Managing Church Communications in a Crisis | Jonathan Howe

[Music] [Music] you need to have a thought through plan you need to have a thought through plan you need to have a thought through plan on sex abuse on on sex abuse on on sex abuse on um you know a pastor passing away um you know a pastor passing away um you know a pastor passing away suddenly or a staff member or something suddenly or a staff member or something suddenly or a staff member or something like that or somebody getting arrested I like that or somebody getting arrested I like that or somebody getting arrested I mean I hate it but that happens and we mean I hate it but that happens and we mean I hate it but that happens and we see it all the time and pastors and see it all the time and pastors and see it all the time and pastors and churches and church communicators aren't churches and church communicators aren't churches and church communicators aren't ready for it and somebody says the wrong ready for it and somebody says the wrong ready for it and somebody says the wrong thing and it's it's not just like what thing and it's it's not just like what thing and it's it's not just like what do we say but like who's gonna say it do we say but like who's gonna say it do we say but like who's gonna say it how do we communicate to our people how do we communicate to our people how do we communicate to our people about what happened what do we need to about what happened what do we need to about what happened what do we need to communicate to our people how far to get communicate to our people how far to get communicate to our people how far to get into the details of whatever it may be into the details of whatever it may be into the details of whatever it may be you need to know and kind of have I mean you need to know and kind of have I mean you need to know and kind of have I mean in every situation it's different but at in every situation it's different but at in every situation it's different but at least have some kind of thought through least have some kind of thought through least have some kind of thought through plan so whenever that happens like you plan so whenever that happens like you plan so whenever that happens like you said you can reach for that folder and said you can reach for that folder and said you can reach for that folder and you've got it and you know exactly what you've got it and you know exactly what you've got it and you know exactly what you know kind of a framework and then you know kind of a framework and then you know kind of a framework and then you know call your friends and ask for you know call your friends and ask for you know call your friends and ask for help too don't be afraid to ask for help help too don't be afraid to ask for help help too don't be afraid to ask for help this is season three episode nine of the this is season three episode nine of the this is season three episode nine of the missional marketing podcast I'm Bart missional marketing podcast I'm Bart missional marketing podcast I'm Bart Blair the co-host of the show and it is Blair the co-host of the show and it is Blair the co-host of the show and it is my privilege to welcome you to this my privilege to welcome you to this my privilege to welcome you to this week's episode our goal with this week's episode our goal with this week's episode our goal with this podcast is to help your church grow by podcast is to help your church grow by podcast is to help your church grow by leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and leveraging digital marketing and effective Communications uh we want to effective Communications uh we want to effective Communications uh we want to help you be better at communicating help you be better at communicating help you be better at communicating internally in the context of your church internally in the context of your church internally in the context of your church so that the people in your church know so that the people in your church know so that the people in your church know what they're supposed to know and know what they're supposed to know and know what they're supposed to know and know when they're supposed to know it and we when they're supposed to know it and we when they're supposed to know it and we also want to help you use digital tools also want to help you use digital tools also want to help you use digital tools like your website social media email and like your website social media email and like your website social media email and other content that you're creating other content that you're creating other content that you're creating online to reach more people in your online to reach more people in your online to reach more people in your community for Jesus that is our community for Jesus that is our community for Jesus that is our heartbeat we want to expand God's heartbeat we want to expand God's heartbeat we want to expand God's kingdom and so we thank you for tuning kingdom and so we thank you for tuning kingdom and so we thank you for tuning in to the show we hope that you're

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pretty good been pretty getting pretty good been pretty getting pretty good been pretty consistent lately of having a new consistent lately of having a new consistent lately of having a new episode every Friday and also if you episode every Friday and also if you episode every Friday and also if you haven't left us a rating or a review haven't left us a rating or a review haven't left us a rating or a review wherever you're consuming the content we wherever you're consuming the content we wherever you're consuming the content we would love for you to do that that'll would love for you to do that that'll would love for you to do that that'll both help more people find the podcast both help more people find the podcast both help more people find the podcast that it'll also help us know what that it'll also help us know what that it'll also help us know what content you're finding to be most content you're finding to be most content you're finding to be most beneficial and that would mean a lot to beneficial and that would mean a lot to beneficial and that would mean a lot to us if you would do that so us if you would do that so us if you would do that so um hey today um hey today um hey today I'm going to introduce our guests to you I'm going to introduce our guests to you I'm going to introduce our guests to you and I was going to say that this is and I was going to say that this is and I was going to say that this is going to be a special treat for you I going to be a special treat for you I going to be a special treat for you I don't know if it's a special treat for don't know if it's a special treat for don't know if it's a special treat for you but it was a special treat for me you but it was a special treat for me you but it was a special treat for me our guest this week is Jonathan Howe who our guest this week is Jonathan Howe who our guest this week is Jonathan Howe who is the vice president of communications is the vice president of communications is the vice president of communications for the Southern Baptist convention for the Southern Baptist convention for the Southern Baptist convention executive committee and the reason that executive committee and the reason that executive committee and the reason that this is a treat for me is that I have this is a treat for me is that I have this is a treat for me is that I have actually listened to Jonathan Howe on a actually listened to Jonathan Howe on a actually listened to Jonathan Howe on a number of different podcasts for years number of different podcasts for years number of different podcasts for years in fact one of the ones ones that uh in fact one of the ones ones that uh in fact one of the ones ones that uh stands out the most for me is I listen stands out the most for me is I listen stands out the most for me is I listen to Tom Rayners Rainer on leadership and to Tom Rayners Rainer on leadership and to Tom Rayners Rainer on leadership and um uh Jonathan Howe was the co-host of um uh Jonathan Howe was the co-host of um uh Jonathan Howe was the co-host of that podcast for many many years and so that podcast for many many years and so that podcast for many many years and so I listened to it his voice was familiar I listened to it his voice was familiar I listened to it his voice was familiar to me I feel like somebody that I knew to me I feel like somebody that I knew to me I feel like somebody that I knew although I didn't really know him until although I didn't really know him until although I didn't really know him until we got online and recorded a podcast and we got online and recorded a podcast and we got online and recorded a podcast and so Jonathan is a a great leader so Jonathan is a a great leader so Jonathan is a a great leader experienced in a lot of different areas experienced in a lot of different areas experienced in a lot of different areas as it relates to marketing and as it relates to marketing and as it relates to marketing and Communications and today he serves the

Communications and today he serves the Communications and today he serves the entire Southern Baptist convention entire Southern Baptist convention entire Southern Baptist convention making sure that the people in their making sure that the people in their making sure that the people in their churches all around the globe are churches all around the globe are churches all around the globe are informed of the things that they need to informed of the things that they need to informed of the things that they need to know and this is a really interesting know and this is a really interesting know and this is a really interesting episode we talk about a variety of episode we talk about a variety of episode we talk about a variety of things but make sure that you stick to things but make sure that you stick to things but make sure that you stick to the end one of the things that we sort the end one of the things that we sort the end one of the things that we sort of tackle in this podcast is how to of tackle in this podcast is how to of tackle in this podcast is how to navigate uh Rough Waters when it comes navigate uh Rough Waters when it comes navigate uh Rough Waters when it comes to communication if you've tuned into to communication if you've tuned into to communication if you've tuned into anything in the Southern Baptist anything in the Southern Baptist anything in the Southern Baptist convention in the last couple of years convention in the last couple of years convention in the last couple of years you know that there's been some you know that there's been some you know that there's been some controversy there have been some controversy there have been some controversy there have been some challenges and Jonathan as the vice challenges and Jonathan as the vice challenges and Jonathan as the vice president of communications for the president of communications for the president of communications for the entire SBC has been responsible for entire SBC has been responsible for entire SBC has been responsible for making sure that the right messages are making sure that the right messages are making sure that the right messages are being communicated in the right way to being communicated in the right way to being communicated in the right way to the Right audience and I think as a the Right audience and I think as a the Right audience and I think as a church Communications professional or church Communications professional or church Communications professional or volunteer whatever your role is if volunteer whatever your role is if volunteer whatever your role is if you're responsible for communications you're responsible for communications you're responsible for communications you need to be prepared for sometimes you need to be prepared for sometimes you need to be prepared for sometimes having to communicate things that aren't having to communicate things that aren't having to communicate things that aren't necessarily fun not everything is a fun necessarily fun not everything is a fun necessarily fun not everything is a fun social media posts sometimes you gotta social media posts sometimes you gotta social media posts sometimes you gotta write stuff and you got to communicate write stuff and you got to communicate write stuff and you got to communicate things when times get tough and Jonathan things when times get tough and Jonathan things when times get tough and Jonathan addresses those things and I find that addresses those things and I find that addresses those things and I find that his Insight is very very helpful so his Insight is very very helpful so his Insight is very very helpful so um that's all I got for the intro this um that's all I got for the intro this um that's all I got for the intro this week thanks again for tuning in to this week thanks again for tuning in to this week thanks again for tuning in to this week's episode season three episode nine week's episode season three episode nine week's episode season three episode nine glad that you're with us and so I'm glad that you're with us and so I'm glad that you're with us and so I'm gonna flip things over to my co-host gonna flip things over to my co-host gonna flip things over to my co-host Jason Hamrock the CEO of missional Jason Hamrock the CEO of missional Jason Hamrock the CEO of missional marketing and here's our interview with marketing and here's our interview with marketing and here's our interview with vice president of communications with vice president of communications with vice president of communications with the SPC executive committee Jonathan the SPC executive committee Jonathan the SPC executive committee Jonathan Howe well Jonathan Welcome to our Howe well Jonathan Welcome to our Howe well Jonathan Welcome to our podcast how are you today I'm doing well podcast how are you today I'm doing well podcast how are you today I'm doing well Jason good to be on with you and Bart Jason good to be on with you and Bart Jason good to be on with you and Bart yeah and you are coming from the uh

yeah and you are coming from the uh yeah and you are coming from the uh wonderful state of Tennessee yeah just wonderful state of Tennessee yeah just wonderful state of Tennessee yeah just outside of Nashville here outside of Nashville here outside of Nashville here man as I said a little bit earlier it man as I said a little bit earlier it man as I said a little bit earlier it seems like everybody's everybody's seems like everybody's everybody's seems like everybody's everybody's moving to either uh Arizona moving to either uh Arizona moving to either uh Arizona Texas or Nashville Tennessee we've got Texas or Nashville Tennessee we've got Texas or Nashville Tennessee we've got it all covered here Jonathan are you a it all covered here Jonathan are you a it all covered here Jonathan are you a native of Nashville no I'm a Louisiana native of Nashville no I'm a Louisiana native of Nashville no I'm a Louisiana native so we grew up in Baton Rouge big native so we grew up in Baton Rouge big native so we grew up in Baton Rouge big LSU fan Saints fan that kind of thing LSU fan Saints fan that kind of thing LSU fan Saints fan that kind of thing and uh We've progressively been moving and uh We've progressively been moving and uh We've progressively been moving more Northern as I've gotten older so more Northern as I've gotten older so more Northern as I've gotten older so I'm a fan of saints just different I'm a fan of saints just different I'm a fan of saints just different Saints not those Saints Saints not those Saints Saints not those Saints um okay we've covered that we know where um okay we've covered that we know where um okay we've covered that we know where we are geographically hey Jonathan why we are geographically hey Jonathan why we are geographically hey Jonathan why don't you uh uh just share your ministry don't you uh uh just share your ministry don't you uh uh just share your ministry story with us or your ministry Journey story with us or your ministry Journey story with us or your ministry Journey tell us a little bit about uh what it is tell us a little bit about uh what it is tell us a little bit about uh what it is that you do today but certainly how how that you do today but certainly how how that you do today but certainly how how you got there yeah well I I didn't plan you got there yeah well I I didn't plan you got there yeah well I I didn't plan on being where I am today uh grew up you on being where I am today uh grew up you on being where I am today uh grew up you know in a pastor's family my dad was a know in a pastor's family my dad was a know in a pastor's family my dad was a kind of Bible occasional Pastor so I've kind of Bible occasional Pastor so I've kind of Bible occasional Pastor so I've been around the church my whole life in been around the church my whole life in been around the church my whole life in southern baptist my whole life really uh southern baptist my whole life really uh southern baptist my whole life really uh which goes well into my my current role which goes well into my my current role which goes well into my my current role I guess you could say but uh really I guess you could say but uh really I guess you could say but uh really wanted to work in sports in Sports wanted to work in sports in Sports wanted to work in sports in Sports Marketing Sports Communications and had Marketing Sports Communications and had Marketing Sports Communications and had really kind of started doing that really kind of started doing that really kind of started doing that Adventure production uh in the sports Adventure production uh in the sports Adventure production uh in the sports side of things went to school for that side of things went to school for that side of things went to school for that at Southern Miss and Hattiesburg and I at Southern Miss and Hattiesburg and I at Southern Miss and Hattiesburg and I thought that's what I wanted to do and thought that's what I wanted to do and thought that's what I wanted to do and actually it was what I wanted to do I actually it was what I wanted to do I actually it was what I wanted to do I mean if if somebody called today and mean if if somebody called today and mean if if somebody called today and said hey come on that would be a hard said hey come on that would be a hard said hey come on that would be a hard you know a hard discussion uh that I'd you know a hard discussion uh that I'd you know a hard discussion uh that I'd have to have but I got married uh to my have to have but I got married uh to my have to have but I got married uh to my wife Beth right out of school and we had wife Beth right out of school and we had wife Beth right out of school and we had a couple of kids early on and married we a couple of kids early on and married we a couple of kids early on and married we don't know what it's like to be married

don't know what it's like to be married don't know what it's like to be married without kids basically we've been without kids basically we've been without kids basically we've been married almost 20 years and we have an married almost 20 years and we have an married almost 20 years and we have an 18 year old we just took to our uh to 18 year old we just took to our uh to 18 year old we just took to our uh to his first day of college just a couple his first day of college just a couple his first day of college just a couple of weeks ago out in California so that of weeks ago out in California so that of weeks ago out in California so that was a whole different type of emotion was a whole different type of emotion was a whole different type of emotion for us uh but we we've uh we've got for us uh but we we've uh we've got for us uh but we we've uh we've got married and started having kids married and started having kids married and started having kids basically right away and working in basically right away and working in basically right away and working in sports and having a growing family and sports and having a growing family and sports and having a growing family and my wife's in the ministry she's a my wife's in the ministry she's a my wife's in the ministry she's a children's Minister worked in churches children's Minister worked in churches children's Minister worked in churches all her life as well uh and it was like all her life as well uh and it was like all her life as well uh and it was like the Lord's saying like look do you want the Lord's saying like look do you want the Lord's saying like look do you want to have a family and I you know and and to have a family and I you know and and to have a family and I you know and and serve me or do you want to have a family serve me or do you want to have a family serve me or do you want to have a family or basically do you want to work in or basically do you want to work in or basically do you want to work in sports I mean that was basically the sports I mean that was basically the sports I mean that was basically the choice there because the time demands choice there because the time demands choice there because the time demands are pretty rough uh in that in that are pretty rough uh in that in that are pretty rough uh in that in that world especially the level I was at kind world especially the level I was at kind world especially the level I was at kind of at the you know small colleges or of at the you know small colleges or of at the you know small colleges or small professional sports teams those small professional sports teams those small professional sports teams those kind of things you know Minor League kind of things you know Minor League kind of things you know Minor League Baseball I was working in and then out Baseball I was working in and then out Baseball I was working in and then out of the blue of the blue of the blue got a a call from the what's the women's got a a call from the what's the women's got a a call from the what's the women's missionary Union which I don't know if missionary Union which I don't know if missionary Union which I don't know if many of your listeners are familiar with many of your listeners are familiar with many of your listeners are familiar with that it's an auxiliary of the Southern that it's an auxiliary of the Southern that it's an auxiliary of the Southern Baptist convention and to come do Baptist convention and to come do Baptist convention and to come do marketing for books and I knew Christian marketing for books and I knew Christian marketing for books and I knew Christian books I didn't know publishing but I books I didn't know publishing but I books I didn't know publishing but I knew books because I read a lot as you knew books because I read a lot as you knew books because I read a lot as you can see behind me here uh and then the can see behind me here uh and then the can see behind me here uh and then the um just just randomly fell into this job um just just randomly fell into this job um just just randomly fell into this job in Birmingham uh it wasn't random the in Birmingham uh it wasn't random the in Birmingham uh it wasn't random the Lord was in it and uh because of one Lord was in it and uh because of one Lord was in it and uh because of one thing led to another I got to know some thing led to another I got to know some thing led to another I got to know some people up at Lifeway here in Nashville people up at Lifeway here in Nashville people up at Lifeway here in Nashville and worked uh just worked within over and worked uh just worked within over and worked uh just worked within over the couple of years and then a job came the couple of years and then a job came the couple of years and then a job came open up in in LifeWay in 2011 to come up open up in in LifeWay in 2011 to come up open up in in LifeWay in 2011 to come up and help Tom Rainer and Ed stetzer kind and help Tom Rainer and Ed stetzer kind and help Tom Rainer and Ed stetzer kind of build their online platforms and it

of build their online platforms and it of build their online platforms and it came up and just threw some gas on those came up and just threw some gas on those came up and just threw some gas on those things and they just took off and kind things and they just took off and kind things and they just took off and kind of the rest is history and now you know of the rest is history and now you know of the rest is history and now you know after about nine years of that moved after about nine years of that moved after about nine years of that moved over to the executive committee of the over to the executive committee of the over to the executive committee of the Southern Baptist convention as a vice Southern Baptist convention as a vice Southern Baptist convention as a vice president for communications and have president for communications and have president for communications and have been there three years so the Lord has been there three years so the Lord has been there three years so the Lord has opened up some doors that I never saw opened up some doors that I never saw opened up some doors that I never saw come and I've been thankful for that and come and I've been thankful for that and come and I've been thankful for that and I'm really excited about where I am now I'm really excited about where I am now I'm really excited about where I am now and and how we're able to impact 47 000 and and how we're able to impact 47 000 and and how we're able to impact 47 000 churches and put 13 plus million people churches and put 13 plus million people churches and put 13 plus million people on mission for the Kingdom so let's on mission for the Kingdom so let's on mission for the Kingdom so let's let's break that down a little bit how let's break that down a little bit how let's break that down a little bit how do you actually do that do you actually do that do you actually do that well it depends on who you ask because well it depends on who you ask because well it depends on who you ask because some people would say he does it poorly some people would say he does it poorly some people would say he does it poorly uh but you know we we have a lot of uh but you know we we have a lot of uh but you know we we have a lot of touch points that we have with Southern touch points that we have with Southern touch points that we have with Southern Baptist uh a lot of Partners I mean we Baptist uh a lot of Partners I mean we Baptist uh a lot of Partners I mean we we can't do it ourselves uh we have a we can't do it ourselves uh we have a we can't do it ourselves uh we have a lot of Partners including our 12 lot of Partners including our 12 lot of Partners including our 12 National entities uh plus the WMU that National entities uh plus the WMU that National entities uh plus the WMU that includes six seminaries with 25 000 includes six seminaries with 25 000 includes six seminaries with 25 000 students so there's a lot of you know students so there's a lot of you know students so there's a lot of you know touch points going on through touch points going on through touch points going on through Partnerships and that especially with Partnerships and that especially with Partnerships and that especially with our 41 State conventions and the the our 41 State conventions and the the our 41 State conventions and the the outlets that they have the state papers outlets that they have the state papers outlets that they have the state papers State newsletters things like that that State newsletters things like that that State newsletters things like that that they have but the big piece that we that they have but the big piece that we that they have but the big piece that we that I kind of oversee I don't oversee like I kind of oversee I don't oversee like I kind of oversee I don't oversee like the day-to-day we have somebody an the day-to-day we have somebody an the day-to-day we have somebody an associate vice president interview that associate vice president interview that associate vice president interview that oversees the day to day for convention oversees the day to day for convention oversees the day to day for convention news that's Brandon Porter but he runs news that's Brandon Porter but he runs news that's Brandon Porter but he runs Baptist Press and that is our big Baptist Press and that is our big Baptist Press and that is our big convention news piece about six million convention news piece about six million convention news piece about six million page views a year we have a couple of page views a year we have a couple of page views a year we have a couple of podcasts that we do we're on 130 I think podcasts that we do we're on 130 I think podcasts that we do we're on 130 I think radio stations across the country and a radio stations across the country and a radio stations across the country and a three-minute radio bit that we started three-minute radio bit that we started three-minute radio bit that we started earlier this year in partnership with earlier this year in partnership with earlier this year in partnership with Moody Radio and a few other independent

Moody Radio and a few other independent Moody Radio and a few other independent public or radio stations and you know public or radio stations and you know public or radio stations and you know we've got a magazine that hits all of we've got a magazine that hits all of we've got a magazine that hits all of our churches our churches our churches um and then a weekly podcast I do I've um and then a weekly podcast I do I've um and then a weekly podcast I do I've been doing since 2015 with uh Amy been doing since 2015 with uh Amy been doing since 2015 with uh Amy Whitfield who co-host with me it's SPC Whitfield who co-host with me it's SPC Whitfield who co-host with me it's SPC this week so it's kind of a news recap this week so it's kind of a news recap this week so it's kind of a news recap kind of thing and then we've really kind of thing and then we've really kind of thing and then we've really cranked up our YouTube stuff over the cranked up our YouTube stuff over the cranked up our YouTube stuff over the last few months so we're hitting all the last few months so we're hitting all the last few months so we're hitting all the platforms and all the information trying platforms and all the information trying platforms and all the information trying to get out there where people are and to get out there where people are and to get out there where people are and get them out really you know the the get them out really you know the the get them out really you know the the truth about what's going on in the sbcs truth about what's going on in the sbcs truth about what's going on in the sbcs there's a lot of disinformation out there's a lot of disinformation out there's a lot of disinformation out there from people inside and outside the there from people inside and outside the there from people inside and outside the SPC but also just the the good news of SPC but also just the the good news of SPC but also just the the good news of how God is working in and through how God is working in and through how God is working in and through southern baptist around the world okay southern baptist around the world okay southern baptist around the world okay so so you're you know you know a lot so so you're you know you know a lot so so you're you know you know a lot about Communications right and and no about Communications right and and no about Communications right and and no doubt uh your uh your you know your doubt uh your uh your you know your doubt uh your uh your you know your voice and your leadership you speak into voice and your leadership you speak into voice and your leadership you speak into churches and how how to help them become churches and how how to help them become churches and how how to help them become better so you know from your lens better so you know from your lens better so you know from your lens um what do you think churches these days um what do you think churches these days um what do you think churches these days right after after covid sort of after right after after covid sort of after right after after covid sort of after covid what what are churches struggling covid what what are churches struggling covid what what are churches struggling with when it comes to with when it comes to with when it comes to uh Communications or Clarity or or uh uh Communications or Clarity or or uh uh Communications or Clarity or or uh Direction how to communicate better with Direction how to communicate better with Direction how to communicate better with their not only their people but how are their not only their people but how are their not only their people but how are they reaching more and more on church they reaching more and more on church they reaching more and more on church the church people yeah well I think you the church people yeah well I think you the church people yeah well I think you you have a few different levels there you have a few different levels there you have a few different levels there you had churches that were pre-pandemic you had churches that were pre-pandemic you had churches that were pre-pandemic uh you know I think in our world in our uh you know I think in our world in our uh you know I think in our world in our lifetime I think we're all going to look lifetime I think we're all going to look lifetime I think we're all going to look at pre-pandemic post-pandemic kind of at pre-pandemic post-pandemic kind of at pre-pandemic post-pandemic kind of thing but pre-pandemic they were already thing but pre-pandemic they were already thing but pre-pandemic they were already jumping in you know swimming in the deep jumping in you know swimming in the deep jumping in you know swimming in the deep end of the pool in the in the digital

end of the pool in the in the digital end of the pool in the in the digital space they knew how you know they had space they knew how you know they had space they knew how you know they had emailed newsletters they had online emailed newsletters they had online emailed newsletters they had online streaming they had it all websites apps streaming they had it all websites apps streaming they had it all websites apps you name it they had it they were you name it they had it they were you name it they had it they were working on it and they were doing it and working on it and they were doing it and working on it and they were doing it and post-pandemic they've just gotten better post-pandemic they've just gotten better post-pandemic they've just gotten better at that and so a lot of there's a lot of at that and so a lot of there's a lot of at that and so a lot of there's a lot of churches like that but there are a lot churches like that but there are a lot churches like that but there are a lot more churches that had no clue what they more churches that had no clue what they more churches that had no clue what they were doing digitally pre-pandemic and were doing digitally pre-pandemic and were doing digitally pre-pandemic and are trying to build the plane in the air are trying to build the plane in the air are trying to build the plane in the air now especially during the pandemic and now especially during the pandemic and now especially during the pandemic and are really trying to play catch-up and are really trying to play catch-up and are really trying to play catch-up and it's a steep hill the good thing is you it's a steep hill the good thing is you it's a steep hill the good thing is you know there's groups like yours that come know there's groups like yours that come know there's groups like yours that come alongside them and help them out and alongside them and help them out and alongside them and help them out and there are you know a lot of groups out there are you know a lot of groups out there are you know a lot of groups out there that help them take content put it there that help them take content put it there that help them take content put it online get it into the right places get online get it into the right places get online get it into the right places get it to the people uh but it's been a it to the people uh but it's been a it to the people uh but it's been a struggle because they weren't equipped struggle because they weren't equipped struggle because they weren't equipped or or they they didn't have the or or they they didn't have the or or they they didn't have the equipment like I'm talking like equip equipment like I'm talking like equip equipment like I'm talking like equip like know-how or know what to use to get like know-how or know what to use to get like know-how or know what to use to get things in the right places so I think things in the right places so I think things in the right places so I think that's the struggle churches are most that's the struggle churches are most that's the struggle churches are most churches are having your your average churches are having your your average churches are having your your average Church of 200 or you know even 75 or 150 Church of 200 or you know even 75 or 150 Church of 200 or you know even 75 or 150 whatever it may be that doesn't have whatever it may be that doesn't have whatever it may be that doesn't have somebody full-time that's relying on a somebody full-time that's relying on a somebody full-time that's relying on a volunteer that isn't really trained for volunteer that isn't really trained for volunteer that isn't really trained for what they're doing in a a digital sense what they're doing in a a digital sense what they're doing in a a digital sense and they may be trained or know you know and they may be trained or know you know and they may be trained or know you know how to do Communications and how to do Communications and how to do Communications and inter-office Communications that kind of inter-office Communications that kind of inter-office Communications that kind of thing they don't have the people the thing they don't have the people the thing they don't have the people the training of the tech technology right training of the tech technology right training of the tech technology right now all or they didn't at least now all or they didn't at least now all or they didn't at least pre-pandemic and and they now they have pre-pandemic and and they now they have pre-pandemic and and they now they have it and they don't really know how to do it and they don't really know how to do it and they don't really know how to do it you know they're the guy that just it you know they're the guy that just it you know they're the guy that just learned how to drive trying to drive a learned how to drive trying to drive a learned how to drive trying to drive a sports car or something sports car or something sports car or something um and really that's the struggle I'm um and really that's the struggle I'm um and really that's the struggle I'm seeing with churches right now is that seeing with churches right now is that seeing with churches right now is that they they know what they need to be

they they know what they need to be they they know what they need to be doing they don't quite know how to get doing they don't quite know how to get doing they don't quite know how to get there though there though there though um um um that's that's interesting uh because that's that's interesting uh because that's that's interesting uh because when churches talk to me about this and when churches talk to me about this and when churches talk to me about this and it's a small Church 120 550 people it's a small Church 120 550 people it's a small Church 120 550 people I said well don't don't pretend to be I said well don't don't pretend to be I said well don't don't pretend to be something you're not yeah okay yeah something you're not yeah okay yeah something you're not yeah okay yeah because they see the big mega church because they see the big mega church because they see the big mega church down the road and all the stuff they're down the road and all the stuff they're down the road and all the stuff they're doing the production and this is what doing the production and this is what doing the production and this is what their live stream we need to look like their live stream we need to look like their live stream we need to look like now now now in my opinion in my opinion in my opinion um I'm a huge fan so I'm going to say um I'm a huge fan so I'm going to say um I'm a huge fan so I'm going to say something here I'm a huge fan of using something here I'm a huge fan of using something here I'm a huge fan of using digital tools but not to live in a digital tools but not to live in a digital tools but not to live in a digital world we live in a world where digital world we live in a world where digital world we live in a world where relationships matter you see people you relationships matter you see people you relationships matter you see people you shake their hand and hug them that's shake their hand and hug them that's shake their hand and hug them that's ultimately where I think it needs to end ultimately where I think it needs to end ultimately where I think it needs to end up you can start online but again up up you can start online but again up up you can start online but again up there so for those smaller churches go there so for those smaller churches go there so for those smaller churches go back to knowing what you know what to do back to knowing what you know what to do back to knowing what you know what to do yeah right start shaking hands and yeah right start shaking hands and yeah right start shaking hands and inviting people and all that kind of inviting people and all that kind of inviting people and all that kind of things let digital be a uh something you things let digital be a uh something you things let digital be a uh something you can get into but you don't have to just can get into but you don't have to just can get into but you don't have to just like totally put all your focus in there like totally put all your focus in there like totally put all your focus in there because you won't be able to no and and because you won't be able to no and and because you won't be able to no and and that's the draw I think of a lot of that's the draw I think of a lot of that's the draw I think of a lot of small churches people like small small churches people like small small churches people like small churches why don't they like and we're churches why don't they like and we're churches why don't they like and we're saying small churches those are saying small churches those are saying small churches those are normative size churches let's be real normative size churches let's be real normative size churches let's be real that's the normal size church but they that's the normal size church but they that's the normal size church but they like those 100 to 125 150 200 size like those 100 to 125 150 200 size like those 100 to 125 150 200 size searches because they know the people searches because they know the people searches because they know the people and they can connect with them that's and they can connect with them that's and they can connect with them that's right and that's that's the attraction right and that's that's the attraction right and that's that's the attraction of a church that size and you if you're of a church that size and you if you're of a church that size and you if you're trying to use digital to be something trying to use digital to be something trying to use digital to be something you're not you're not you're not it's not really going to help because it's not really going to help because it's not really going to help because what people really want from your church what people really want from your church what people really want from your church is those relational connections and I is those relational connections and I is those relational connections and I think what we want in a gospel Community

think what we want in a gospel Community think what we want in a gospel Community is that relational connection even if is that relational connection even if is that relational connection even if we're in a large church we still want we're in a large church we still want we're in a large church we still want those sizes and those those groups you those sizes and those those groups you those sizes and those those groups you know from going into Sydney rows to sit know from going into Sydney rows to sit know from going into Sydney rows to sit in circles as a Ed stetzer would say is in circles as a Ed stetzer would say is in circles as a Ed stetzer would say is is getting those relational touch points is getting those relational touch points is getting those relational touch points really getting that connection and and really getting that connection and and really getting that connection and and communication is the means to the end communication is the means to the end communication is the means to the end but it's not the end there right right I but it's not the end there right right I but it's not the end there right right I think you know we're kind of kind of got think you know we're kind of kind of got think you know we're kind of kind of got off on the on the digital front but off on the on the digital front but off on the on the digital front but still when you talk about making sure still when you talk about making sure still when you talk about making sure you share your story making sure that you share your story making sure that you share your story making sure that you communicate what you're about as a you communicate what you're about as a you communicate what you're about as a church you should be known for something church you should be known for something church you should be known for something right not know you know not what you're right not know you know not what you're right not know you know not what you're against but knowing for something and so against but knowing for something and so against but knowing for something and so I think maybe some I don't do you guys I think maybe some I don't do you guys I think maybe some I don't do you guys do this where you're trying to help do this where you're trying to help do this where you're trying to help churches articulate that message churches articulate that message churches articulate that message a little bit I mean we're we don't a little bit I mean we're we don't a little bit I mean we're we don't really run a Communication Service you really run a Communication Service you really run a Communication Service you know we're happy to talk to different know we're happy to talk to different know we're happy to talk to different um churches and stuff but what we want um churches and stuff but what we want um churches and stuff but what we want to do is we want to communicate with to do is we want to communicate with to do is we want to communicate with Southern Baptists are for you know from Southern Baptists are for you know from Southern Baptists are for you know from my office like what what's important to my office like what what's important to my office like what what's important to the vast number of Southern Baptists and the vast number of Southern Baptists and the vast number of Southern Baptists and how are southern baptist churches how how are southern baptist churches how how are southern baptist churches how are southern Baptists communicating that are southern Baptists communicating that are southern Baptists communicating that to the lost in their neighborhoods and to the lost in their neighborhoods and to the lost in their neighborhoods and and to the Nations as well so and to the Nations as well so and to the Nations as well so um you know our goal from my seat and um you know our goal from my seat and um you know our goal from my seat and from our office is to help tells those from our office is to help tells those from our office is to help tells those stories and help to to highlight how God stories and help to to highlight how God stories and help to to highlight how God is working in and through southern is working in and through southern is working in and through southern baptist to share the gospel in their baptist to share the gospel in their baptist to share the gospel in their community in their neighborhood and you community in their neighborhood and you community in their neighborhood and you know around the world in the Nations know around the world in the Nations know around the world in the Nations that's got to be incredibly encouraging that's got to be incredibly encouraging that's got to be incredibly encouraging right because they you know it's like right because they you know it's like right because they you know it's like stay on mission right we're we're on a stay on mission right we're we're on a stay on mission right we're we're on a mission to save to go after the one yeah

mission to save to go after the one yeah mission to save to go after the one yeah and it's fun to tell those stories those and it's fun to tell those stories those and it's fun to tell those stories those are the stories we have the most fun are the stories we have the most fun are the stories we have the most fun telling I mean we had one this week telling I mean we had one this week telling I mean we had one this week um the week we're recording this we um the week we're recording this we um the week we're recording this we heard about a church in like rural heard about a church in like rural heard about a church in like rural Louisiana it's not rural rural but it's Louisiana it's not rural rural but it's Louisiana it's not rural rural but it's like not in a big city Louisiana and uh like not in a big city Louisiana and uh like not in a big city Louisiana and uh they hired a new youth guy and he's kind they hired a new youth guy and he's kind they hired a new youth guy and he's kind of come in and taken the area by storm of come in and taken the area by storm of come in and taken the area by storm and they had 260 youth at a church that and they had 260 youth at a church that and they had 260 youth at a church that runs like 400 the other night wow 260 runs like 400 the other night wow 260 runs like 400 the other night wow 260 youth on us on a Wednesday night 125 of youth on us on a Wednesday night 125 of youth on us on a Wednesday night 125 of them visitors had 23 salvations just them visitors had 23 salvations just them visitors had 23 salvations just this incredible event of just this this incredible event of just this this incredible event of just this random Church in the middle of Louisiana random Church in the middle of Louisiana random Church in the middle of Louisiana so cool uh you know not in a major city so cool uh you know not in a major city so cool uh you know not in a major city just just just just because they're going and they're just because they're going and they're just because they're going and they're building the relationships they're building the relationships they're building the relationships they're they're getting their people outside of they're getting their people outside of they're getting their people outside of the walls to invite others to come and the walls to invite others to come and the walls to invite others to come and the Lord is Blessing that so you know the Lord is Blessing that so you know the Lord is Blessing that so you know those are the exciting stories that we those are the exciting stories that we those are the exciting stories that we get to tell and uh you know it really get to tell and uh you know it really get to tell and uh you know it really comes back to relationships and and the comes back to relationships and and the comes back to relationships and and the stories uh that people are telling on stories uh that people are telling on stories uh that people are telling on the ground with those around them that the ground with those around them that the ground with those around them that are you know maybe close to them but are you know maybe close to them but are you know maybe close to them but near or near to them but far from God near or near to them but far from God near or near to them but far from God let me ask you a question about that let me ask you a question about that let me ask you a question about that Jonathan I think I think sort of what Jonathan I think I think sort of what Jonathan I think I think sort of what you're doing and the way that you're you're doing and the way that you're you're doing and the way that you're doing it can translate uh into the doing it can translate uh into the doing it can translate uh into the context of a local church with a church context of a local church with a church context of a local church with a church communications director for for a couple communications director for for a couple communications director for for a couple of reasons one of the things that we're of reasons one of the things that we're of reasons one of the things that we're constantly trying to emphasize with constantly trying to emphasize with constantly trying to emphasize with churches is their need to be churches is their need to be churches is their need to be storytellers uh not just announcement storytellers uh not just announcement storytellers uh not just announcement makers right we don't want to just makers right we don't want to just makers right we don't want to just simply make everything that we're simply make everything that we're simply make everything that we're communicating about where you're

communicating about where you're communicating about where you're supposed to be how you're supposed to supposed to be how you're supposed to supposed to be how you're supposed to sign up what side dish you're supposed sign up what side dish you're supposed sign up what side dish you're supposed to bring but to actually be you know be to bring but to actually be you know be to bring but to actually be you know be be communicating and telling stories be communicating and telling stories be communicating and telling stories celebrating the wins so let me ask you a celebrating the wins so let me ask you a celebrating the wins so let me ask you a couple of really practical questions and couple of really practical questions and couple of really practical questions and and maybe because of your specific role and maybe because of your specific role and maybe because of your specific role you're not as involved in the decision you're not as involved in the decision you're not as involved in the decision making here but maybe you can kind of making here but maybe you can kind of making here but maybe you can kind of talk me through the process talk me through the process talk me through the process number one how are you Gathering the number one how are you Gathering the number one how are you Gathering the stories that you're telling because this stories that you're telling because this stories that you're telling because this is a problem that a lot of churches have is a problem that a lot of churches have is a problem that a lot of churches have Jason I'm thinking of one specific Jason I'm thinking of one specific Jason I'm thinking of one specific church it's a large Church campuses all church it's a large Church campuses all church it's a large Church campuses all over the place and we've been working over the place and we've been working over the place and we've been working with them to try to get them to tell with them to try to get them to tell with them to try to get them to tell more stories and they just have a really more stories and they just have a really more stories and they just have a really difficult time collecting those stories difficult time collecting those stories difficult time collecting those stories secondly you mentioned in your intro secondly you mentioned in your intro secondly you mentioned in your intro that you have a number of different uh that you have a number of different uh that you have a number of different uh outlets for communication from printed outlets for communication from printed outlets for communication from printed media to the website to podcasts and the media to the website to podcasts and the media to the website to podcasts and the other how do you decide what information other how do you decide what information other how do you decide what information gets distributed on what channels so gets distributed on what channels so gets distributed on what channels so there's really sort of two sort of two there's really sort of two sort of two there's really sort of two sort of two questions in there one is how are you questions in there one is how are you questions in there one is how are you collecting these stories like who's collecting these stories like who's collecting these stories like who's responsible for that how are you getting responsible for that how are you getting responsible for that how are you getting that and then once you decide what needs that and then once you decide what needs that and then once you decide what needs to be communicated to your primary to be communicated to your primary to be communicated to your primary audience how do you decide which is the audience how do you decide which is the audience how do you decide which is the best platform the best medium the best best platform the best medium the best best platform the best medium the best channel for communicating those things channel for communicating those things channel for communicating those things all right so to start with how we're all right so to start with how we're all right so to start with how we're collecting them uh that takes collecting them uh that takes collecting them uh that takes intentionality uh it's rare now it does intentionality uh it's rare now it does intentionality uh it's rare now it does happen but it's rare that a story just happen but it's rare that a story just happen but it's rare that a story just Falls in somebody's lap right I mean Falls in somebody's lap right I mean Falls in somebody's lap right I mean even if you're on the local church it's even if you're on the local church it's even if you're on the local church it's rare that somebody just comes up and rare that somebody just comes up and rare that somebody just comes up and said pastor you will never believe what said pastor you will never believe what said pastor you will never believe what happened to me I mean that does happen

happened to me I mean that does happen happened to me I mean that does happen but a lot of times it's more you having but a lot of times it's more you having but a lot of times it's more you having a relationship with somebody talking to a relationship with somebody talking to a relationship with somebody talking to them and asking questions and and them and asking questions and and them and asking questions and and following people online on social media following people online on social media following people online on social media those kind of things to know what's those kind of things to know what's those kind of things to know what's going on in their lives so going on in their lives so going on in their lives so um there's a pastor here in Nashville um there's a pastor here in Nashville um there's a pastor here in Nashville that I know that know pretty well and that I know that know pretty well and that I know that know pretty well and like every time I'm with him he's like every time I'm with him he's like every time I'm with him he's telling me stories about people in his telling me stories about people in his telling me stories about people in his church he's telling me about the person church he's telling me about the person church he's telling me about the person that he went and saw at the you know at that he went and saw at the you know at that he went and saw at the you know at the hospital visited in the hospital and the hospital visited in the hospital and the hospital visited in the hospital and just like all not like just oh they're just like all not like just oh they're just like all not like just oh they're you know dealing with X Y and Z in the you know dealing with X Y and Z in the you know dealing with X Y and Z in the hospital it's like no here's their life hospital it's like no here's their life hospital it's like no here's their life story like he gives me the a lot of story like he gives me the a lot of story like he gives me the a lot of information and I mean those type of information and I mean those type of information and I mean those type of people those in your church those are people those in your church those are people those in your church those are the kind of things that that drive the kind of things that that drive the kind of things that that drive stories in the local church is getting stories in the local church is getting stories in the local church is getting to know your people you can't tell the to know your people you can't tell the to know your people you can't tell the story of your people if you don't know story of your people if you don't know story of your people if you don't know your people uh as if you're on staff if your people uh as if you're on staff if your people uh as if you're on staff if you're on you know doing pastorate or you're on you know doing pastorate or you're on you know doing pastorate or whatever it may be even if you're like a whatever it may be even if you're like a whatever it may be even if you're like a Sunday school teacher or whatever it may Sunday school teacher or whatever it may Sunday school teacher or whatever it may be just a volunteer you've got to know be just a volunteer you've got to know be just a volunteer you've got to know your people so it takes intentionality your people so it takes intentionality your people so it takes intentionality to find those stories it doesn't just to find those stories it doesn't just to find those stories it doesn't just fall in your lap a lot of times and fall in your lap a lot of times and fall in your lap a lot of times and that's the thing with us like we we have that's the thing with us like we we have that's the thing with us like we we have websites we have uh Facebook groups that websites we have uh Facebook groups that websites we have uh Facebook groups that we follow we have uh people on Twitter we follow we have uh people on Twitter we follow we have uh people on Twitter and things like that we're always and things like that we're always and things like that we're always looking for things and once you have looking for things and once you have looking for things and once you have that lens you start seeing everything that lens you start seeing everything that lens you start seeing everything that happens as a story a potential that happens as a story a potential that happens as a story a potential story and that that just takes reps story and that that just takes reps story and that that just takes reps um so it takes you know relationships it um so it takes you know relationships it um so it takes you know relationships it takes repetition you know it takes you takes repetition you know it takes you takes repetition you know it takes you doing the work putting the work in to doing the work putting the work in to doing the work putting the work in to find the stories the more work you do find the stories the more work you do find the stories the more work you do the easier it gets on the rep side of

the easier it gets on the rep side of the easier it gets on the rep side of things and in a local church I mean it's things and in a local church I mean it's things and in a local church I mean it's it's as simple as whenever this is one it's as simple as whenever this is one it's as simple as whenever this is one of the most effective things I've seen of the most effective things I've seen of the most effective things I've seen from local churches is where we talk from local churches is where we talk from local churches is where we talk about telling stories it's baptism about telling stories it's baptism about telling stories it's baptism videos if you can't do baptism videos videos if you can't do baptism videos videos if you can't do baptism videos and you just do it live you know have and you just do it live you know have and you just do it live you know have some interview questions or whatever some interview questions or whatever some interview questions or whatever when you're baptizing uh in the Southern when you're baptizing uh in the Southern when you're baptizing uh in the Southern Baptist Church you know we we take a Baptist Church you know we we take a Baptist Church you know we we take a minute to do that a lot of times because minute to do that a lot of times because minute to do that a lot of times because you got to go all the way under you know you got to go all the way under you know you got to go all the way under you know it depends on what what type of Faith it depends on what what type of Faith it depends on what what type of Faith tradition you're in or not quicker what tradition you're in or not quicker what tradition you're in or not quicker what that looks like you know but a lot of that looks like you know but a lot of that looks like you know but a lot of our churches have gone to where they're our churches have gone to where they're our churches have gone to where they're doing baptism videos where maybe they doing baptism videos where maybe they doing baptism videos where maybe they don't show the whole video in the don't show the whole video in the don't show the whole video in the service maybe it's just online later on service maybe it's just online later on service maybe it's just online later on the Facebook page something like that the Facebook page something like that the Facebook page something like that um but they they use that and they tell um but they they use that and they tell um but they they use that and they tell the person's story of coming to Faith the person's story of coming to Faith the person's story of coming to Faith and there's nothing more powerful than and there's nothing more powerful than and there's nothing more powerful than somebody's personal story of coming to somebody's personal story of coming to somebody's personal story of coming to Faith and it's just I mean regardless of Faith and it's just I mean regardless of Faith and it's just I mean regardless of the age those are powerful stories every the age those are powerful stories every the age those are powerful stories every time you hear them because you can see time you hear them because you can see time you hear them because you can see bits and pieces of of how the Lord's bits and pieces of of how the Lord's bits and pieces of of how the Lord's working differently and and that and and working differently and and that and and working differently and and that and and the people that were involved in that I the people that were involved in that I the people that were involved in that I mean you know like how how much more mean you know like how how much more mean you know like how how much more encouraged can you be as a member in a encouraged can you be as a member in a encouraged can you be as a member in a church to know that you had a hand in church to know that you had a hand in church to know that you had a hand in somebody's Eternal salvation somebody's Eternal salvation somebody's Eternal salvation like let's go right now I mean that like let's go right now I mean that like let's go right now I mean that that'll get you fired up and those are that'll get you fired up and those are that'll get you fired up and those are the kind of stories and that's that's the kind of stories and that's that's the kind of stories and that's that's the easiest opportunity I think churches the easiest opportunity I think churches the easiest opportunity I think churches have to tell stories and the power of have to tell stories and the power of have to tell stories and the power of story in the church another is the you story in the church another is the you story in the church another is the you know and we kind of got away from this know and we kind of got away from this know and we kind of got away from this because of coven but the offering moment because of coven but the offering moment because of coven but the offering moment you know the time for your worship you know the time for your worship you know the time for your worship you're giving of tithes and offerings uh you're giving of tithes and offerings uh you're giving of tithes and offerings uh the ability to say look you know here's

the ability to say look you know here's the ability to say look you know here's what our Church's money's doing what our Church's money's doing what our Church's money's doing we're impacting this ministry it's done we're impacting this ministry it's done we're impacting this ministry it's done this we're impacted we're doing this and this we're impacted we're doing this and this we're impacted we're doing this and people are coming to Christ because of people are coming to Christ because of people are coming to Christ because of your giving because of what's going on your giving because of what's going on your giving because of what's going on in your you know in in our church in your you know in in our church in your you know in in our church because you people in the church are because you people in the church are because you people in the church are generous you're faithful and you're generous you're faithful and you're generous you're faithful and you're giving to what the Lord is wanting us to giving to what the Lord is wanting us to giving to what the Lord is wanting us to do and those are really powerful stories do and those are really powerful stories do and those are really powerful stories and just two instances in a worship and just two instances in a worship and just two instances in a worship service that you can use the power of service that you can use the power of service that you can use the power of story really to make an impact and to story really to make an impact and to story really to make an impact and to get people to invest and and and do more get people to invest and and and do more get people to invest and and and do more in the local church in the local church in the local church hey Bart Blair here I'm the producer of hey Bart Blair here I'm the producer of hey Bart Blair here I'm the producer of missional marketing's church growth missional marketing's church growth missional marketing's church growth interviews podcast thanks so much for interviews podcast thanks so much for interviews podcast thanks so much for tuning in at missional marketing we're tuning in at missional marketing we're tuning in at missional marketing we're passionate about helping churches reach passionate about helping churches reach passionate about helping churches reach more people for Jesus online and one of more people for Jesus online and one of more people for Jesus online and one of the ways that we do that is by helping the ways that we do that is by helping the ways that we do that is by helping churches acquire more new visitors to churches acquire more new visitors to churches acquire more new visitors to their website utilizing the Google ad their website utilizing the Google ad their website utilizing the Google ad Grant Google offers qualifying Grant Google offers qualifying Grant Google offers qualifying non-profits including churches up to ten non-profits including churches up to ten non-profits including churches up to ten thousand dollars a month in advertising thousand dollars a month in advertising thousand dollars a month in advertising that means that you as a church could be that means that you as a church could be that means that you as a church could be using Google as one of your primary using Google as one of your primary using Google as one of your primary digital Outreach strategies to digital Outreach strategies to digital Outreach strategies to communicate the gospel and reach more communicate the gospel and reach more communicate the gospel and reach more people in your community if you'd like people in your community if you'd like people in your community if you'd like to learn more visit our website at to learn more visit our website at to learn more visit our website at missionalmarketing.com and click the missionalmarketing.com and click the missionalmarketing.com and click the link at the top of the page that says link at the top of the page that says link at the top of the page that says Google Grant we'd love an opportunity to Google Grant we'd love an opportunity to Google Grant we'd love an opportunity to partner with you in your mission to partner with you in your mission to partner with you in your mission to build God's kingdom here on Earth well build God's kingdom here on Earth well build God's kingdom here on Earth well thanks again for listening to our thanks again for listening to our thanks again for listening to our podcast and now back to the show podcast and now back to the show podcast and now back to the show um you're gonna have to remind me of the um you're gonna have to remind me of the um you're gonna have to remind me of the second part of the question what second part of the question what second part of the question what platform yeah how do you decide how do platform yeah how do you decide how do platform yeah how do you decide how do you decide what's the right channel to you decide what's the right channel to you decide what's the right channel to distribute which stories which pieces distribute which stories which pieces distribute which stories which pieces news I mean it's it depends on I guess I

news I mean it's it depends on I guess I news I mean it's it depends on I guess I don't really know you know we don't don't really know you know we don't don't really know you know we don't really I don't really have a really I don't really have a really I don't really have a um like a set or although that's a good um like a set or although that's a good um like a set or although that's a good story for this thing or whatever story for this thing or whatever story for this thing or whatever um we don't really have a rubric for um we don't really have a rubric for um we don't really have a rubric for that kind of thing it's just the stories that kind of thing it's just the stories that kind of thing it's just the stories that are good they get more information that are good they get more information that are good they get more information more attention I mean that's kind of more attention I mean that's kind of more attention I mean that's kind of where you you have to triage your where you you have to triage your where you you have to triage your content just like whenever you're doing content just like whenever you're doing content just like whenever you're doing announcements uh you know the ladies announcements uh you know the ladies announcements uh you know the ladies crocheting meeting on a second Tuesday crocheting meeting on a second Tuesday crocheting meeting on a second Tuesday of the month does not get the same of the month does not get the same of the month does not get the same announcement time slot and I'm in volume announcement time slot and I'm in volume announcement time slot and I'm in volume as the Fall Festival that's Church wide as the Fall Festival that's Church wide as the Fall Festival that's Church wide you know it's kind of thing you know the you know it's kind of thing you know the you know it's kind of thing you know the a Content B content C content a Content B content C content a Content B content C content um if the a contents what you run with um if the a contents what you run with um if the a contents what you run with in all your platforms B you may just hit in all your platforms B you may just hit in all your platforms B you may just hit you know in one or two spots and then you know in one or two spots and then you know in one or two spots and then see maybe just a digest item on a see maybe just a digest item on a see maybe just a digest item on a website somewhere or something like that website somewhere or something like that website somewhere or something like that that's how we look at it that's how we look at it that's how we look at it um and I think the same would kind of go um and I think the same would kind of go um and I think the same would kind of go across as you're looking at how you're across as you're looking at how you're across as you're looking at how you're doing your newsletters bulletins doing your newsletters bulletins doing your newsletters bulletins whatever it may be in the local church whatever it may be in the local church whatever it may be in the local church so the big things get the most play so the big things get the most play so the big things get the most play across all the different platforms yeah across all the different platforms yeah across all the different platforms yeah you know as a as a a Communications you know as a as a a Communications you know as a as a a Communications profession professional you know you profession professional you know you profession professional you know you you're uh you're adapting and growing you're uh you're adapting and growing you're uh you're adapting and growing and you know how how uh how much are you and you know how how uh how much are you and you know how how uh how much are you guys using other platforms like in guys using other platforms like in guys using other platforms like in particular you know everyone's kind of particular you know everyone's kind of particular you know everyone's kind of using Facebook Instagram you know using Facebook Instagram you know using Facebook Instagram you know um they they have obviously have their um they they have obviously have their um they they have obviously have their website are you website are you website are you are you guys getting into more like Tick are you guys getting into more like Tick are you guys getting into more like Tick Tock are you encouraging churches to get Tock are you encouraging churches to get Tock are you encouraging churches to get into using Tick Tock and short form into using Tick Tock and short form into using Tick Tock and short form videos or what videos or what videos or what you don't know very many Southern

you don't know very many Southern you don't know very many Southern Baptists do you yeah Baptists do you yeah Baptists do you yeah you don't want them on Tick Tock uh no you don't want them on Tick Tock uh no you don't want them on Tick Tock uh no I'm good I'm good I'm good um the yeah we're we're not really in um the yeah we're we're not really in um the yeah we're we're not really in the emerging Technologies I mean the key the emerging Technologies I mean the key the emerging Technologies I mean the key is always you want to be where your is always you want to be where your is always you want to be where your people are right people are right people are right um be where your people are and and if um be where your people are and and if um be where your people are and and if your people start migrating to new your people start migrating to new your people start migrating to new platforms then be there platforms then be there platforms then be there um it's always helpful to try to um it's always helpful to try to um it's always helpful to try to experiment and nothing get out of the experiment and nothing get out of the experiment and nothing get out of the out of you know out of your rut we don't out of you know out of your rut we don't out of you know out of your rut we don't really have the content that I think really have the content that I think really have the content that I think really fits a like a tick tock or an really fits a like a tick tock or an really fits a like a tick tock or an emerging emerging emerging um brand or social platform or whatever um brand or social platform or whatever um brand or social platform or whatever uh we we have good content for the uh we we have good content for the uh we we have good content for the traditional you know digital media type traditional you know digital media type traditional you know digital media type platforms platforms platforms um it is something that we're working um it is something that we're working um it is something that we're working toward I will say that toward I will say that toward I will say that um we do have a lot of video content and um we do have a lot of video content and um we do have a lot of video content and we just don't have the Manpower right we just don't have the Manpower right we just don't have the Manpower right now to work on it we just hired somebody now to work on it we just hired somebody now to work on it we just hired somebody actually she started yesterday actually she started yesterday actually she started yesterday um from uh from a local church uh and uh um from uh from a local church uh and uh um from uh from a local church uh and uh she started working with us and she's she started working with us and she's she started working with us and she's going to come in and really take our going to come in and really take our going to come in and really take our digital content marketing up a notch digital content marketing up a notch digital content marketing up a notch because we needed it I had that spot because we needed it I had that spot because we needed it I had that spot open for about a year trying to figure open for about a year trying to figure open for about a year trying to figure out what to do with it and who what type out what to do with it and who what type out what to do with it and who what type of employee to hire and as we look of employee to hire and as we look of employee to hire and as we look toward the future it was like look I toward the future it was like look I toward the future it was like look I need somebody that really understands need somebody that really understands need somebody that really understands the digital content area and what we the digital content area and what we the digital content area and what we need on that side of things so went out need on that side of things so went out need on that side of things so went out and found somebody and I'm really and found somebody and I'm really and found somebody and I'm really excited about her coming on board with excited about her coming on board with excited about her coming on board with us this week but you know she's got the us this week but you know she's got the us this week but you know she's got the talent and the ability and the tools to talent and the ability and the tools to talent and the ability and the tools to take it into a digital space that is an

take it into a digital space that is an take it into a digital space that is an emerging technology or emerging platform emerging technology or emerging platform emerging technology or emerging platform whatever it may be whether that be you whatever it may be whether that be you whatever it may be whether that be you know trying to figure out how to get us know trying to figure out how to get us know trying to figure out how to get us like on a like a be real type platform like on a like a be real type platform like on a like a be real type platform or Tick Tock whatever it may be or Tick Tock whatever it may be or Tick Tock whatever it may be um and something that may come down the um and something that may come down the um and something that may come down the road it's going to take some more road it's going to take some more road it's going to take some more planning on our side to just try to planning on our side to just try to planning on our side to just try to figure out how do we take our existing figure out how do we take our existing figure out how do we take our existing content into this or how do we build content into this or how do we build content into this or how do we build content for the future for this platform content for the future for this platform content for the future for this platform so yeah so we're not looking for the so yeah so we're not looking for the so yeah so we're not looking for the Jonathan Howe Tick Tock show on anytime Jonathan Howe Tick Tock show on anytime Jonathan Howe Tick Tock show on anytime soon no okay it won't be all right won't soon no okay it won't be all right won't soon no okay it won't be all right won't be do editing videos with uh dances with be do editing videos with uh dances with be do editing videos with uh dances with custom Meyer or whatever it is custom Meyer or whatever it is custom Meyer or whatever it is I get really excited about about that I get really excited about about that I get really excited about about that kind of thing because well you know for kind of thing because well you know for kind of thing because well you know for our listeners you you want to start our listeners you you want to start our listeners you you want to start going there going there going there um Tick Tock is the fastest growing um Tick Tock is the fastest growing um Tick Tock is the fastest growing platform it's getting more it's getting platform it's getting more it's getting platform it's getting more it's getting way more traction than Google it's way more traction than Google it's way more traction than Google it's growing up it's not teenagers using Tick growing up it's not teenagers using Tick growing up it's not teenagers using Tick Tock it's and you have to figure out how Tock it's and you have to figure out how Tock it's and you have to figure out how your content fits on the platform your content fits on the platform your content fits on the platform exactly and don't be afraid to fail well exactly and don't be afraid to fail well exactly and don't be afraid to fail well this is something yeah this is something this is something yeah this is something this is something yeah this is something you might find interesting I do have a you might find interesting I do have a you might find interesting I do have a question that I want to ask but this one question that I want to ask but this one question that I want to ask but this one of our partners at missional marketing of our partners at missional marketing of our partners at missional marketing his name's Earl Earl has shared this his name's Earl Earl has shared this his name's Earl Earl has shared this story with us a couple of times because story with us a couple of times because story with us a couple of times because our assumption is that the majority of our assumption is that the majority of our assumption is that the majority of people that are on Tick Tock are really people that are on Tick Tock are really people that are on Tick Tock are really young people they're our kids right young people they're our kids right young people they're our kids right teenage kids teenage kids teenage kids and Earl shared with us he is uh getting and Earl shared with us he is uh getting and Earl shared with us he is uh getting close to or is at Medicare age and Earl close to or is at Medicare age and Earl close to or is at Medicare age and Earl shared with us that he actually found a shared with us that he actually found a shared with us that he actually found a tick tocker that explains all of the

tick tocker that explains all of the tick tocker that explains all of the nuance and the process for applying for nuance and the process for applying for nuance and the process for applying for and getting approved for Medicare and he and getting approved for Medicare and he and getting approved for Medicare and he said like that was the best solution said like that was the best solution said like that was the best solution that he found anywhere on the interwebs that he found anywhere on the interwebs that he found anywhere on the interwebs uh to solve the problem of figuring out uh to solve the problem of figuring out uh to solve the problem of figuring out what he was supposed to do and so it was what he was supposed to do and so it was what he was supposed to do and so it was actually a tick tocker explaining to actually a tick tocker explaining to actually a tick tocker explaining to senior citizens you know what step by senior citizens you know what step by senior citizens you know what step by step what the process was to apply for step what the process was to apply for step what the process was to apply for Medicare and I think a lot of churches Medicare and I think a lot of churches Medicare and I think a lot of churches and Communications leaders we just kind and Communications leaders we just kind and Communications leaders we just kind of actually assume that our primary of actually assume that our primary of actually assume that our primary audience is going to be on Tick Tock is audience is going to be on Tick Tock is audience is going to be on Tick Tock is going to be young people when the going to be young people when the going to be young people when the reality is more and more older people reality is more and more older people reality is more and more older people are spending time on Tick Tock they're are spending time on Tick Tock they're are spending time on Tick Tock they're just not as forthright about it yeah just not as forthright about it yeah just not as forthright about it yeah maybe not creating but it's a big maybe not creating but it's a big maybe not creating but it's a big consumption yeah so as as little as they consumption yeah so as as little as they consumption yeah so as as little as they may be creating they're consuming a lot may be creating they're consuming a lot may be creating they're consuming a lot yeah so and that's that's where I kind yeah so and that's that's where I kind yeah so and that's that's where I kind of go back to when I said be where your of go back to when I said be where your of go back to when I said be where your people are your people are going there people are your people are going there people are your people are going there and they are there and at some point and they are there and at some point and they are there and at some point you've got to figure out how to get your you've got to figure out how to get your you've got to figure out how to get your content into that maybe that sermon content into that maybe that sermon content into that maybe that sermon Clips maybe that's something else I Clips maybe that's something else I Clips maybe that's something else I don't know uh but you've you've got to don't know uh but you've you've got to don't know uh but you've you've got to start thinking that way and that's start thinking that way and that's start thinking that way and that's that's kind of what we that's why I made that's kind of what we that's why I made that's kind of what we that's why I made that higher that I made recently is that higher that I made recently is that higher that I made recently is because we've got to start thinking that because we've got to start thinking that because we've got to start thinking that way so if you're getting more yeah it's way so if you're getting more yeah it's way so if you're getting more yeah it's almost to a necessity almost to a necessity almost to a necessity if your people are the lost sheep if your people are the lost sheep if your people are the lost sheep go there yeah yeah go there yeah yeah go there yeah yeah that's it I've got it I've got a that's it I've got it I've got a that's it I've got it I've got a Communications question kind of big Communications question kind of big Communications question kind of big picture strategy type of question here

picture strategy type of question here picture strategy type of question here you took your role your current role but you took your role your current role but you took your role your current role but 2018 2019 2019 2019 right before the 2018 2019 2019 2019 right before the 2018 2019 2019 2019 right before the pandemic pandemic pandemic um you said that you'd been doing the um you said that you'd been doing the um you said that you'd been doing the you know the SPC weekly or whatever it you know the SPC weekly or whatever it you know the SPC weekly or whatever it was the show for several years before was the show for several years before was the show for several years before that so you were aware of stuff you know that so you were aware of stuff you know that so you were aware of stuff you know going on in the SBC then you take this going on in the SBC then you take this going on in the SBC then you take this role and then the pandemic hits and of role and then the pandemic hits and of role and then the pandemic hits and of course that completely changes course that completely changes course that completely changes everything and then you know the last everything and then you know the last everything and then you know the last year year and a half has been pretty year year and a half has been pretty year year and a half has been pretty tough for the SBC in terms of whether tough for the SBC in terms of whether tough for the SBC in terms of whether it's real news or fake news it's it's real news or fake news it's it's real news or fake news it's certainly a lot of opinions out there certainly a lot of opinions out there certainly a lot of opinions out there um as the leader of the lane um as the leader of the lane um as the leader of the lane organizationally organizationally organizationally as far as communication is concerned as far as communication is concerned as far as communication is concerned um how do you navigate some of those um how do you navigate some of those um how do you navigate some of those turbulent waters you know we we have turbulent waters you know we we have turbulent waters you know we we have church leaders Church Communications church leaders Church Communications church leaders Church Communications professionals who most of us we're professionals who most of us we're professionals who most of us we're praying we never have to deal with a praying we never have to deal with a praying we never have to deal with a crisis or a controversy in the context crisis or a controversy in the context crisis or a controversy in the context of our ministry but unfortunately it of our ministry but unfortunately it of our ministry but unfortunately it does happen what advice do you have does happen what advice do you have does happen what advice do you have based on the experiences that you've had based on the experiences that you've had based on the experiences that you've had the last few years for communications the last few years for communications the last few years for communications directors who might find themselves in a directors who might find themselves in a directors who might find themselves in a situation where there's something situation where there's something situation where there's something controversial something challenging that controversial something challenging that controversial something challenging that needs to be communicated it needs to be needs to be communicated it needs to be needs to be communicated it needs to be communicated well and how do you refute communicated well and how do you refute communicated well and how do you refute all the other stuff or do you refute all all the other stuff or do you refute all all the other stuff or do you refute all the other stuff that's negative or false the other stuff that's negative or false the other stuff that's negative or false let me let you run with it yeah that's a let me let you run with it yeah that's a let me let you run with it yeah that's a great question it's it's something it's great question it's it's something it's great question it's it's something it's it has been a very difficult last year it has been a very difficult last year it has been a very difficult last year and a half or so much of it has to do

and a half or so much of it has to do and a half or so much of it has to do with um I would say you know we we deal with um I would say you know we we deal with a lot of disinformation a lot of disinformation a lot of disinformation uh we also deal with a lot of mistakes uh we also deal with a lot of mistakes uh we also deal with a lot of mistakes made by people that are no longer around made by people that are no longer around made by people that are no longer around um and I think you know that that's one um and I think you know that that's one um and I think you know that that's one of those things where I the frustration of those things where I the frustration of those things where I the frustration may be the most may be the most may be the most high is that high is that high is that being the people left behind or now in being the people left behind or now in being the people left behind or now in charge trying to figure out how to charge trying to figure out how to charge trying to figure out how to communicate about something that communicate about something that communicate about something that somebody who's no longer here did or did somebody who's no longer here did or did somebody who's no longer here did or did not do not do not do years ago years ago years ago um that that's a difficult task uh you um that that's a difficult task uh you um that that's a difficult task uh you know if you're at a church and something know if you're at a church and something know if you're at a church and something happens or something comes up about happens or something comes up about happens or something comes up about something that happened 10 15 years ago something that happened 10 15 years ago something that happened 10 15 years ago at the same church and now you're having at the same church and now you're having at the same church and now you're having to deal with a PR crisis for something to deal with a PR crisis for something to deal with a PR crisis for something nobody around you ever even knew about nobody around you ever even knew about nobody around you ever even knew about or had any playing in you know what do or had any playing in you know what do or had any playing in you know what do you do it that's that's frustrating you do it that's that's frustrating you do it that's that's frustrating because you like this ain't fair I because you like this ain't fair I because you like this ain't fair I didn't do anything about this why am I didn't do anything about this why am I didn't do anything about this why am I having to deal with this now having to deal with this now having to deal with this now um I could understand how churches could um I could understand how churches could um I could understand how churches could be very frustrated about that be very frustrated about that be very frustrated about that um um um the the you know the last couple of the the you know the last couple of the the you know the last couple of years have been difficult and what I've years have been difficult and what I've years have been difficult and what I've learned is there's often a point where learned is there's often a point where learned is there's often a point where you can you can you can um I would say get out of the the pain um I would say get out of the the pain um I would say get out of the the pain process or whatever it is but uh there process or whatever it is but uh there process or whatever it is but uh there are a lot of off-ramps along the way are a lot of off-ramps along the way are a lot of off-ramps along the way along a lot of times the the the key is along a lot of times the the the key is along a lot of times the the the key is to recognize them and to do the right to recognize them and to do the right to recognize them and to do the right thing early on you save yourself a lot thing early on you save yourself a lot thing early on you save yourself a lot of pain on the on the back end of pain on the on the back end of pain on the on the back end um the uh the key that I you know found um the uh the key that I you know found um the uh the key that I you know found is that

is that is that you can only do the right thing whenever you can only do the right thing whenever you can only do the right thing whenever you have the opportunity like do just do you have the opportunity like do just do you have the opportunity like do just do the right thing when you have the the right thing when you have the the right thing when you have the opportunity to do it uh whatever that opportunity to do it uh whatever that opportunity to do it uh whatever that may be the communications just say the may be the communications just say the may be the communications just say the right things don't think that you can right things don't think that you can right things don't think that you can just kind of move on to the next thing just kind of move on to the next thing just kind of move on to the next thing without dealing with it right then without dealing with it right then without dealing with it right then um a lot of times like I said there are um a lot of times like I said there are um a lot of times like I said there are a lot of times that you may you don't a lot of times that you may you don't a lot of times that you may you don't realize the off-ramp or the decision realize the off-ramp or the decision realize the off-ramp or the decision that you have that are going to save you that you have that are going to save you that you have that are going to save you from getting too far down the road on from getting too far down the road on from getting too far down the road on something do the right thing the first something do the right thing the first something do the right thing the first time say the right things the first time time say the right things the first time time say the right things the first time that'll save you a lot of pain a million that'll save you a lot of pain a million that'll save you a lot of pain a million um you know that that I don't know if um you know that that I don't know if um you know that that I don't know if that makes a lot of sense uh but yeah that makes a lot of sense uh but yeah that makes a lot of sense uh but yeah let me well so so as you're trying to let me well so so as you're trying to let me well so so as you're trying to make decisions about what gets make decisions about what gets make decisions about what gets communicated and how it gets communicated and how it gets communicated and how it gets communicated are there other people or communicated are there other people or communicated are there other people or other resources that you've looked to other resources that you've looked to other resources that you've looked to for some sort of council or some insight for some sort of council or some insight for some sort of council or some insight are you just looking at the leaders are you just looking at the leaders are you just looking at the leaders within your own organization within your own organization within your own organization um for the most part it's the leaders um for the most part it's the leaders um for the most part it's the leaders within but also you know it's good to within but also you know it's good to within but also you know it's good to have friends outside that you can bounce have friends outside that you can bounce have friends outside that you can bounce things off of things off of things off of um having relationships with people who um having relationships with people who um having relationships with people who are smarter than you and are better at are smarter than you and are better at are smarter than you and are better at this than you is really important this than you is really important this than you is really important um you know having people that you can um you know having people that you can um you know having people that you can call and say hey call and say hey call and say hey this is kind of where I'm thinking what this is kind of where I'm thinking what this is kind of where I'm thinking what do you you know what do you see in this do you you know what do you see in this do you you know what do you see in this situation um it's Chris Martin well no not him as it's Chris Martin well no not him as much uh okay all right I just want to much uh okay all right I just want to much uh okay all right I just want to make sure he calls me okay so uh no my make sure he calls me okay so uh no my make sure he calls me okay so uh no my my co-host Amy my co-host Amy my co-host Amy um she's she's been really good for me um she's she's been really good for me um she's she's been really good for me to be able to bounce things off of over to be able to bounce things off of over to be able to bounce things off of over the years and uh on the SBC this week

the years and uh on the SBC this week the years and uh on the SBC this week podcast and you know to have somebody podcast and you know to have somebody podcast and you know to have somebody just to be able to run run something by just to be able to run run something by just to be able to run run something by hey what do you think of this wording or hey what do you think of this wording or hey what do you think of this wording or what do you think of this like do you what do you think of this like do you what do you think of this like do you because a lot of times you get so because a lot of times you get so because a lot of times you get so focused on how it's going to play to you focused on how it's going to play to you focused on how it's going to play to you and your people and your people and your people uh that know everything about it you uh that know everything about it you uh that know everything about it you forget about the people that are seeing forget about the people that are seeing forget about the people that are seeing this for the first time this for the first time this for the first time and you know wording word choice and you know wording word choice and you know wording word choice um quotes those kind of things they um quotes those kind of things they um quotes those kind of things they matter matter matter and they they hit different people and they they hit different people and they they hit different people different ways because everybody's different ways because everybody's different ways because everybody's coming at an angle a different angle coming at an angle a different angle coming at an angle a different angle than you to the um to a scenario or an than you to the um to a scenario or an than you to the um to a scenario or an issue so there are a lot of times where issue so there are a lot of times where issue so there are a lot of times where you know my first instinct to say you know my first instinct to say you know my first instinct to say something I have to think through it something I have to think through it something I have to think through it three or four times before I realize three or four times before I realize three or four times before I realize that's that that can be misconstrued or that's that that can be misconstrued or that's that that can be misconstrued or whatever and uh you know as whatever and uh you know as whatever and uh you know as communication professionals you want communication professionals you want communication professionals you want people to not only hear what you're people to not only hear what you're people to not only hear what you're saying but to not hear what you're not saying but to not hear what you're not saying but to not hear what you're not saying I don't know if that makes sense saying I don't know if that makes sense saying I don't know if that makes sense but you don't want to leave ambiguity but you don't want to leave ambiguity but you don't want to leave ambiguity for them to be thinking oh well what for them to be thinking oh well what for them to be thinking oh well what they really meant was they really meant was they really meant was you know this you want to be clear and you know this you want to be clear and you know this you want to be clear and you want to be concise and you want you want to be concise and you want you want to be concise and you want people to understand exactly what you're people to understand exactly what you're people to understand exactly what you're trying to say and not something that trying to say and not something that trying to say and not something that you're not trying to say you're not trying to say you're not trying to say Yeah well yeah and you know I I'll add Yeah well yeah and you know I I'll add Yeah well yeah and you know I I'll add on to that because it uh you know I've on to that because it uh you know I've on to that because it uh you know I've been in those situations before been in those situations before been in those situations before you should uh well first of all pray you should uh well first of all pray you should uh well first of all pray because that is the spirit will lead you because that is the spirit will lead you because that is the spirit will lead you but uh we understand that's that's a but uh we understand that's that's a but uh we understand that's that's a nice situation yeah nice situation yeah nice situation yeah but second I think is is good to to uh

but second I think is is good to to uh but second I think is is good to to uh put together some ideas on what what put together some ideas on what what put together some ideas on what what what happens if and you've got that what happens if and you've got that what happens if and you've got that folder sitting over there on the Shelf folder sitting over there on the Shelf folder sitting over there on the Shelf yes that you you don't you're not like yes that you you don't you're not like yes that you you don't you're not like blindsided and oh my goodness now what blindsided and oh my goodness now what blindsided and oh my goodness now what do I do put some forethought into it it do I do put some forethought into it it do I do put some forethought into it it may happen you know yeah it may and you may happen you know yeah it may and you may happen you know yeah it may and you need to be ready and if if you're a need to be ready and if if you're a need to be ready and if if you're a local church I mean you need to have a a local church I mean you need to have a a local church I mean you need to have a a Communications plan now you may not have Communications plan now you may not have Communications plan now you may not have the words because every situation is the words because every situation is the words because every situation is different but you need to have a thought different but you need to have a thought different but you need to have a thought through plan on sex abuse on through plan on sex abuse on through plan on sex abuse on um you know a pastor passing away um you know a pastor passing away um you know a pastor passing away suddenly or a staff member or something suddenly or a staff member or something suddenly or a staff member or something like that or somebody getting arrested I like that or somebody getting arrested I like that or somebody getting arrested I mean I hate it but that happens and we mean I hate it but that happens and we mean I hate it but that happens and we see it all the time and pastors and see it all the time and pastors and see it all the time and pastors and churches and church communicators aren't churches and church communicators aren't churches and church communicators aren't ready for it and somebody says the wrong ready for it and somebody says the wrong ready for it and somebody says the wrong thing and it's it's not just like what thing and it's it's not just like what thing and it's it's not just like what do we say but like who's going to say it do we say but like who's going to say it do we say but like who's going to say it how do we communicate to our people how do we communicate to our people how do we communicate to our people about what happened what do we need to about what happened what do we need to about what happened what do we need to communicate to our people how far to get communicate to our people how far to get communicate to our people how far to get into the details of whatever it may be into the details of whatever it may be into the details of whatever it may be you need to know and kind of have I mean you need to know and kind of have I mean you need to know and kind of have I mean in every situation is different but at in every situation is different but at in every situation is different but at least have some kind of thought through least have some kind of thought through least have some kind of thought through plan so whenever that happens like you plan so whenever that happens like you plan so whenever that happens like you said you can reach for that folder and said you can reach for that folder and said you can reach for that folder and you've got it and you know exactly what you've got it and you know exactly what you've got it and you know exactly what you know kind of a framework and then you know kind of a framework and then you know kind of a framework and then you know call your friends and ask for you know call your friends and ask for you know call your friends and ask for help too don't be afraid to ask for help help too don't be afraid to ask for help help too don't be afraid to ask for help wow yeah good stuff that's really good I wow yeah good stuff that's really good I wow yeah good stuff that's really good I appreciate that appreciate that appreciate that um I think that that's really really um I think that that's really really um I think that that's really really good advice uh something that I think we good advice uh something that I think we good advice uh something that I think we don't like to think about the fact that don't like to think about the fact that don't like to think about the fact that that's a reality it's not the fun part that's a reality it's not the fun part that's a reality it's not the fun part of our job as Communications

of our job as Communications of our job as Communications professionals we we're much more professionals we we're much more professionals we we're much more interested in promoting events and interested in promoting events and interested in promoting events and activities and things that are going to activities and things that are going to activities and things that are going to actually move the needle for with the actually move the needle for with the actually move the needle for with the gospel and for God's kingdom but the gospel and for God's kingdom but the gospel and for God's kingdom but the reality is is that sometimes we find reality is is that sometimes we find reality is is that sometimes we find ourselves in damage control uh situation ourselves in damage control uh situation ourselves in damage control uh situation and uh and it is is important hey um I'm and uh and it is is important hey um I'm and uh and it is is important hey um I'm watching the clock and respectful of watching the clock and respectful of watching the clock and respectful of your time and know that we're kind of your time and know that we're kind of your time and know that we're kind of coming up on the end of our time coming up on the end of our time coming up on the end of our time commitment together commitment together commitment together um Jason did you have any final um Jason did you have any final um Jason did you have any final questions or final thoughts before we questions or final thoughts before we questions or final thoughts before we give Jonathan a chance to have a Parting give Jonathan a chance to have a Parting give Jonathan a chance to have a Parting Shot I know well I'm you know I think Shot I know well I'm you know I think Shot I know well I'm you know I think there's some great things to take away there's some great things to take away there's some great things to take away from this conversation that uh no matter from this conversation that uh no matter from this conversation that uh no matter what role you're playing in your church what role you're playing in your church what role you're playing in your church um um um there you know you wanna you wanna put there you know you wanna you wanna put there you know you wanna you wanna put thought into how you're communicating in thought into how you're communicating in thought into how you're communicating in the the story that you're communicating the the story that you're communicating the the story that you're communicating and be ready for any kind of scenario and be ready for any kind of scenario and be ready for any kind of scenario um but I really loved our part about you um but I really loved our part about you um but I really loved our part about you know sharing and telling stories of know sharing and telling stories of know sharing and telling stories of change lives I mean that just gets my change lives I mean that just gets my change lives I mean that just gets my heart going and you have to work at that heart going and you have to work at that heart going and you have to work at that that's just not going to like you send that's just not going to like you send that's just not going to like you send out one email then hope that they just out one email then hope that they just out one email then hope that they just come flooding and don't work that way come flooding and don't work that way come flooding and don't work that way you got to work it you know and I think you got to work it you know and I think you got to work it you know and I think I'm driving let's explain that so uh no I'm driving let's explain that so uh no I'm driving let's explain that so uh no thanks for for being on the on our thanks for for being on the on our thanks for for being on the on our podcast so it was a lot of a lot of a podcast so it was a lot of a lot of a podcast so it was a lot of a lot of a lot of nuggets to take away and lot of nuggets to take away and lot of nuggets to take away and implemented Industries implemented Industries implemented Industries yeah Jonathan any any parting shots for yeah Jonathan any any parting shots for yeah Jonathan any any parting shots for us anything you want to share before we us anything you want to share before we us anything you want to share before we wrap it up well I would say that wrap it up well I would say that wrap it up well I would say that um one Parting Shot just kind of look um one Parting Shot just kind of look um one Parting Shot just kind of look into the future here and we've seen it into the future here and we've seen it into the future here and we've seen it the last few years and I don't want to the last few years and I don't want to the last few years and I don't want to dive too deep onto this but

dive too deep onto this but dive too deep onto this but know that your church and you're going know that your church and you're going know that your church and you're going to have communications issues pop up to have communications issues pop up to have communications issues pop up uh moving forward you're gonna have and uh moving forward you're gonna have and uh moving forward you're gonna have and it made it more than likely it's going it made it more than likely it's going it made it more than likely it's going to be something that you're not to be something that you're not to be something that you're not responsible for you're not you had no responsible for you're not you had no responsible for you're not you had no business doing uh you know in the business doing uh you know in the business doing uh you know in the creation of the problem or the the issue creation of the problem or the the issue creation of the problem or the the issue it's going to be a result of something it's going to be a result of something it's going to be a result of something outside of your church probably or you outside of your church probably or you outside of your church probably or you know outside of your control but to have know outside of your control but to have know outside of your control but to have patience and to just persevere through patience and to just persevere through patience and to just persevere through that um you know we've got a political that um you know we've got a political that um you know we've got a political season coming up in a you know another season coming up in a you know another season coming up in a you know another election cycle coming up later this year election cycle coming up later this year election cycle coming up later this year and even and then you know down into 24 and even and then you know down into 24 and even and then you know down into 24 that I mean I I don't know about you that I mean I I don't know about you that I mean I I don't know about you guys the last six years have been kind guys the last six years have been kind guys the last six years have been kind of like the mace the most just of like the mace the most just of like the mace the most just contentious I've seen it's exhausting as contentious I've seen it's exhausting as contentious I've seen it's exhausting as far as yes uh communication side of far as yes uh communication side of far as yes uh communication side of things and you know not only does your things and you know not only does your things and you know not only does your church need to plan for when things go church need to plan for when things go church need to plan for when things go wrong your church needs a kind of an wrong your church needs a kind of an wrong your church needs a kind of an idea of where we're going to be with idea of where we're going to be with idea of where we're going to be with politics and stuff and I hate to jump politics and stuff and I hate to jump politics and stuff and I hate to jump into politics because that's like a into politics because that's like a into politics because that's like a really just really just really just dirty area to be for a church dirty area to be for a church dirty area to be for a church Communications thing is just there's no Communications thing is just there's no Communications thing is just there's no good way out of that um but but it's good way out of that um but but it's good way out of that um but but it's it's real it's impacting our people yeah it's real it's impacting our people yeah it's real it's impacting our people yeah and it's something that you need to have and it's something that you need to have and it's something that you need to have a plan and a really think through a plan and a really think through a plan and a really think through because it's going to impact your church because it's going to impact your church because it's going to impact your church it already is impacting a bunch of our it already is impacting a bunch of our it already is impacting a bunch of our churches and I think a lot of people churches and I think a lot of people churches and I think a lot of people listening and go yeah you know I can listening and go yeah you know I can listening and go yeah you know I can tell you about this and this tell you about this and this tell you about this and this um but um but um but be thinking through that as we get onto be thinking through that as we get onto be thinking through that as we get onto these election Cycles as they come up

these election Cycles as they come up these election Cycles as they come up and and how you can best Steward people and and how you can best Steward people and and how you can best Steward people toward the gospel and not to politics toward the gospel and not to politics toward the gospel and not to politics when it comes to your Communications and when it comes to your Communications and when it comes to your Communications and and how you're doing things in the and how you're doing things in the and how you're doing things in the church and and to keep people really church and and to keep people really church and and to keep people really focused on the gospel and on on what focused on the gospel and on on what focused on the gospel and on on what Christ has done for us and how he's Christ has done for us and how he's Christ has done for us and how he's moving in the world and not on any kind moving in the world and not on any kind moving in the world and not on any kind of Hope in a political party or you know of Hope in a political party or you know of Hope in a political party or you know Saving Grace that politics may bring so Saving Grace that politics may bring so Saving Grace that politics may bring so well said I had to go there at the end well said I had to go there at the end well said I had to go there at the end but no no I said I was just saying that but no no I said I was just saying that but no no I said I was just saying that I'm like whenever you ask me what are I'm like whenever you ask me what are I'm like whenever you ask me what are you planning for what are you thinking you planning for what are you thinking you planning for what are you thinking about next at the SBC that's the thing about next at the SBC that's the thing about next at the SBC that's the thing because that is the thing that is just because that is the thing that is just because that is the thing that is just consuming people at this point and it's consuming people at this point and it's consuming people at this point and it's yeah it's hard and and my I want to see yeah it's hard and and my I want to see yeah it's hard and and my I want to see people focused on the gospel and focused people focused on the gospel and focused people focused on the gospel and focused on the Great Commission and not on on the Great Commission and not on on the Great Commission and not on partisan politics partisan politics partisan politics for sure I was I was about to say pretty for sure I was I was about to say pretty for sure I was I was about to say pretty much guaranteed the way you are not much guaranteed the way you are not much guaranteed the way you are not asked back on a podcast is to start asked back on a podcast is to start asked back on a podcast is to start talking politics but you landed the talking politics but you landed the talking politics but you landed the plane pretty well there so hey Jonathan plane pretty well there so hey Jonathan plane pretty well there so hey Jonathan thanks so much for joining us on the thanks so much for joining us on the thanks so much for joining us on the show today show today show today thank you