Why Most Churches Struggle to Grow | Mark MacDonald, Church Branding Strategist
Release Date: 03/03/2026
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info_outlineWhat is your church known for in your community? In this episode, Phil Cooke https://philcooke.com sits down with church branding strategist Mark MacDonald to uncover the real reason many churches don’t grow and what church leaders can do to fix it. Discover how churches can stop being known for what they’re against and start becoming known for what they’re for—using practical branding and communication strategies that actually help people find and understand your church.
If your church wants to grow, stand out, and truly matter in your community, this conversation will challenge the way you think about church branding, messaging, and outreach.
Includes insight on using listening groups and AI to elevate your branding strategy, plus tips on developing your online presence through keywords and Google search.
👉 Watch now and find out how to build a church brand that is clear, meaningful and stands out above the crowd.
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Phil Cooke — Strategic Advisor | Cultural Influence & Crisis Leadership
Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is a strategic advisor to church, nonprofit, and media leaders navigating crisis, credibility, and cultural influence in a rapidly changing digital world. Founder of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles and Nashville, he has worked with senior leadership teams globally to strengthen reputation and clarify mission. He is the author of Church on Trial and several other books on leadership and creativity, and has produced media projects seen worldwide.
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**More About This Episode** Why Most Churches Struggle to Grow | Mark MacDonald, Church Branding Strategist
Mark MacDonald is a trusted voice in church communication, with 40 years of experience in branding, marketing, and ministry. As the bestselling author of Be Known For Something and founder of BeKnownforSomething.com, Mark has helped thousands of churches across North America discover their unique thread and communicate it clearly.
A former Pastor of Communication and national creative director, Mark combines research, creativity, and practical insight to help churches grow their impact. His church clients regularly see measurable results, including a recent rebrand that led to 31 new families visiting on launch Sunday.
Mark is a sought-after speaker at national conferences for his engaging, no-fluff style—and he’s passionate about helping churches stop sounding like noise and start being known for something that truly matters.
🔗 Learn more about Mark’s work in church branding and strategy:
https://beknownforsomething.com
Find Mark on social media including Pinterest! https://www.pinterest.com/markmac1023/
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for the support!)
⏰ Timecodes ⏰
00:00 Phil introduces the topic of church communication and branding
00:43 Meet Mark MacDonald, church branding strategist, and be known for something
05:31 Church leaders: what is your church known for?
06:40 How important is church branding
07:55 Listening sessions and using AI to determine keywords that describe your church
09:26 How is your church different?
11:42 Strengthening your online presence in Google search with keywords
16:00 Growth strategies for small churches
24:00 Church marketing and branding for impact
34:00 Perception in the community
37:00 Communicating honesty and authenticity
40:19 Get people in the doors so they can encounter God’s power and presence
42:25 Connect with Mark MacDonald at https://beknownforsomething.com
44:46 Be known for something in your personal life with Phil’s book “One Big Thing” available here: https://amzn.to/2M2maTr