Pro Church Podcast With Brady Shearer

03It’s a new year, so let’s dive into the top social media trends for 2025! We’re tracking six key trends that could shape how your church engages online. And trust us, the first one is a game-changer you’re probably not expecting.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - The Anti-Trend 3:25 - The Period Of Stagnation 11:06 - The TikTok Ban15:55 - Social For Search 25:05 - Social For Market Research 32:30 - AI Memes   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today, we sit down with Jay Kranda, the online pastor of Saddleback Church since 2013. As one of the pioneers of online ministry since the early 2000s, Saddleback has developed unconventional approaches to online church—challenging the conventional wisdom in fascinating ways.   IMPORTANT LINKS - Jay Kranda: https://www.jaykranda.com/ - Alpha Omega Digital Tool To Help Your Church: https://bit.ly/3DdCyLX - Online Church Is Not the Answer by Jay Kranda: https://www.jaykranda.com/mybook   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Let’s address some unpopular truths about church online—conversations many avoid but need to have. By confronting these realities, we can better focus our church's efforts and resources for greater impact.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - Aesthetic Mismatch 8:08 - Social Media Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint 10:22 - Reaching Locally By Going Broadly 13:15 - Criticism Comes With Social Media 16:15 - You Can’t Outgrow Your Growth 19:04 - Tracking Posts to Guest Visits Is Impossible 24:24 - Boring Posts Often Perform The Best   IMPORTANT LINKS - Social Media Hate: How Churches Should Respond!: https://youtu.be/mznF4GqFKJI   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Smaller churches can grow without a big budget—using just seven essential tools! These zero-cost marketing strategies are designed to help you reach more people effectively. Sound too good to be true? Let us show you how it’s done.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:55 - Annual Bridge Events 9:53 - Viral For Me Clips On Social 11:30 - Get More People In Your Building Beyond Sunday Service 18:19 - Google Ad Grants & SEO 20:25 - Follow-back On Social & Like Their Content  22:15 - Build An Invite Culture   IMPORTANT LINKS - Google Gives Churches $10K in Free Ads: No Catch?: https://youtu.be/cdWrWtTgxkM - Google Business Profile for Church [Master Guide]: https://youtu.be/TEo6tDNYt5g   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Some of the world's best creative tools are deeply discounted - and sometimes even free - for churches and non-profits. But how do you access these discounts and what are the eligibility requirements? Today, we've compiled a list of the top 20 free and discounted software platforms and creative tools for churches and non-profits.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:46 - Resolve 3:39 - Nucleus Free Website Makeovers 5:29 - Canva For Non-Profits 8:04 - Blackmagic Camera App 9:23 - iPhone Camera App 10:17 - Adobe Creative Cloud 13:50 - Quickbooks 14:30 - Microsoft Office 14:56 - Zoom 15:49 - Google Ad Grant 16:13 - Google Workspace 17:20 - Calendly 18:11 - Buffer 18:40 - Vista Social & Bonfire 19:15 - Miro 19:32 - 1Password 22:35 - Trello 23:00 - ClickUp 24:08 - Notion 24:20 - Dropbox 24:42 - Auphonic   IMPORTANT LINKS - Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/davinciresolve - Nucleus Free Website Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/

Church announcements often go unnoticed—but there's a proven formula for making them memorable and impactful. Many churches miss the mark, so today, we're here to help! We’ll craft announcements for ten real church events, demonstrating exactly how it’s done.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Youth Summer Beach Bonfire 7:42 - Praise In The Park 13:23 - First Steps Class 19:37 - VBS Theme 25:17 - Serve Day 26:47 - Summer Discipleship Groups 27:56 - Monthly Worship Night   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Handling negative comments online has evolved—especially for churches, where religious topics can spark intense reactions. So, should you delete, engage, or ignore? Today, we're sharing the best practices to help you manage these situations effectively.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - The Two Eras Of Social 12:45 - Your Options 13:03 - When To Delete 14:33 - Your Options [Continued] 17:00 - The Pin & Respond Strategy 30:40 - Responding To Negative Reviews On Google   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Stage nerves are something we all face, whether it's during a sermon, an announcement, or even a prayer. Today, we’re sharing our top tips, principles, and techniques to help you speak with confidence on stage at church.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Proximity Principle 6:00 - Pitch, Pace, & Pause 13:00 - The Power Of Storytelling   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

More churches in America are closing each year than opening. Today, we're sitting down with our friend Ryan Burge whose church, after over 150 years, made the difficult decision to close its doors earlier this year. We’ll hear their story firsthand and explore the broader implications of this growing trend for the future of Christianity in America.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Ryan’s Church Story 7:40 - Changing Religious Demographic Trends 14:29 - Culpability vs Innocence 22:00 - Process Of Closing A Church 28:40 - Where Are You Finding Hope Right Now   IMPORTANT LINKS - As a pastor I pray my flock comes back… | Religion News: https://bit.ly/48c9Rub - An Illinois church closes its doors as religion declines in the US | AP News: https://bit.ly/4dOuqhx - In small-town Illinois, a little church says goodbye | Religion News: https://bit.ly/4hapdDw - How do you close a church? Ryan Burge learned firsthand | Deseret News: https://bit.ly/4harxd

Looking for fresh social media ideas for your church? Today, we've got over 20 unique post ideas your church probably hasn’t tried yet! Even better, these ideas can be repeated every year. Just imagine—set the dates, and the planning is done! Trust us, you haven’t used these before.    ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:23 - Alex’s Audible 6:41 - First Day Of Spring, Summer, Fall, And Winter 9:38 - National Coffee Day 12:04 - Famous Food For Your Church 15:26 - National Technology Day 17:58 - National Sons/Daughters/Parents Day 19:27 - National Father Daughter Take A Walk Day 22:13 - National Plant A Flower Day 23:25 - Black History Month 24:59 - National Awkward Moments Day 26:29 - National Day Of Prayer 29:39 - National Tweed Day 30:48 - National Vitamin C Day 32:07 - National Pet Day 33:09 - National Foster Care Month 34:29 - National Candy Corn Day 36:23 - National Buy Nothing Day 39:31 - National Grammar/Punctuation Day 40:34 - National Thesaurus

Did you know Google offers non-profits, including churches, up to $10,000 in free monthly ad grants? That’s right—$10K to spend on ads for your church! But what’s the catch? Today, we’re joined by Brady Sticker from Church Candy, who manages these campaigns for churches, to break it all down.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:13 - What Is The Catch? 2:43 - What Are The First Steps To Get Signed-Up? 7:21 - Once You’re Validated, What Do You Do First? 11:53 - Is It Reasonable To Spend That Much Money On Ads With Low Click Through Rates? 13:48 - How To Write An Effective Google Ad? 18:28 - Is Searching ‘Church Near Me’ The Highest Searched Thing? 27:33 - How Do Ads Different Between Evergreen Events And Seasonal Events?   IMPORTANT LINKS - Google Ad Grants: https://www.google.ca/grants/ - Launch Big by Brady Sticker: https://amzn.to/3ZP1x1u - ChurchCandy: https://churchcandy.com/ - Brady Sticker IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradysticker/ - ChurchCand

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we’ve compiled a list of ways your church can show love to your pastor. Some ideas are free, others cost a little, and a few are out-of-the-box, but they’ll all make your pastor feel valued. Plus, we’ll dive into the surprising history and origins of Pastor Appreciation Month!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Idea #1: Aura Digital Frame 3:18 - Bonus: Origin Of Pastor Appreciation Cay 8:40 - Idea #2: Handwritten Notes 9:02 - Idea #3: Video Thank You Card From Kids 10:51 - Idea #4: Gift Cards To A Favorite Restaurant Or Store 12:42 - Idea #5: Plan A Night Out 17:40 - Idea #6: Hobby-Related Gifts 19:23 - Idea #7: Home Improvements 20:46 - Idea #8: Award Ceremony "The Clergies" 22:40 - Idea #9: Select Subscription Service 28:26 - Idea #10: Car Detailing   IMPORTANT LINKS - Aura Frames: https://auraframes.com - Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com - Audible: https://www.audible.com/ - The Roasters Pack: h

Recruiting church volunteers often feels desperate, leaving people feeling guilted into serving. But to do it right, there are three key stages: recruit, train, and celebrate. Today, we'll cover proven techniques that any church can use to make the process smoother—and even do much of the heavy lifting for you.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - How To Recruit 12:40 - How To Train 21:57 - How To Celebrate   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today, we're sharing some sermon series ideas we believe every church should consider for 2025—with a unique twist in how they were generated. These ideas are Biblically based, timely, and versatile, making them perfect for any ministry, regardless of size or denomination.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:22 - More Singles 11:48 - Fewer Parents 18:09 - The Gender War Within Gen Z 25:02 - The Nones Have Hit A Ceiling 31:01 - Fewer Close Friends Than Ever   IMPORTANT LINKS - Share of 40-year-olds in US who have never married reaches new high | Pew Research Center: https://pewrsr.ch/3ZcvisN - Millennials aren’t having kids. Here’s why. | The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/3XEYO9y - Many Gen Z Men Feel Left Behind. Some See Trump as an Answer. | The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/4e18P6v - The Nones Have Hit a Ceiling | Ryan Burge: https://bit.ly/4ehZ1Vm - Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life | The Survey Center on American

Every week, we send photographers to churches worldwide with a detailed shot list, etiquette guidelines, and gear recommendations. Today, we’re sharing all of that with you, along with example galleries from real churches to show what a successful church photoshoot looks like. Welcome to The Definitive Church Photography Shot List!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Definition Of A Successful Church Photoshoot 7:00 - What To Bring 12:30 - Shot List 19:24 - Rules & Etiquette   IMPORTANT LINKS - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers - Photo Gallery #1: https://prochur.ch/3Zay2qq - Photo Gallery #2: https://prochur.ch/4dOO3XB - Photo Gallery #3: https://prochur.ch/4dQPsNn   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

If you're a pastor or church leader juggling social media duties, this video is for you! We’re sharing five repeatable Instagram Stories frameworks that you can use every week. These tried-and-true methods are highly engaging and have stood the test of time for over five years. Plus, we’re offering step-by-step downloadable guides to make it even easier.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - The Slider Select 7:18 - The Irresistible Question 12:15 - The Poll Precursor 17:24 - Tuesday Trivia 22:38 - The Alley-Oop   IMPORTANT LINKS - The Busy Pastor's Guide to Instagram Stories DOWNLOAD: https://prochur.ch/4cCiEGp   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Noticed a drop in your church's Instagram Story views? You're not alone, and we know why. It’s not a mystery, and better yet, we can fix it! In this video, we’ll cover eight reasons your church’s Instagram Stories are flopping—and how to turn it around.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Instagram Has Different Algorithms 4:02 - What Should We Prioritize On Stories? 8:09 - Viewing History 15:27 - Engagement History 21:03 - Closeness 26:50 - What Are Best Practices For Links In Stories? 31:42 - Best Practice In The Previous Era Is Worst Practice In The Current Era 37:43 - How Can We Take Advantage Of The Fact That Stories Expire?   IMPORTANT LINKS - The 3 Rules for Church Social Media Managers: https://youtu.be/XQCQkucazGg - “Add to Favorites” DOWNLOAD: https://prochur.ch/3Mc9963   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Your church’s website isn’t always the first stop for online visitors. Often, they’ll see your Google Business Profile first—the widget in Google search and maps with photos, contact info, and reviews. If this isn’t optimized, visitors might never reach your site. In this video, we dive into the essentials of Google Business Profiles for churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:12 - How Do Churches Claim Their Google Business Profil 4:00 - Filling Out Your Basic Info 6:28 - Crucial Steps For A Great First Impression: Photos 16:45 - Crucial Steps For A Great First Impression: Reviews 22:33 - Questions & Answers 26:00 - Special Considerations   IMPORTANT LINKS - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Having a host is one of the best ways to truly elevate a church service. But what exactly is a host and what do they do? In this video, we'll break down the 7 essential things every church needs to know about hosting. Plus, if you're hesitant, we've got word-for-word script options for you to use.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - What Is A Host? 1:20 - What Is The Goal Of A Host? Why Does "Fluidity" Matter? 7:26 - Connecting Pieces Behind The Scenes 12:59 - Pushback: Is This Not Just A Modern Church Invention Coming From The Secular World? 15:49 - Scripting Options 21:10 - Host Behaviour   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

03Is your church guilty of these 10 visitor-repelling behaviors? We've compiled real reports from church visitors detailing what scares them off. Because you only get to make one first impression. So let's make it a good one. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - The New Visitor Spotlight 4:30 - Insider Jargon OR Traditions 9:43 - Forced Small Talk & Mingling 13:05 - Inauthentic Or Incomplete Online Footprint 15:50 - Unfriendly 21:15 - Lack Of Structure 24:22 - Too Much Recruitment In Service 25:47 - Inaccessible Biblical Teaching 27:58 - Nowhere To Sit 33:02 - Singles Feel Left Out   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Start your 30-day free trial (no credit card required) of Nucleus here: https://www.nucleus.church/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitt