The Sidekick Podcast

What are you doing to minister and support caregivers in your community? Who is serving them and supporting them? The reality is that at some point in our life, we are either going to care for others or be cared for. That is why today Jeanette Yates from Text-in-Church joins me to share about what she is doing. And, more importantly how she is supporting caregivers and what your Church can do toda...

AI has taken over the world. While not literally, definitely figuratively. From schools to professionals, everyone is looking into how they can use it in their context. And the same applies to ministers and Churches. What should the Church and ministers do with AI? That is why Mark MacDonald is on the podcast today. Mark is a Church Branding Strategist for  BeKnownForSomething.com , a national Chu...

You can use digital tools to help you so much in your ministry. Today, DK Hammond joins me to talk about how he uses them and what digital tools he uses to create great systems and processes for his Church. In addition, we talk a little about Threads as well.  Subscribe:   ⁠Apple Podcast⁠  |   ⁠Android⁠  |   ⁠Spotify⁠  |  ⁠RSS⁠   ACTION STEPS: What do you think? What questions do you have? Share y...

Whether you know it or not, you are making a difference with your online ministry.  Today, Brooks Talbott comes on the podcast for the first time. He shares about his story and how he got into online ministry, but also what kind of impact they are having at their Church (Compass Church in Texas) and his first thoughts on the Apple Vision Pro. Subscribe:   ⁠Apple Podcast⁠  |   ⁠Android⁠  |   ⁠Spoti...

Ministry is tough work. There are lots to do and not always enough people to carry the load. So, what do you do when you find yourself in this situation?  Today, Justin Nava comes back on the podcast and shares why outsourcing can be a great and viable option for you and your Church.    Subscribe:   ⁠Apple Podcast⁠  |  ⁠Android⁠  |  ⁠Spotify⁠  |  ⁠RSS⁠    ACTION STEPS: What do you think? What ques...

Online Ministry is always changing. What was effective in reaching people online yesterday, may not be effective today. So, what is working? What are some trends that online ministry leaders looking at and doing currently to be effective?  To talk about this, Aaron Magnuson joins Tom to share. Subscribe:   ⁠Apple Podcast⁠  |  ⁠Android⁠  |  ⁠Spotify⁠  |  ⁠RSS⁠   ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! H...

No matter what your ministry is, every ministry needs volunteers. But how do you not only recruit them, but empower them so that they can be long term volunteers? To talk about this, Nick Blevins joins Tom to share how you can do this based on his new book, " The Volunteer Playbook ".   Subscribe:   ⁠Apple Podcast⁠  |  ⁠Android⁠  |  ⁠Spotify⁠  |  ⁠RSS⁠   ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts...

Every week, Churches spend countless hours on 1-2 hours of a Sunday morning. While it's very important to do that, that seems like a lot of hours spent on such a short period of time. What would be ideal is if you could take that Sunday content and supplemental content so that you can encourage people in and outside of your Church and outside beyond Sunday morning. To talk about this, Ben Stap...

Creating systems and processes is so important for ministry. But, how can you create these digitally so that your whole team can communicate effectively and be on the same page? Cory Sullivan joins the podcast to talk about this and how it can help your ministry team minister more effectively.  Subscribe:   Apple Podcast  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  RSS   ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! Where ar...

Can real relationships happen online? They can and Online Discipleship Pastor Justin Herman from Mariner's Church shares 4 specific tools he uses on a regular basis. These tools not only help him reach people online but also develop relationships online as well. Subscribe:   Apple Podcast  |  Android  |  Spotify  |  RSS   ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! What do you think? What others tools...

Did you know that Google is giving non-profits $10,000 a month in FREE money to spend promoting themselves? Yes, it's true. They really do give you that money. It's called the Google Ad Grants. The problem is not everyone knows how to effectively use it. That is why Jesse Carbo with  Digital Missions Project  joins the podcast. He shares different tips and how to get started with Google Ad...

Children's and Youth Ministry has changed a lot over the years. However, one thing that hasn't changed is the importance of effectively communicating to parents. Today, Dan Istvantik from  Youth Ministry Hub  shares the 3 C's of effective communication to families. Discover what they are and start communicating more effectively today! Subscribe:   Apple Podcast  |  Android  |  Spotify...

While social media has been a part of youth ministry since it came about, when Covid hit, social media and online ministry became vital for youth ministers and leaders. Today Brett Talley joins the podcast to share about how youth ministry leaders can practice the ministry of digital presence with teens today. To learn more information about the Orange Conference, click here . Subscribe: Apple Pod...

One of the main criticisms Churches face when texting is that it is often a promotional text or simply a text that doesn't engage people. But texting doesn't have to be that way for Churches. There are ways to create engagement and interaction. See how as Jeanette Yates from Text-in-Church joins me to share. Also, learn more about the Engage Conference here . Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  Andro...

Instagram has been in the social media news a lot lately. However, more for what is upsetting people on social media rather than making it right. So, is Instagram still worth it to use Instagram to engage with your community? Jennifer Benton shares different tips to engage your communion on Instagram. Here are some Instagram accounts to follow and be inspired by: Caleb Row...

Email is a powerful tool for your Church to communicate. However, there are some common mistakes Churches make when emailing people. Today Mark MacDonald is joining me on the podcast to talk about it. He will share tips and tools you can avoid these mistakes and communicate more effectively. You can read the rest of his suggestions here . Mark is a Church Branding Strategist fo...

Even before the pandemic, people were doing online ministry. And while many Churches have made a lot of investments in this area, there are a number of Churches who are now backing off online ministry for a variety of reasons. While it can be frustrating at time, instead of backing off, look at the areas of online ministry you can keep improving and investing in. Today Justin Nava from Nava Church...

Ever since 2016, I have been highlighting some people each year that I have learned from and think you should follow and learn from on social media, as well. You can find the previous years here: 2016 , 2017 2018 , 2019, 2020 , 2021  and 2022. All of the people highlighted have an emphasis on online ministry in some way. Here are the top 6 to seek out in 2023: Jeff Reed and The Church Digital...

The Christmas season is a special time of year. There are lots of celebrations and opportunities to rejoice. And that includes your volunteer leadership team. Christmas is a great time of year to honor and appreciate them. But, how can you do that? Cory Sullivan joins the podcast to share different ideas you can do for your volunteers this Christmas season Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  Android...

The Christmas season is upon us. So, what are you planning on doing this Christmas at your Church? In particular, what are you looking to do for your online community? To talk about this is Jake McNamara, the Online Pastor at The Compass Church in Illinois. Jake shares about what his Church is doing this Christmas season and encourages us that this is possible for any online co...

Leaders should always be learning. In today's podcast Christopher Wesley returns to talk about how leaders can continue to be learn and grow. In fact, he shares 4 different areas of learning. Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  Android |  Spotify | RSS ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! What are the areas of leadership that you grow most from? Where do you need to invest more time into? Share be...

Stan Rodda is back on the podcast! He is the Lead Pastor at Lee's Summit Community Church near Kansas City.  And Stan just led his Church through a slight rebrand. So today we talk about why they choose to rebrand with an updated logo and promotion material. Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  Android |  Spotify | RSS ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! Do you know people who are doing...

Video is vital for your online and social media presence for your Church. But, before there was video, photography was just that. And while video is the "it" thing to post today, having a strong photography presence is really important for your Church. Why is that? Ben Stapley explains in this interview. Ben currently serves as the Executive Pastor at The Life Christian Church and has had a lot of...

Taylor Terpstra has been doing Online Youth Ministry for the past 2 years. In fact, he is the Online Youth Lead at Sandals Church in California. To my knowledge, he is still the only Online ONLY Student Minister. Today we talk about how his ministry has evolved over the past year as it has gone from Online ONLY to more of a Hybrid Student Ministry position. Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  An...

Have you ever had an idea for a book? What did you do with that idea? Robert Carnes has just completed his third book, " The Story Cycle " and joins the podcast to talk about his book, how it came about, what he hopes to accomplish with it and how you, too, can write your own book. Subscribe: Apple Podcast |  Android |  Spotify | RSS ACTION STEPS: Share your thoughts! Have you ever thoug...