Podcast Ministry Jason E. Norris

Jesus told his disciples,







“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20







When Jesus told his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations,” the disciples did just that. 







The specific way they accomplished that mission varied. 







They met people on the road and in the city. They met in synagogues and houses. They spoke face to face. They wrote letters. They compiled information to document the things Jesus did and said. 







As time passed, disciples built churches and cathedrals so they could meet together, sing together, learn together, and encourage each other. 







Eventually disciples would use technologies such as the printing press, vinyl records, radio, film, newspapers, audio tape, video tape, television, central heating and cooling, CDs, satellites, magazines, movie theaters, cushioned seats, DVDs, Blu-ray, mp3s, video, and the Internet. 







Disciples have a mission: “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”







However, one activity disciples are doing less often is meeting together, singing together, learning together, and encouraging each other. 







Another new culture 







Culture has changed. Culture is changing. Culture will continue to change. 







This world is experiencing massive changes because of exponential technologies.  







The most obvious example is very close to you right now.







It’s that small but powerful computer people never leave home without. It can fit in a pocket, but at this moment most are staring at its screen. Many even talk to their mobile device, and the mobile device talks back.







Over the centuries, disciples have used a variety of technologies to help them accomplish their mission, but mobile technologies such as smartphones are still new enough that we haven’t fully understood their potential to help fulfill the Great Commission. 







Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all the social media sites people use are potential avenues to reach the world through mobile technology. Many churches primarily use social to advertise their services. However, social media pioneer Brady Shearer of Pro Church Tools has developed social strategies that can help churches make disciples and teach the Bible.







But there is another mobile technology that goes far beyond social media “message bites.”







Podcasts offer a deeper connection with listeners and have the potential to transform discipleship in your church.







That’s the focus of this site.







Welcome to Podcast Ministry.

Whether you already make sermon podcasts or have never heard of podcasting, discover how a Podcast Ministry can keep members engaged— and teach and train them while they’re on the go.















If you’d prefer to listen, click play on the audio player.











Introducing Podcast Ministry







This article and this podcast episode will give you an overview of how podcasting can help your church overcome problems like the lack of engagement from church members.







It has the potential to keep your church members engaged like nothing else.







We’ll also talk about how podcasting can help with teacher training and ministry training of all kinds.







It can extend your teaching and ministry training in ways you’ve never thought about before—I promise you.







Together, let’s explore what’s possible in your church and any ministry you create to serve others in your community.







But first, let’s make sure we’re on the same page, so to speak.







What is a podcast?







There are technical definitions, of course, but the quickest answer is this:







A podcast is a show.







It’s like a tv show or a radio show. You listen to podcast shows on your smartphone, smart watch, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.







A podcast is like talk radio, but better.







It’s better because you can listen whenever you want. Call it on demand or just call it convenient. When you have time, you can listen.







It’s better because you can to listen wherever you want. Most podcasts are audio, and because of that, you’re not tied to a computer screen. People listen to podcasts while commuting, exercising, shopping for groceries, cleaning the house, mowing the yard, and walking the dog.







It’s better because there are shows on almost any topic under the sun. There are thousands of different shows that talk about thousands of different things. People are not limited by what’s on TV or radio anymore.







They could be listening to you.







Let’s look at your church.







Have you ever calculated the actual time you spend preaching and teaching?







No matter how long you actually talk during a sermon or Bible study, it’s usually less than one hour each week in the lives of people who hear you.







And that’s assuming they attend church every single week.







The influence you have with your words is very small compared to other voices they hear every day.







A podcast ministry can change that.







A podcast ministry encourages engagement with your church.







As church members choose to listen to your sermon or Bible study when and where it’s convenient for them, they are more likely to be engaged with your church.







Certainly a podcast ministry can be a blessing to those who are sick, or in the hospital, or unable to get out of the house to make it to the church building.







But a podcast ministry can reach many others.







Think about the church members who have to be at the office or work site while you teach and preach.