

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

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

Nov 20, 2024 • 38min
PC 039: 5 questions to ask yourself when hiring staff
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 QUESTIONS I ASK IN THIS EPISODE Are they a part of your church? (Internally is always ideal) Do they show up every Sunday Do they give financially Are they involved in all the things a member/partner should be doing? Are they competent for the position of need? 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

Nov 6, 2024 • 36min
PC 038: 7 essential apps I use for 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 7 APPS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Calendly Todoist Logos Google Drive MarcoPolo Trello Planning Center 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

Oct 23, 2024 • 35min
PC 037: 4 steps for amazing new guest follow up
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 STEPS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Make it clear and obvious how people can get more information Input new guest info on Sunday afternoons Have an automated system of texts + email Have a personal follow up system that you are tracking 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

Oct 9, 2024 • 34min
PC 036: 6 ways to grow your YouTube channel
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 SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Record a short welcome video Post more than just your weekly sermon Organize your homepage by playlists Create a custom URL Scripture reference in the title + description Thumbnail images 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

Sep 25, 2024 • 34min
PC 035: 6 ways to celebrate your anniversary service
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 SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Video of your people answering one question about your church Video from of one person/couple sharing their story and how your church has impacted them Snacks/food Promote it Baptisms Shirts, socks, or swag giveaway Decorate the lobby 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

Sep 11, 2024 • 32min
PC 034: 6 reasons why you struggle to attract volunteers
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 SHARE IN THIS EPISODE It’s not simple to sign up/express interest in serving You don’t follow up well when people sign up The bar is too low You give way to many options You have the wrong person leading the charge Unclear and/or inconsistent expectations 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

Aug 28, 2024 • 32min
PC 033: Debunking Six Common Ministry Myths
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 MYTHS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE 01:21 Ministry Myth #1: Talking About Money 06:36 Ministry Myth #2: Always Being Available 11:44 Ministry Myth #3: Ministry Must Be Hard 14:00 Ministry Myth #4: Cost as the Primary Decision Factor 17:56 Ministry Myth #5: Leadership is Lonely 19:50 Ministry Myth #6: There's a Best Way to Do Things 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

Aug 14, 2024 • 30min
PC 032: 6 Ways To Communicate Upcoming Changes To 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 6 WAYS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Church email Record a video Some sort of church meeting One on one conversations Through small groups Online 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

Jul 31, 2024 • 29min
PC 031: 6 Tips For Smoother Service Transitions
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 SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Do a real service run through Play under all speaking moments Pre-service countdown video Have a consistent end of service Post-service music ready to go Bumper video/pre-sermon transition 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