Practical Church

We all want our worship services to be as distraction-free as possible, but how do we turn that aspiration into a reality? In this episode, we share 7 things you can do to have smoother services. Welcome to episode 262 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the 7 tips we discuss in this episode: Service run through Consistent service run through time Sermon slides ready before Sunday Print sermon...

James Clear writes, "you do not rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems." So how can we ensure we have the proper systems to hit our aspirations? In this episode, we shave six systems you should have in place to improve your ministry. Welcome to episode 261 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the 6 systems we discuss in this episode: Preaching Follow up Task/requ...

Free does not always mean you should use it. Sometimes free can cost you more money in the long run. But in this episode, we share 9 free resources that your church can use with confidence. Welcome to episode 260 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the 9 free resources we discuss in this episode: Todoist Google Workspace OBS Logos Practical Church Planting resources: Sermon series artwork, new...

All of us in ministry lead people older than us. The younger you are, the more intimidating this can be. In this episode, we share with you seven tips on how to better lead those older than you. Welcome to episode 259 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the seven tips we discuss in this episode: Your age is a bigger deal to you than to them Cool and hip isn't a positive Be conscious of what yo...

In a time when church involvement continues to shift, how can we know if we are actually engaging our people well? In this episode, we share six church metrics you can track that show if your people are engaged with your church. Welcome to episode 258 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the six metrics we discuss in this episode: Group attendance Giving units Giving unit average Number of uniqu...

As we begin a new year, we are back with our second annual church predictions. In this episode, we share 9 predictions for 2022. Welcome to episode 256 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the predictions we discuss in this episode: Churches that engage their people the best during the week will see the most numerical growth Growth in giving will outpace growth in attendance Bible teaching will...

As we come to the end of 2021, we look back on our 2021 church predictions. How did we fare? Find out in this episode. Welcome to episode 256 of Practical Church Planting. 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 watc...

We all know engaging people online is important, but what are some of the best ways to do that? In this episode, we share six types of online content your church can create to reach more people. Welcome to episode 255 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six types of content we discuss in this episode: Sermon Clip Bible in a minute Online Bible Study Bible characters/topics Bottom line grap...

We all want to help people grow closer to Jesus, but how can we know whether or not that is happening? In this episode, we share seven different ways you can know whether or not disciples are being made in your church. Welcome to episode 254 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the seven measurements we discuss in this episode: Groups Financial giving Attendance Bible reading plans Serving Memb...

There are a lot of things needed when planting a church, but are some of the most important things? In this episode, we share 4 in particular that new churches need in order to be healthy. Welcome to episode 253 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the four key things we discuss in this episode: Discipleship plan Outside counsel Elder process Church Budget CONNECT AND NEVER MISS AN EPISODE Be su...

We all know the discouragement of people no longer coming to our churches. In this episode, we share six reasons in particular that often lead to people no longer coming (and what you can do about it). Welcome to episode 252 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six reasons we discuss in this episode: The preaching is not engaging They are not welcomed They are not followed up with There is...

Mistakes are bound to happen, but what about ones that are easily avoidable? In this episode, we share six common mistakes churches make. Welcome to episode 251 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six mistakes we discuss in this episode: Non-geographically targeted Facebook ads Not uploading separate, sermon only video Not updating their website Not giving people time to turn in their Bibl...

Healthy additional staff raise support to join your church's staff is a great way to grow your staff team and help you build a healthy church. Welcome to episode 250 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six tips we discuss in this episode: Ask people to raise support Avoid giving all responsibilities away until full support is raised Raise support for full time or part time, but make it cle...

You have to pick songs every week for your weekend service(s), but is it possible to do it in a more effective and helpful way? In this episode, we share six tips for choosing songs for your weekend service. Welcome to episode 249 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the six steps we discuss in this episode: Get ahead in sermon prep Go over your sermon with your worship leader Use a song bank Co...

With all that goes on in vocational ministry, it can be easy to lose sight of things. In this episode, we share six important reminders for pastors and church leaders. Welcome to episode 248 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six reminders we discuss in this episode: You are not cool You will not save your city You're willingness to be vulnerable will determine how lonely you feel You wil...

Most churches have some sort of group structure. So how do we get more people to sign up and engage in your groups? In this episode, we share eight practical tips for more small group sign ups at your church. Welcome to episode 247 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 eight tips we di...

You're in vocational ministry because you want to help people experience and know Jesus. So how can you help more people do that? In this episode, we share six underrated church growth strategies. Welcome to episode 246 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the six strategies we discuss in this episode: A consistent preaching prep schedule Automated follow-up process Acknowledge new people with a...

We all know that ministry can be full of distractions. Many external, but many self-imposed distractions as well. So what we can we do about them? In this episode, we share seven simple ways to overcome distractions in ministry. Welcome to episode 245 of Practical Church Planting. You can watch this episode below, or  subscribe to the podcast  and get our episodes delivered right to you. CONNECT A...

While there are many helpful things churches should do to engage people with the Gospel, there are also things to avoid. In this episode, we share six unhelpful things you and your church should not do. Welcome to episode 244 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the six things we discuss not doing in this episode: Think social media is the best way to keep your church informed about upcoming ev...

One of the best ways to keep your church up to date with what is happening at your church is through a church newsletter. But can you make and send one people will actually read? In this episode, we share seven tips to make your newsletters more effective. Welcome to episode 243 of Practical Church Planting. You can watch this episode below, or  subscribe to the podcast  and get our episodes deliv...

We all want more leaders in our churches, but how can we get more of them? In this episode, we share seven tips for building leaders in your church. Welcome to episode 242 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the seven tips we discuss in this episode: Invite them to take a step Give away responsibility Setup quick feedback loops You must be willing to let it go Make no promises have the courage...

While preparing for sermons takes a lot of work, does it have to feel like hard work? In this episode, we share five tips to make your sermon prep seem effortless. Welcome to episode 241 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the five tips we discuss in this episode: Create a consistent schedule Get ahead Talk through your sermon with others Plan your series out ahead of time Invest in your start...

Ministry can be hard, but it doesn't always have to be as hard as we make it. In this episode, we share seven things you can do that will make your life in ministry easier. Welcome to episode 240 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 seven things we discuss in this episode: Get ahead...

If we were to plant New City today, what are the things we would focus on? In this episode, we share seven things church planters (and existing churches) should do. Welcome to episode 239 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the seven things we discuss in this episode: Upload sermon audio and video from day one YouTube Preach through books of the Bible Weekly newsletter Monthly non-churchy even...

There are many ideas in ministry that sound good on the surface but aren't actually true. In this episode, we discuss five popular ministry ideas that are wrong. Welcome to episode 238 of Practical Church Planting.  Here are the five wrong ideas we discuss in this episode: All you have to do is be faithful Theological training is overrated Your meeting space isn't that important Preaching the Gosp...