Making Church Work

A podcast to encourage and equip church leaders so you can lead and communicate well. Making Church Work is brought to you by your friends at Fishhook.

Changing Your "How" Without Changing Your "Why" 07/12/2021

Changing Your "How" Without Changing Your "Why" We have had so much fun walking through this series on Hybrid Church. And today is the final episode in that series! You see, just because the how of church is shifting, the why remains the same. Your vision and purpose doesn't change. In fact, we believe these new methods actually enable you to accomplish your why in a more efficient and dynamic way. So today, we just want to encourage you. We want to remind you that what you're doing matters SO much. And we want to reignite the passion you have for reaching your community. Show Notes: /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19779872

Hybrid Church is Weekday Church. Are You Ready? 07/03/2021

Hybrid Church is Weekday Church. Are You Ready? It's no secret that people interacted with "church" less in 2020 than ever before. They attended less services, groups didn't meet, they didn't feel pressure to attend events. BUT here's what may surprise you: As we've talked to many, many people, we've heard that their faith actually GREW during the pandemic. Why? Because they took it personally. They took responsibility. Because they had to. And they used digital tools to be fed and grow. So if we're honest, now the question becomes... If as the Church, we're asking people to "come back," what are we asking them to come back to? Why would people do this if their faith grew? What value is there now, today? Today, join Leah Norton & Aimee Cottle for a conversation about the real shift that becoming a hybrid church requires. We are seeing more and more that there is a difference between churches who do hybrid ministry and ones who feel it deeply. Today we're talking all about that difference. Show Notes: /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19694411

The 2021 Hybrid Church Website 06/18/2021

The 2021 Hybrid Church Website Today we're talking CHURCH WEBSITES! 🥳 (cue the confetti, or the tears, but hopefully the confetti) Listen, we get that talking about your church's website can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. But the truth is that it's the backbone of your ministry efforts. And even more so in 2021 as we navigate a hybrid model of ministry. Your website can be an amazing tool for ministry, but it can also be a barrier... so today we're getting super practical! Join Shayla Kenworthy and Aimee Cottle as they unpack how being a hybrid church will shift the type of website you need and give practical examples of how we're helping churches in this area! Show Notes: /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19525484

Prioritizing Guest Experience in a Hybrid Church 06/11/2021

Prioritizing Guest Experience in a Hybrid Church Talking about guest experience is one of our favorite things here at Fishhook! We're always considering: How can our churches prepare for the guests we haven't met yet? How can we encourage our congregations to embrace hospitality as everyone’s privilege and responsibility? And now, in a hybrid church, how can we do this both in-person and online? At its core, we know the value of the guest experience is both simple and biblical. When genuine love is at the center of how you care for your community, your guests will experience it in practical ways and in how they feel as they interact with your ministry. Join Aimee Cottle and Shayla Kenworthy today for this conversation! Show Notes: https://www.fishhook.us/making-church-work/guest-experience-hybrid-church /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19437167

Building Digital Volunteer Teams in a Hybrid Church 06/01/2021

Building Digital Volunteer Teams in a Hybrid Church You know one of the hardest parts of this last year? Engaging volunteers. Navigating changed expectations, removing staple serving opportunities, simplifying services, and moving more online all made it a little more confusing on how to build and engage effective volunteer teams. So today, we're talking all about that, and we'd love for you to join in on the conversation! Join Jamie Shafer and Aimee Cottle as we discuss what finding, training, and equipping volunteers in a hybrid model (particularly on the digital side) should look like! /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19313726

Staffing for Communications in a Hybrid Church 05/25/2021

Staffing for Communications in a Hybrid Church One of the most asked questions we get is about how churches need to revamp their staff structure or roles to accommodate the digital shift we're navigating. What roles should be a priority and how do you know when to hire or restructure to support your church’s mission? Who should set the direction of your church's new strategy and who should be in charge of the execution? We like to say that communications is the bridge between your ministry and the people you're trying to connect with. So today as we continue our Hybrid Church series on Making Church Work, Aimee Cottle and Leah Norton uncover how we continue to connect effectively with the people we want to reach when the channels we're using to communicate with them have changed. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19228052

Hybrid Church Communications 101 05/14/2021

Hybrid Church Communications 101 You've likely heard the term hybrid church. In the constant shifts we've all had to make in the last year, this is one subject we've had to come face-to-face with, perhaps for the first time. But the hybrid model can feel pretty overwhelming, especially when it comes to communication. What does it really mean? How do you keep clarity across multiple channels? What are the opportunities? What pitfalls should you look out for? Join Shayla Kenworthy and Aimee Cottle as they walk through the foundations of effective ministry and communications within a hybrid model. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/19106651

Digital Ministry or Digital Marketing 02/12/2021

Digital Ministry or Digital Marketing Often when churches ask us to help them with their digital ministry, however, what they are actually talking about is digital marketing. And there is a big difference ... /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17926367

How Celebrating Can Fuel Your Ministry 02/11/2021

How Celebrating Can Fuel Your Ministry We have some quirky values at Fishhook. But one of our favorites is our value of "ta-da!" This value of celebration has permeated every aspect of our work and our culture. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17917358

Hiring for Your Comm Team 02/05/2021

Hiring for Your Comm Team Have you heard the prediction that 2021 is going to be the year for staff turnover? Join Shayla and Aimee for a conversation all about hiring. When should you add to your communications team? How do you decide what position you need filled? How can you pair hunches with facts to make the best decision? /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17840471

Communicating During Political Stress 01/26/2021

Communicating During Political Stress Last week we inaugurated a new president in the US. It was and is a significant time in our country. We know these days can feel heavy. And it would be easy to let them slip by without saying anything. But we want to encourage you and give you some tools and tips for communicating. Even when emotions are high. Even when politics are involved. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17694989

2021 Communications Plan - Part 2 01/15/2021

2021 Communications Plan - Part 2 Taking the time to pray, strategize and plan for your 2021 communications will directly impact your ministry. Now really is the time to dig in and decide where you are heading! /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17562725

2021 Communications Planning - Part 1 01/06/2021

2021 Communications Planning - Part 1 Leah Norton and Aimee Cottle kick-off a two-part series guiding you through creating a strategic communications plan for your church. They outline three areas we believe you should put an emphasis on as you begin your 2021 planning, how to avoid reactive communication, and give you some practical next steps you can take this week to set your church up for more impact this year. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17449046

How to Uncover Your Church's Distinct Story 12/09/2020

How to Uncover Your Church's Distinct Story When we talk about branding, we're really talking about building trust through your distinct story. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17115503

Your Distinct Story is Key 12/08/2020

Your Distinct Story is Key It's not just about mastering the latest tools or tactics. It's about life change. It's about building real relationships. It's about sharing the Gospel. And so we're on a mission -- a mission to help churches embrace their distinct story and translate it through personal, creative and authentic communication. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/17112116

It's Time for Your Church to Pivot and Serve 11/25/2020

It's Time for Your Church to Pivot and Serve Today, Jamie Shafer and Leah Norton are here to inspire and equip you to lean into what's happening around you. The needs are great. And the hope of Jesus is life-changing. It's time to prioritize your church's mission, your congregation and community in very clear, practical ways. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/16953668

Ending 2020 Strong and Strategic 11/17/2020

Ending 2020 Strong and Strategic We know 2020 hasn’t gone how we hoped or thought it would … but as we round the corner to the end of the year, we’ve noticed a trend that we want to share with you. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/16844339

Christmas Planning 2020 11/10/2020

Christmas Planning 2020 Today we’re sharing all the Christmas comm tips we can muster! We're helping churches plan and implement for Christmas right NOW! And we're bringing those same strategies to you today. Bring your questions, ideas and fears (and maybe some coffee). And let's plan for the most wonderful time of the year: 2020 Edition. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/16759388

How to Stop Defaulting to Insider-Communication 10/27/2020

How to Stop Defaulting to Insider-Communication Have you or leaders at your church ever had a great idea that just seems to fall flat? We see this happen all of the time and we know how defeating it can feel. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/16567298

Using Marketing as a Ministry Tool 09/21/2020

Using Marketing as a Ministry Tool Today Leah Norton and I are sharing how a church is using a marketing campaign to help their community become anti-racist. We'll outline the ins and outs of their strategy and explain why we're so passionate about churches using marketing as a ministry tool. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/16097315

Questions from the Trenches 09/02/2020

Questions from the Trenches The top questions we're hearing from leaders of smaller churches. And our advice for how to keep making progress in communications, even when you feel like you don't have everything you need. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/15860873

The State of Web Development for Churches 08/18/2020

The State of Web Development for Churches We're talking all things websites! Our Lead Web Developer, Ben, and one of our Partners, Shayla, dive into where we see churches winning, our recommendations for tools and tactics and the difference between a website that's functional vs. one that's built for ministry. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/15662081

The Untapped Power of Your Church's DNA 08/07/2020

The Untapped Power of Your Church's DNA Every church has a dynamic, untapped power. (Yes, the Holy Spirit.) But, also, your DNA - The unique pieces and parts that make up who you are and who you're called to reach. Join us as we talk through how to tap into that power to stay nimble yet focused. We'll share a few questions you can ask to help keep you focused on your mission, what you're communicating and stop you from throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/15520718

We Never Overwork Because of God 06/25/2020

We Never Overwork Because of God Aaron Niequist is a husband dad, liturgist and writer who led worship at Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Willow Creek just outside of Chicago. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/14967449

Discipling People Out of Racism 06/11/2020

Discipling People Out of Racism Some churches aren’t new to direct conversations about racial injustice, like City of Lights church in Indianapolis where Jon Owens is the founding pastor. In this episode, Jon shares his own family’s history of experiencing racism, reflects on the string of events that lead to recent protests he has participated in and what gives him hope when it comes to discipling people out of racism. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/14786048

Updates from the Frontlines 04/28/2020

Updates from the Frontlines As stay-at-home orders stay in places, churches continue to adapt and rally to meet the needs of their community. In this episode, we talk with church staff from around the country to hear how they are doing, what ministry is like today and where they are finding hope. We also feature a conversation with two pastors from Eagle Church in Zionsville, Indiana. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/14179982

Light and Dark, Side by Side 04/10/2020

Light and Dark, Side by Side Today, we check in with the team to hear about the ups, downs and the bright spots giving us hope in the midst of life and ministry during the coronavirus season. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/13936718

Adapting in the Beginning of a Global Pandemic 03/28/2020

Adapting in the Beginning of a Global Pandemic In March, the reality of a global pandemic was beginning to settle in across the United States. In this initial episode of Making Church Work, we talk to two local pastors and how they're responding and adapting in the beginning of this strange, unexpected season. /episode/index/show/howchurchworks/id/13742021

Making Church Work

TOPICS