Practical Church

Some reflections on preaching through one book in a year. Welcome to welcome to episode 144 of Practical Church Planting. This year we did something different at New City Church and spent most of the year preaching through one book of the Bible (1 Corinthians). Here are four thoughts on how it went: I (Dylan) learned a lot Our people saw the relevance of Scripture Our people learned the importance of context Our people came hoping to learn what Scripture means and how to apply it Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.  

Preaching to a small crowd can be tough. Here are some tips. Welcome to welcome to episode 142 of Practical Church Planting.  All of us have or will be in a situation where we will preach to a small crowd. This is especially true as you work to gather a launch team and start a new church. Because of that, we share these five tips for preaching to small crowds: People don't think it's as small as you Pretend there are more people Don't apologize for or reference numbers Avoid the temptation not to "preach" Lack of response doesn't mean lack of engagement   Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

We need church plants in the South. Welcome to welcome to episode 141 of Practical Church Planting.  Contrary to what many may assume, the American South actually needs more church plants. In this episode, we discuss these four reasons why: A lot of people are moving to the South Familiarity with the church ≠ familiarity with the Gospel The South is the most churched region of the United States, and our churches need help Don't overcomplicate it   Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Make the most of your preview services. Welcome to welcome to episode 140 of Practical Church Planting. Having a couple of preview services before the launch of a new church is a great idea. In this episode, we discuss these five things in particular to look out for when you do them: The energy in the parking lot/lobby What questions people are asking How many connect cards were filled out Parents feedback on kids space Where do people sit   Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

We all want to save more money. Here are some things you can try. Welcome to welcome to episode 139 of Practical Church Planting. You can watch the episode below, or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. All of us are always looking for ways to save money for our churches. In this episode, we discuss these six things that we have done: Rechargeable batteries Ask for church planting discounts Buy limited amounts of merch Ask other churches for needs Let people know of your church needs Google Suite for non-profits Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.  

Social media for church leaders is tricky. Welcome to welcome to episode 138 of Practical Church Planting. Personal social media use for pastors and church leaders can be tricky. In this episode, we share these five thoughts and considerations for how we should use social media: Supporting political candidates/causes will push some people away The rules are different for pastors/church leaders Don't just post about church/ministry/theology Be wary of legalism You don't have to post about every cultural event   Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

We tried Thursday night services. Here is what we found. Welcome to welcome to episode 137 of Practical Church Planting. Recently at New City Church we attempted Thursday night services. Here are reflections on how they went: I'm glad we tried it and would do it again Thursday nights need to be given as much effort as Sunday mornings Preaching Thursday makes Saturdays more relaxing Sermon prep was more difficult It's all about sustainability, other things will need to be cut Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

How can we get people to join the launch team? Welcome to welcome to episode 136 of Practical Church Planting. Every church planter wrestles, prays, and hopes people will join the launch team of their church plant. After all, if you have no people, you have no church. In this episode, we discuss these six tips to do just that: Have a launch date in place Have something consistent to invite people to outside of events Have a closer launch date Give people things to do Pre-launch meetings need to be different than a Sunday service Ask people to be on it Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Most of us want to pray more than we do. Here are some steps towards making that happen. Welcome to welcome to episode 135 of Practical Church Planting.  Prayer can be hard. The vast majority of people we know would say they wish they were “better” at it (i.e. took it more seriously and prayed more consistently). Even as a pastor, this has been my (Dylan's) story. But earlier this year after being inspired yet again by someone who prayed well, I decided I didn’t just want to be inspired by others, I wanted to actually do something about it. I’m still learning as I go, but I can at least say I really do pray now. At least more intentionally and earnestly than I did before. And so below are four simple steps I took that have vastly improved my prayer life. Click here to read Dylan's blog on for simple steps to a more vibrant prayer life. Here are the steps we discuss in this episode: Ask a few people around you for one to two specific things you can be praying for Create a written list of prayer needs Pray through your list and move on to the next item when you get distracted Commit to pray over that list for a brief amount of time each day   Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.

Everyone faces difficulties when planting a church. Welcome to welcome to episode 134 of Practical Church Planting.  Sometimes it can feel like we are the reason things don't always go they way we would like. The reality is, all church planters face difficulties. In fact, some difficulties are faced by every church planter. We discuss these seven in this episode: Your launch team won't be as passionate as you are Your launch team won't be as large as you thought Some people you expect to give financially won't Some people you expect will join your launch team won't Finding a space is often harder than you think Fundraising will keep you up at night, often Comparision will only hurt you Connect and never miss an episode. Did you know that you can watch the Practical Church Planting podcast? Connect with us on our Facebook page or our YouTube Channel. Have questions or want encouragement from other church planters? Join the Practical Church Planting Facebook group.