Practical Church

Welcome to the Practical Church podcast. 

THE PRACTICAL CHURCH NEWSLETTER

If you're looking for more practical insights to grow in ministry and some free resources, subscribe to the Practical Church newsletter.

And to connect with me online, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram.

MISSION SUPPORT

This episode was brought to you by Mission Support.  Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again!

HERE ARE THE 5 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

• Do not multiply (split) your groups

• All your groups need to run the same (you can have extras, just not groups)

• Push groups a few times a year (ideally during a break)

• Do not try to be all things to all people

• Write an easy to follow group leader guide

SUBMIT A MINISTRY QUESTION

To submit a question for a future episode, head to dylandodson.com/podcast.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

The Church Co

Welcome to the Practical Church podcast. 

THE PRACTICAL CHURCH NEWSLETTER

If you're looking for more practical insights to grow in ministry and some free resources, subscribe to the Practical Church newsletter.

And to connect with me online, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram.

MISSION SUPPORT

This episode was brought to you by Mission Support.  Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again!

HERE ARE THE 5 REASONS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

• You’ve accepted the mindset that ministry has to be hard

• You don’t have a consistent work schedule 

• You don’t have healthy ministry boundaries (phone, email, availability)

• You don’t take (enough) breaks (this includes your weekly rhythms)

• You don’t sleep enough

SUBMIT A MINISTRY QUESTION

To submit a question for a future episode, head to dylandodson.com/podcast.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Welcome to the Practical Church podcast. In this episode, I share 4 tips for starting new things in ministry and why you should be careful about you how talk about your job in public.

THE PRACTICAL CHURCH NEWSLETTER

If you're looking for more practical insights to grow in ministry and some free resources, subscribe to the Practical Church newsletter.

And to connect with me online, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram.

HERE ARE THE 4 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE

• Do your most important work when you’re at your best

• Create consistency in your schedule (yes you have to be flexible, but not 100%)

• Make it a schedule you enjoy

• Walk through of my typical weekly schedule

SUBMIT A MINISTRY QUESTION

To submit a question for a future episode, head to dylandodson.com/podcast.

Recommended Resource

Google Workspace

Welcome to the Practical Church podcast. In this episode, I share 4 tips for starting new things in ministry and why you should be careful about you how talk about your job in public.

THE PRACTICAL CHURCH NEWSLETTER

If you're looking for more practical insights to grow in ministry and some free resources, subscribe to the Practical Church newsletter.

And to connect with me online, you can find me on Twitter and Instagram.

SUBMIT A MINISTRY QUESTION

To submit a question for a future episode, head to dylandodson.com/podcast.

Recommended Resource

Bible Project

Welcome to the final episode of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, Dylan shares 6 things he would tell his original church planting self about church leadership.

Links discussed in this episode:

Subscribe to the Dylan Dodson Church Leadership Podcast

• Apple Podcasts
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Amazon

Want to be on the Dylan Dodson Church Leadership podcast? Click here to submit yourself to be on the show.

Subscribe to the Best Minute Newsletter here.

Click here to access the Growing Your Launch Team Course.

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

While many things may change in ministry, there are some things that need consistency to help your church thrive. In this episode, we discuss 6 of those things.

Welcome to episode 321 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 6 things we discuss in this episode:

• Ministries
• Sermon prep process
• Personal devotions
• Language for connecting, giving, etc.
• Service beginning and ending on time
• Serving expectations

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Leading in ministry requires caring for people. In this episode, we share 7 ways to better shepherd your people.

Welcome to episode 320 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 7 ways we discuss in this episode:

• Initiate meetings with your people
• Ask how you can pray and follow up
• Set reminders to follow up
• Preach to wounded people who want to be there
• Consistent personal spiritual disciplines
• Find ways to communicate church updates with your people
• Online engagement

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Recently, New City Church turned 6 years old. In this episode, Dylan shares 6 church planting reflections on what he has learned over the last 6 years.

Welcome to episode 319 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 6 reflections we discuss in this episode:

• Developing a preaching rhythm takes time
• Be proactive about meeting your people
• Be conscious about time with your family
• Create weekly rhythms
• Have a consistent meeting to share ministry and life
• You cannot compensate for a lack of spiritual practices

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Feeling stuck in ministry? In this episode, we share 7 questions to ask yourself in ministry.

Welcome to episode 318 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the questions we discuss in this episode:

• Would I want to go to this church if I didn't work there
• What would I advise my friend to do about that situation
• Is my problem strategy or execution
• Do I need to try harder or try something different
• Am I willing to look foolish today so I can learn something that will make me better tomorrow
• What if I set a firm deadline and no longer pushed it back
• What do I have planned this week that energizes me

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There are certain assumptions about ministry and pastoring that we don't think are wise. In this episode, we share 7 ministry ideas we reject.

Welcome to episode 317 of Practical Church Planting.

Here are the 7 ideas we discuss in this episode:

• Multiply small groups
• Don't look at people's giving
• Sermon writing can't be done early
• You can't enjoy your job most of the time
• You should always be available
• God will provide (how you want) if you're faithful enough
• Serve where you are gifted

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What are things you can do that actually reduce the number of people who will take next steps at your church? In this episode, we discuss common things churches do (and should change!) that result in fewer sign-ups.

Welcome to episode 316 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 7 ways we discuss in this episode:

• Using specific email addresses
• Making signing up on your website confusing
• Not linking direct URLs in emails/social media/digital
• Not having someone at your connect table
• Sharing things too far in advance
• URL/social media handles are different
• You don't follow up on inquiries (or you do it too slowly)

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There are a lot of pressures and challenges in ministry. In this episode, we share 7 tips on how to reduce stress in ministry.

Welcome to episode 315 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 7 tips we discuss in this episode:

• Consistent preaching prep rhythm
• Creating ministry work boundaries
• Decide when you will and will not meet with people
• Remember: you can only do what you can do
• Take time for physical exercise
• Proactively take advantage of your schedule
• Prioritize space to encourage yourself in ministry

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Ambassadors Ministries

If you wish you had a large paid staff and more leaders that could give dedicated time to the mission of your church, check out Ambassadors Ministries. At no cost to your church, they will coach your leaders to fundraise full, part-time, or supplemental salary and support you in all the administrative tasks of fundraising, so you can remain focused on the hard work of ministry.

Check out ambassadorsministries.com for more information.

Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Did you know that you can also subscribe to the podcast version of Practical Church Planting? Subscribe for free and never miss an episode! Appreciate the podcast? Please leave a rating and review, and even share it to help spread the word! Here’s where you can subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Play
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Amazon

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

There are many different products and services you need for your church. In this episode, we share 9 that we use at New City Church and would recommend.

Welcome to episode 314 of Practical Church Planting.

Here are the 9 products we discuss in this episode:

• Subsplash
• Planning Center
• Clearstream
• Mailchimp
• The Church Co
• Propresenter
• Premier Pro
• Google Workspace
• Sunday Social

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Ambassadors Ministries

If you wish you had a large paid staff and more leaders that could give dedicated time to the mission of your church, check out Ambassadors Ministries. At no cost to your church, they will coach your leaders to fundraise full, part-time, or supplemental salary and support you in all the administrative tasks of fundraising, so you can remain focused on the hard work of ministry.

Check out ambassadorsministries.com for more information.

Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Did you know that you can also subscribe to the podcast version of Practical Church Planting? Subscribe for free and never miss an episode! Appreciate the podcast? Please leave a rating and review, and even share it to help spread the word! Here’s where you can subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Play
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Amazon

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

How do you know when it is time to stop a ministry that is no longer effective? In this episode, we share 6 reasons to help you think through if it is time to close something down.

Welcome to episode 313 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 6 reasons we discuss in this episode:

• You have no one who wants to lead it
• You're more afraid of what someone will say than the actual ministry closing
• There is a gap between what people say and what they do about it
• There is something new you want to do that needs resources
• If it didn't currently exist you wouldn't start it
• You would advise someone else in a similar situation to close it down

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Ambassadors Ministries

If you wish you had a large paid staff and more leaders that could give dedicated time to the mission of your church, check out Ambassadors Ministries. At no cost to your church, they will coach your leaders to fundraise full, part-time, or supplemental salary and support you in all the administrative tasks of fundraising, so you can remain focused on the hard work of ministry.

Check out ambassadorsministries.com for more information.

Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Did you know that you can also subscribe to the podcast version of Practical Church Planting? Subscribe for free and never miss an episode! Appreciate the podcast? Please leave a rating and review, and even share it to help spread the word! Here’s where you can subscribe:

• Apple Podcasts
• Google Play
• Spotify
• Stitcher
• Amazon

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

Things change all the time, so how can you best keep your people in the loop? In this episode, we share 8 ways you can communicate important changes at your church.

Welcome to episode 312 of Practical Church Planting.

Here are the 8 ways we discuss in this episode:

• From stage
• Pre/post & bathroom graphics
• Small group leader guide
• Church email newsletter
• Email from leadership
• All church text
• Social media
• Personal social media

Healthy ministry is ministry that can last over the long haul. In this episode, we share 6 things you can do to help you make it.

Welcome to episode 311 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 6 ways we discuss in this episode:

• Give yourself clear end times on sermon prep
• Take email off your phone and check it less
• Have clearly defined ministry boundaries
• have a robust spiritual life
• Consistent sleep patterns
• Time away from your phone every day

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Mission Support

Mission Support knows you want to be effective in ministry, but if you are like most pastors you probably feel like you never have enough time, energy or expertise to get everything done.

We come alongside pastors like you as a guide to provide the expertise to do the things you don’t know how to do and give you back the time you desperately need.

So whether it is bookkeeping, SEO, Payroll, websites or one of our other services, talk with a guide today at missionsupport.com and go from feeling scattered to focused on your mission.  It’s possible to love being a pastor again.

P.S. Tell them you heard about Mission Support from Practical Church Planting and you’ll get 10% off your product or service.

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Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. For free resources to help you plant a church that thrives, check out practicalplanting.com. 

You can also watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

We all want to engage people with the Gospel. In this episode, we share 7 ways to engage more people on Sunday mornings.

Welcome to episode 310 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 7 things we discuss in this episode:

• Encourage new guests to try you multiple times
• Encourage/challenge your people to make their local gathering a priority
• Acknowledge the feelings of a new guest in your follow up process
• Sunday specific events
• Improve your gathering environment
• Tell your people your desire
• Give more responsibilities to people

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Mission Support

Mission Support knows you want to be effective in ministry, but if you are like most pastors you probably feel like you never have enough time, energy or expertise to get everything done.

We come alongside pastors like you as a guide to provide the expertise to do the things you don’t know how to do and give you back the time you desperately need.

So whether it is bookkeeping, SEO, Payroll, websites or one of our other services, talk with a guide today at missionsupport.com and go from feeling scattered to focused on your mission.  It’s possible to love being a pastor again.

P.S. Tell them you heard about Mission Support from Practical Church Planting and you’ll get 10% off your product or service.

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Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. For free resources to help you plant a church that thrives, check out practicalplanting.com. 

You can also watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

There are certain assumptions about ministry we may hold that simply aren't true. In this episode, we discuss 6 of them.

Welcome to episode 307 of Practical Church Planting. 

Here are the 6 false assumptions we discuss in this episode:

• Waiting is inherently more holy
• Sermon prep must be done on Saturday
• What you want to do is "wrong"
• Your church will be a lot different
• You need a compelling reason to plant a church in your area
• Quick changes are always bad

----------------------------------------

Mission Support

Mission Support knows you want to be effective in ministry, but if you are like most pastors you probably feel like you never have enough time, energy or expertise to get everything done.  

Mission support comes alongside pastors like you as a guide to provide the expertise to do the things you don’t know how to do and give you back the time you desperately need. 

So whether it is bookkeeping, SEO, Payroll, websites or one of our other services, talk with a guide today at missionsupport.com and go from feeling scattered to focused on your mission. It’s possible to love being a pastor again. 

P.S. Tell them you heard about Mission Support from Practical Church Planting and you'll get 10% off your product or service.

CONNECT AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. For free resources to help you plant a church that thrives, check out practicalplanting.com. 

You can also watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

In this episode, we answer ministry questions asked in our Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Welcome to episode 308 of Practical Church Planting. 

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Mission Support

Mission Support knows you want to be effective in ministry, but if you are like most pastors you probably feel like you never have enough time, energy or expertise to get everything done.

We come alongside pastors like you as a guide to provide the expertise to do the things you don’t know how to do and give you back the time you desperately need.

So whether it is bookkeeping, SEO, Payroll, websites or one of our other services, talk with a guide today at missionsupport.com and go from feeling scattered to focused on your mission.  It’s possible to love being a pastor again.

P.S. Tell them you heard about Mission Support from Practical Church Planting and you’ll get 10% off your product or service.

-------------------------------

Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

-------------------------------

Connect and never miss an episode

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. For free resources to help you plant a church that thrives, check out practicalplanting.com. 

You can also watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.

As we begin a new year, we are back with our third annual church predictions. In this episode, we share 5 predictions for 2023.

Welcome to episode 307 of Practical Church Planting. You can watch this episode below, or subscribe to the podcast and get our episodes delivered right to you.

Here are the predictions we discuss in this episode:

• Short vertical videos should be your prioritized social media content
• Churches that embrace hybrid ministry while emphasizing in-person community will do well
• Churches that consistently have 40+ minute sermons will struggle
• Livestream is the biggest front-door opportunity for your church
• Churches must allow staff to do freelance/side jobs if they want

-------------------------------

Mission Support

Mission Support knows you want to be effective in ministry, but if you are like most pastors you probably feel like you never have enough time, energy or expertise to get everything done.

We come alongside pastors like you as a guide to provide the expertise to do the things you don’t know how to do and give you back the time you desperately need.

So whether it is bookkeeping, SEO, Payroll, websites or one of our other services, talk with a guide today at missionsupport.com and go from feeling scattered to focused on your mission.  It’s possible to love being a pastor again.

P.S. Tell them you heard about Mission Support from Practical Church Planting and you’ll get 10% off your product or service.

-------------------------------

Join the Practical Church Academy

For more in-depth and highly practical ministry training, check out the Practical Church Academy today.

Connect and never miss an episode

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. For free resources to help you plant a church that thrives, check out practicalplanting.com. 

You can also watch the video version of the podcast on our YouTube channel.

Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Want want to go even deeper to get the training you need to lead a church that thrives? Join the Practical Church Academy.