With endless digital content competing for our focus, let's explore the impact of technology on church engagement, share practical strategies for creating meaningful connections online, and invite churches to become sanctuaries for attention—places where people's presence is honored rather than exploited. Whether you're a church communicator, leader, or just curious about ministry in the digital age, this episode offers thoughtful ideas and actionable tips for making your church story stand out with purpose and peace.  

Get ready to rethink church communications and ministry! In this episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast, host Ryan Dunn sits down with the leadership team from First United Methodist Church of San Diego to explore their journey of transformation in the aftermath of the pandemic. Discover practical strategies for "rewilding" your church—embracing digital innovation, shifting mindsets, and inviting your congregation into the future of ministry. Joining Ryan in this episode are:- Rev. Trudy Robinson, Lead Pastor- Rev. Dr. Hannah Ka, Pastor of Discipleship- Rev. Brittany Juliette Hanlin, Pastor of Connection and Care- Meghan Claussen, Director of Communications 00:00 – Introduction & What’s “Rewilding” the Church?02:26 – Meet the FUMC San Diego Leadership Team04:15 – The Catalyst for Change: Shifting Church Culture07:47 – Visioning Process: How the Journey Began10:08 – Proposals for Ministry Innovation14:10 – From Bible Study to Podcast: Transforming Discipleship18:00 – Digital Evangelism, Workshops & Empowering Congregants22:33 – Overcoming Resistance & Building Buy-In26:39 – Key Performance Indicators: Measuring Engagement29:04 – Defining and Celebrating Success in Today’s Church33:49 – “Rewilding”: Following the Wild Spirit36:29 – Lessons Learned & Language Barriers41:43 – Empowering All Generations for Change44:36 – Takeaways & Next Steps for Your Ministry Find more episodes of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast This episode is sponsored by:- wearesparkhouse.com- umcom.org #ChurchCommunications #ChurchMarketing #DigitalMinistry #RewildingTheChurch #MyComPodcast

Discover how to build a vibrant digital church community that thrives beyond traditional walls in this inspiring episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast! Host Ryan Dunn sits down with Erin Beasley and Sean Stanfield to unpack the story behind The Vine United Methodist Church, a digital United Methodist faith community born out of disaffiliation. Whether you’re starting an online ministry, seeking fresh discipleship strategies, or looking to deepen authentic connections in a digital world, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, innovation, and hope for the future of church communications. Connect with The Vine: https://www.thevineumc.church/ ⏰ CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction: Reimagining Church After Disaffiliation01:45 – The Origin of The Vine: Meeting a Real Need04:14 – Going Global: Leveraging Social Media for Outreach06:08 – Creative Content: Short Sermons, Podcasts, & Tough Topics08:59 – Building Community: Engaging Feedback & Discipleship Pathways11:53 – Online Communion: Creating Sacred Moments Virtually16:40 – From Viewers to Disciples: Inviting Deeper Connection18:38 – Vulnerability Online: Why Digital Spaces Foster Openness21:06 – Branch Groups & ‘Branch Managers’: Small Group Strategies23:10 – Digital Church Planting Models: From Branches to Congregations26:18 – Hot Topics: Church Hurt, Justice, and Connecting the Margins29:30 – Lessons Learned & Advice for Aspiring Digital Ministers33:37 – What’s Next for The Vine? Dreams and Missional Expansion38:06 – Social Media Tactics: Growth on TikTok & Instagram41:09 – Key Takeaways & Episode Close This episode brought to us by: RootedGood.org Cokesbury.com/Call-Response 🔗 Find more resources & episode notes: https://resourceumc.org/mycompodcast

Let's embark on a virtual "road trip" with the creative team from First United Methodist Church Richardson in Texas. Joined by Creative Director Rohini Drake, Engagement Coordinator Mallory Pickering, and Technical Director Tyler Payne, the group shares insights from their summer worship series, "Road Trip," where they traveled to places of spiritual connection—like Hot Springs, Arkansas and the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville—capturing prayer moments, stories, and immersive worship content along the way. Together, they discuss the power of taking church outside its physical walls, forging new connections, and using digital storytelling to engage both local and online faith communities. Buckle up as we dive into inspirational stories, practical content creation tips, and the heart behind connecting congregations in fresh, meaningful ways. Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode: How a multi-stop road trip became an immersive worship series called “Road Trip.” The art of capturing unplanned, authentic faith moments—rain, gratitude toads, and all! Creative techniques for sharing stories across online and in-person platforms. Insights on breaking the walls of the church building and experiencing God’s presence wherever you are. Tips on community engagement and keeping your congregation connected, even from afar. See how the community around FUMC Richardson is engaging project: www.fumcr.com/roadtrip See episode notes and explore other episodes of MyCom: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast This episode is sponsored by: www.RootedGood.org The Progressive Planter: https://www.cokesbury.com/The-Progressive-Planter 

Discover how United Women in Faith is building a thriving online community using human-centered digital ministry design in this insightful episode of the MyCom Church Marketing and Communications podcast.

Struggling with stagnant social media engagement in your ministry? You’re not alone! In this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing & Communications Podcast, host Ryan Dunn unpacks practical strategies to breathe new life into your church’s social media presence. Whether you’re a church leader, communicator, or volunteer, you'll discover actionable insights to boost engagement, connect with your community more meaningfully, and expand your digital reach. Learn why likes and reach might not be the best metrics, how to create content that platforms and people love, and why stories and DMs can become secret weapons for authentic connection. Plus, find out simple ways to make your church more visible and supportive in your digital neighborhood. Key Insights: Rethink your metrics: Focus on shares and link clicks for real impact Make the most of Instagram Stories to engage your community (with or without sound!) Use direct messages strategically to deepen relationships Become an active digital neighbor to boost your church’s visibility Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Facing stagnant social media01:23 – The truth about engagement & platform algorithms03:21 – Rethinking success: Likes, reach, and real value06:06 – Why "prayers get shares" and event promotion tips10:00 – Maximizing Stories: Format, features, and engagement hacks15:04 – Harnessing DMs for meaningful connection17:49 – Be an active digital neighbor: Community engagement18:42 – Recap: Takeaways for revitalizing your practice of ministry Subscribe to stay inspired and get more tools for transforming your church’s communications strategy! Find more resources for your ministry at resourceumc.org.

Rev. Brandon Robbins shares his journey from becoming a parish pastor to flourishing as a YouTube content creator, offering invaluable insights for anyone looking to expand their ministry’s reach online. Discover how Brandon leveraged YouTube to enhance his pastoral work, learn about the challenges and strategies involved in growing an online presence, and get inspired by his story of persistence, passion, and purpose in ministry.

Matt Austin and Matt Patrick of University United Methodist Church in Tulsa share their journey of reimagining church sustainability through alternate income models, space utilization, and unique ventures like their very own coffee trailer in this episode.

Discover strategies for engaging young people in church and embracing digital tools with insights from Kris Sledge and Rachel Gilmore on the latest MyCom podcast episode.

Learn practical strategies for enhancing your church&#8217;s digital communications with expert Katie Allred, founder of Church Communications Group. From managing social media engagement to optimizing YouTube content, discover how to create meaningful two-way conversations with your congregation online. Katie shares insights on effectively using Facebook groups, responding to comments, and leveraging AI for ministry efficiency.<br /> Key Topics:<br /> <br /> * Engaging authentically with social media comments<br /> * Creating searchable YouTube content for ministry<br /> * Using Facebook groups vs pages effectively<br /> * Positioning church content for better reach<br /> * Managing digital community conversations<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> (00:00) &#8220;Digital Tools for Church Communication&#8221;<br /> (04:17) From Harry Potter Forums to Ministry<br /> (09:42) Engage in Social Media Comments<br /> (13:13) Lent 2025 Devotional Guide<br /> (15:24) Encouraging Engaging Church Comments<br /> (18:40) Churches Utilizing YouTube Better<br /> (21:13) Internet Authority: Perception Versus Reality<br /> (26:39) Facebook Group: Deeper Conversations &amp; Networking<br /> (28:08) &#8220;Private Conversations Over Public Debate&#8221;<br /> Find more episodes and episode notes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br /> <br /> <br />

<br /> <br /> It&#8217;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&#8217;t miss this insightful discussion on the complexities of religion in modern society.<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Guide pastors to think like social scientists.<br /> (06:39) Churches largely apolitical; misconceptions about religion exist.<br /> (08:18) Context influences church growth more than efforts.<br /> (17:16) Bridging religious and non-religious through impartiality.<br /> (18:45) The numbers readers care about.<br /> (23:45) Email remains essential, resilient against platform changes.<br /> (28:23) Recommended podcast episodes for digital strategies.<br /> Find more notes and connect with MyCom:<br /> www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br /> #ChurchGrowth #ReligiousTrends #RyanBurge #MyComPodcast #Demographics #StrategicPlanning #ClergySatisfaction #Substack #DataDrivenDecisions #ReligionAndSociety #ReligiousData #Chaplains #CommunityBuilding #AmericanReligion #Podcast<br /> 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.<br /> <br /> <br />

In this episode of MyCom, we&#8217;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.<br /> 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”.<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Reassessing faith communities amidst change and scarcity.<br /> (05:53) Traditional giving model becoming unsustainable for churches.<br /> (07:47) Accelerating church involvement.<br /> (13:08) Focus church activities on mission, not business.<br /> (16:07) Traditional Sunday church attendance is declining.<br /> (18:59) Interview community to identify needs and solutions.<br /> (22:07) Exploring community impressions, strengths, and opportunities.<br /> (24:54) Church ownership shift: considerate property transition discussions.<br /> (28:37) Church donated closed property for housing.<br /> (33:42) Start with community listening before technical aspects.<br /> (35:47) Sell smartly, consider future impact and legacy.<br /> MyCom is produced by United Methodist Communications. Find show notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br />

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&#8217;s visibility and engagement. Perfect for church leaders seeking to adapt to changing tech trends and improve their digital outreach.<br /> Topics Covered:<br /> &#8211; Dan&#8217;s journey from pastoring to podcasting<br /> &#8211; Using improv techniques in ministry<br /> &#8211; Adapting to new technology in church communication<br /> &#8211; Future trends in social media and youth tech use<br /> &#8211; Strategies for engaging sermon content<br /> &#8211; AI tools in ministry and social media strategies<br /> Don&#8217;t miss this insightful conversation that&#8217;s packed with valuable tips for church leaders! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes.<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Celebrating the 100th MyCom episode<br /> (03:23) Dan Wunderlich reflects on his 77 episodes, remote collaboration success.<br /> (07:35) Interviews with diverse professionals broadened my perspective.<br /> (12:11) Balancing creativity with audience preference is key.<br /> (16:13) Strategy became outdated; learning by doing necessary.<br /> (17:27) Early adopter of Facebook for ministry outreach.<br /> (22:41) Gen Z editor excels in trendy video styles.<br /> (23:41) Struggling to condense nuanced messages concisely.<br /> (26:42) Strives for connection by improvising during sermons.<br /> (31:24) Shift towards low-tech, mindful tech use.<br /> (36:13) Future of United Methodist Church: contraction, adaptation, renewal.<br /> (38:24) Episode 100 concluded; next episode in one month.<br /> #DigitalMinistry #ChurchCommunications #ChurchMarketing #TechnologyAndReligion #DigitalOutreach #UnitedMethodistChurch #ImprovInMinistry #SermonPreparation #FutureOfChurch #PodcastingForChurches #SocialMediaStrategy<br />

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.<br /> Tap into practical strategies and insightful discussions featuring Charles Vogl, Dr. Kelly Price, Mike Kim, Nelson Musonda, and Dana Malstaff.<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Crash course in digital ministry and community-building.<br /> (05:27) Value promise essential for audience engagement and retention.<br /> (09:23) Four categories of motivating behavior.<br /> (12:14) Personal brand: ideas, expertise, reputation, personality.<br /> (17:33) Finding questions helps build online spiritual community.<br /> (21:08) Create supportive, engaging posts to influence others.<br /> (25:27) Compelling topics for valuable content<br /> (27:10) Creating valuable, user-focused content by connecting beliefs.<br /> MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.<br /> Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br />

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.<br /> Join us as we explore innovative ways to foster intimacy and inclusivity in online spiritual environments and navigate the complexities of virtual engagement.<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Pastor J.J. Warren&#8217;s digital journey and advocacy.<br /> (03:21) Misconceptions about young people and social media.<br /> (06:43) The pandemic raised questions about online church.<br /> (11:45) Social media as an extension of self.<br /> (15:37) Creating safe digital space for excluded young people.<br /> (19:02) Cultural practices in the Philippines adapting to online.<br /> (23:18) Church offers more agency; relieving stress/anxiety.<br /> (27:26) Create a private space for intimate communication.<br /> (31:12) Virtual gatherings around the world for worship.<br /> (35:12) Proximity and intimacy in virtual private space.<br /> (39:29) Connecting community through intentional online church platform.<br /> (43:01) Setting digital boundaries as a Gen Zer.<br /> MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.<br /> Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br />

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.<br /> Rev. Shane Russo is the founder and lead architect of GoBe.church&#8211;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<br /> Rev. Nathan Webb, AKA &#8220;Nerd Pastor Nate&#8221;, is the founding pastor of Checkpoint Church&#8211;an all-digital ministry for nerds, geeks and gamers. He posts regularly on YouTube at @CheckpointChurch<br /> The Checkpoint Church viral video Nathan and Shane referred to is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZUpgTMhNJc&amp;t=5s<br /> In this episode:<br /> (00:00) Introducing Rev. Ryan Dunn, the new host<br /> (05:40) Juggling physical church with online ministry growth.<br /> (08:03) Transition from Twitch to YouTube reshaped outreach.<br /> (11:44) Elements of organic virality, phenomena, Christian controversy.<br /> (15:38) Experimenting with shorts to build online community.<br /> (19:31) Strategize content and platform usage with purpose.<br /> (22:35) Strategy for using YouTube in growing audience.<br /> (25:30) Pastor discusses controversial topics, aims to inspire.<br /> (28:36) Reluctant to engage online, but considering it.<br /> (36:19) Dealing with toxic comments as vandalism.<br /> (39:40) Channel strives for inclusion, not doormat behavior.<br /> (42:39) Better timing and more strategic content choices.<br /> (44:43) Creating and scheduling content efficiently across platforms.<br /> (48:07) Effortlessly segment and create phenomenal clips.<br /> (51:58) Video optimization and analytics.<br /> (55:03) UMC podcast highlights digital storytelling and leadership.<br /> For more episodes and episode notes: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast<br />

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.<br /><br />  <br /><br />  <br /><br />  <br />

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: <a href="https://umcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317103461585/WN_lIZSl3OmRcO8ykOHW356UA">https://umcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317103461585/WN_lIZSl3OmRcO8ykOHW356UA</a><br /><br />  <br /><br /> Subscribe to MyCom Podcasts on YouTube here: <a href="https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/newsletters-and-podcasts/mycom-newsletter-subscribe">https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/newsletters-and-podcasts/mycom-newsletter-subscribe</a><br /><br />  <br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />  <br /><br /> This MyCom Podcast is brought to you by UMC News, visit <a href="http://www.umnews.org">www.umnews.org</a> to get today’s current news and sign up to get it daily in your inbox!<br /><br />  <br /><br /> Looking for the BeUMC Leader Kit mentioned in the podcast? Find it here: <a href="https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/people-of-god-campaign-new">https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/people-of-god-campaign-new</a><br /><br />  <br /><br /> To see & hear more MyCom content, visit <a href="https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/mycom">https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/mycom</a><br /><br />  <br /><br />  <br /><br />  <br /><br /> #mycom #umc #beumc #unitedmethodistchurch #technology #techtips #outreach #marketingstrategy #marketing #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #socialmediamarketing #churchleadershipresources #churchleadership #ministry #communicationskills #communicationscoaching<br />

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

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