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
Jun 27, 2019 • 15min
PCP 108: 9 Podcasts For Ministry And Leadership
Here are a few great podcasts for leadership and ministry. Welcome to welcome to episode 108 of Practical Church Planting. Here are the nine podcasts we recommend in this episode: Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast This Cultural Moment Pro Church Tools The Bible Project Radio Free Leader Ted Talks Unseminary Listen to other pastors! 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.
Jun 24, 2019 • 12min
PCP 107: 5 Thoughts On Why Leaders Resist Change
How can we avoid becoming inflexible leaders? Welcome to welcome to episode 107 of Practical Church Planting. No one sets out to be a leader who is "stuck in their old ways." Unfortunately, it can happen much easier than we think. In this episode, we share five thoughts on why leaders resist change. We discuss these reasons: It worked in the past New somehow is considered bad It's intimidating to learn something new Things are broken and we don't see it The new idea wasn't ours 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.
Jun 20, 2019 • 14min
PCP 106: 6 Ways To Make First Time Guests Feel Unwelcome
Small things can make a big difference to first time guests. Welcome to welcome to episode 106 of Practical Church Planting. In this episode, we talk about things we often unintentionally do that can make new guests feel unwelcome. We talk about: No parking lot volunteers/distracted parkers Volunteers on phones Dirty/unkept facility No acknowledgment of new people No/poor signage Rules over relationships 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
Jun 17, 2019 • 15min
PCP 105: How To Follow Up With An Interested Volunteer
What should you do when someone signs up to serve? Welcome to welcome to episode 105 of Practical Church Planting. A solid follow up process is crucial for getting people to serve or volunteer at your church. In this episode, we share how we do it at New City Church. 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
Jun 13, 2019 • 14min
PCP 104: 6 Ways To Make Parents Feel More Comfortable
How can we make parents feel more comfortable when dropping off their kids? Welcome to welcome to episode 104 of Practical Church Planting. Parents (especially new parents or families visiting your church for the first time) are extra cautious about dropping off their kids to your church's kid's ministry. This means we need to do everything we can to make parents feel good about dropping off their kids so that they can actually enjoy the service. Here are 6 ways to make parents feel safer that we discuss in this episode: Safety serve team members Restrict access to the kid's ministry Room safety and security Have a visible evacuation plan Tags for kids and parents Shirts or badges for those that are serving 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.
Jun 10, 2019 • 14min
PCP 103: 5 Ways Churches Can Create Engagement Over The Summer
Summers don't have to be a dead period in the life of your church. Welcome to welcome to episode 103 of Practical Church Planting. Summers can lead to less engagement (and people) for many churches. But does it have to be that way? We don't think so. While people may travel more in the summer, it doesn't mean churches have to suffer. Here are five ways churches can create engagement over the summer: Have a live Q&A Sunday Don't cancel groups all summer Try some church-wide events Put as much energy, effort, and prayer into your summer Sunday's as you do the rest of the year Don't make a big deal about the drop in attendance 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.
Jun 6, 2019 • 17min
PCP 102: 8 Unconventional Book Recommendations For Church Leaders
Discover eight unconventional book suggestions for church leaders that extend beyond typical ministry texts. Emphasizing habit formation, productivity, and authenticity, these recommendations include titles like 'Atomic Habits' and 'Free to Focus.' Explore how humor can enhance communication with insights from 'Do You Talk Funny.' The conversation also dives into effective public speaking strategies, storytelling techniques from 'TED Talks,' and the importance of creating engaging church experiences. These books promise to elevate any leader's approach to ministry.
Jun 3, 2019 • 15min
PCP 101: 4 Things To Consider When Starting A Student Ministry
Here's what you should think about when starting a student ministry. Welcome to welcome to episode 101 of Practical Church Planting. When starting a student ministry (middle and high school) there are a lot of things to consider? Do you wait until you have enough students, or do you start one in the hopes that it attracts students? What should the beginning phases look like? In this episode we discuss these four things: Go big at the start Embrace the small community Start slow and manageable Don't underestimate student's spiritual understanding 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.
May 30, 2019 • 56min
PCP 100: The Story Of New City Church
The story of New City Church. Welcome to welcome to episode 100 of Practical Church Planting. Interested in Dylan's story of church planting? In this special episode, we share how New City came to be, and what Dylan has learned on the journey. 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.
May 27, 2019 • 15min
PCP 099: 6 Characteristics Of An Effective Connect Card
Want a connect card people will actually fill out? Welcome to welcome to episode 99 of Practical Church Planting. Most churches have a connect card for new guests to fill out, but there is a difference between having a good connect card and a bad one. In this episode, we share six characteristics of an effective connect card and how to get more guests to fill them out. Here is what we share: Have one Keep it minimal Make it visually appealing Is it easy to write on? Talk about it every week Give a gift people actually want 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.


