Practical Church
Dylan Dodson
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
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
Feb 26, 2025 • 29min
PC 046: 5 Ways to Keep Your Staff Connected in a Digital World
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 5 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Marco Polo Trello Board Email (messaging expectations!) Group text (or group messaging app) Google Drive (sermon notes / events checklist) 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
Feb 12, 2025 • 34min
PC 045: 5 ways to make visitors feel welcome at 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 5 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Have a visitor focused website (address, service time, "I'm new") Create a welcoming first impression Create a simple + personal connection process Give them a next step Invite them back 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
Jan 29, 2025 • 28min
PC 044: 4 ways to schedule an effective workweek
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 4 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Put your repeated tasks to show up weekly in our calendar Add blocks to calendar as things arise On the day before (end of work day or evening) = Schedule tasks from your task manager You will always get more done if you calendar out your 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
Jan 15, 2025 • 31min
PC 043: 6 ways to promote big days
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 5 2025 CHURCH PREDICTIONS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Hand out invite cards multiple weeks before that Sunday Create a shareable graphic Take some time during announcements 2 weeks before talking about invitation + a downloadable shareable graphic Schedule more people to serve Know what the service/Sunday will be like over a month in advance Share something you will be doing at the service 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
Jan 1, 2025 • 39min
PC 042: 2025 Church Predictions
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 5 2025 CHURCH PREDICTIONS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: Being willing to sound partisan where Scripture is clear will attract people to your church There will be an increase in American church attendance You can have the largest Easter/Christmas/Special day attendance in your church's history Vertical video is not going anywhere (invest in it!) Your Sunday experience will determine if people stay (saw a post about how no one leaves a church because of the screens/lighting…) - In America, we have options. For me, I am going to a church that is organized and that I can invite people to… 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
Dec 18, 2024 • 33min
PC 041: 5 Metrics Your Church Should Track
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 5 METRICS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Sunday Attendance Small group attendance Unique giving units Connect cards Members doing what you ask them to do 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
Dec 4, 2024 • 28min
PC 040: 5 ways to use illustrations in your sermon
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 5 WAYS I DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE Understand their importance Types of stories ranked When to do them Humor/story telling is a skill. Do not read personal stories 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


