MyCom Church Communications and Marketing

Discover how to build a vibrant digital church community that thrives beyond traditional walls in this inspiring episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast! Host Ryan Dunn sits down with Erin Beasley and Sean Stanfield to unpack the story behind The Vine United Methodist Church, a digital United Methodist faith community born out of disaffiliation. Whether you’re starting an online ministry, seeking fresh discipleship strategies, or looking to deepen authentic connections in a digital world, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, innovation, and hope for the future of church communications. Connect with The Vine: https://www.thevineumc.church/ ⏰ CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction: Reimagining Church After Disaffiliation 01:45 – The Origin of The Vine: Meeting a Real Need 04:14 – Going Global: Leveraging Social Media for Outreach 06:08 – Creative Content: Short Sermons, Podcasts, & Tough Topics 08:59 – Building Community: Engaging Feedback & Discipleship Pathways 11:53 – Online Communion: Creating Sacred Moments Virtually 16:40 – From Viewers to Disciples: Inviting Deeper Connection 18:38 – Vulnerability Online: Why Digital Spaces Foster Openness 21:06 – Branch Groups & ‘Branch Managers’: Small Group Strategies 23:10 – Digital Church Planting Models: From Branches to Congregations 26:18 – Hot Topics: Church Hurt, Justice, and Connecting the Margins 29:30 – Lessons Learned & Advice for Aspiring Digital Ministers 33:37 – What’s Next for The Vine? Dreams and Missional Expansion 38:06 – Social Media Tactics: Growth on TikTok & Instagram 41:09 – Key Takeaways & Episode Close This episode brought to us by: RootedGood.org Cokesbury.com/Call-Response 🔗 Find more resources & episode notes: https://resourceumc.org/mycompodcast

Let's embark on a virtual "road trip" with the creative team from First United Methodist Church Richardson in Texas. Joined by Creative Director Rohini Drake, Engagement Coordinator Mallory Pickering, and Technical Director Tyler Payne, the group shares insights from their summer worship series, "Road Trip," where they traveled to places of spiritual connection—like Hot Springs, Arkansas and the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville—capturing prayer moments, stories, and immersive worship content along the way. Together, they discuss the power of taking church outside its physical walls, forging new connections, and using digital storytelling to engage both local and online faith communities. Buckle up as we dive into inspirational stories, practical content creation tips, and the heart behind connecting congregations in fresh, meaningful ways. Here’s what you’ll discover in this episode: How a multi-stop road trip became an immersive worship series called “Road Trip.” The art of capturing unplanned, authentic faith moments—rain, gratitude toads, and all! Creative techniques for sharing stories across online and in-person platforms. Insights on breaking the walls of the church building and experiencing God’s presence wherever you are. Tips on community engagement and keeping your congregation connected, even from afar. See how the community around FUMC Richardson is engaging project: www.fumcr.com/roadtrip See episode notes and explore other episodes of MyCom: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast This episode is sponsored by: www.RootedGood.org The Progressive Planter: https://www.cokesbury.com/The-Progressive-Planter

Unlock practical strategies for digital ministry in this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing and Communications podcast! Host Ryan Dunn sits down with Olivia DiAgostino, executive for United Women in Faith Digital, to explore how United Women in Faith is building a thriving online community for women of faith. Whether you're a ministry leader, church communicator, or simply passionate about community building, this episode is packed with real-world insights on human-centered design, creating meaningful online connections, and sustainable community engagement. Chapters & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction & Episode Overview 01:28 – Meet Olivia DiAgostino (Role and Digital Community Scope) 03:25 – Building Digital Community & Why UW Faith Went Digital 05:20 – From Content to Community: What Changed? 06:45 – Making Community Engagement Work & Tips for Consistent Participation 08:40 – Organic Leadership & Member-Driven Moderation 11:39 – Creating Groups: Organic, Intentional Growth Strategies 12:58 – When Digital Community Crosses Into the Real World 16:07 – Rituals of Welcome: Bringing Hospitality to Online Spaces 19:42 – Navigating Tech Resistance and Platform Fatigue 22:08 – Maintaining a Trusted, Respectful Digital Environment 24:09 – Moderation Guidelines: Sisterhood of Grace 26:03 – Why Mighty Networks? Choosing the Right Digital Platform 27:02 – Practical Advice for Ministry Leaders Starting Digital Communities 28:55 – Open Invitation: Who Can Join UW Faith Digital? 30:27 – Closing Thoughts & Resources Find episode notes and more: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast #ChurchCommunications #DigitalMinistry #CommunityBuilding #MyComPodcast #UnitedWomenInFaith

Struggling with stagnant social media engagement in your ministry? You’re not alone! In this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing & Communications Podcast, host Ryan Dunn unpacks practical strategies to breathe new life into your church’s social media presence. Whether you’re a church leader, communicator, or volunteer, you'll discover actionable insights to boost engagement, connect with your community more meaningfully, and expand your digital reach. Learn why likes and reach might not be the best metrics, how to create content that platforms and people love, and why stories and DMs can become secret weapons for authentic connection. Plus, find out simple ways to make your church more visible and supportive in your digital neighborhood. Key Insights: Rethink your metrics: Focus on shares and link clicks for real impact Make the most of Instagram Stories to engage your community (with or without sound!) Use direct messages strategically to deepen relationships Become an active digital neighbor to boost your church’s visibility Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction: Facing stagnant social media 01:23 – The truth about engagement & platform algorithms 03:21 – Rethinking success: Likes, reach, and real value 06:06 – Why "prayers get shares" and event promotion tips 10:00 – Maximizing Stories: Format, features, and engagement hacks 15:04 – Harnessing DMs for meaningful connection 17:49 – Be an active digital neighbor: Community engagement 18:42 – Recap: Takeaways for revitalizing your practice of ministry Subscribe to stay inspired and get more tools for transforming your church’s communications strategy! Find more resources for your ministry at resourceumc.org.

Rev. Brandon Robbins shares his journey from becoming a parish pastor to flourishing as a YouTube content creator, offering invaluable insights for anyone looking to expand their ministry's reach online. Discover how Brandon leveraged YouTube to enhance his pastoral work, learn about the challenges and strategies involved in growing an online presence, and get inspired by his story of persistence, passion, and purpose in ministry.

In this episode of MyCom Church Communications and Marketing, we’re getting an inspiring story out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Matt Austin and Matt Patrick are co-pastors at University United Methodist Church. Matt and Matt share their journey of reimagining church sustainability through alternate income models, space utilization, and unique ventures like their very own coffee trailer in this episode. Plus, they discuss the importance of embracing change, fostering a culture of learning, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're in church leadership or just passionate about community innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

In this episode of MyCom Church Communications and Marketing, we’re getting an inspiring story out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Matt Austin and Matt Patrick are co-pastors at University United Methodist Church. Matt and Matt share their journey of reimagining church sustainability through alternate income models, space utilization, and unique ventures like their very own coffee trailer … Continue reading "[105] Revitalizing church models and communicating change with Matt Austin and Matt Patrick"

This episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast explores the evolving relationship between the church and young adults with guests Kristopher Sledge and Rachel Gilmore. As pastors and co-authors of the book “Followers Under 40,” they explore how Millennials, Zoomers, and Gen Alpha relate differently to institutions and discuss practices that help in … Continue reading "[104] Reaching your church’s next generation: The “Followers Under 40” authors"

This episode of the MyCom Church Communications and Marketing Podcast explores the evolving relationship between the church and young adults with guests Kristopher Sledge and Rachel Gilmore. As pastors and co-authors of the book "Followers Under 40," they explore how Millennials, Zoomers, and Gen Alpha relate differently to institutions and discuss practices that help in connecting with them. Kristopher Sledge, lead pastor of the multi-ethnic Journey Church in Harrisburg, PA, and Rachel Gilmore, director of New and Vital Faith for the Desert Southwest Conference, share their insights on understanding youth culture, engaging with social issues, and embracing digital tools. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, listening, and dialogue in reaching the next generation. The episode also covers practical steps for churches to become more inclusive and relevant, such as creating safe spaces for exploration of faith and identity, and how churches can reimagine their presence in digital spaces to better connect with young and digital-native audiences. This episode is sponsored by: Celebrate Wonder Digital Curriculum brings Bible stories to life with interactive lessons that help kids build stronger relationships with God and each other! Visit cokesburykids.com/celebratewonder to download a sample today! Find more resources and episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

Learn practical strategies for enhancing your church’s digital communications with expert Katie Allred, founder of Church Communications Group. From managing social media engagement to optimizing YouTube content, discover how to create meaningful two-way conversations with your congregation online. Katie shares insights on effectively using Facebook groups, responding to comments, and leveraging AI for ministry efficiency. … Continue reading "[103] Mastering Two-Way Church Communication Online with Katie Allred"

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 … Continue reading "[102] Data, demographics and church growth with Ryan Burge"

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 … Continue reading "[101] Rethinking church assets with Mark Elsdon"

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 … Continue reading "[100] Digital Ministry & Church Marketing Insights with Dan Wunderlich"

Discover how digital ministry has transformed from a niche to an essential part of church outreach. Dive into our latest MyCom episode for insights on purposeful digital ministry that bridges real and virtual communities. Tap into practical strategies and insightful discussions featuring Charles Vogl, Dr. Kelly Price, Mike Kim, Nelson Musonda, and Dana Malstaff. In … Continue reading "[99] Engaging with purpose: Best practices in digital ministry"

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 … Continue reading "[98] Building real church in digital space with J.J. Warren"

In this episode, host Rev. Ryan Dunn chats with guests Nathan Webb and Shane Russo about their innovative strategies for utilizing YouTube to grow their digital church communities. They dive deep into the tools, challenges, and unique approaches they leverage for successful content creation and audience engagement. Rev. Shane Russo is the founder and lead … Continue reading "[97] YouTube tools and strategies for churches"

AI remains a hot topic online, in the news, and in the church. UMCommunications recently hosted a webinar on AI, and hundreds of people like you signed up. We have seen an explosion of AI tools – from standalone or customized apps (like PulpitAI, which we discussed earlier this year) to AI integrations in apps … Continue reading "MyCom Podcast 096 | Understanding AI with Rev. James Lee"

Communications expert, Sabrina Joy Stevens will be hosting a MyCom Webinar on May 15th at 12pm (CST) to help our leaders with Clarity over Confusion post General Conference. Register here: https://umcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317103461585/WN_lIZSl3OmRcO8ykOHW356UA Subscribe to MyCom Podcasts on YouTube here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/newsletters-and-podcasts/mycom-newsletter-subscribe On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we are joined by someone … Continue reading "Digital Storytelling with Sabrina Joy Stevens"

We spoke with UMCOM Video Producer, Kathryn Price, several years ago as we were all navigating the pandemic. On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we’re checking back in with her both for a refresher on creating sermon videos and to see what new tools and features we could all be using! This … Continue reading "Enhancing Sermon Videos with Kathryn Price"

Last year, we dipped our toes in the water of AI with an excellent primer from Kenny Jahng on what generative AI is, some ministry uses, and how to get started. Since then, I have personally used AI tools to help me refine and clarify my thoughts and writing, as a brainstorming partner in sermon … Continue reading "Extending the Sermon (with AI)"