Pro Church Tools with Brady Shearer

Almost every church says they preach the Bible, follow Jesus, and care about discipleship. Yet, we all know there's a big difference between a healthy church and one that's not. So what sets them apart? That's what we're unpacking today—10 key habits that define truly healthy churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Holy Character 4:43 - Hard Work 5:52 - Tender Hearts 9:22 - The Language You Use Becomes The Culture You Build 12:14 - Active Participants Over Passive Spectators 16:00 - Calculated Delusion 19:45 - Devotion Over Dogma 25:44 - Vocal About Values 29:22 - Accountable To The Mission 32:00 - Emphasizing Young People   IMPORTANT LINKS - How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell: https://youtu.be/v6O0USRnwbY   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Sometimes it feels easier to just do the project yourself. But if you're the only creative your church can rely on, you're going to hit a ceiling. You need others—and a system to lead them well. That's where our Rulebook for Leading Church Creative Departments comes in. Let's walk through it together.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:12 - EMERGENCY MODE: Church Mission = Policy 9:56 - BASIC MODE: Ministry Mission = Policy 15:20 - ADVANCED MODE: Ministry Policy   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Father's Day is almost here—so here are creative ways your church can celebrate and appreciate dads.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:32 - #1: Don't Make Dads a Caricature 3:27 - #2: Have Fathers Recognize Other Fathers 6:13 - #3: Dad Jokes In Pre-Service Slides 7:20 - #4: Create A Reason For Dad's To Spend Time With Their Families After Church 11:24 - #5: Free Coffee For All Dads 12:12 - #6: Supply Bar 14:18 - #7: Favorite Memories From People On Stage 16:55 - #8: Integrate Acknowledgements For Dads In Different Seasons 20:12 - #9: Incorporate Father's Day Elements, But Don't Design Your Entire Service Around It 21:26 - #10: Dedicate Portion Of Giving That Week To Father-Specific Org 22:12 - How To Approach All Of This On Social   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Need summer social media ideas for your church? These 15 proven posts work—no fancy gear required.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:18 - Kid POV 4:03 - Blown Away Promo 5:35 - Press This Button 7:48 - When You & Your Best Friend Serve On Different Teams 10:21 - Whisper In The Crowd 12:44 - Camera & Paper Prompt 14:46 - Finding Out If There's Youth This Friday 16:11 - What's Your Vision For This Room? 17:26 - What Not To Do During Worship 19:27 - Sorry, I Have Plans 20:24 - I Give Up. Going To Church. 22:15 - POV: You're Late To Service, But You're Favorite Praise Song Is Playing 23:25 - He Won't ☠️ 24:30 - Recharge 26:54 - Volunteer Commitment   IMPORTANT LINK - Kid POV: https://bit.ly/3SdwW8Y - Blown Away Promo: https://bit.ly/4ktHg8N - Press This Button: https://bit.ly/3HgRomN - When You & Your Best Friend Serve On Different Teams: https://bit.ly/3SJMvVX - Whisper In The Crowd: https://bit.ly/3F3gncR - Camera & Paper Prompt: https://bit.ly/3Sdhw4p - Finding Out If There's Youth This Friday: https://bit.ly/3ZmawGb - What's Your Vision For This Room?: https://bit.ly/436oONH - What Not To Do During Worship: https://bit.ly/4kr5fFB - Sorry, I Have Plans: https://bit.ly/45g8Sd6 - I Give Up. Going To Church: https://bit.ly/4k5Oi3O - POV. You're late to service, but your favorite praise song is playing: https://bit.ly/43uwCb1 - He Won't ☠️: https://bit.ly/4kdGxsz - Recharge: https://bit.ly/4dqqB3t - Volunteer Commitment: https://bit.ly/4dmPrBo   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

If I ran your church's social media, this is the calendar I'd use. It works across platforms, adapts to your time, and scales with your team.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 8:50 - TUE & THUR: Sermon Clip #1 & #2 17:33 - MON: Quote Post 19:20 - WED: Carousel & Text Thread 23:00 - FRI: YouTube Video + Portrait Post #1 25:35 - SAT: Portrait Post #2 30:30 - EXTRA: Blog Post & Book   IMPORTANT LINKS - Churches keep neglecting *this* social media post: https://youtu.be/3DNs1YYvq2I - The Church Social Media Masterclass: https://youtu.be/t1g6iMRR_Tk - Subscribe to our newsletter [The 167]: https://167.prochurchtools.com/ - SocialSermons: https://www.socialsermons.com/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

For 15 years, the story's been the same: belief is fading. But new data tells a different story. Not just in America—but across the West. Let's unpack what's changing and what the Church should do next.   IMPORTANT LINKS - Religion in 2024: The Plateau Is Real: https://bit.ly/4cYyCN7 - The Quiet Revival: Gen Z leads rise in church attendance: https://bit.ly/4jZ3G1j   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

From blah to brilliant—5 quick, proven fixes to instantly level up your church announcements. No overhaul needed, just simple tweaks that make a big difference.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:15 - The Curveball 8:05 - The Callback 13:15 - The Interview 17:31 - The Interaction 22:18 - The Audible   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today on the show: 15 things everyone says your church needs on social media. Spoiler — many don't matter at all. We're sorting each one: necessary, nice to have, or nonsense. Let's cut through the noise.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:48 - Spring Promotions 5:46 - Facebook Group 7:04 - Consistency 8:51 - Photography Of Church Life 11:18 - DM Automation 13:12 - Skit Reels 18:50 - Meta Verified 20:26 - Following & Engaging With Others 23:30 - Sprinkle Promotions 28:40 - Hashtags 31:42 - Sermon Reels 38:24 - Social Accounts For Ministries 40:52 - Ideal Post Timing 43:15 - X Account 44:30 - TikTok/Threads Account   IMPORTANT LINKS - ManyChat: https://manychat.com/ - Stop Saying “Link In Bio”! Say This Instead… : https://youtu.be/wEMYlV4ZvPg   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

This is Church Branding 101. Learn the difference between brand and branding, exercises to define your church's identity, and whether branding even belongs in ministry.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:02 - The Simplest Way To Understand Branding 3:52 - Brand vs. Branding 5:38 - All Church's Practice Perception Design, Most Just Do It Unintentionally 10:14 - Is Intentionally Practicing Perception Design 'Manipulative?' 12:50 - Your Church Branding Foundation: Purpose/Mission/Vision/Values   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://prochurchcertified.com - Email us: hello@prochurchtools.com   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Ministry is shifting, and Millennials are stepping into leadership like never before. But without awareness, we risk repeating the mistakes of those before us. Let's talk about what's changing and how to navigate it wisely.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 5:20 - Big Idea #1: Creative Culture Vs. Capitalist Culture 10:10 - Big Idea #2: Millennials No Longer Shape Pop Culture 13:15 - Big Idea #3: Millennials Will Repeat Past Leaders' Mistakes—But Excuse Themselves 17:15 - Big Idea #4: Some Values To Help Us Navigate This New Era 23:53 - Big Idea #5: Mission Over Method   IMPORTANT LINKS - Dupe Photos: https://dupephotos.com - Eden Church: https://www.instagram.com/edenchurchhouston   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

What do you do when your pastor won't listen? This is a common challenge in churches, and today, we're sharing five practical approaches to communicate effectively—without being manipulative. These strategies work in churches of all sizes.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:02 - The Principle Of Congruency 10:17 - The Middle Option 16:58 - The Historical Analogy 22:45 - The 'Church Across The Street' Example 30:15 - The Testimony   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

It's time to check in on the state of religion and Christianity. We've gathered key data-backed trends shaping this decade, including the one denomination that's growing, the strongest force in American religion, and the most common words in new church names. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Trend #1: Church Names 9:40 - Trend #2: The One Denomination That's Growing 16:07 - Trend #3: Young Men Are Now As Religious As Young Women 27:19 - Trend #4: The Strongest Force In American Religion   IMPORTANT LINKS - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com/ - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/ - What's In a Name? Trends in Non-Denominational Church Branding: https://bit.ly/4iJfQL9 - The Assemblies of God: A Denomination That May Be Growing: https://bit.ly/43JmYD1 - Are Young Women Leaving Religion Faster than Young Men?: https://bit.ly/4iLkk3N - Non-Denominationalism Is the Strongest Force in American Religion: https://bit.ly/41Zvj47 - The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future: https://amzn.to/3XMZ1a2   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

RIP to these social media strategies—they didn't make it in 2025. If your church is still using them, it's time to move on. The good news? Dropping outdated tactics frees you up to focus on what truly works. Let's break it down.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Followers 10:25 - Publishing Posts To Stories 15:00 - Choosing Quantity Over Quality 23:14 - Ignoring The Value Of The Re-Post 29:25 - Ignoring Consistent Branding   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Our 2025 church camera buying guide is here, featuring the best new options of the year. We'll break down top picks across mirrorless, cinema, studio, PTZ, and camcorders—plus, grab our downloadable camera catalog.   2025 CAMERA CATALOG HERE: https://prochurchtools.com/best-church-cameras-buying-guide    ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:25 - The Best Budget Mirrorless Camera: Panasonic G7 ($497 USD) 6:33 - The Best Overall Mirrorless Camera: Sony A7C II ($2,198 USD) 12:20 - The Best PTZ Camera Money Can Buy: Sony BRC-AM7 ($12,000 USD) 16:23 - The Best Cinematic PTZ Camera: Sony FR7 ($9,699 USD) 21:30 - The Best Camcorder Money Can Buy: Sony PXW-Z200 ($3,988 USD) 27:40 - The Best Overall Cinema Camera: Sony FX30 ($1,598 USD) 30:45 - The Budget Cinema Camera: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K ($995 USD)   IMPORTANT LINKS - Joel W Smith: https://www.joelwsmith.com - The Church iPhone Filmmaking Masterclass: https://youtu.be/6OWGVAuYSEk - Panasonic G7: https://bhpho.to/4ke1WlP - Sony A7C II: https://bhpho.to/41vZsrw - Sony BRC-AM7: https://bhpho.to/41wWlQ7 - Sony FR7: https://bhpho.to/4hWiNIc - Sony PXW-Z200: https://bhpho.to/3XlTdnY - Sony FX30: https://bit.ly/3SD0jkP - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: https://bit.ly/3wd4U5v   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Recently, I made a social media discovery I never saw coming. We're calling it a hack, but that doesn't quite capture it. This isn't a shortcut—it actually makes social media more human. And for churches, it's a game changer.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - DM Automation 5:18 - Pushback on DM Automation 10:54 - My Recent Comment On A Post 14:40 - My Test 25:25 - Church Application   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Here's what's working for youth groups on social media in 2025. We're breaking down strategy, post ideas, and the best youth group accounts to follow for inspiration. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Guiding Principle #1: Student Driven 9:19 - Guiding Principle #2: Show Don't Tell 14:39 - Post Idea #1: Mic Up Kid 17:42 - Post Idea #2: Disposable 19:55 - Post Idea #3: Broadcast Channels 23:30 - Post Idea #4: Live Performance 29:35 - Post Idea #5: Bible Trivia   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://certified.prochurchtools.com/ - How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell: https://youtu.be/v6O0USRnwbY - cravegeneration: https://www.instagram.com/cravegeneration/ - weareamplifyyouth:https://www.instagram.com/weareamplifyyouth/ - Try This Church Photo Trend ASAP: https://youtu.be/ox4FQ3VKrj0   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Strong teams are the backbone of every thriving church. But let's be honest—building them isn't always easy. Today, we're sharing underrated strategies and practical exercises that can help your church cultivate competent, healthy teams that last.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:45 - Guiding Principle #1: Churches Thrive By Developing Talent, Not Just Discovering It. 7:13 - Guiding Principle #2: You Need Both Soft Skills And Hard Skills 9:18 - Hard Skill #1: Complex Made Simple 13:20 - Hard Skill #2: Get A Quick Win ASAP 16:22 - Hard Skill #3: Long Obedience In The Same Direction 19:20 - Soft Skill #1: Known & Needed 23:35 - Soft Skill #2: People Will Do Almost Anything To Not Feel Pain 29:30 - Soft Skill #3: Expanding Your Language Expands Your World. 32:33 - Pro Church Certified Deep Dive   IMPORTANT LINKS - Pro Church Certified: https://certified.prochurchtools.com/ - An Honest Conversation about recruiting volunteers: https://youtu.be/FiyWC4B_lNU - Loom: https://www.loom.com/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Got tough church social media questions? Today, we're tackling the most obscure, specific, and church-centric challenges you won't find answers to in search engines. Let's bring clarity to your social strategy!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Tips for creating a modular, welcoming, pinned profile banner? 7:02 - How to boost engagement on new church Instagram pages? 9:22 - How frequently should you be posting? 13:32 - Planting a church soon, what should be doing in the lead up on social? 17:30 - Who should be in front of the camera staff-wise? 20:00 - Why did our Facebook engagement drop suddenly? 22:28 - What do we do with bad comments on our church Instagram page?   IMPORTANT LINKS - Try This Church Photo Trend ASAP: https://youtu.be/ox4FQ3VKrj0 - SocialSermons: https://www.socialsermons.com/ - Exposing Church Social Media Myths!: https://youtu.be/pLOhaisGwTA - Church Social Media Trends For 2025: https://youtu.be/_lFcU5cL42w - Nucleus Insiders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nucleusinsiders/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Church leadership can be challenging, especially when negativity creeps into your team. Whether it's one disruptive member or a broader cultural issue, it's tough to navigate. Today, we're sharing a practical framework for both preventing and addressing these challenges, based on our combined experiences in ministry and serving churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Set the standard yourself 11:30 - Set the standard for communication 17:24 - Align Behavior And Attitude Issues With Your Church's Core Values And Mission 22:15 - Earn Equity 26:24 - Clarify Expectations   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

03It's a new year, so let's dive into the top social media trends for 2025! We're tracking six key trends that could shape how your church engages online. And trust us, the first one is a game-changer you're probably not expecting.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:45 - The Anti-Trend 3:25 - The Period Of Stagnation 11:06 - The TikTok Ban15:55 - Social For Search 25:05 - Social For Market Research 32:30 - AI Memes   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today, we sit down with Jay Kranda, the online pastor of Saddleback Church since 2013. As one of the pioneers of online ministry since the early 2000s, Saddleback has developed unconventional approaches to online church—challenging the conventional wisdom in fascinating ways.   IMPORTANT LINKS - Jay Kranda: https://www.jaykranda.com/ - Alpha Omega Digital Tool To Help Your Church: https://bit.ly/3DdCyLX - Online Church Is Not the Answer by Jay Kranda: https://www.jaykranda.com/mybook   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Let's address some unpopular truths about church online—conversations many avoid but need to have. By confronting these realities, we can better focus our church's efforts and resources for greater impact.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - Aesthetic Mismatch 8:08 - Social Media Is A Marathon, Not A Sprint 10:22 - Reaching Locally By Going Broadly 13:15 - Criticism Comes With Social Media 16:15 - You Can't Outgrow Your Growth 19:04 - Tracking Posts to Guest Visits Is Impossible 24:24 - Boring Posts Often Perform The Best   IMPORTANT LINKS - Social Media Hate: How Churches Should Respond!: https://youtu.be/mznF4GqFKJI   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Smaller churches can grow without a big budget—using just seven essential tools! These zero-cost marketing strategies are designed to help you reach more people effectively. Sound too good to be true? Let us show you how it's done.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:55 - Annual Bridge Events 9:53 - Viral For Me Clips On Social 11:30 - Get More People In Your Building Beyond Sunday Service 18:19 - Google Ad Grants & SEO 20:25 - Follow-back On Social & Like Their Content  22:15 - Build An Invite Culture   IMPORTANT LINKS - Google Gives Churches $10K in Free Ads: No Catch?: https://youtu.be/cdWrWtTgxkM - Google Business Profile for Church [Master Guide]: https://youtu.be/TEo6tDNYt5g   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Some of the world's best creative tools are deeply discounted - and sometimes even free - for churches and non-profits. But how do you access these discounts and what are the eligibility requirements? Today, we've compiled a list of the top 20 free and discounted software platforms and creative tools for churches and non-profits.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:46 - Resolve 3:39 - Nucleus Free Website Makeovers 5:29 - Canva For Non-Profits 8:04 - Blackmagic Camera App 9:23 - iPhone Camera App 10:17 - Adobe Creative Cloud 13:50 - Quickbooks 14:30 - Microsoft Office 14:56 - Zoom 15:49 - Google Ad Grant 16:13 - Google Workspace 17:20 - Calendly 18:11 - Buffer 18:40 - Vista Social & Bonfire 19:15 - Miro 19:32 - 1Password 22:35 - Trello 23:00 - ClickUp 24:08 - Notion 24:20 - Dropbox 24:42 - Auphonic   IMPORTANT LINKS - Resolve: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/davinciresolve - Nucleus Free Website Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers - Canva For Non-Profits: https://www.canva.com/canva-for-nonprofits/ - Blackmagic Camera App: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/ca/products/blackmagiccamera - Adobe Creative Cloud: https://www.techsoup.org/adobe  - Quickbooks: https://www.techsoup.org/intuit  - Microsoft Office: https://www.techsoup.org/microsoft  - Zoom: https://www.techsoup.org/zoom  - Google Ad Grants: https://www.google.ca/grants/ - Google Workspace: https://www.google.com/nonprofits/offerings/workspace/  - Calendly: email support@calendly.com - Buffer: https://buffer.com/nonprofits - Vista Social: https://vistasocial.com/nonprofits/ - Bonfire: https://www.bonfire.com/fundraising/nonprofits/  - Miro: https://miro.com/npo/ - 1Password: https://1password.com/for-non-profits/ - Trello: https://www.atlassian.com/licensing/purchase-licensing#pricing-discounts  - ClickUp: https://clickup.com/teams/non-profit  - Notion: https://www.notion.so/nonprofits  - Dropbox: https://www.techsoup.org/dropbox  - Auphonic: https://auphonic.com/pricing  - The Church iPhone Filmmaking Masterclass: https://youtu.be/6OWGVAuYSEk?si=N3pdkqp7TyaVZlef - Magic Formula for Cinematic Church iPhone Videos: https://youtu.be/rCrW6kS_cYc?si=6qgtrk89HS_mfcro - Don't print Church Bulletins, do this instead!: https://youtu.be/W3MEJ_6NYGA?si=QF5Snff0fb_aJNCw   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Church announcements often go unnoticed—but there's a proven formula for making them memorable and impactful. Many churches miss the mark, so today, we're here to help! We'll craft announcements for ten real church events, demonstrating exactly how it's done.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Youth Summer Beach Bonfire 7:42 - Praise In The Park 13:23 - First Steps Class 19:37 - VBS Theme 25:17 - Serve Day 26:47 - Summer Discipleship Groups 27:56 - Monthly Worship Night   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Handling negative comments online has evolved—especially for churches, where religious topics can spark intense reactions. So, should you delete, engage, or ignore? Today, we're sharing the best practices to help you manage these situations effectively.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - The Two Eras Of Social 12:45 - Your Options 13:03 - When To Delete 14:33 - Your Options [Continued] 17:00 - The Pin & Respond Strategy 30:40 - Responding To Negative Reviews On Google   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Stage nerves are something we all face, whether it's during a sermon, an announcement, or even a prayer. Today, we're sharing our top tips, principles, and techniques to help you speak with confidence on stage at church.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Proximity Principle 6:00 - Pitch, Pace, & Pause 13:00 - The Power Of Storytelling   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

More churches in America are closing each year than opening. Today, we're sitting down with our friend Ryan Burge whose church, after over 150 years, made the difficult decision to close its doors earlier this year. We'll hear their story firsthand and explore the broader implications of this growing trend for the future of Christianity in America.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Ryan's Church Story 7:40 - Changing Religious Demographic Trends 14:29 - Culpability vs Innocence 22:00 - Process Of Closing A Church 28:40 - Where Are You Finding Hope Right Now   IMPORTANT LINKS - As a pastor I pray my flock comes back… | Religion News: https://bit.ly/48c9Rub - An Illinois church closes its doors as religion declines in the US | AP News: https://bit.ly/4dOuqhx - In small-town Illinois, a little church says goodbye | Religion News: https://bit.ly/4hapdDw - How do you close a church? Ryan Burge learned firsthand | Deseret News: https://bit.ly/4harxdK - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://x.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Looking for fresh social media ideas for your church? Today, we've got over 20 unique post ideas your church probably hasn't tried yet! Even better, these ideas can be repeated every year. Just imagine—set the dates, and the planning is done! Trust us, you haven't used these before.    ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:23 - Alex's Audible 6:41 - First Day Of Spring, Summer, Fall, And Winter 9:38 - National Coffee Day 12:04 - Famous Food For Your Church 15:26 - National Technology Day 17:58 - National Sons/Daughters/Parents Day 19:27 - National Father Daughter Take A Walk Day 22:13 - National Plant A Flower Day 23:25 - Black History Month 24:59 - National Awkward Moments Day 26:29 - National Day Of Prayer 29:39 - National Tweed Day 30:48 - National Vitamin C Day 32:07 - National Pet Day 33:09 - National Foster Care Month 34:29 - National Candy Corn Day 36:23 - National Buy Nothing Day 39:31 - National Grammar/Punctuation Day 40:34 - National Thesaurus Day 42:32 - National Pastor's Spouse Day 43:42 - International Women's Day 45:08 - Honorable Mentions   IMPORTANT LINKS - National Day Calendar: https://bit.ly/3Y2Dcmn - Alex's Carousel Post: https://bit.ly/3TXZwfJ   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Did you know Google offers non-profits, including churches, up to $10,000 in free monthly ad grants? That's right—$10K to spend on ads for your church! But what's the catch? Today, we're joined by Brady Sticker from Church Candy, who manages these campaigns for churches, to break it all down.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:13 - What Is The Catch? 2:43 - What Are The First Steps To Get Signed-Up? 7:21 - Once You're Validated, What Do You Do First? 11:53 - Is It Reasonable To Spend That Much Money On Ads With Low Click Through Rates? 13:48 - How To Write An Effective Google Ad? 18:28 - Is Searching ‘Church Near Me' The Highest Searched Thing? 27:33 - How Do Ads Different Between Evergreen Events And Seasonal Events?   IMPORTANT LINKS - Google Ad Grants: https://www.google.ca/grants/ - Launch Big by Brady Sticker: https://amzn.to/3ZP1x1u - ChurchCandy: https://churchcandy.com/ - Brady Sticker IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradysticker/ - ChurchCandy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradysticker/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we've compiled a list of ways your church can show love to your pastor. Some ideas are free, others cost a little, and a few are out-of-the-box, but they'll all make your pastor feel valued. Plus, we'll dive into the surprising history and origins of Pastor Appreciation Month!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Idea #1: Aura Digital Frame 3:18 - Bonus: Origin Of Pastor Appreciation Cay 8:40 - Idea #2: Handwritten Notes 9:02 - Idea #3: Video Thank You Card From Kids 10:51 - Idea #4: Gift Cards To A Favorite Restaurant Or Store 12:42 - Idea #5: Plan A Night Out 17:40 - Idea #6: Hobby-Related Gifts 19:23 - Idea #7: Home Improvements 20:46 - Idea #8: Award Ceremony "The Clergies" 22:40 - Idea #9: Select Subscription Service 28:26 - Idea #10: Car Detailing   IMPORTANT LINKS - Aura Frames: https://auraframes.com - Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com - Audible: https://www.audible.com/ - The Roasters Pack: https://theroasterspack.com/ - Fuego Box: https://www.fuegobox.com/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Recruiting church volunteers often feels desperate, leaving people feeling guilted into serving. But to do it right, there are three key stages: recruit, train, and celebrate. Today, we'll cover proven techniques that any church can use to make the process smoother—and even do much of the heavy lifting for you.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - How To Recruit 12:40 - How To Train 21:57 - How To Celebrate   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Today, we're sharing some sermon series ideas we believe every church should consider for 2025—with a unique twist in how they were generated. These ideas are Biblically based, timely, and versatile, making them perfect for any ministry, regardless of size or denomination.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:22 - More Singles 11:48 - Fewer Parents 18:09 - The Gender War Within Gen Z 25:02 - The Nones Have Hit A Ceiling 31:01 - Fewer Close Friends Than Ever   IMPORTANT LINKS - Share of 40-year-olds in US who have never married reaches new high | Pew Research Center: https://pewrsr.ch/3ZcvisN - Millennials aren't having kids. Here's why. | The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/3XEYO9y - Many Gen Z Men Feel Left Behind. Some See Trump as an Answer. | The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/4e18P6v - The Nones Have Hit a Ceiling | Ryan Burge: https://bit.ly/4ehZ1Vm - Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life | The Survey Center on American Life: https://bit.ly/3AVVcqx   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Every week, we send photographers to churches worldwide with a detailed shot list, etiquette guidelines, and gear recommendations. Today, we're sharing all of that with you, along with example galleries from real churches to show what a successful church photoshoot looks like. Welcome to The Definitive Church Photography Shot List!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Definition Of A Successful Church Photoshoot 7:00 - What To Bring 12:30 - Shot List 19:24 - Rules & Etiquette   IMPORTANT LINKS - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers - Photo Gallery #1: https://prochur.ch/3Zay2qq - Photo Gallery #2: https://prochur.ch/4dOO3XB - Photo Gallery #3: https://prochur.ch/4dQPsNn   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

If you're a pastor or church leader juggling social media duties, this video is for you! We're sharing five repeatable Instagram Stories frameworks that you can use every week. These tried-and-true methods are highly engaging and have stood the test of time for over five years. Plus, we're offering step-by-step downloadable guides to make it even easier.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - The Slider Select 7:18 - The Irresistible Question 12:15 - The Poll Precursor 17:24 - Tuesday Trivia 22:38 - The Alley-Oop   IMPORTANT LINKS - The Busy Pastor's Guide to Instagram Stories DOWNLOAD: https://prochur.ch/4cCiEGp   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Noticed a drop in your church's Instagram Story views? You're not alone, and we know why. It's not a mystery, and better yet, we can fix it! In this video, we'll cover eight reasons your church's Instagram Stories are flopping—and how to turn it around.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Instagram Has Different Algorithms 4:02 - What Should We Prioritize On Stories? 8:09 - Viewing History 15:27 - Engagement History 21:03 - Closeness 26:50 - What Are Best Practices For Links In Stories? 31:42 - Best Practice In The Previous Era Is Worst Practice In The Current Era 37:43 - How Can We Take Advantage Of The Fact That Stories Expire?   IMPORTANT LINKS - The 3 Rules for Church Social Media Managers: https://youtu.be/XQCQkucazGg - “Add to Favorites” DOWNLOAD: https://prochur.ch/3Mc9963   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Your church's website isn't always the first stop for online visitors. Often, they'll see your Google Business Profile first—the widget in Google search and maps with photos, contact info, and reviews. If this isn't optimized, visitors might never reach your site. In this video, we dive into the essentials of Google Business Profiles for churches.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:12 - How Do Churches Claim Their Google Business Profil 4:00 - Filling Out Your Basic Info 6:28 - Crucial Steps For A Great First Impression: Photos 16:45 - Crucial Steps For A Great First Impression: Reviews 22:33 - Questions & Answers 26:00 - Special Considerations   IMPORTANT LINKS - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

Having a host is one of the best ways to truly elevate a church service. But what exactly is a host and what do they do? In this video, we'll break down the 7 essential things every church needs to know about hosting. Plus, if you're hesitant, we've got word-for-word script options for you to use.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:37 - What Is A Host? 1:20 - What Is The Goal Of A Host? Why Does "Fluidity" Matter? 7:26 - Connecting Pieces Behind The Scenes 12:59 - Pushback: Is This Not Just A Modern Church Invention Coming From The Secular World? 15:49 - Scripting Options 21:10 - Host Behaviour   THE 167 NEWSLETTER

03Is your church guilty of these 10 visitor-repelling behaviors? We've compiled real reports from church visitors detailing what scares them off. Because you only get to make one first impression. So let's make it a good one. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:40 - The New Visitor Spotlight 4:30 - Insider Jargon OR Traditions 9:43 - Forced Small Talk & Mingling 13:05 - Inauthentic Or Incomplete Online Footprint 15:50 - Unfriendly 21:15 - Lack Of Structure 24:22 - Too Much Recruitment In Service 25:47 - Inaccessible Biblical Teaching 27:58 - Nowhere To Sit 33:02 - Singles Feel Left Out   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Start your 30-day free trial (no credit card required) of Nucleus here: https://www.nucleus.church/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Today, we list 15 supposed essentials for church websites. Some are unnecessary! We'll categorize them: necessary, nice to have, or nonsense. By the end, you'll know what truly matters for your site. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:03 - Speed 10:08 - Live Stream Primary CTA 14:22 - Pop-Ups 20:37 - Sermon Archive 24:22 - Beliefs 30:29 - Links To Social 32:01 - 5-Star Domain Name 35:48 - Sliders 44:55 - Responsive Design4 8:02 - App CTAs 52:30 - Service Times, Address, & Contact Info 55:55 - Staff Page 59:56 - Scroll Animation 01:03:18 - Photography 01:06:42 - SEO   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Pingdom Website Speed Test: https://bit.ly/4fi7ut3 - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers - Holy Trinity Brompton: https://htb.org/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Does online church negatively impact in-person attendance? It's a debate we've been having for years, and now we finally have some great data to shed light on it. Join us as Ryan Burge from Graphs About Religion helps us untangle the insights and implications.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:54 - Who Is Attending Online Church? 17:53 - Does Going To Church Keep Youth From Drinking And Smoking? 38:04 - Are Women More Spiritual and Men More Religious?   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Who is Attending Online Church?: https://bit.ly/4fceCHe - Does Going to Church Keep High School Students from Drinking and Smoking?: https://bit.ly/4bJzPWc - Are Women More Spiritual and Men More Religious?: https://bit.ly/4bPoxQl - Generations by Jean M. Twenge: https://bit.ly/4d9PleX - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com/ - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Rohn Starling returns to the show for a section we're called “Rohn's Rankings”. We're discussing trending social media sounds and sharing five church post ideas.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:58 - Trend #5: Part of me feels bad, but not that bad 12:28 - Trend #4: Not my problem 28:23 - Trend #3: Number 44, that's me! 35:08 - Trend #2: Inside Out 2 43:46 - Trend #1: Blinking Sound   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Trend #5: Part of me feels bad, but not that bad: https://bit.ly/3LrAeli - Trend #4: Not my problem: https://bit.ly/4f2a5au - Trend #3: Number 44, that's me!: https://bit.ly/46a2HFR - Trend #2: Inside Out 2: https://bit.ly/3LqaG8j - Trend #1: Blinking Sound: https://bit.ly/3W3lzSq - Rohn Starling IG: https://www.instagram.com/rohnstarling/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Today on the show we're answering your questions. Questions about burn out, bilingual church social media strategies, and everything in between. Let's dive in.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - How should bilingual churches post on social media? 4:25 - Where did you get all the wisdom for naming Alex? 7:32 - Best food in Montreal? 17:15 - After 10 years of PCT, what would you do differently as a team? 26:47 - Should we look into creating a new YouTube Channel for our podcast or do we keep it on our church's YouTube channel? 29:52 - Heard you're going to be at SALT Conference. Excited? 32:56 - What is your daily workflow? Apps? Schedule? Integrations? 44:02 - Can you talk about burnout? 53:50 - What does a well-structured administrative team look like on a church organization chart? 59:11 - How can churches with no sermon build up content for #noweeksoff foundation material?   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Our big announcement (finally): https://youtu.be/edD_Nsu3Qsg - Church website red flags: https://youtu.be/lV_P3I0NvSc - The best church websites of 2024: https://youtu.be/oSpcw7dkXAM - Mon Lapin Montreal: https://vinmonlapin.com/ - SALT conference: https://www.salt2024.com/ - Fischersund: https://www.fischersund.com/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

It's our quarterly social media review. Discover changes, constants, and their impact on your church.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:10 - Assessing Our Previous Predictions  8:54 - Adult Content on X 17:40 - Church Invite Memes 23:22 - Reels Split Design 31:26 - YouTube Thumbnail A/B Testing 42:28 - Carousels Over Reels? 48:45 - Apple AI & Unplugging From Our Devices   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Our big announcement (finally): https://youtu.be/edD_Nsu3Qsg - Talking Tech and AI with Tim Cook!: https://youtu.be/pMX2cQdPubk?feature=shared   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

On June 10th, the head of Instagram made a significant statement: "____ matters most across the board." So, what is it? Likes? Comments? Watch time? Saves? None of the above. Today on the show, we're diving into the most important metric on Instagram—a metric that's not easy to find and requires some digging.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:04 - Sends per reach are one of the most important things to look at 11:23 - Most people won't like *and* send 24:51 - IG heavily preference accounts who both follow each other 32:44 - Priority notifications come with the verified badge 36:16 - Instagram focuses on creators, not publishers   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - An honest conversation with the CEO of Instagram [Colin and Samir]: https://bit.ly/3KOQUmr   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

In today's episode, we feature a rural pastor who discovered he had more time for social media than he thought…it's our very own Alexander Mills! This episode is packed with both introductory and advanced social media tips for churches. If you're part of a smaller church or serving in a rural area, this one's for you.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro / Alex's Church 5:46 - Strategy for Sustainability 12:10 - High Quality Content 34:10 - Low Effort Design Tools 43:20 - Post Examples   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Life Abundant (Alex's church): https://www.lifeabundant.info/ - Life Abundant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeabundantniagara/ - Canva: https://www.canva.com/ - CapCut: https://www.capcut.com/ - Sermon quote (carousel) - https://bit.ly/3RoZiga - Guided prayer (carousel) - https://bit.ly/3Rm8GRT - Simple story (iPhone Reel) - https://bit.ly/4bXXWRW - Simple story (CapCut Reel) - https://bit.ly/4bVh6b1 - Meditation + Program Post (Nucleus Media) - https://bit.ly/4bMcpAl   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Join us in today's episode as we tackle your burning questions! Ever wondered about the ideal time commitment for pastors on social media? Or how to navigate challenges when your social media efforts seem to fall short? Plus, discover insights on maintaining a God-centered focus in fulfilling pursuits.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:15 - What are your thoughts on church politics? Are they inevitable? 9:10 - What should we do if Facebook engagement drops but Instagram rises? 15:06 - How much time should a pastor dedicate to making content for social media if any? 20:35 - Should we honestly care what others in church think about us? 24:53 - What are the boys wearing for summer this year? 28:06 - What is the hiring process for Pro Church Tools? 31:00 - Drinks in the shower? Yes or no? 37:54 - Your view on having tattoos? Especially as a leader in the church. 46:16 - Was there a social or communication trend you didn't see coming, but really blew up? 50:18 - Have you ever considered sharing more lifestyle content? Clothing, health, travel, etc. 56:10 - If you were to frame your ministry in a bit of Scripture, what would it be? 58:42 - What are the top five voices you lean into and trust in life and ministry? 01:04:49 - I'm giving it my all for my church's social media and see little growth. Any advice? 01:08:58 - You posted on Instagram Stories your reuben sandwich. What else have you been cooking lately? 01:15:34 - Do you encourage or discourage the 'hide like count' feature? 01:17:22 - What do you do to make sure you're always serving God in a field so gratifying in itself?   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - SocialSermons: https://socialsermons.com/ - How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell: https://youtu.be/v6O0USRnwbY   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Social media changes fast! Today, we discuss these changes with church social media expert Danielle Davis. Alex, Danielle, and I each bring two topics: one exciting and one concerning trend for the future. We're here to keep your church in the know on all of the changes happening on social. ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Start your 30-day free trial (no credit card required) of Nucleus here: https://www.nucleus.church/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Today we're welcoming back to the show, for the second time, former Life.Church photographer - Benjamin Suter. We get to follow along a live demonstration of his photo editing process. We'll cover exposure, white balance, sharpening, grain, and preserving skin tones under stage lighting. Plus, he shares his custom presets, available as a free download in the show notes.   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Adobe Lightroom: https://lightroom.adobe.com/ - Benjamin J Suter Presets: https://benjaminjsuter.com/presets - Pro Church Tools Presets: https://prochurchtools.com/presets   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Today we're discussing 15 social media aspects often deemed crucial - but which you might be surprised to learn otherwise. We'll be categorizing them into ‘necessary', ‘nice to have', or ‘nonsense' so by the end of this episode you'll know what is actually worth your time on social. ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Personality 7:00 - Hashtags 11:12 - Using A Social Media Scheduler 16:05 - Vertical Video 18:27 - Deleting Posts 22:46 - Post Timing 26:16 - Trending Sounds 36:02 - Experimenting With New Post Formats 38:26 - Comment Moderation 43:42 - DM Automation 49:21 - Grid Aesthetic 53:42 - The Same Handle Across All Social Platforms 55:37 - Re-Using Content 59:19 - No Weeks Off 01:03:12 - DM Auto Replies   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - Levi Lusko Post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5vldC0Ov4K/ - Vista Social: https://vistasocial.com/ - Manychat: https://manychat.com/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast

Today on the show, we have a former Life.Church photographer joining us. We discuss preparing shot lists, favorite gear, and photographer etiquette. Plus, we share creative ideas for capturing baptism photos without damaging our cameras - hint: think fish tank!   ============================= Show Notes: ============================= - SocialSermons: https://socialsermons.com/ - Bravingbird: https://www.bravingbird.com/   ============================= Connect With Brady: ============================= Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer/ TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/pfArcS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BradyShearer The Pro Church Tools Show: https://prochurchtools.com/podcast