Practical Church

How can you make the most of a church planting network? Welcome to welcome to episode 187 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we share 7 things you can do to get the most out of a church planting network. We discuss: Don't pick a network based on what you can get from them Pick a network you believe in Commit to network gatherings/events Proactively find ways to serve and support the ne...

How can you find leaders for your new church plant? Welcome to welcome to episode 186 of Practical Church Planting.  In this episode, we talk about seven qualities that can help you determine current and future leaders for your launch team and church plant. We discuss: Uninitiated desire to help Initiated excitement to help People who do more (or better) than asked Financial giving to the church B...

It's impossible to know everything there is to know about planting a church before you do it. Welcome to welcome to episode 185 of Practical Church Planting.  In this episode, we discuss these five things that church planters often don't think about before planting: What they want the church to look like in three years The long-term importance of outside support Clearly defining your spouse's role...

What changes should be made to your church's finances when crisis hits? Welcome to welcome to episode 184 of Practical Church Planting.  All churches face financial difficulties at some point. Given COVID-19, many churches are experiencing crisis together. In this episode, we discuss these six tips for budgeting your church's finances during crisis: Be proactive Anxiety increases where budgeting d...

What have we taken away from being online only for over 3 months? Welcome to welcome to episode 183 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we discuss these 5 reflections as we get ready to regather in person on Sunday for the first time on over 3 months: Online church isn't church Sunday's are not just about the service The Sunday gathering leads to other opportunities Focus on your solid...

What causes some churches to grow while others stagnate or decline? Welcome to welcome to episode 182 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we discuss these four characteristics that growing churches typically have in common: They have a realistic financial plan and stick to it There is seasoned leadership influencing big decisions The staff is bought into the mission They have relationsh...

Should you live stream your church service? Welcome to welcome to episode 181 of Practical Church Planting.  As churches across the country slowly begin to regather in person, should you throw up a camera and live stream your service? After all, you've been doing online-only services for a while. In this episode, we discuss these six reasons why we don't think that's the best idea. A bad looking l...

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to loosen, when should your church gather again in person? Welcome to welcome to episode 180 of Practical Church Planting.  In this episode, we discuss these six reasons why you may not want to regather in person as quickly as you can: A higher-quality online service may be better than a low-quality in-person service + a low-quality online service Loosening your rest...

Developing these skills will help you be a more effective pastor in our culture today. Welcome to welcome to episode 178 of Practical Church Planting. Skills are abilities that can be developed and improved. In this episode, we discuss these six vital skills we all need to be effective pastors in our world today: Face to face conversations about difficult topics Always reply to your emails A syste...

Here are some helpful things to think about as we move through COVID-19. Welcome to welcome to episode 178 of Practical Church Planting.  As we consider what gathering as a church might look like in the coming months, you will hear a lot of varying thoughts an ideas. As you prayerfully make important decisions, we discuss these six things you'll want to consider: What people say they will do and w...

If you want your full-time salary to come from your church, you need an actual plan to get there. Welcome to welcome to episode 177 of Practical Church Planting. If your desire is to not be a bi-vocational church planter and instead work full-time on and in your church, you need a plan to get there. Assuming "I'll get there when the church can afford to pay me" is a sign that you'll never actually...

Want to make your online service more engaging? Welcome to welcome to episode 176 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we discuss these seven things you can do to create a more engaging online service: Use two service hosts Use different shots/service elements Ask people to comment and share Have one service time (and pick a good time) Use a close shot of the pastor Include main points o...

What can you do to increase giving when it is down? Welcome to welcome to episode 175 of Practical Church Planting.  What can you do when finances are tight and giving is down? In this episode, we discuss these seven practical things you can do to increase giving at your church: Be honest about where your church is at financially Give people a reason to be hopeful for the future Share stories of h...

Here are some things you can do to improve your online service during COVID-19. Welcome to welcome to episode 174 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we discuss these 8 things you can do to create an even better online service: Go live or use premier at a set time so people can watch together Prioritize the initial stream Have a countdown timer Don't aim to recreate the same looking Sun...

How can you lead your church well during the pandemic? Welcome to welcome to episode 173 of Practical Church Planting. In the midst of so much uncertainty, churches have a lot to figure out. In this episode, we discuss these four things you can do to help lead your church well during this time: Assume nothing will return back to normal for 3 months Your digital response will heavily impact your ph...

How can you best preach to an online audience? Welcome to welcome to episode 172 of Practical Church Planting. During the coronavirus pandemic when all of us are preaching to an online audience, we discuss these eight tips for a better online experience: Look into the camera the whole time Don't acknowledge your feelings about it Don't forget about the children Set the camera at eye level Display...

Here are some practical things your church can try as we move online during the coronavirus. Welcome to welcome to episode 171 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we share feedback on the new things we tried this week, as well as new ideas to try in the weeks to come. Connect and never miss an episode Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. Have...

Here are some practical things your church can try as we move online during the coronavirus. Welcome to welcome to episode 170 of Practical Church Planting.  We discuss these nine things your church could do or try during the coronavirus: Pre-record and post sermon as live using OneStream 5-minute devotionals Resources pages on the church website Online prayer gathering Online communion Coronaviru...

Learn some of the best tips for effective fundraising. Welcome to welcome to episode 169 of Practical Church Planting.  In this episode, I (Dylan) have a conversation with Jordan Penley, one of the best fundraisers I know. In this episode, you'll get tips and advice on the best way to raise financial support. Want more help with fundraising? Connect with Jordan Penley at JordanPenley.com . Connect...

Consistent gatherings pre-launch are vital for a healthy new church. Welcome to welcome to episode 169 of Practical Church Planting.  In order to have effective outreach events as you serve the community and build a launch team, they need to be built around, not be in place of, consistent launch team gatherings. Connect and never miss an episode Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical...

How can you create values for your church that your church actually values? Welcome to welcome to episode 168 of Practical Church Planting.  How can you ensure the values you have for your church are actually values your church holds and accomplishes? In this episode, we discuss these four tips for effective core values: Limit how many you have Make the memorable Attach values to your behaviors Tw...

Being overwhelmed shouldn't be a given in ministry. Welcome to welcome to episode 166 of Practical Church Planting.  It's commonplace to hear how "busy" everyone seems to be. The problem, however, is that when you read the Gospels you never get the sense that Jesus was every rushed or busy. This means being overwhelmed is not a badge of honor. In this episode, we discuss these four reasons why pas...

There is always a lot to do in ministry. Here are some tips for how you can be more productive. Welcome to welcome to episode 165 of Practical Church Planting.  Most people would say they want to be more productive, but often feel overwhelmed by all they have to do. In this episode, we discuss five easy tips you can implement right away to help you be more productive. Click here to read Dylan's bl...

Here are some resources we have found helpful. Welcome to welcome to episode 164 of Practical Church Planting.  There are a lot of helpful tools and resources for churches. In this episode, we briefly discuss 13 different resources we use at New City Church that might be helpful to you and your church. We discuss these 13 resources: Planning Center Propresenter Nucleus (web & social) Acts 29 Quick...

What i s your sermon prep process like? Welcome to welcome to episode 163 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we share what Dylan's sermon prep process looks like. No matter what yours may look like, you need a process if you want to preach the best sermons you can. Connect and never miss an episode Be sure to subscribe to the podcast to get practical tips delivered right to you. Have q...