Your Digital Pastor - Dr. Marcus Cylar

We're in the middle of a global pandemic, and everything we do now has the word “virtual” attached to it. I'm sick of it. Give me these 8 minutes and I will compel you to never use the word again! Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

I talked previously about “content opportunities”. I want to put some flesh on that with some insights to help ministries preach the gospel more effectively. Taking advantage of content opportunities simply means looking at everything you do as content. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

You wouldn't believe how much content I've produced that I've never published. As a #digitalministry specialist, stewarding the greatest story that's ever been told, I need to stop doing that. Shortening the distance between idea and execution puts your ministry in the frame of mind necessary to behave like a media company. Such a mindset is vital to success in this #digitalministry landscape in 2020 and beyond. When you begin thinking like a media company, you start finding content opportunities everywhere, in everything. And when you've set your heart and mind on identifying those opportunities as often as possible, you become a better storyteller. That's why tools like voice tweets are so important. These allow us to get out our ideas much quicker and flesh things out so, again, our minds are freed up to produce great, kingdom-impacting work. This episode is brought to you courtesy of Twitter voice!

Communication is as much what you do, don't do, and don't say as much as it is what you say. Presence is as much a heart posture as it is a physical location. Progress: What have you dragged your feet on in the past? What have you been slow to understand? Stay woke. But let's do so with the mind of Christ. Especially in this season. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

#BlackOutTuesday was supposed to be about amplification. We do the opposite of that, though, when we needlessly evaluate people's personal lives as the basis for discrediting their contributions. Let's stop that. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

I promise this is not what you think it is. Give it a listen. Either you're with us or you're not; there's no gray area anymore. The love of Christ dictates as such. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

Just a few thoughts — The successful ministry in this new paradigm is not the one who will have the most powerful Sunday experience, but will be the one who will create engaging, God-glorifying content on a daily basis. Churches in this season will best show up online as their own networks.

1 - Morning prayer and devotion (at least five days a week) 2 - Podcast (perspective from the pastor on a relevant topic) 3 - Mass text of encouragement (can be six days/week) 4 - 30-60 minutes of live Q&A on FB/IG Live (or you could teach first and then “hang out” for a while) 5 - Robocall (alternate day of the week and time so it's always unexpected) 6 - Blog post (some do a “From the Pastor's Pen” bulletin style, but honestly, it's sometimes mailed in; actually take it seriously and do it on a different day of the week) Let's talk about this! Holler at me and let me know your thoughts. Which of these will you implement in your church's content strategy? Digital is going to be our new norm for a while, so I want to take the lead on how we need to be thinking about and executing on digital so we can reach more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://marcusacylar.com [You can actually DM me as well for the time being...all my websites got hacked and therefore I'm in the middle of transition.

Digital is uniquely: 1 - Personal (can create 1 to 1 impact out of 1 to many encounters) 2 - Ubiquitous (can experience the event anywhere) 3 - Shareable (can send a link and allow others to tap in) 4 - Asynchronous (can consume in your own time) 5 - Passive (can engage even while doing other things) 6 - Collaborative (can see the thoughts of others you ordinarily may not know in person) Let's talk about this! Holler at me and let me know your thoughts. Because of #COVID_19, digital only is going to be our new norm for a while, so I want to take the lead on how we need to be thinking about digital so we can reach more people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. [I'll be adding to these show notes with links to the aforementioned content from Brian Fanzo when I get a chance to circle back to it.] Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire [actually, DM me for the time being...all my websites got hacked

Some churches were on the forefront of the digital ministry trend, others were later adopters, and yet many more have come to #onlinechurch kicking and screaming over the past few weeks. Those are the churches I want to help in this season. It pains me to no end that in this ever treacherous season, in these most perilous times, when the global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought us to our knees and relegated us to our own homes, I am not on the #churchcommunications front lines. At the hour when my gifts and passions are needed most, I am not currently a daily church communicator. It hurts. Badly. But even though my current occupation is different from what I prepared for, I know I still have gifts and talents within me that I can use to help churches, especially well-meaning but inexperienced ones, navigate this ever-changing digital ministry landscape. And I plan to do just that. Even if I must do it for free. I have resolved to start sharing simple church communications tips, in video form, every single day (prayerfully) for the time being so I can help ministries show up best online and preach the gospel at this hour when the world needs the good news of Jesus Christ most. That's what this episode is about. It was designed to be an IGTV post, but it's not letting me post it the way I want to, so I turned it into a well-overdue podcast episode. If you want to skip the backstory and go straight to the actionable content, feel free to fast forward through the first nine minutes. God bless! Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

Because of what I've been through in my own life, I am fascinated with redemption and reinvention stories. The 2020 reiteration of the XFL is such a story, and I'm here for it. I promise if you give this a full listen, the value is there. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

On this episode, I talk with one of my very best friends, Chris Preston (http://twitter.com/cp_6), host of the podcast “Where Did I Park?” (http://linktr.ee/wdipshow) about a truly innovative idea utilizing a QR code in a way you've probably never heard of to market his podcast. Trust me, you'll want to listen to this one! Scripture: Luke 9:49-50

A continuation of the throwback clips I shared previously as background, I reflect on what was happening at the time of those recordings and connect them to the concept of being able to add value on social media when you're going through personal matters and it would be much easier just to shut it down. There are five key ways we can still have a social media presence when it seems we really don't have much to say. We do so by becoming a: 1 - Master engager: leaving comments on other people's stuff, whether you're saying something of value that others can learn from or you're encouraging either the content creator or someone else in those comments 2 - Master cheerleader: even if nothing you feel is noteworthy is going on in you're life, you can still bless people by the way you're able to celebrate the great things others are doing 3 - Master curator: sharing articles, gems from podcast episodes; I've added podcasts and blogs to my repertoire because of the recommendations of others 4 - Master resource person: tools, account to follow 5 - Master learner/reporter: What books are you reading? What courses are you taking? Do you have something useful to say about those? Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

Scripture: 1 Peter 5: 6-11 Tool: Speechify app https://getspeechify.com Before getting into the points, I wanted to take a look back to two pieces of content I made—both of which have shown up on past episodes of the pod—about things I went through while I was in the middle of a multi-year storm that wrapped up (thankfully) in 2019 and what I learned in the process. I'm using these throwbacks to set the conceptual stage for what we'll discuss in the next episode, coming very shortly. The holiday season is rough for some of us for a number of reasons, and I want to meet those of you for whom this applies right where you are and give you a late Christmas gift to empower you and take you into 2020 victoriously. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

1 - People don't have to be compelled to spend, but they do need to be compelled to give 2 - We are compelled by stories and It takes time for us to connect to the stories of others 3 - You didn't take advantage of extra time to bring more exposure to your ministry, organization 4 - You squandered an opportunity to distinguish yourself from others 5 - You missed an easy chance to create regular content Scripture: Philippians 4:8 Tool: Tweet thread analyzing the controversial Pelaton commercial from a copyrighting standpoint: https://cylar.me/2YtCXl5 Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

TL;DR (DL): People won't care about what you do until they connect with who you are. I connect a few ideas and resources together to arrive at this key takeaway for business, #churchcomm, ministry as a whole, and interpersonal relationships. Links mentioned: Web Smith on Twitter: http://twitter.com/web 2PM: http://2pml.com Gary Vaynerchuk: http://twitter.com/garyvee Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

Types of video seminaries should be creating 1️⃣ Testimonial videos 2️⃣ Live event video (chapel, commencement, conferences, presentations, convocations, work not on campus but in the community) 3️⃣ A recorded webinar for prospective students (one specific to each academic program offered) 4️⃣ Classroom moments 5️⃣ Daily 1-min devotional videos or live morning meditation (preferably from the President or spread it around between President, VP(s), faculty, staff, sometimes students) Scripture: Luke 17:7-10 MSG Tool: AudioMaster app - $4.99/quarter Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

1️⃣ COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - In every seminary community, which comprises, at minimum, current students, faculty, staff, and alumni, there is a treasure chest of stories to be shared, either of what those seminary family members are doing presently or of the difference the seminary has made in their lives. An institution's social media team should collect as many of these stories as possible and post them frequently. 2️⃣ BEHIND THE SCENES: IN THE CLASSROOM - What is it like to actually take a course at your school? I remember having some fascinating and oftentimes spirited conversations in my classes during my seminary years, and I can only imagine what kind of online discussion could have been sparked had clips on any of those discussions been posted on social media. Instant engagement right here! 3️⃣ PRESIDENT'S PERSPECTIVE - Among the many hats a seminary president should wear is that of content producer. He or she should have a blog, vlog, podcast, or at least a bi-monthly newsletter where he/she shares perspectives and advances thought leadership on issues of relevance to the Christian community, thereby raising the profile and prophetic witness of the seminary as a whole. 4️⃣ CAMPUS LIFE/IN THE COMMUNITY - Prospective students should not only get a taste what it's like to take a class at their potential school, but they should also get a glimpse of what being a student on that campus looks like. If the seminary is a commuter school, the focus with this type of content would be less on campus life and more on the programs or projects the seminary taking place in its surrounding community. 5️⃣ CURRENT SCHOLARSHIP - One really good and collaborative way to advance the thought leadership of the seminary would be to discuss the current research of its students and faculty. Prospective students and potential donors could be attracted to the difference-making academic work taking place in the seminary community and want to be a part of it. With these types of content and others I'll be discussing over time, a seminary should never struggle to find engaging content to share. Scripture: Isaiah 61; Luke 4:16-21 Tool: Prayer of Examen app from Fuller Studio - https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/prayer-of-examen/ Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

I had some thoughts this evening about the effect of social media on the public sentiment toward Kanye West's initial gospel offering. #YourDigitalPastor Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

026: The 5 fundamental principles of #churchcomm This week's topic was inspired by @bradyshearer and the #ProChurchTools #podcast. That is to say these principles aren't original thoughts of mine, but the presentation of them in this way was birthed out of a church communications workshop for a certificate program I was blessed to facilitate in 2018 at my alma mater, @ashlandseminary. The format of the workshop was to present a fictional scenario based on a pressing issue in the local church and then break off into groups to discuss. I was fully prepared to lead the workshop based on this format, but when the professor and director of the program asked me to talk about who I am and the work I do in church communications, I came off the dome with five quick points. It wasn't until I wrote these points down on the whiteboard that I realized I was simply repeating what Brady and @alexandermills talk about on the podcast all the time. To be able to teach church communications in seminary—my dream—you have to have a theoretical framework to operate off of, a set of principles that will continue to apply even as the communications technology changes. These principles I believe fit that bill. 1️⃣ SEIZE THE 167. Out of the 168 hours of our week, the typical believer only spends one of those hours at a weekly gathering (2-3 hours in most black churches

This week, I'm sharing my #topfive reasons seminaries should offer church communications education. 1 - Just like pastors and seminary professors, church communicators are stewards of the greatest story that has ever been told. To be a good steward over something, you must be trained to handle it. While seminary is not the only place for training, it is definitely beneficial to be undergirded with theological training. You're so much more than a flyer maker; you're a minister of the gospel, and being trained as such can only help you do your job better. 2 - Receiving at least some of the same training a pastor receives can help the communicator and pastor get on the same page. On the flip side, offering at least a church communications survey course can help one preparing for pastoral ministry to see things from the eyes of the communicator. Not seeing eye to eye with the senior leader is one of the biggest pain points for church communicators, and seminary churchcomm instruction could help mitigate that. 3 - The Director of Communications is increasingly becoming a senior-level position in strategy, weight, and responsibility (or at least it should be). The communicator should therefore have theological training that is on par with senior religious leaders. One functioning in this role is best served when he/she has the trust of the senior leader and is granted some level of authority over strategic decisions regarding how the mission and vision of the ministry are communicated and the day-to-day execution thereof. If pastor and communicator are receiving at least somewhat similar training, then perhaps that trust will be granted. 4 - Offering church communications training can shorten the learning curve for a communicator just starting out. You hear many stories about communicators accidentally finding themselves in that role because they were young or because they were working with youth and the role was placed upon them, and they therefore had to learn on the job. Of course, communications is changing all the time, especially on the digital side, but establishing a standard baseline of training can provide a solid body of knowledge the communicator can start with and build from. 5 - Communicators can find themselves in pastoral roles through community management or responding to social media mentions, comments, DMs, and emails. Having at least some pastoral training would allow you speak with a pastoral voice or perhaps even gain enough trust and buy-in from your pastor to speak on behalf of the ministry when you're engaging others online. Scripture of the week: Mark 14:32-35 Tool of the week: My Twitter list - Seminaries Connect with me or subscribe to the list @pastorcylar Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

One very important aspect of church communications that is never discussed is the communications efforts of the institutions responsible for equipping the leaders of the church. I am uniquely qualified to provide value on this subject. In this 4th quarter of 2019 (and beyond, prayerfully), I'm taking a chance on myself (more on this later) and doubling down on what I'm called to do and what I'm passionate about. I'm going to create much more content on #churchcomm this quarter with a heavy emphasis on (1) how seminaries are (and could/should be) using digital media and (2) building a case for church communications education in seminaries everywhere. On this episode of the podcast, I present my top five seminaries killing it digitally in 2019. Here they are: 1: Princeton Theological Seminary - IG: @princetonseminary; Twitter: @ptseminary 2: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - IG: @southernseminary; Twitter: @SBTS 3: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - IG: @midwesternseminary, Twitter: @MBTS 4: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary - IG, Twitter @SEBTS 5: Fuller Theological Seminary - IG, Twitter: @fullerseminary Honorable mention: Harvard Divinity School - IG, Twitter: @harvarddivinity Dallas Theological Seminary - IG, Twitter: @dallasseminary Two key takeaways: (1) These institutions have been standouts for me online either (a) because of the quality and volume of content they create, (b) the way they make use of their scholarship, (c) how they engage their followers, or (d) the way they emphasize their students and alumni more than themselves. Every theological institution ought to be emulating these qualities online and offline for the growth their school and, more importantly, for the glory of God. (2) Every seminary needs the following to increase its digital footprint and grow its enrollment and impact: (a) a content publishing hub, above and beyond its website and online/on-campus curriculum; (b) a weekly live or audio/video broadcasted chapel service; (c) a framework for sharing the stories of its students, faculty, alumni, and community. Scripture of the week: 1 Chronicles 12:32 Tool of the week: Linq - digital business cards http://app.mylinq.co Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

#LeadingFromTheBottom is me distilling the many leadership lessons I've learned from this season of my professional life. In this episode, I talk about how you can still lead and be of value as a go-to person, even when you don't know the answer. I pray what I'm sharing is a nugget of wisdom you'll be able to use in your own life and ministry. yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor

February 2019 has been a crucial month in the history of my life, crucial for my future and for everything God has for me. This last week of the month is critically important to seal the work that has already been done. I'm therefore asking for you to agree with me in prayer. This month was so important that I had to get my mind and spirit right, and I did so by (a) shutting down all my social media (except LinkedIn) and (b) creating a playlist that reflects my heart and mind during this season of my life and what I need(ed) God to do for me this month. This is the music I've been listening to throughout this month; you should hear a theme emerge. If you're praying with me, I invite you to follow along with me and add the playlist to your library. I pray it blesses you. I also discussed how creating playlists on your music service of choice and be a highly effective content play for your ministry. #YourDigitalPastor “No Choice But Victory” Playlist Spotify: https://cylar.me/2GJ5cGy Apple Music: https://cylar.me/2NoCPOl

Something special ESPN college basketball is doing to involve fans in its live coverage is incredibly smart and creative and reflects something pastors and their church communications pros need to be doing as well. #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

It took me ten seconds of looking around this Starbucks I'm working at today to realize that Apple gets you one way or another, and that's why they've dominated the 21st century thus far. I share what this domination has to do with the concept of being everywhere on social media. #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

If you had $5.25M for a Super Bowl ad, how would you use those 30 seconds and how would doing so build the kingdom? #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

On this first day of Black History Month, I share a memory from high school that makes me think about how effective Facebook Messenger bots can be for bolstering your church's marketing and outreach efforts. If you're compelled to get started with this, holler at your boy and I can help you get started! #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire

Yes, the New Orleans Saints got screwed royally. Yes, the could've been more resilient in the face of controversy. But there are other points and lessons on life and leadership here that haven't been talked about that are worthy of discussion here. I also add a key takeaway from the Patriots dynasty that I'm not sure has ever been considered. Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

Many ministries make their sermons available through podcasting and building a presence on YouTube. Many others make them available for purchase. While I understand why others do the latter, I do not believe it's the best way to accomplish your ministry goals in 2019 and beyond. In this first installment of the YDP short, I discuss why as I answer the question: “To free or not to free”? Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

2018 was the best and worst of times for your boy, but I did some things this year that will set me up for the rest of my life, and for that I'm grateful. In this brief break from hiatus episode, I reflect on what those things were, share my I consider them my #bestnine of the year, and discuss why I suggest you engage in the same reflective exercise before you go any further into 2019. Devotion: Ezekiel 20 - For the sake of his name... Tool: The For Immediate Release Podcast Moment of Inspiration: One percent better everyday Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

The road to destiny is not always easy; in fact, it's long and quite difficult. In long and difficult situations, it's good to look for the quick win. This verse lets us know the quickest win possible in kingdom living. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

This one is a slippery slope, so let's just say this: Leaders and lay should be held to the same set of standards concerning how we live our lives. Peterson said it best here: “There should be a consistency that runs through us ALL” (emphasis mine). http://yourdigitalpastor.co

What better advice can we receive than to focus our entire attention to what God is doing right now? How much better would our lives be if we followed that advice and not allowed ourselves to get caught up in the minutiae of a future we don't know, as opposed to a present we do know. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

A little bit of negativity for a positive purpose is far better than faux positivity. We therefore can't be so quick to gravitate to those who just tell us what we want to hear all the time because they may have no intention on helping us grow. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Isaiah 40:29 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Psalms 18:30 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: John 7:38 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion20180914: Psalms 73:26 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Colossians 3:2 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Ephesians 6:10 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: 1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

None of us are going to literally think about God 24/7. We're not that deep. But if we constantly keep God before us, that just means we're consistently living a life that's pleasing to God, and we're conscious of the decisions we're making that bear that out. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Tasting and seeing—the fullness of a true relationship with God is a multifaceted experience. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

021: Launching your book to maximize ministry impact Devotion: Isaiah 26:4 CEV Tool of the Week: Twitter's audio-only Go Live feature Feature Presentation: Interview with Pastor Kellen Brooks Moments of inspiration: Multiple sources of measurement http://yourdigitalpastor.co

No amount of money, power, fame, or position will ever help us escape the fact that God always has been and always will be in control. The sooner we come to that realization, the happier and more content we will be. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

There's no mystery as to what is required of us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The difficulty is in the execution thereof, and that's where prayer comes in. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

In this Christian journey, that which is not seen lasts far longer than that which is seen. With that in mind, let us all consider this question: If the whole internet were to break down today and we couldn't edit our lives anymore, would we be able to deal with our unedited selves? What would we then be compelled to work on? http://yourdigitalpastor.co

As much as we have agency over how we feel emotionally, we have the ability to set the tone for how we feel physically. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Allow the Lord—not your own understanding, intelligence, connections, resources, or even other people—to be your shield. http://yourdigitalpastor.co

There's something powerful about *never* stopping, especially in prayer. http://yourdigitalpastor.co