MyCom Church Communications and Marketing

United Methodist Communications
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Monthly

MyCom teaches communities of faith how to effectively find their audience and share their story with the world. Journey with savvy church communicators, pastors and leaders with support from MyCom creators and many others offering expert advice on outreach ideas, communications, social media and new technology. Conversations are practical in nature, yet casual and fun! Join us monthly on our mission to create communication resources for church leaders and amplify the voice of the church. Good reviews help other church leaders find us, so support the cause. Please also like, share and comment too. Future topic ideas can be sent to podcast@umcom.org. Thanks!

  1. Aug 24

    Simple Google Practices to Grow Your Church’s Online Impact

    Have you ever Googled your church’s name or wondered how to get your ministry’s message noticed online? resourceumc.org/mycom -- find expert tips and resources on marketing, communications and outreach In this episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast, Ryan Dunn guides you through simple yet powerful ways to optimize your church’s Google presence. From claiming your Google profile and encouraging authentic reviews, to exploring Google Ads grants and enhancing your website for visibility, Ryan Dunn arms you with the digital tools you need to share good news and strengthen connections in your community. Get ready to level up your ministry’s online impact! ======== Connect with more resources for ministry leadership! ResourceUMC.org --> your online destination for United Methodist Church leaders facebook.com/ResourceUMC --> Resource UMC on Facebook ======== In this episode: 00:00 Googling your church 01:46 The history of Google 05:10 Google as the most authoritative search engine 07:08 Understanding Google's Role as a Digital Librarian 09:43 Updating your church's Google profile 12:05 The importance of reviews for your church 14:11 Adding pictures to your church's Google profile 15:04 Enhancing Google Visibility for Churches 16:06 Understanding Social Listening and Community Engagement 17:18 Utilizing Google Search Console for Website Optimization 17:29 Google alerts for your church 18:07 Maximizing Visibility with Google Ads 20:38 Target your audience 21:33 Maintaining your church's Google ad grant 23:55 What would you like to learn about Google? #MinistryLeadership #ResourceUMC #GoogleForChurches #Google #ChurchCommunicators

    Simple Google Practices to Grow Your Church’s Online Impact

  2. Jul 27

    Ignite Your Church's Empowerment, Authenticity, and Spiritual Innovation: MyCom 121

    Is your church struggling with declining engagement or relying on the same old programs without real impact? In this episode, Dr. Kale Yu—scholar, minister, and author of Enkindle: Reviving the Church from Within—joins the MyCom Podcast to explore a powerful new model for church revitalization. Discover actionable insights on empowering laypeople, fostering authenticity in ministry, and creating a culture where excitement and innovation can flourish. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or church communicator, this conversation will equip you with practical ideas on how to rethink leadership, communicate organic movement, and trust the Holy Spirit’s work in your congregation. In this episode: (00:00) – Episode intro & the problem with outdated church mindsets (03:14) – Why old program-based solutions aren’t working (06:53) – What younger generations are looking for: authenticity vs. fakeness (10:27) – A new model: flipping the pyramid and empowering passions (13:43) – Stories of laity-led ministry making a difference (17:07) – How to make room for the Holy Spirit in leadership and vision (20:56) – Addressing resistance and honoring tradition during change (22:59) – Beekeeping ministry: a firsthand account of lay-led innovation (27:37) – The critical role of pastors as facilitators, not controllers (33:30) – First steps for leaders to implement this model (35:23) – Encouragement for leaders: Don’t fear failure (36:30) – Where to find more resources from Dr. Kale Yu If you’re ready to move your ministry from routine to renewal and foster real connection in your faith community, this episode is your essential guide. Listen, like, and subscribe for more digital communication strategies for vibrant church life! www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

    Ignite Your Church's Empowerment, Authenticity, and Spiritual Innovation: MyCom 121

  3. Jun 12

    The Impact of Phygital Ministry: MyCom 120

    Discover fresh insights for church communications and digital ministry in this episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast. This episode brings together digital ministry practitioners from the Phygital Ministry Fellows program. They share practical takeaways and deep reflections on building real relationships, fostering belonging, and creating spiritual spaces online. Whether you’re a full-time digital pastor or new to online ministry, this episode will help you reimagine how to meet people in digital arenas—moving beyond simply broadcasting content to nurturing meaningful connection and community. You’ll hear firsthand about real questions people carry into digital spaces, how to connect with younger generations, using pop culture as a bridge to faith, and the ethical considerations every church should make before trying the latest technology. (00:00) - Introduction: Rethinking Digital Ministry (02:08) - What Questions Are People Bringing Online? (05:00) - Belonging, Anxiety & Purpose in Digital Spaces (07:38) - Digital Spaces as First Stop for Spiritual Questions (09:39) - Are Online Relationships Really Shallow? (13:54) - Discord and Deep Community Formation (16:47) - The Gift of Vulnerability & Agency Online (18:58) - Markers of Trust in Digital Gatherings (21:41) - Rethinking Youth Engagement: Asking Better Questions (23:03) - Grieving the Old Models & Embracing Humility (24:08) - What Draws Young People to Online Spaces? (28:10) - Pop Culture as Sacred Text (32:14) - Theology of Incarnation and Presence in Digital Ministry (36:14) - Practicing Neighborliness in Virtual Spaces (37:48) - Ethics of Technology Use in Church (39:23) - Voices in the Wilderness: Pastoring Beyond the Walls (42:02) - Practical Takeaways for Digital Ministry (45:46) - Resources and Closing MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications. Find more episodes, show notes and links, and more resources for your communications ministry toolkit at www.ResourceUMC.org/MyCom-Podcast

    The Impact of Phygital Ministry: MyCom 120

  4. May 18

    Building Relational Bridges in Your Community

    In this episode Ryan Dunn interviews Ken Willard about shifting church outreach from attractional marketing to relational, community-centered work. They explore the "fishing pond" approach, bridge events, prayer walking, and practical ways to welcome skeptical neighbors through hospitality and improved accessibility. Listeners will learn how to listen to their communities, equip members to share personal stories of faith, and create small, sustainable steps that build long-term relationships and invite new people into the life of the church. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Church Skepticism 04:43 Building Relationships for Evangelism 07:25 The Fishing Pond Model Explained 10:46 Shifting Church Communications 13:38 Listening to Community Needs 16:43 Common Mistakes in Church Outreach 20:31 Vision Casting and Church Growth 23:29 Bridge Events as Outreach Strategies 26:26 The Importance of Patience in Outreach 29:26 First Steps Towards Relational Outreach 32:27 Accessibility in Church Ministry Ken Willard is the Director of Faith Communities Renewal for the West Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. He is the author of “Beacon of Hope: Your Guide to Reaching, Witnessing, and Welcoming New People”, as well as books on time management for ministry leaders and discipleship pathways and leadership pathways for churches. Find episode notes, related episodes, and more resources for your digital ministry toolkit: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

    Building Relational Bridges in Your Community

  5. Apr 20

    Making church digital content more accessible for all

    This episode walks through a practical audit of a church's digital presence—podcasts, livestreams, websites and social media—to identify accessibility barriers and easy fixes. Learn simple, actionable steps like adding transcripts and captions, improving audio and contrast, writing clear alt text and links, and offering content across multiple formats to welcome more people into online ministry. In this episode: (00:00) Improving digital accessibility (06:36) Importance of transcriptions and captions (10:21) Using descriptive alt text (11:24) Improving website accessibility (15:52) Accessibility tips for social content (20:22) Making content more accessible (21:49) Podcast resources and credits

    Making church digital content more accessible for all

  6. Mar 23

    Addressing hot-button issues in church communication

    Navigating tough conversations in today’s polarized climate is one of the most pressing challenges for church communicators and leaders. In this episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast, Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes, author of the Courageous Conversations curriculum, talks about how churches can respond to hot-button topics with a prophetic voice—without alienating their communities. Whether you’re crafting public statements on current events, encouraging difficult conversations, or seeking to equip your congregation for deeper unity, this episode will support your ministry with real-world examples and expert advice. (00:00) The church’s prophetic voice (03:08) Rev. Scott Hughes (04:19) Preachers reflecting on public responses (08:24) Speaking out in purple congregations (12:09) Examples of courageous conversations (16:18) The toughest topics to address in church (19:04) Introducing a tough topic in church (20:44) When it works to have a tough conversation (23:29) Crafting a public statement for your church (27:20) Refreshing for ministry (30:56) Speaking to our current times Scott is the Associate General Secretary (World Service) of Discipleship Ministries. Previously Scott served as Executive Director, Congregational Vitality & Intentional Discipleship, and as both an associate pastor and pastor of a multi-point charge. Scott has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and a DMin in the spiritual formation track from Southern Methodist University. Scott is an elder in the North Georgia Conference since 2007. Scott was recommended for this specific conversation because of his work in developing the "Courageous Conversations" curriculum. Courageous Conversations is a toolbox that local churches can use to inspire and encourage the church and individuals to participate in conversations that might seem difficult–such as immigration or Christian Nationalism.

    Addressing hot-button issues in church communication

  7. Feb 23

    Digital pathways to spiritual growth: MyCom 116

    Unlock new pathways to spiritual growth and effective church communications. This episode revisits a practical and inspiring interview with clergy coach Nicole Reilley. Discover how digital ministry is more than just live-streaming worship—it's a vibrant, relational, and intentional journey that transforms the way churches connect, disciple, and empower communities of faith. Rev. Nicole Reilley is a clergy coach, church coach, and church social media manager.  With 30+ years of experience pastoring churches. She currently resources pastors through her podcast, The Clergy Wellness Podcast. In this interview we frequently reference a book she wrote, titled “Expanding the Expedition Through Digital Ministry”. In this episode: (00:00) Revisiting a conversation with Rev. Nicole Reilley (02:06) Is digital a poor substitute for in-person? (04:35) Digital ministry vs. church being online (08:24) Contemplation in the digital space (10:43) Pathways of discipleship in digital space (17:34) Invite to stay online or invite to be in-person? (22:17) Sharing digital ministry responsibilities (24:46) Digital ministry and house churches (26:41) Effective apps and platforms (29:36) Next dreams Whether you're building a hybrid church, just starting digital outreach, or looking to deepen your online community, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable tips to enhance your digital ministry practice. Be sure to subscribe, like, and share for more insights on church communications and digital discipleship! Find notes and more: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

    Digital pathways to spiritual growth: MyCom 116

  8. Jan 26

    From zero listeners to lasting impact: How to grow your podcast audience

    Are you a church communicator or ministry leader looking to boost engagement and effectiveness in your digital outreach? In this episode of MyCom, host Ryan Dunn shares practical strategies and fresh insights for connecting with listeners through podcasting, YouTube, and other broadcast channels. Drawing from years of experience and real-world examples, Ryan explores why podcasts often struggle to build an audience, how to define and serve your specific ministry niche, the power of consistency, and the advantages of expanding to YouTube for discoverability and interaction. In this episode: (00:00) How to get people listening to your content? (01:48) What is a podcast? (03:09) The value of longevity in podcasting (04:48) The “who” is integral to the “why” (07:52) Your “why” is the heart of the podcast (09:54) Being audience-specific in podcasting (10:30) The YouTube model of podcasting (13:34) Case study in podcasting: Brandon Robbins (16:01) A word from “Igniting Imagination” (17:08) Logical and scalable path for podcasts (18:33) The Compass podcast workflow (29:34) Descriptions are key! (33:07) Why consistency matters Whether you’re starting your ministry podcast or looking to enhance your church communications, this episode is packed with practical insights. Listen in and discover new ways to serve and engage your community! Find more helpful resources, episode notes, and listening recommendations: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

    From zero listeners to lasting impact: How to grow your podcast audience
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About

MyCom teaches communities of faith how to effectively find their audience and share their story with the world. Journey with savvy church communicators, pastors and leaders with support from MyCom creators and many others offering expert advice on outreach ideas, communications, social media and new technology. Conversations are practical in nature, yet casual and fun! Join us monthly on our mission to create communication resources for church leaders and amplify the voice of the church. Good reviews help other church leaders find us, so support the cause. Please also like, share and comment too. Future topic ideas can be sent to podcast@umcom.org. Thanks!

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