry uses, and how to get started. Since then, I have personally used AI tools to help me refine and clarify my thoughts and writing, as a brainstorming partner in sermon prep, and I have even generated a few images for sermon series and church events.

Then, late last year, I ran across a new AI tool specifically tuned for ministry that seemed to offer many of the benefits AI offers – like saving time and bringing clarity – while also avoiding some of the potential pitfalls – like the AI just making things up. And for those of us specifically doing the work of church communications, this type of AI tool can help us streamline the repurposing of content your church is already generating week-in and week-out.

On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we are talking about extending the sermon with the help of artificial intelligence. And we have the privilege of welcome the creator of one of these tools as well as a UMC pastor who is all in on discovering ways to use tech like this to make disciples.

Our guests today are Michael Whittle, the Founder and CEO of PulpitAI, as well as Rev. Chad Brooks, a UMC elder who wears many hats – from local church pastor to Conference Congregational Vitality Strategist to the guy behind the Productive Pastor extended universe.

Subscribe to MyCom and get additional information at: www.resourceumc.org/mycom

On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we welcome Rev. Melissa Pisco to talk about how a ministry that is intentionally inclusive of people with disabilities can offer a way to connect with those who are not yet a part of your church.

For more info about Dan Wunderlich go to:

https://www.defininggrace.com/

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