MyCom Church Communications and Marketing

Revitalizing church models and communicating change

In this episode of MyCom Church Communications and Marketing, we’re getting an inspiring story out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Matt Austin and Matt Patrick are co-pastors at University United Methodist Church.  Matt and Matt 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. Plus, they discuss the importance of embracing change, fostering a culture of learning, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're in church leadership or just passionate about community innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

Reaching your next generation: The "Followers Under 40" authors

This episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast explores the evolving relationship between the church and young adults with guests Kristopher Sledge and Rachel Gilmore. As pastors and co-authors of the book "Followers Under 40," they explore how Millennials, Zoomers, and Gen Alpha relate differently to institutions and discuss practices that help in connecting with them.
Kristopher Sledge, lead pastor of the multi-ethnic Journey Church in Harrisburg, PA, and Rachel Gilmore, director of New and Vital Faith for the Desert Southwest Conference, share their insights on understanding youth culture, engaging with social issues, and embracing digital tools. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, listening, and dialogue in reaching the next generation.
The episode also covers practical steps for churches to become more inclusive and relevant, such as creating safe spaces for exploration of faith and identity, and how churches can reimagine their presence in digital spaces to better connect with young and digital-native audiences.
This episode is sponsored by:
Celebrate Wonder Digital Curriculum brings Bible stories to life with interactive lessons that help kids build stronger relationships with God and each other!
Visit cokesburykids.com/celebratewonder to download a sample today!
Find more resources and episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

[103] Mastering Two-Way Church Communication Online with Katie Allred

Learn practical strategies for enhancing your church’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.
Key Topics:
Engaging authentically with social media comments
Creating searchable YouTube content for ministry
Using Facebook groups vs pages effectively
Positioning church content for better reach
Managing digital community conversations
(00:00) “Digital Tools for Church Communication”
(04:17) From Harry Potter Forums to Ministry
(09:42) Engage in Social Media Comments
(13:13) Lent 2025 Devotional Guide
(15:24) Encouraging Engaging Church Comments
(18:40) Churches Utilizing YouTube Better
(21:13) Internet Authority: Perception Versus Reality
(26:39) Facebook Group: Deeper Conversations & Networking
(28:08) “Private Conversations Over Public Debate”
Find more episodes and episode notes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

[102] Data, demographics and church growth with Ryan Burge

It’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’t miss this insightful discussion on the complexities of religion in modern society.
In this episode:
(00:00) Guide pastors to think like social scientists.
(06:39) Churches largely apolitical; misconceptions about religion exist.
(08:18) Context influences church growth more than efforts.
(17:16) Bridging religious and non-religious through impartiality.
(18:45) The numbers readers care about.
(23:45) Email remains essential, resilient against platform changes.
(28:23) Recommended podcast episodes for digital strategies.
Find more notes and connect with MyCom:
www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast
#ChurchGrowth #ReligiousTrends #RyanBurge #MyComPodcast #Demographics #StrategicPlanning #ClergySatisfaction #Substack #DataDrivenDecisions #ReligionAndSociety #ReligiousData #Chaplains #CommunityBuilding #AmericanReligion #Podcast
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.

[101] Rethinking church assets with Mark Elsdon

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

[100] Digital Ministry & Church Marketing Insights with Dan Wunderlich

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’s visibility and engagement. Perfect for church leaders seeking to adapt to changing tech trends and improve their digital outreach.
Topics Covered:
– Dan’s journey from pastoring to podcasting
– Using improv techniques in ministry
– Adapting to new technology in church communication
– Future trends in social media and youth tech use
– Strategies for engaging sermon content
– AI tools in ministry and social media strategies
Don’t miss this insightful conversation that’s packed with valuable tips for church leaders! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes.
In this episode:
(00:00) Celebrating the 100th MyCom episode
(03:23) Dan Wunderlich reflects on his 77 episodes, remote collaboration success.
(07:35) Interviews with diverse professionals broadened my perspective.
(12:11) Balancing creativity with audience preference is key.
(16:13) Strategy became outdated; learning by doing necessary.
(17:27) Early adopter of Facebook for ministry outreach.
(22:41) Gen Z editor excels in trendy video styles.
(23:41) Struggling to condense nuanced messages concisely.
(26:42) Strives for connection by improvising during sermons.
(31:24) Shift towards low-tech, mindful tech use.
(36:13) Future of United Methodist Church: contraction, adaptation, renewal.
(38:24) Episode 100 concluded; next episode in one month.
#DigitalMinistry #ChurchCommunications #ChurchMarketing #TechnologyAndReligion #DigitalOutreach #UnitedMethodistChurch #ImprovInMinistry #SermonPreparation #FutureOfChurch #PodcastingForChurches #SocialMediaStrategy

[99] Engaging with purpose: Best practices in digital ministry

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

[98] Building real church in digital space with J.J. Warren

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

[97] YouTube tools and strategies for churches

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

MyCom Podcast 096 | Understanding AI with Rev. James Lee

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.