Pro Church Podcast With Brady Shearer

Church live streaming is one of the most misunderstood parts of modern ministry. Some see it as a threat, others as a lifeline—but most hold at least a few misconceptions. So in this episode, we’re unpacking the truth, challenging assumptions, and exploring what’s next for digital church.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 8:00 - In-Person vs. Online: What the Data Says 8:53 - Does In-Person Attendance Reduce Online Participation? 10:43 - Is Online Church "Replacing" In-Person Worship? 12:38 - Do People Prefer Online Church? 13:13 - Who Watches Online Church the Most? 14:52 - Key Takeaways 19:50 - Application   IMPORTANT LINKS - How AI & Social Media Are Changing You — Rich Wilkerson Jr. & Sean Cannell — Ep 55: https://youtu.be/SKT24eT9svE?feature=shared   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Almost every church says they preach the Bible, follow Jesus, and care about discipleship. Yet, we all know there’s a big difference between a healthy church and one that’s not. So what sets them apart? That’s what we’re unpacking today—10 key habits that define truly healthy churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Holy Character 4:43 - Hard Work 5:52 - Tender Hearts 9:22 - The Language You Use Becomes The Culture You Build 12:14 - Active Participants Over Passive Spectators 16:00 - Calculated Delusion 19:45 - Devotion Over Dogma 25:44 - Vocal About Values 29:22 - Accountable To The Mission 32:00 - Emphasizing Young People   IMPORTANT LINKS - How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell: https://youtu.be/v6O0USRnwbY   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Sometimes it feels easier to just do the project yourself. But if you’re the only creative your church can rely on, you’re going to hit a ceiling. You need others—and a system to lead them well. That’s where our Rulebook for Leading Church Creative Departments comes in. Let’s walk through it together.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:12 - EMERGENCY MODE: Church Mission = Policy 9:56 - BASIC MODE: Ministry Mission = Policy 15:20 - ADVANCED MODE: Ministry Policy   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Father’s Day is almost here—so here are creative ways your church can celebrate and appreciate dads.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:32 - #1: Don't Make Dads a Caricature 3:27 - #2: Have Fathers Recognize Other Fathers 6:13 - #3: Dad Jokes In Pre-Service Slides 7:20 - #4: Create A Reason For Dad's To Spend Time With Their Families After Church 11:24 - #5: Free Coffee For All Dads 12:12 - #6: Supply Bar 14:18 - #7: Favorite Memories From People On Stage 16:55 - #8: Integrate Acknowledgements For Dads In Different Seasons 20:12 - #9: Incorporate Father's Day Elements, But Don't Design Your Entire Service Around It 21:26 - #10: Dedicate Portion Of Giving That Week To Father-Specific Org 22:12 - How To Approach All Of This On Social   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Need summer social media ideas for your church? These 15 proven posts work—no fancy gear required.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:18 - Kid POV 4:03 - Blown Away Promo 5:35 - Press This Button 7:48 - When You & Your Best Friend Serve On Different Teams 10:21 - Whisper In The Crowd 12:44 - Camera & Paper Prompt 14:46 - Finding Out If There's Youth This Friday 16:11 - What's Your Vision For This Room? 17:26 - What Not To Do During Worship 19:27 - Sorry, I Have Plans 20:24 - I Give Up. Going To Church. 22:15 - POV: You're Late To Service, But You're Favorite Praise Song Is Playing 23:25 - He Won't ☠️ 24:30 - Recharge 26:54 - Volunteer Commitment   IMPORTANT LINK - Kid POV: https://bit.ly/3SdwW8Y - Blown Away Promo: https://bit.ly/4ktHg8N - Press This Button: https://bit.ly/3HgRomN - When You & Your Best Friend Serve On Different Teams: https://bit.ly/3SJMvVX - Whisper In The Crowd: https://bit.ly/3F3gncR - Camera & Paper Prompt: http

If I ran your church’s social media, this is the calendar I’d use. It works across platforms, adapts to your time, and scales with your team.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 8:50 - TUE & THUR: Sermon Clip #1 & #2 17:33 - MON: Quote Post 19:20 - WED: Carousel & Text Thread 23:00 - FRI: YouTube Video + Portrait Post #1 25:35 - SAT: Portrait Post #2 30:30 - EXTRA: Blog Post & Book   IMPORTANT LINKS - Churches keep neglecting *this* social media post: https://youtu.be/3DNs1YYvq2I - The Church Social Media Masterclass: https://youtu.be/t1g6iMRR_Tk - Subscribe to our newsletter [The 167]: https://167.prochurchtools.com/ - SocialSermons: https://www.socialsermons.com/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

For 15 years, the story’s been the same: belief is fading. But new data tells a different story. Not just in America—but across the West. Let’s unpack what’s changing and what the Church should do next.   IMPORTANT LINKS - Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real: https://bit.ly/4cYyCN7 - The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance: https://bit.ly/4jZ3G1j   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

From blah to brilliant—5 quick, proven fixes to instantly level up your church announcements. No overhaul needed, just simple tweaks that make a big difference.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:15 - The Curveball 8:05 - The Callback 13:15 - The Interview 17:31 - The Interaction 22:18 - The Audible   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today on the show: 15 things everyone says your church needs on social media. Spoiler — many don’t matter at all. We’re sorting each one: necessary, nice to have, or nonsense. Let’s cut through the noise.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - Spring Promotions 5:46 - Facebook Group 7:04 - Consistency 8:51 - Photography Of Church Life 11:18 - DM Automation 13:12 - Skit Reels 18:50 - Meta Verified 20:26 - Following & Engaging With Others 23:30 - Sprinkle Promotions 28:40 - Hashtags 31:42 - Sermon Reels 38:24 - Social Accounts For Ministries 40:52 - Ideal Post Timing 43:15 - X Account 44:30 - TikTok/Threads Account   IMPORTANT LINKS - ManyChat: https://manychat.com/ - Stop Saying “Link In Bio”! Say This Instead… : https://youtu.be/wEMYlV4ZvPg   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

This is Church Branding 101. Learn the difference between brand and branding, exercises to define your church’s identity, and whether branding even belongs in ministry.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:02 - The Simplest Way To Understand Branding 3:52 - Brand vs. Branding 5:38 - All Church's Practice Perception Design, Most Just Do It Unintentionally 10:14 - Is Intentionally Practicing Perception Design 'Manipulative?’ 12:50 - Your Church Branding Foundation: Purpose/Mission/Vision/Values   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://prochurchcertified.com - Email us: hello@prochurchtools.com   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Ministry is shifting, and Millennials are stepping into leadership like never before. But without awareness, we risk repeating the mistakes of those before us. Let’s talk about what’s changing and how to navigate it wisely.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 5:20 - Big Idea #1: Creative Culture Vs. Capitalist Culture 10:10 - Big Idea #2: Millennials No Longer Shape Pop Culture 13:15 - Big Idea #3: Millennials Will Repeat Past Leaders’ Mistakes—But Excuse Themselves 17:15 - Big Idea #4: Some Values To Help Us Navigate This New Era 23:53 - Big Idea #5: Mission Over Method   IMPORTANT LINKS - Dupe Photos: https://dupephotos.com - Eden Church: https://www.instagram.com/edenchurchhouston   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

What do you do when your pastor won’t listen? This is a common challenge in churches, and today, we’re sharing five practical approaches to communicate effectively—without being manipulative. These strategies work in churches of all sizes.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:02 - The Principle Of Congruency 10:17 - The Middle Option 16:58 - The Historical Analogy 22:45 - The 'Church Across The Street' Example 30:15 - The Testimony   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

It’s time to check in on the state of religion and Christianity. We’ve gathered key data-backed trends shaping this decade, including the one denomination that’s growing, the strongest force in American religion, and the most common words in new church names. Let’s dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Trend #1: Church Names 9:40 - Trend #2: The One Denomination That's Growing 16:07 - Trend #3: Young Men Are Now As Religious As Young Women 27:19 - Trend #4: The Strongest Force In American Religion   IMPORTANT LINKS - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com/ - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/ - What's In a Name? Trends in Non-Denominational Church Branding: https://bit.ly/4iJfQL9 - The Assemblies of God: A Denomination That May Be Growing: https://bit.ly/43JmYD1 - Are Young Women Leaving Religion Faster than Young Men?: https://bit.ly/4iLkk3N - Non-Denominationa

RIP to these social media strategies—they didn’t make it in 2025. If your church is still using them, it’s time to move on. The good news? Dropping outdated tactics frees you up to focus on what truly works. Let’s break it down.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Followers 10:25 - Publishing Posts To Stories 15:00 - Choosing Quantity Over Quality 23:14 - Ignoring The Value Of The Re-Post 29:25 - Ignoring Consistent Branding   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Our 2025 church camera buying guide is here, featuring the best new options of the year. We’ll break down top picks across mirrorless, cinema, studio, PTZ, and camcorders—plus, grab our downloadable camera catalog.   2025 CAMERA CATALOG HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/best-church-cameras-buying-guide    ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:25 - The Best Budget Mirrorless Camera: Panasonic G7 ($497 USD) 6:33 - The Best Overall Mirrorless Camera: Sony A7C II ($2,198 USD) 12:20 - The Best PTZ Camera Money Can Buy: Sony BRC-AM7 ($12,000 USD) 16:23 - The Best Cinematic PTZ Camera: Sony FR7 ($9,699 USD) 21:30 - The Best Camcorder Money Can Buy: Sony PXW-Z200 ($3,988 USD) 27:40 - The Best Overall Cinema Camera: Sony FX30 ($1,598 USD) 30:45 - The Budget Cinema Camera: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ($995 USD)   IMPORTANT LINKS - Joel W Smith: https://www.joelwsmith.com - The Church iPhone Filmmaking Masterclass: https://youtu.be/6OWGVAuYSEk - Panasonic G7:

Recently, I made a social media discovery I never saw coming. We're calling it a hack, but that doesn't quite capture it. This isn't a shortcut—it actually makes social media more human. And for churches, it's a game changer.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - DM Automation 5:18 - Pushback on DM Automation 10:54 - My Recent Comment On A Post 14:40 - My Test 25:25 - Church Application   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Here’s what’s working for youth groups on social media in 2025. We’re breaking down strategy, post ideas, and the best youth group accounts to follow for inspiration. Let’s dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Guiding Principle #1: Student Driven 9:19 - Guiding Principle #2: Show Don't Tell 14:39 - Post Idea #1: Mic Up Kid 17:42 - Post Idea #2: Disposable 19:55 - Post Idea #3: Broadcast Channels 23:30 - Post Idea #4: Live Performance 29:35 - Post Idea #5: Bible Trivia   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://certified.prochurchtools.com/ - How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell: https://youtu.be/v6O0USRnwbY - cravegeneration: https://www.instagram.com/cravegeneration/ - weareamplifyyouth:https://www.instagram.com/weareamplifyyouth/ - Try This Church Photo Trend ASAP: https://youtu.be/ox4FQ3VKrj0   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Strong teams are the backbone of every thriving church. But let’s be honest—building them isn’t always easy. Today, we’re sharing underrated strategies and practical exercises that can help your church cultivate competent, healthy teams that last.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Guiding Principle #1: Churches Thrive By Developing Talent, Not Just Discovering It. 7:13 - Guiding Principle #2: You Need Both Soft Skills And Hard Skills 9:18 - Hard Skill #1: Complex Made Simple 13:20 - Hard Skill #2: Get A Quick Win ASAP 16:22 - Hard Skill #3: Long Obedience In The Same Direction 19:20 - Soft Skill #1: Known & Needed 23:35 - Soft Skill #2: People Will Do Almost Anything To Not Feel Pain 29:30 - Soft Skill #3: Expanding Your Language Expands Your World. 32:33 - Pro Church Certified Deep Dive   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://certified.prochurchtools.com/ - An Honest Conversation about recruiting volunteers: https://youtu.be/Fiy

Got tough church social media questions? Today, we're tackling the most obscure, specific, and church-centric challenges you won’t find answers to in search engines. Let’s bring clarity to your social strategy!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Tips for creating a modular, welcoming, pinned profile banner? 7:02 - How to boost engagement on new church Instagram pages? 9:22 - How frequently should you be posting? 13:32 - Planting a church soon, what should be doing in the lead up on social? 17:30 - Who should be in front of the camera staff-wise? 20:00 - Why did our Facebook engagement drop suddenly? 22:28 - What do we do with bad comments on our church Instagram page?   IMPORTANT LINKS - Try This Church Photo Trend ASAP: https://youtu.be/ox4FQ3VKrj0 - SocialSermons: https://www.socialsermons.com/ - Exposing Church Social Media Myths!: https://youtu.be/pLOhaisGwTA - Church Social Media Trends For 2025: https://youtu.be/_lFcU5cL42w - Nucleus Insi

Church leadership can be challenging, especially when negativity creeps into your team. Whether it’s one disruptive member or a broader cultural issue, it’s tough to navigate. Today, we’re sharing a practical framework for both preventing and addressing these challenges, based on our combined experiences in ministry and serving churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Set the standard yourself 11:30 - Set the standard for communication 17:24 - Align Behavior And Attitude Issues With Your Church's Core Values And Mission 22:15 - Earn Equity 26:24 - Clarify Expectations   THE 167 NEWSLETTER