Practical Church
Practical church exists to give you practical tips, advice, and encouragement when it comes to leading and growing healthy churches. Whether you are interested in planting a church, are in the process of planting a church, or just want to learn more about building healthy churches, you’ve come to the right place.
Latest episodes
Jul 16, 2025 • 34min
PC 056: 7 ways to announce big changes
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 7 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Have conversations with some people before the announcement Don’t over explain the change from stage Sunday morning or member meeting best option, then video if needed, not email Invite questions when announcement is given Remember: most people are fine if you are fine Don’t share any changes or reasoning that isn’t solid Encourage your people and thank them Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Jul 2, 2025 • 39min
PC 055: 6 church metrics you should pay attention to
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 METRICS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Giving units Small group attendance Active members Connect cards received each Sunday New guest funnel Online metrics Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Jun 18, 2025 • 37min
PC 054: 6 ways to make your sermon more practically helpful
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Sermon points Give specific exampleswhen making a point Work in multiple illustrations/stories per sermon One main idea/final point Connect the sermon to a next step at your church Now what? Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Jun 4, 2025 • 35min
PC 053: 7 Ways to Improve Your Sunday Experience (Without Spending More Money)
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 7 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Do a service run-through Send your announcements out ahead of time (to the person doing them) Clean the parking lot (whether your location or not) Have a new guest gift people actually want 3-4 announcement maximum Add signage Pre-service huddle Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
May 21, 2025 • 29min
PC 052: 6 ways to build trust through church transparency
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 TIPS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Kids don’t have to do more than other kids Kids need discipline and behavioral expectations Do not worry if your kids act like kids Ask for approval before sharing stories How you parent can’t help or hurt your leadership Work to ensure your kids know you love them more than you love the church Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
May 7, 2025 • 38min
PC 051: 6 tips for parenting in ministry
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 TIPS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Kids don’t have to do more than other kids Kids need discipline and behavioral expectations Do not worry if your kids act like kids Ask for approval before sharing stories How you parent can’t help or hurt your leadership Work to ensure your kids know you love them more than you love the church Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Apr 23, 2025 • 33min
PC 050: 7 reasons people stop attending your church
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 7 REASONS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE They move They never get connected They are upset about something They attend infrequently They don’t align with the vision/direction They don’t give financially You encouraged them to connect with a church they can connect with Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Apr 9, 2025 • 33min
PC 049: 6 reasons to make quicker decisions
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 REASONS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE People have a defined timeline to make a decision Less wasted time for prep and planning Much easier to call people to take action Keep (or gain) people’s trust Instincts are more effective than you think People want to be a part of something Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Mar 26, 2025 • 29min
PC 048: 6 repeated ministry tasks you should automate
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 6 TASKS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Giving follow up New guest follow up Sermon prep Social media videos Website check Meetings Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
Mar 12, 2025 • 35min
PC 047: 7 ways to work hard with sustainability
Welcome to the Practical Church podcast brought to you in partnership with Mission Support. Mission Support This episode was brought to you by Mission Support. Stay focused on your mission and let Mission Support help you with everything you didn't go to seminary for! Get support from experts with decades of experience working with churches who know your unique needs and challenges. Click here to talk with a guide today & love being a pastor again! HERE ARE THE 7 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Two ministry nights a week I don’t take morning meetings Monday’s are my longest days Two meetings a day max Respond to all emails/requests I will work later/extra on occasions it is needed Inbox zero + task list 0 end of each day Get more church tips and advice Click here to sign up for the Practical Church newsletter Click here to join the Practical Church Facebook group
