Hey Friends -

Last week we talked about the theoretical idea of what it looks like to stretch your sermons past Sunday. As promised, this week we get practical.

When we started off this month’s emails, I got a reply back from Ryan Kilosky. He had a few questions, but then shared this great story.

“We’ve begun to take a more holistic approach to making our sermons live on more than a week. But, we have done a few things like you mentioned. In our membership track, there is a small section on tithing/generosity. Instead of trying to unpack our beliefs on the topic during that track (we try to keep it within a manageable timeframe obviously), we provide a QR Code that links to a four part series we did on biblical generosity and personal stewardship of resources. We do something similar for new believers.”

This is exactly the sort of practice I am talking about. How can you preach messages that you know can use elsewhere? But the biggest question is HOW do you physically set this up?

It’s all about podcasting.

I know that over the last few years nearly every church has invested TONS into livestream video. But let’s be honest, after a few days, how much (measurable) traction are you getting? It’s also difficult to watch/listen to. For a regular sized church, to get a long-term impact from video sermons is beyond what the staff and volunteers can keep up with.

Podcasts are stronger. And easier.

I believe in the medium. It’s strong and folks are doing creative things with it. PLUS it isn’t as limiting as video and is easier to edit.

Podcasts just last longer.
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If you don't believe me, just go back and look at your starts from a livestream service from 6 weeks back. After 10 years of podcasting sermons, I know we will have content that lives on much stronger than even current sermons!

Let me show you the simplest way to do it. I’m actually going to replicate this 100% in my own churches starting in January. We stopped live streaming because of the sustainability issue. We don’t have a single audio/visual volunteer. But we will be offering an audio podcast of the messages.

Gear ​
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​Rode Wireless Go II ​
This is actually the wireless lav mic I use for shooting videos, and it has a small, USB-charged receiver and transmitter. The transmitter also has a mic built into it AS WELL as a hard disc recorder. That means whenever I turn on the transmitter, it is saving a recording of whatever it pics up. No computer is required. It is a little expensive, but it makes things easier AND you get a great bit of kit for making videos.

Garageband or Audacity
These are two free tools you can use for audio editing. Plug in the Wireless Go and drop in the audio file, give it a bit of a trim, apply some compression, and then you export as an mp3. It is wildly simple.

​Anchor.fm ​
I used to talk badly about Anchor as a podcasting service. But they are owned by Spotify now and have turned into a legit podcasting service. And they are free. You upload your audio file in Anchor, hit publish, and now your podcast is out into the world.

This is all the first step.

The power you gain through having your messages as a podcast means you can link to them. Want to refer to a previous message on a Sunday? Mention the link and share it on social (or our tip next week). Preach a message you think would be helpful for new folks? Save and share the link as part of your newcomers class.

I also love how Spotify is turning into one the largest podcast providers. And they let you do something I have always wished iTunes would. You can put podcasts in a playlist in Spotify. This means grouping teaching series together in a playlist. Have a few pieces of music you think would be great as well? Add them into the playlist. Want to make a playlist of each Advent or Easter message? The playlist feature gives you TONS of flexibility.

The best example of how to use this feature is from Ian Harbor and his MASSIVE deconstruction/reconstruction playlist. This article explains the playlist and why he made it. (you can go straight to the Spotify playlist here). If you retain anything from this email, go read the link and see the power that podcasting + Spotify can be.

So if anything, I hope I’ve helped convince you to think strategically about what podcasting your messages can do for your church.
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We will be back next week with an analog tool to keep folks thinking and talking about the message.

Chad