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
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
Jul 17, 2024 • 32min
PC 030: Top 5 Church Website Mistakes & How to Fix Them
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 MISTAKES I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Hosting your sermon on your church website Posting the livestream on your website Not having the 3 most sought after things on your homepage Outdated events + sermons! lack of pictures from your 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
Jul 3, 2024 • 36min
PC 029: 6 Tips for Running Highly Engaged Small Groups in 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 TIPS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE All groups should have the same curriculum You must communicate this and hold the line on this Groups should all run on the same schedule You need a plan for childcare (I recommend reimbursing) Start new groups, do not "multiply" groups Take group attendance 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 19, 2024 • 35min
PC 028: 7 Tips for Effective Portable Churches
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 RECOMMENDATIONS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Find a consistent meeting spot(s) for non-Sunday activities Make sure the homepage of your website is extremely clear Engineer your space well Don't elevate portable as better/holier than permanent Looking for space: Worry more about it being too big rather than too small Is it good for events + offices? Generally speaking 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 5, 2024 • 32min
PC 027: 6 Ways To Sustain Yourself 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 WAYS I SHARE IN THIS EPISODE Consistent time with Jesus Have specific times you'll meet with people Prioritize your mornings Stick to the same sermon prep schedule every week Belong to a tribe Always remember the privilege it is to be a pastor 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 22, 2024 • 30min
PC 026: 7 Ways to Be Less Distracting While Preaching
7 Tips to Avoid Distractions While Preaching This episode of the Practical Church podcast provides pastors and preachers with seven effective strategies to minimize distractions while delivering sermons. From managing smart devices to handling personal stories and self-deprecating humor, the podcast offers practical advice for creating a more engaging and less distracting preaching experience. Additionally, the episode addresses the challenge of maintaining order with disruptive children during services and discusses the importance of structured small group discussions for church community health. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of community in building new habits and improving personal growth. 00:00 Welcome to Practical Church: Enhancing Your Preaching Skills 00:27 Sponsor Spotlight: Mission Support 01:10 7 Tips to Minimize Distractions While Preaching 01:40 Smart Watch Management for Preachers 03:44 Managing Your Phone During Sermons 05:13 Dealing with Electronic Device Glare 08:57 Gestures and Movements: Keeping Audience Focus 10:24 Handling Water During Your Sermon 12:29 Navigating Self-Deprecating Humor in Sermons 16:21 Sharing Personal Stories Effectively 19:00 Boosting Small Group Engagement 21:47 Personal Growth Tip: Building Habits in Community 24:02 Addressing Disruptive Kids During Services 29:24 Closing Thoughts and Resources


