MyCom Church Communications and Marketing

United Methodist Communications
MyCom Church Communications and Marketing

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. 12/16/2024

    [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.

    30 min
  2. 11/19/2024

    [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

    40 min
  3. 10/22/2024

    [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

    40 min
  4. 08/27/2024

    [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

    46 min
    4.9
    out of 5
    10 Ratings

    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!

    You Might Also Like

    Content Restricted

    This episode can’t be played on the web in your country or region.

    To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

    Stay up to date with this show

    Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

    Select a country or region

    Africa, Middle East, and India

    Asia Pacific

    Europe

    Latin America and the Caribbean

    The United States and Canada