How Web 3.0 and the Metaverse Will Change the Church | Nils Smith

in so many ways social media has leveled in so many ways social media has leveled the playing field where the playing field where the playing field where typically in media it was only the mega typically in media it was only the mega typically in media it was only the mega churches that could even get in that churches that could even get in that churches that could even get in that could afford the cameras or buy the air could afford the cameras or buy the air could afford the cameras or buy the air time time time to where social media now basically to where social media now basically to where social media now basically created this platform uh for any church created this platform uh for any church created this platform uh for any church to to uh kind of begin to engage to to uh kind of begin to engage to to uh kind of begin to engage hey welcome to the missional marketing hey welcome to the missional marketing hey welcome to the missional marketing podcast i'm bart blair joined by jason podcast i'm bart blair joined by jason podcast i'm bart blair joined by jason hamrock we're so glad that you have hamrock we're so glad that you have hamrock we're so glad that you have tuned in to our show and uh we've got a tuned in to our show and uh we've got a tuned in to our show and uh we've got a real treat for you today don't we jason real treat for you today don't we jason real treat for you today don't we jason we do i'm really excited for you to talk we do i'm really excited for you to talk we do i'm really excited for you to talk to this guy to this guy to this guy we uh just literally just a couple of we uh just literally just a couple of we uh just literally just a couple of hours ago interviewed nils smith now if hours ago interviewed nils smith now if hours ago interviewed nils smith now if you've been around the church space as a you've been around the church space as a you've been around the church space as a communications director or social media communications director or social media communications director or social media person person person nils is probably someone that you're nils is probably someone that you're nils is probably someone that you're familiar with he has been on dozens of familiar with he has been on dozens of familiar with he has been on dozens of podcasts has hosted a podcast i think podcasts has hosted a podcast i think podcasts has hosted a podcast i think for at least 10 years on church social for at least 10 years on church social for at least 10 years on church social media and media and media and i learned a ton from nils love his heart i learned a ton from nils love his heart i learned a ton from nils love his heart love his perspective now he still works love his perspective now he still works love his perspective now he still works in the church space but he does a whole in the church space but he does a whole in the church space but he does a whole lot of other stuff as well and most most lot of other stuff as well and most most lot of other stuff as well and most most of which was more complicated than i can of which was more complicated than i can of which was more complicated than i can even begin to explain um but uh even begin to explain um but uh even begin to explain um but uh we just had a great conversation about we just had a great conversation about we just had a great conversation about how uh you as a church leader as a how uh you as a church leader as a how uh you as a church leader as a communications director can better communications director can better communications director can better leverage social media for ministry leverage social media for ministry leverage social media for ministry yeah nils he's a smart guy and he's been yeah nils he's a smart guy and he's been yeah nils he's a smart guy and he's been doing this for a long long long time and doing this for a long long long time and doing this for a long long long time and like you church i get in conversations like you church i get in conversations like you church i get in conversations with with churches and they're asking me with with churches and they're asking me with with churches and they're asking me like like like hey how do we improve our social media hey how do we improve our social media hey how do we improve our social media or even how do we start a social media

or even how do we start a social media or even how do we start a social media you know ministry and and nils talks a you know ministry and and nils talks a you know ministry and and nils talks a little bit about little bit about little bit about don't use social media especially don't use social media especially don't use social media especially facebook as a as a marketing platform facebook as a as a marketing platform facebook as a as a marketing platform you use it as a ministry platform and so you use it as a ministry platform and so you use it as a ministry platform and so my recommendation well you're going to my recommendation well you're going to my recommendation well you're going to listen to a really good good podcast listen to a really good good podcast listen to a really good good podcast here but also here but also here but also a little extra juice for you is a little extra juice for you is a little extra juice for you is go to facebook and join church go to facebook and join church go to facebook and join church communications go search that on communications go search that on communications go search that on facebook church communications uh it's facebook church communications uh it's facebook church communications uh it's ran by katie who's a good friend of ours ran by katie who's a good friend of ours ran by katie who's a good friend of ours and this group is 30 000 people deep all and this group is 30 000 people deep all and this group is 30 000 people deep all of church staff and if you pose a of church staff and if you pose a of church staff and if you pose a question like question like question like what are some of the most what are some of the most what are some of the most powerful ways that you're using social powerful ways that you're using social powerful ways that you're using social media you're going to get all kinds of media you're going to get all kinds of media you're going to get all kinds of answers from all kinds of different answers from all kinds of different answers from all kinds of different churches it is a great great resource churches it is a great great resource churches it is a great great resource for you for you for you but i'm really excited about what our but i'm really excited about what our but i'm really excited about what our conversation turns into today you're conversation turns into today you're conversation turns into today you're going to learn a lot going to learn a lot going to learn a lot yeah so make sure you listen to the end yeah so make sure you listen to the end yeah so make sure you listen to the end you know one of the things that i asked you know one of the things that i asked you know one of the things that i asked nils at the end uh to talk about was nils at the end uh to talk about was nils at the end uh to talk about was some things that he sees coming in the some things that he sees coming in the some things that he sees coming in the future for social media and for digital future for social media and for digital future for social media and for digital media for churches and uh he kind of media for churches and uh he kind of media for churches and uh he kind of gives us this this uh sort of big gives us this this uh sort of big gives us this this uh sort of big picture of web 3.0 and picture of web 3.0 and picture of web 3.0 and i'm not going to give away all of what i'm not going to give away all of what i'm not going to give away all of what he shares but you recently he shares but you recently he shares but you recently had a podcast an opportunity to be on a had a podcast an opportunity to be on a had a podcast an opportunity to be on a podcast 95 networks podcast with our podcast 95 networks podcast with our podcast 95 networks podcast with our friend dale sellers and you guys were friend dale sellers and you guys were friend dale sellers and you guys were actually talking a little bit about some actually talking a little bit about some actually talking a little bit about some web 3.0 stuff right web 3.0 stuff right web 3.0 stuff right well um

well um well um a couple a couple a couple but a few weeks ago a month ago remember but a few weeks ago a month ago remember but a few weeks ago a month ago remember when facebook made a little bit of an when facebook made a little bit of an when facebook made a little bit of an announcement they're going to be called announcement they're going to be called announcement they're going to be called meta it's the metaverse that they're meta it's the metaverse that they're meta it's the metaverse that they're talking about meta is all about virtual talking about meta is all about virtual talking about meta is all about virtual reality reality reality and so uh yeah you can hop over to uh and so uh yeah you can hop over to uh and so uh yeah you can hop over to uh the 95 network and listener podcast and the 95 network and listener podcast and the 95 network and listener podcast and i was on there we we talked about it i was on there we we talked about it i was on there we we talked about it because i i gotta tell you i just gotta because i i gotta tell you i just gotta because i i gotta tell you i just gotta let it out web 3.0 let it out web 3.0 let it out web 3.0 that's where ministry is going to be that's where ministry is going to be that's where ministry is going to be able to happen able to happen able to happen in virtual reality and it's going there in virtual reality and it's going there in virtual reality and it's going there so you know we can say i don't want to so you know we can say i don't want to so you know we can say i don't want to use that i don't know anything about it use that i don't know anything about it use that i don't know anything about it well you're gonna well you're gonna well you're gonna because because because it's just one of those things that it it's just one of those things that it it's just one of those things that it just comes down the bike right the you just comes down the bike right the you just comes down the bike right the you know everybody else learns about this know everybody else learns about this know everybody else learns about this stuff and the rest of culture is stuff and the rest of culture is stuff and the rest of culture is adapting to it we need to go adapting to it we need to go adapting to it we need to go where people are not expect them just to where people are not expect them just to where people are not expect them just to come into our building yeah i'm a big come into our building yeah i'm a big come into our building yeah i'm a big fan of dale sellers and the 95 network fan of dale sellers and the 95 network fan of dale sellers and the 95 network and their podcast so i look i look and their podcast so i look i look and their podcast so i look i look forward to tuning in to that episode not forward to tuning in to that episode not forward to tuning in to that episode not exactly sure when it's going to drop but exactly sure when it's going to drop but exactly sure when it's going to drop but listen to listening to two old guys talk listen to listening to two old guys talk listen to listening to two old guys talk about um things on the internet that's about um things on the internet that's about um things on the internet that's that's always really exciting okay uh that's always really exciting okay uh that's always really exciting okay uh enough of that hey if you are um a fan enough of that hey if you are um a fan enough of that hey if you are um a fan of our podcast we hope that you have of our podcast we hope that you have of our podcast we hope that you have subscribed wherever you're consuming subscribed wherever you're consuming subscribed wherever you're consuming this content whether that's uh on a this content whether that's uh on a this content whether that's uh on a podcast platform or on youtube make sure podcast platform or on youtube make sure podcast platform or on youtube make sure that you subscribe that you subscribe that you subscribe and uh leave us a rating and review we and uh leave us a rating and review we and uh leave us a rating and review we would love to hear from you uh if you would love to hear from you uh if you would love to hear from you uh if you have suggestions about how we can make have suggestions about how we can make have suggestions about how we can make the podcast better or uh if you found an the podcast better or uh if you found an the podcast better or uh if you found an episode to be especially helpful for you episode to be especially helpful for you episode to be especially helpful for you we would love the feedback on that we would love the feedback on that we would love the feedback on that because that helps us plan future because that helps us plan future because that helps us plan future content so again we thank you for tuning

content so again we thank you for tuning content so again we thank you for tuning in and without any further delay here's in and without any further delay here's in and without any further delay here's our interview with nils smith our interview with nils smith our interview with nils smith hey well it's my pleasure to welcome to hey well it's my pleasure to welcome to hey well it's my pleasure to welcome to the show nils smith niels thanks so much the show nils smith niels thanks so much the show nils smith niels thanks so much for hanging out with us today for hanging out with us today for hanging out with us today thanks for having me thrilled to be here thanks for having me thrilled to be here thanks for having me thrilled to be here yeah so you're uh uh zooming in from new yeah so you're uh uh zooming in from new yeah so you're uh uh zooming in from new york city and uh you've got you know a york city and uh you've got you know a york city and uh you've got you know a great story to tell in terms of uh your great story to tell in terms of uh your great story to tell in terms of uh your ministry and and the work that you've ministry and and the work that you've ministry and and the work that you've been doing with churches and you do a been doing with churches and you do a been doing with churches and you do a lot of work with other uh organizations lot of work with other uh organizations lot of work with other uh organizations and businesses that are not churches but and businesses that are not churches but and businesses that are not churches but uh like we often do with uh with our uh like we often do with uh with our uh like we often do with uh with our guests on the podcast we like to start guests on the podcast we like to start guests on the podcast we like to start with just kind of hearing your story so with just kind of hearing your story so with just kind of hearing your story so why don't you share your story with us why don't you share your story with us why don't you share your story with us how did you end up where you are today how did you end up where you are today how did you end up where you are today doing what you do doing what you do doing what you do yeah so i uh yeah so i uh yeah so i uh you know i think it's it's confusing and you know i think it's it's confusing and you know i think it's it's confusing and i appreciate the introduction um what i i appreciate the introduction um what i i appreciate the introduction um what i what i do because i i am a little bit what i do because i i am a little bit what i do because i i am a little bit all over the place uh in different ways all over the place uh in different ways all over the place uh in different ways but i you know based here in new york but i you know based here in new york but i you know based here in new york city um i just as to where i am um my city um i just as to where i am um my city um i just as to where i am um my primary job is with a company called primary job is with a company called primary job is with a company called donovan company i'm the chief strategist donovan company i'm the chief strategist donovan company i'm the chief strategist of social media innovation uh for them of social media innovation uh for them of social media innovation uh for them and helping the ministries they partner and helping the ministries they partner and helping the ministries they partner with get ahead of technology like social with get ahead of technology like social with get ahead of technology like social media and like virtual reality and media and like virtual reality and media and like virtual reality and cryptocurrency cryptocurrency cryptocurrency um and so i do a lot of consulting in um and so i do a lot of consulting in um and so i do a lot of consulting in that area um and then i have also run a that area um and then i have also run a that area um and then i have also run a social media marketing agency called social media marketing agency called social media marketing agency called amplify social media where i help amplify social media where i help amplify social media where i help ministries to execute around social ministries to execute around social ministries to execute around social media and then have some other fun media and then have some other fun media and then have some other fun virtual reality you know initiatives and virtual reality you know initiatives and virtual reality you know initiatives and cryptocurrency projects that i'm working cryptocurrency projects that i'm working cryptocurrency projects that i'm working on on the side um on on the side um on on the side um but i i said that i got into that my

but i i said that i got into that my but i i said that i got into that my background uh started in in this space background uh started in in this space background uh started in in this space in 1999 uh i was 19 years old um and i in 1999 uh i was 19 years old um and i in 1999 uh i was 19 years old um and i would got my first job in ministry as a would got my first job in ministry as a would got my first job in ministry as a youth minister in baytown texas at st youth minister in baytown texas at st youth minister in baytown texas at st mark's united methodist church in mark's united methodist church in mark's united methodist church in baytown texas and my first wednesday baytown texas and my first wednesday baytown texas and my first wednesday youth group we had two kids and the youth group we had two kids and the youth group we had two kids and the seventh grade girl asked me what my aim seventh grade girl asked me what my aim seventh grade girl asked me what my aim was and i told her my aim is to build a was and i told her my aim is to build a was and i told her my aim is to build a youth ministry to reach every teenager youth ministry to reach every teenager youth ministry to reach every teenager in baytown texas and she said no what's in baytown texas and she said no what's in baytown texas and she said no what's your aim and i said i just told you and your aim and i said i just told you and your aim and i said i just told you and she said what's your aol instant she said what's your aol instant she said what's your aol instant messenger uh and and i was like what are messenger uh and and i was like what are messenger uh and and i was like what are you talking about and she said you take you talking about and she said you take you talking about and she said you take that cd you connect to the world wide that cd you connect to the world wide that cd you connect to the world wide web and all my friends are on on on this web and all my friends are on on on this web and all my friends are on on on this internet and uh you can come hang out internet and uh you can come hang out internet and uh you can come hang out with us with us with us and so i went hung out where the and so i went hung out where the and so i went hung out where the teenagers were as a youth minister teenagers were as a youth minister teenagers were as a youth minister should should should um and and figured out what aim was and um and and figured out what aim was and um and and figured out what aim was and i i was nils byx and uh we ended up i i i was nils byx and uh we ended up i i i was nils byx and uh we ended up i saw a dozen kids accept christ in the saw a dozen kids accept christ in the saw a dozen kids accept christ in the chat room that summer and i saw more chat room that summer and i saw more chat room that summer and i saw more than a dozen except christ in our youth than a dozen except christ in our youth than a dozen except christ in our youth group as we grew from two to forty in group as we grew from two to forty in group as we grew from two to forty in our wednesday youth group our wednesday youth group our wednesday youth group uh primarily because of i went to where uh primarily because of i went to where uh primarily because of i went to where they were on the internet on social they were on the internet on social they were on the internet on social media uh and that led to incredible media uh and that led to incredible media uh and that led to incredible ministry fruits ministry fruits ministry fruits and so for me i was an accidental and so for me i was an accidental and so for me i was an accidental social media social media social media you know marketer uh in for ministry you know marketer uh in for ministry you know marketer uh in for ministry purposes and then that led to you know i purposes and then that led to you know i purposes and then that led to you know i did youth minister for a decade and did youth minister for a decade and did youth minister for a decade and leaned into myspace and then this new leaned into myspace and then this new leaned into myspace and then this new website facebook.com came along and we website facebook.com came along and we website facebook.com came along and we started onlinechurch.com about a decade started onlinechurch.com about a decade started onlinechurch.com about a decade ago on the back of facebook and and i've

ago on the back of facebook and and i've ago on the back of facebook and and i've just had the privilege of you know just had the privilege of you know just had the privilege of you know leaning in early but really with leaning in early but really with leaning in early but really with ministry ministry ministry goals aligned to the technology of goals aligned to the technology of goals aligned to the technology of social media social media social media to accomplish those goals and seen some to accomplish those goals and seen some to accomplish those goals and seen some incredible fruits throughout the years incredible fruits throughout the years incredible fruits throughout the years and that's led to business developments and that's led to business developments and that's led to business developments and things like that but the courts it's and things like that but the courts it's and things like that but the courts it's to accomplish ministry goals and so to accomplish ministry goals and so to accomplish ministry goals and so that's that's been the journey yeah so that's that's been the journey yeah so that's that's been the journey yeah so that's it that's important yeah i i when that's it that's important yeah i i when that's it that's important yeah i i when i hear you say that that's exciting by i hear you say that that's exciting by i hear you say that that's exciting by the way i love that little story that's the way i love that little story that's the way i love that little story that's so cool way to go god so cool way to go god so cool way to go god um you know a lot of churches um um you know a lot of churches um um you know a lot of churches um we talk with a lot of them are small we talk with a lot of them are small we talk with a lot of them are small right i just got off a podcast uh with right i just got off a podcast uh with right i just got off a podcast uh with the 95 network it's a network that the 95 network it's a network that the 95 network it's a network that reaches 95 percent of churches which are reaches 95 percent of churches which are reaches 95 percent of churches which are small churches right small churches right small churches right and and and most of those churches are like most of those churches are like most of those churches are like why should we do social media we don't why should we do social media we don't why should we do social media we don't know we don't know about it we don't know we don't know about it we don't know we don't know about it we don't know how but to to you know speaking of know how but to to you know speaking of know how but to to you know speaking of that why is it important for churches to that why is it important for churches to that why is it important for churches to even utilize or how to utilize social even utilize or how to utilize social even utilize or how to utilize social media media media you know i i think there's a lot of you know i i think there's a lot of you know i i think there's a lot of reasons you know my and my dad pastors reasons you know my and my dad pastors reasons you know my and my dad pastors the church uh in outside of houston the church uh in outside of houston the church uh in outside of houston texas of about uh about about 100 people texas of about uh about about 100 people texas of about uh about about 100 people maybe 120 people um and so it gives me maybe 120 people um and so it gives me maybe 120 people um and so it gives me it's fascinating having conversations it's fascinating having conversations it's fascinating having conversations with him with him with him um of how is he using facebook and how um of how is he using facebook and how um of how is he using facebook and how is he using instagram and twitter uh or is he using instagram and twitter uh or is he using instagram and twitter uh or he's picking my brain uh because a lot he's picking my brain uh because a lot he's picking my brain uh because a lot of my work is with mega churches and of my work is with mega churches and of my work is with mega churches and some large ministries and sometimes some large ministries and sometimes some large ministries and sometimes comparisons can be difficult for comparisons can be difficult for comparisons can be difficult for smaller churches that don't have you

smaller churches that don't have you smaller churches that don't have you know quite the same resources but the know quite the same resources but the know quite the same resources but the reality is is is that reality is is is that reality is is is that in so many ways social media has leveled in so many ways social media has leveled in so many ways social media has leveled the playing field where the playing field where the playing field where typically in media it was only the mega typically in media it was only the mega typically in media it was only the mega churches that could even get it that churches that could even get it that churches that could even get it that could afford the cameras or buy the air could afford the cameras or buy the air could afford the cameras or buy the air time time time to where social media now basically to where social media now basically to where social media now basically created this platform uh for any church created this platform uh for any church created this platform uh for any church to to uh kind of begin to engage uh to to uh kind of begin to engage uh to to uh kind of begin to engage uh communities where they are a church that communities where they are a church that communities where they are a church that i do a lot of work with now is i do a lot of work with now is i do a lot of work with now is transformation church in tulsa oklahoma transformation church in tulsa oklahoma transformation church in tulsa oklahoma they were a church plant just six years they were a church plant just six years they were a church plant just six years ago ago ago and they leaned into youtube and and they leaned into youtube and and they leaned into youtube and instagram instagram instagram and now they're a church of you know and now they're a church of you know and now they're a church of you know they reach over a million people a week they reach over a million people a week they reach over a million people a week without spending any money not buying without spending any money not buying without spending any money not buying any tv and air time they literally just any tv and air time they literally just any tv and air time they literally just have a camera and they stream to the have a camera and they stream to the have a camera and they stream to the internet and and the possibilities this internet and and the possibilities this internet and and the possibilities this is a six-year-old church and and so i is a six-year-old church and and so i is a six-year-old church and and so i think any church can basically go think any church can basically go think any church can basically go anywhere now with social media but the anywhere now with social media but the anywhere now with social media but the reality is even my dad's church of 100 reality is even my dad's church of 100 reality is even my dad's church of 100 people that are predominantly an older people that are predominantly an older people that are predominantly an older congregation congregation congregation they're spending an average of two hours they're spending an average of two hours they're spending an average of two hours a day the average american spends two a day the average american spends two a day the average american spends two hours a day on social media whether hours a day on social media whether hours a day on social media whether that's unhealthy or not that's where that's unhealthy or not that's where that's unhealthy or not that's where they are um and and i think that it's they are um and and i think that it's they are um and and i think that it's you know i think god calls us to go to you know i think god calls us to go to you know i think god calls us to go to where people are to reach people um and where people are to reach people um and where people are to reach people um and sometimes that's for evangelistic sometimes that's for evangelistic sometimes that's for evangelistic purposes but i think social media allows purposes but i think social media allows purposes but i think social media allows for for for fellowship opportunities uh throughout fellowship opportunities uh throughout fellowship opportunities uh throughout the week i think it allows for the week i think it allows for the week i think it allows for discipleship opportunities uh i think it discipleship opportunities uh i think it discipleship opportunities uh i think it allows for for missional engagement uh allows for for missional engagement uh allows for for missional engagement uh in a very significant way uh so i think in a very significant way uh so i think in a very significant way uh so i think the bottom line is the bottom line is the bottom line is if people are there we should probably

if people are there we should probably if people are there we should probably prioritize uh those opportunities prioritize uh those opportunities prioritize uh those opportunities so so what's that been like in the last so so what's that been like in the last so so what's that been like in the last 18 months how's that changed 18 months how's that changed 18 months how's that changed you know a couple things have changed uh you know a couple things have changed uh you know a couple things have changed uh uh with with the internet and and i uh with with the internet and and i uh with with the internet and and i think you know one of the things that think you know one of the things that think you know one of the things that uh that the technology from my uh that the technology from my uh that the technology from my perspective especially from a social perspective especially from a social perspective especially from a social media standpoint is video conferencing media standpoint is video conferencing media standpoint is video conferencing uh i think while skype has been around uh i think while skype has been around uh i think while skype has been around for a long time but people would use it for a long time but people would use it for a long time but people would use it here there when they had to uh i think here there when they had to uh i think here there when they had to uh i think people realize though like it's it's people realize though like it's it's people realize though like it's it's significant you know what we're doing significant you know what we're doing significant you know what we're doing this call we can see each other's facial this call we can see each other's facial this call we can see each other's facial expressions we can interact in a way expressions we can interact in a way expressions we can interact in a way beyond if we were just recording audio beyond if we were just recording audio beyond if we were just recording audio it's not the same as if we were in the it's not the same as if we were in the it's not the same as if we were in the room and i think we can own that and room and i think we can own that and room and i think we can own that and accept that uh but the reality is for me accept that uh but the reality is for me accept that uh but the reality is for me to get on an airplane and fly to you in to get on an airplane and fly to you in to get on an airplane and fly to you in arizona you know or to pardon in texas arizona you know or to pardon in texas arizona you know or to pardon in texas you know in new york that's going to you know in new york that's going to you know in new york that's going to take me days that's going to be you know take me days that's going to be you know take me days that's going to be you know it's exhausting we can have a very real it's exhausting we can have a very real it's exhausting we can have a very real personal interaction here through social personal interaction here through social personal interaction here through social media and i think what we found too uh media and i think what we found too uh media and i think what we found too uh our we're in a small group at our church our we're in a small group at our church our we're in a small group at our church um our we have young kids and all all um our we have young kids and all all um our we have young kids and all all the other people you know families in the other people you know families in the other people you know families in there have young kids there have young kids there have young kids that means we probably skipped every that means we probably skipped every that means we probably skipped every other week because we had a you know a other week because we had a you know a other week because we had a you know a sick child or we had a meltdown or sick child or we had a meltdown or sick child or we had a meltdown or it was hard for us to have you know we it was hard for us to have you know we it was hard for us to have you know we had about 100 attendance for almost a had about 100 attendance for almost a had about 100 attendance for almost a year in our in our small group year in our in our small group year in our in our small group because because because zoom didn't go down zoom was always zoom didn't go down zoom was always zoom didn't go down zoom was always there and if our kids were sick then there and if our kids were sick then there and if our kids were sick then they could go in their rooms and be sick they could go in their rooms and be sick they could go in their rooms and be sick and so it actually uh technology has and so it actually uh technology has and so it actually uh technology has enhanced and created opportunities for enhanced and created opportunities for enhanced and created opportunities for interactions that aren't just some

interactions that aren't just some interactions that aren't just some people see technology as okay we can go people see technology as okay we can go people see technology as okay we can go global with this it actually creates global with this it actually creates global with this it actually creates really and creates opportunities for you really and creates opportunities for you really and creates opportunities for you know local engagement to happen know local engagement to happen know local engagement to happen throughout the week that that we often throughout the week that that we often throughout the week that that we often prioritize it had to be in person well prioritize it had to be in person well prioritize it had to be in person well sometimes some of those connections can sometimes some of those connections can sometimes some of those connections can be digital too even when they're on the be digital too even when they're on the be digital too even when they're on the local context yeah local context yeah local context yeah i wanna i wanna uh just drill down on i wanna i wanna uh just drill down on i wanna i wanna uh just drill down on something that you you said just a something that you you said just a something that you you said just a minute ago kind of rewind a little bit minute ago kind of rewind a little bit minute ago kind of rewind a little bit um you know you said that social media um you know you said that social media um you know you said that social media has kind of leveled the playing field has kind of leveled the playing field has kind of leveled the playing field big churches small churches um in one of big churches small churches um in one of big churches small churches um in one of our recent our recent our recent episodes uh we interviewed daryl episodes uh we interviewed daryl episodes uh we interviewed daryl girardier uh who's the communications girardier uh who's the communications girardier uh who's the communications director at brentwood baptist and he director at brentwood baptist and he director at brentwood baptist and he made a statement that kind of became made a statement that kind of became made a statement that kind of became sort of the sort of the sort of the the through line for a lot of our the through line for a lot of our the through line for a lot of our conversation which was that one of the conversation which was that one of the conversation which was that one of the biggest mistakes that churches make biggest mistakes that churches make biggest mistakes that churches make on social media is by looking at other on social media is by looking at other on social media is by looking at other churches and just imitating what they're churches and just imitating what they're churches and just imitating what they're doing and i think that it was a very doing and i think that it was a very doing and i think that it was a very astute statement because i see like a astute statement because i see like a astute statement because i see like a lot of small churches simply trying to lot of small churches simply trying to lot of small churches simply trying to imitate what they see the larger imitate what they see the larger imitate what they see the larger churches doing churches doing churches doing and to daryl's point it was without and to daryl's point it was without and to daryl's point it was without really understanding what their purpose really understanding what their purpose really understanding what their purpose was behind doing what they were doing so was behind doing what they were doing so was behind doing what they were doing so you said that you work with a lot of you said that you work with a lot of you said that you work with a lot of larger churches um your dad pastor's a larger churches um your dad pastor's a larger churches um your dad pastor's a smaller church and i'm sure that you smaller church and i'm sure that you smaller church and i'm sure that you interface with smaller churches as well interface with smaller churches as well interface with smaller churches as well what are some of the what are some of the what are some of the you know some of the things that you as you know some of the things that you as you know some of the things that you as you if you were working with or coaching you if you were working with or coaching you if you were working with or coaching smaller churches smaller churches smaller churches how would you coach them to develop how would you coach them to develop how would you coach them to develop their own voice for social media or to their own voice for social media or to their own voice for social media or to find their own way rather than simply

find their own way rather than simply find their own way rather than simply looking at what looking at what looking at what elevation church is doing and trying to elevation church is doing and trying to elevation church is doing and trying to imitate that imitate that imitate that sure sure i i um sure sure i i um sure sure i i um you know i uh there's there's a lot of you know i uh there's there's a lot of you know i uh there's there's a lot of thoughts here and i uh i i think thoughts here and i uh i i think thoughts here and i uh i i think elevation is a great example of there's elevation is a great example of there's elevation is a great example of there's so many churches that are like can you so many churches that are like can you so many churches that are like can you just help me do the elevation and i'm just help me do the elevation and i'm just help me do the elevation and i'm like let's be realistic elevation has like let's be realistic elevation has like let's be realistic elevation has like 20 staff people just focused on like 20 staff people just focused on like 20 staff people just focused on this content development and they're this content development and they're this content development and they're running you know probably hundreds of running you know probably hundreds of running you know probably hundreds of thousand dollars worth of ads thousand dollars worth of ads thousand dollars worth of ads it's it's not a a realistic comparison it's it's not a a realistic comparison it's it's not a a realistic comparison now that said with transformation church now that said with transformation church now that said with transformation church mike todd was editing all of his sermons mike todd was editing all of his sermons mike todd was editing all of his sermons on imovie on his computer up until 18 on imovie on his computer up until 18 on imovie on his computer up until 18 months ago and so i've seen basically a months ago and so i've seen basically a months ago and so i've seen basically a smaller church still have that kind of smaller church still have that kind of smaller church still have that kind of impact in with a pastor that leaned in impact in with a pastor that leaned in impact in with a pastor that leaned in but but i also still think that's an but but i also still think that's an but but i also still think that's an exception and and pastor mike is a exception and and pastor mike is a exception and and pastor mike is a unique uh you know just leader from a unique uh you know just leader from a unique uh you know just leader from a understanding media context but but i understanding media context but but i understanding media context but but i think that it's it's the biggest shift think that it's it's the biggest shift think that it's it's the biggest shift that i see where ministries begin to that i see where ministries begin to that i see where ministries begin to move the needle on social media and this move the needle on social media and this move the needle on social media and this has been the last 10 years this isn't a has been the last 10 years this isn't a has been the last 10 years this isn't a new uh development but it's when new uh development but it's when new uh development but it's when ministries decide that they're going to ministries decide that they're going to ministries decide that they're going to use social media for ministry and not use social media for ministry and not use social media for ministry and not marketing uh and so the the thing that i marketing uh and so the the thing that i marketing uh and so the the thing that i see churches doing is they're like oh see churches doing is they're like oh see churches doing is they're like oh this is another another uh this is another another uh this is another another uh place to to give our announcements and place to to give our announcements and place to to give our announcements and the reality is is if if we so so is your the reality is is if if we so so is your the reality is is if if we so so is your sunday service but if if your sunday sunday service but if if your sunday sunday service but if if your sunday service was 90 announcements in 10 service was 90 announcements in 10 service was 90 announcements in 10 sermon nobody would come to your service sermon nobody would come to your service sermon nobody would come to your service anymore

anymore anymore or they would come 90 minutes late uh or they would come 90 minutes late uh or they would come 90 minutes late uh and skip the announcements and hear the and skip the announcements and hear the and skip the announcements and hear the message people need to hear your message people need to hear your message people need to hear your announcements uh but they're really announcements uh but they're really announcements uh but they're really connecting to your church because they connecting to your church because they connecting to your church because they need to be ministered to and they want need to be ministered to and they want need to be ministered to and they want to connect with other believers and to connect with other believers and to connect with other believers and announcements are a part of how they get announcements are a part of how they get announcements are a part of how they get engaged and connected in your community engaged and connected in your community engaged and connected in your community but you can't lead with that i think you but you can't lead with that i think you but you can't lead with that i think you lead with ministry lead with ministry lead with ministry and then you share the information that and then you share the information that and then you share the information that people need and i think making that people need and i think making that people need and i think making that shift so even if it's just a text based shift so even if it's just a text based shift so even if it's just a text based we're going to push a bible verse every we're going to push a bible verse every we're going to push a bible verse every day that's significant ministry that day that's significant ministry that day that's significant ministry that that we know the word of god can that we know the word of god can that we know the word of god can transform people's lives and so maybe transform people's lives and so maybe transform people's lives and so maybe it's not a fancy video it's just that it's not a fancy video it's just that it's not a fancy video it's just that you copy off a view version and you post you copy off a view version and you post you copy off a view version and you post to your social media accounts uh so i to your social media accounts uh so i to your social media accounts uh so i think it's really taking that shift of think it's really taking that shift of think it's really taking that shift of how can we do ministry on these how can we do ministry on these how can we do ministry on these platforms uh first and then and then platforms uh first and then and then platforms uh first and then and then market and and that shift alone just a market and and that shift alone just a market and and that shift alone just a mindset shift uh is in in and i said mindset shift uh is in in and i said mindset shift uh is in in and i said that people back you're creating that people back you're creating that people back you're creating great social media content every sunday great social media content every sunday great social media content every sunday when you're creating your sermon and so when you're creating your sermon and so when you're creating your sermon and so that gives you such a great foundation that gives you such a great foundation that gives you such a great foundation of just taking that work you've already of just taking that work you've already of just taking that work you've already done done done it as a pastor and applying and it as a pastor and applying and it as a pastor and applying and basically repurposing that and it basically repurposing that and it basically repurposing that and it doesn't have to be fancy videos like doesn't have to be fancy videos like doesn't have to be fancy videos like stephen ferdig either it could be text stephen ferdig either it could be text stephen ferdig either it could be text quotes um quotes um quotes um it can be you know just very simple or it can be you know just very simple or it can be you know just very simple or just the scripture passages right out of just the scripture passages right out of just the scripture passages right out of your message uh so it doesn't have to be your message uh so it doesn't have to be your message uh so it doesn't have to be complicated wow yeah you're planting a complicated wow yeah you're planting a complicated wow yeah you're planting a lot of digital seeds in that lot of digital seeds in that lot of digital seeds in that 100 100 100 and you're singing our song our song is and you're singing our song our song is and you're singing our song our song is hey pastor you spent a ton of time

hey pastor you spent a ton of time hey pastor you spent a ton of time studying writing preparing and studying writing preparing and studying writing preparing and delivering a sermon on sunday delivering a sermon on sunday delivering a sermon on sunday let's take that and extrapolate as much let's take that and extrapolate as much let's take that and extrapolate as much content out of it as we can to help it content out of it as we can to help it content out of it as we can to help it live on be between the sundays beyond live on be between the sundays beyond live on be between the sundays beyond the sunday so that is uh that is right the sunday so that is uh that is right the sunday so that is uh that is right up our alley up our alley up our alley i want to take a moment to thank you for i want to take a moment to thank you for i want to take a moment to thank you for tuning in to the missional marketing tuning in to the missional marketing tuning in to the missional marketing podcast it's always our goal to help you podcast it's always our goal to help you podcast it's always our goal to help you as a church leader leverage your as a church leader leverage your as a church leader leverage your communications and digital media communications and digital media communications and digital media resources to reach more people for jesus resources to reach more people for jesus resources to reach more people for jesus one of the ways that we help churches do one of the ways that we help churches do one of the ways that we help churches do that is through creating social media that is through creating social media that is through creating social media content from your sunday sermon videos content from your sunday sermon videos content from your sunday sermon videos specifically what we can do for you is specifically what we can do for you is specifically what we can do for you is to create short sermon snippets from 30 to create short sermon snippets from 30 to create short sermon snippets from 30 seconds long to five minutes long seconds long to five minutes long seconds long to five minutes long capturing those mic drop moments that capturing those mic drop moments that capturing those mic drop moments that you really want people to remember we you really want people to remember we you really want people to remember we edit the videos add captions add your edit the videos add captions add your edit the videos add captions add your church branding and then you or we post church branding and then you or we post church branding and then you or we post them to your social media channels them to your social media channels them to your social media channels as a pastor i always love to see my as a pastor i always love to see my as a pastor i always love to see my sermon content live on beyond the sermon content live on beyond the sermon content live on beyond the sundays and i know that's what you value sundays and i know that's what you value sundays and i know that's what you value for your sermons too for your sermons too for your sermons too we offer this service as a monthly we offer this service as a monthly we offer this service as a monthly subscription but we've got a six week subscription but we've got a six week subscription but we've got a six week trial that gives you a chance to see how trial that gives you a chance to see how trial that gives you a chance to see how it works if you'd like more information it works if you'd like more information it works if you'd like more information just shoot me an email at beblair just shoot me an email at beblair just shoot me an email at beblair missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to missionalmarketing.com i'd be glad to meet with you explain the process and meet with you explain the process and meet with you explain the process and answer any questions that you have once answer any questions that you have once answer any questions that you have once again thanks for tuning in to our again thanks for tuning in to our again thanks for tuning in to our podcast let's get back to the interview podcast let's get back to the interview podcast let's get back to the interview you you may have just uh answered the you you may have just uh answered the you you may have just uh answered the next question that i'm i'm gonna ask you next question that i'm i'm gonna ask you next question that i'm i'm gonna ask you here but you know if there's one thing here but you know if there's one thing here but you know if there's one thing that you could get every church that you could get every church that you could get every church communications leader or every church to communications leader or every church to communications leader or every church to stop doing with their social media

stop doing with their social media stop doing with their social media what's one thing that you would have what's one thing that you would have what's one thing that you would have them stop doing them stop doing them stop doing you know i think you know and i think i you know i think you know and i think i you know i think you know and i think i spoke to that if like stop making it a spoke to that if like stop making it a spoke to that if like stop making it a marketing platform first but marketing platform first but marketing platform first but i'll add to this of a big mistake that i i'll add to this of a big mistake that i i'll add to this of a big mistake that i see church church leaders uh see church church leaders uh see church church leaders uh engaging in uh that i'd love to see them engaging in uh that i'd love to see them engaging in uh that i'd love to see them stop doing is just engaging in debate on stop doing is just engaging in debate on stop doing is just engaging in debate on social media um and even allowing uh social media um and even allowing uh social media um and even allowing uh unhealthy debate on their social media unhealthy debate on their social media unhealthy debate on their social media platforms like it's i've yet to see a platforms like it's i've yet to see a platforms like it's i've yet to see a fruitful debate on a church facebook fruitful debate on a church facebook fruitful debate on a church facebook page uh or instagram account um it is page uh or instagram account um it is page uh or instagram account um it is it's just it's unhealthy uh for the most it's just it's unhealthy uh for the most it's just it's unhealthy uh for the most part and those conversations either need part and those conversations either need part and those conversations either need to be moved to a private uh platform or to be moved to a private uh platform or to be moved to a private uh platform or an in-person uh interaction or zoom call an in-person uh interaction or zoom call an in-person uh interaction or zoom call uh but but a text thread uh in on a uh but but a text thread uh in on a uh but but a text thread uh in on a facebook page that's owned by the church facebook page that's owned by the church facebook page that's owned by the church is is so unhealthy and it happens so is is so unhealthy and it happens so is is so unhealthy and it happens so much um and and a lot of times it's a much um and and a lot of times it's a much um and and a lot of times it's a you know somebody negative in the you know somebody negative in the you know somebody negative in the community that has a bad perception of a community that has a bad perception of a community that has a bad perception of a church and then church members start church and then church members start church and then church members start backing up the church and then they get backing up the church and then they get backing up the church and then they get into debate with this community member into debate with this community member into debate with this community member it just is unhealthy it's not good for it just is unhealthy it's not good for it just is unhealthy it's not good for your community it's not good for your your community it's not good for your your community it's not good for your church church church uh and and i'd squash uh and and i'd squash uh and and i'd squash you know those kind of debates on your you know those kind of debates on your you know those kind of debates on your social media channels okay so so what's social media channels okay so so what's social media channels okay so so what's one thing you have them start doing one thing you have them start doing one thing you have them start doing start doing is is i think just what start doing is is i think just what start doing is is i think just what what's one way that you can you can what's one way that you can you can what's one way that you can you can minister or inspire your congregation or minister or inspire your congregation or minister or inspire your congregation or your community today and i think just your community today and i think just your community today and i think just thinking about that if you just took thinking about that if you just took thinking about that if you just took five minutes of what's a word that i

five minutes of what's a word that i five minutes of what's a word that i want to share what's a bible verse want to share what's a bible verse want to share what's a bible verse what's a message what's a and the truth what's a message what's a and the truth what's a message what's a and the truth is i i say you don't have to do video is i i say you don't have to do video is i i say you don't have to do video you've got a great camera in your pocket you've got a great camera in your pocket you've got a great camera in your pocket uh and if you don't you can get one for uh and if you don't you can get one for uh and if you don't you can get one for like fifty dollars you know a cheap it like fifty dollars you know a cheap it like fifty dollars you know a cheap it might might might my kids have these cheap android phones my kids have these cheap android phones my kids have these cheap android phones like 50 bucks they they the videos they like 50 bucks they they the videos they like 50 bucks they they the videos they create you know my 12 year old what she create you know my 12 year old what she create you know my 12 year old what she can create with a cheap android phone is can create with a cheap android phone is can create with a cheap android phone is amazing you you've got a video camera amazing you you've got a video camera amazing you you've got a video camera that you can use that you can use that you can use on a low budget um i feel like that on a low budget um i feel like that on a low budget um i feel like that excuse is out the window of what's a way excuse is out the window of what's a way excuse is out the window of what's a way you can inspire minister you can inspire minister you can inspire minister even just even just even just say a prayer um for for your say a prayer um for for your say a prayer um for for your congregation that i would say the other congregation that i would say the other congregation that i would say the other thing that a community bible church we thing that a community bible church we thing that a community bible church we learned this and i continue to see it be learned this and i continue to see it be learned this and i continue to see it be most effect or very effective most effect or very effective most effect or very effective is every wednesday we used to we used to is every wednesday we used to we used to is every wednesday we used to we used to just post the exact same post how can we just post the exact same post how can we just post the exact same post how can we pray for you today pray for you today pray for you today and that was it it was the exact same and that was it it was the exact same and that was it it was the exact same post it was not text no graphic post it was not text no graphic post it was not text no graphic and the engagement we would get in the and the engagement we would get in the and the engagement we would get in the resp and we would respond to every resp and we would respond to every resp and we would respond to every single one but really what's happening single one but really what's happening single one but really what's happening is the community itself was responding is the community itself was responding is the community itself was responding and praying for each other and it just and praying for each other and it just and praying for each other and it just created this just prayer wall every created this just prayer wall every created this just prayer wall every wednesday that was our rhythm that could wednesday that was our rhythm that could wednesday that was our rhythm that could be monday for that could be today uh but be monday for that could be today uh but be monday for that could be today uh but just how can you minister to your just how can you minister to your just how can you minister to your congregation today and don't take more congregation today and don't take more congregation today and don't take more than 10 minutes give yourself 10 minutes than 10 minutes give yourself 10 minutes than 10 minutes give yourself 10 minutes and do it in the next 10 minutes and do it in the next 10 minutes and do it in the next 10 minutes i think you'll be surprised how fruitful i think you'll be surprised how fruitful i think you'll be surprised how fruitful that 10-minute investment will be into that 10-minute investment will be into that 10-minute investment will be into the life of your congregation the life of your congregation the life of your congregation hey jason that reminds me of something hey jason that reminds me of something hey jason that reminds me of something and i i think it was you that during

and i i think it was you that during and i i think it was you that during covid uh you were connected with or covid uh you were connected with or covid uh you were connected with or talking to i think it if i get my facts talking to i think it if i get my facts talking to i think it if i get my facts straight it was a small church or a straight it was a small church or a straight it was a small church or a church plant out in california where the church plant out in california where the church plant out in california where the pastor was actually using facebook live pastor was actually using facebook live pastor was actually using facebook live to do prayer to take prayer requests and to do prayer to take prayer requests and to do prayer to take prayer requests and was actually praying do you do you was actually praying do you do you was actually praying do you do you remember having that confidence remember having that confidence remember having that confidence what he did was he actually ran a little what he did was he actually ran a little what he did was he actually ran a little paid campaign spent a little bit of paid campaign spent a little bit of paid campaign spent a little bit of money and do we do it every day we're money and do we do it every day we're money and do we do it every day we're talking like ten dollars and he would talking like ten dollars and he would talking like ten dollars and he would his his thing was we want to pray for his his thing was we want to pray for his his thing was we want to pray for you right now you right now you right now and so he would get uh uh on facebook a and so he would get uh uh on facebook a and so he would get uh uh on facebook a chat going on with somebody who would chat going on with somebody who would chat going on with somebody who would say here's my prayer request he and his say here's my prayer request he and his say here's my prayer request he and his wife would record wife would record wife would record that prayer and send it to the person that prayer and send it to the person that prayer and send it to the person wow and he goes we would do wow and he goes we would do wow and he goes we would do 10 to 15 a day we you know we wouldn't 10 to 15 a day we you know we wouldn't 10 to 15 a day we you know we wouldn't do it every day because we just have the do it every day because we just have the do it every day because we just have the time but we do 10 to 15 time but we do 10 to 15 time but we do 10 to 15 on a session and he goes that was the on a session and he goes that was the on a session and he goes that was the best way we grew our church because best way we grew our church because best way we grew our church because people are like now what church are you people are like now what church are you people are like now what church are you with and they've just had this with and they've just had this with and they've just had this conversation and sure enough those conversation and sure enough those conversation and sure enough those people would show up on sunday people would show up on sunday people would show up on sunday saying thank you so much for the prayer saying thank you so much for the prayer saying thank you so much for the prayer and that i was blown away by that you and that i was blown away by that you and that i was blown away by that you know this little tiny church was know this little tiny church was know this little tiny church was exploding exploding exploding yes yes yes yeah that's pretty interesting it's yeah that's pretty interesting it's yeah that's pretty interesting it's pretty interesting incredible yeah pretty interesting incredible yeah pretty interesting incredible yeah yeah yeah yeah so niels so niels so niels i'm going to ask you to kind of be a i'm going to ask you to kind of be a i'm going to ask you to kind of be a prophet here you've been you've been uh prophet here you've been you've been uh prophet here you've been you've been uh in the social media space you know since in the social media space you know since in the social media space you know since the aol aim days the aol aim days the aol aim days and i'm sure you had a myspace account and i'm sure you had a myspace account and i'm sure you had a myspace account and the whole nine yards um

and the whole nine yards um and the whole nine yards um what do you see the role of social media what do you see the role of social media what do you see the role of social media becoming how do you see the role of becoming how do you see the role of becoming how do you see the role of social media impacting the ministry of social media impacting the ministry of social media impacting the ministry of the local church in the upcoming years the local church in the upcoming years the local church in the upcoming years you know we've we've just come through a you know we've we've just come through a you know we've we've just come through a significant shift significant shift significant shift in the last 18 20 months where in the last 18 20 months where in the last 18 20 months where churches have realized churches have realized churches have realized church online is no longer really an church online is no longer really an church online is no longer really an option it has to be in some capacity option it has to be in some capacity option it has to be in some capacity a function of of what we do i heard a function of of what we do i heard a function of of what we do i heard someone say recently you reminded me of someone say recently you reminded me of someone say recently you reminded me of this in the early part of our this in the early part of our this in the early part of our conversation today but i heard someone conversation today but i heard someone conversation today but i heard someone say recently that you know the harvest say recently that you know the harvest say recently that you know the harvest is plentiful but the church is not is plentiful but the church is not is plentiful but the church is not online and online and online and you know you you said as you were you know you you said as you were you know you you said as you were sharing your story earlier that you went sharing your story earlier that you went sharing your story earlier that you went where people are and we know people are where people are and we know people are where people are and we know people are on social media so what are some of the on social media so what are some of the on social media so what are some of the things that you look forward to some of things that you look forward to some of things that you look forward to some of the things that you think we might see the things that you think we might see the things that you think we might see in social media as churches leverage it in social media as churches leverage it in social media as churches leverage it for more gospel-centered conversations for more gospel-centered conversations for more gospel-centered conversations and more evangelistic outreach in the and more evangelistic outreach in the and more evangelistic outreach in the future future future yes it that's a great question uh there yes it that's a great question uh there yes it that's a great question uh there are uh i'm i'm in a mind of a lot of are uh i'm i'm in a mind of a lot of are uh i'm i'm in a mind of a lot of research right now um around blockchain research right now um around blockchain research right now um around blockchain technology and and we're actually i technology and and we're actually i technology and and we're actually i believe in a significant believe in a significant believe in a significant internet shift of what was aol you know internet shift of what was aol you know internet shift of what was aol you know was essentially perceived to be was essentially perceived to be was essentially perceived to be web 1.0 whereas the information super web 1.0 whereas the information super web 1.0 whereas the information super highway what what then became web 2.0 highway what what then became web 2.0 highway what what then became web 2.0 which was social media mobile technology which was social media mobile technology which was social media mobile technology um and high speed internet which allowed um and high speed internet which allowed um and high speed internet which allowed for for for live streaming and and and mass media uh

live streaming and and and mass media uh live streaming and and and mass media uh through social media uh web 3.0 is is is through social media uh web 3.0 is is is through social media uh web 3.0 is is is really interesting as is you you're really interesting as is you you're really interesting as is you you're seeing a shift now in facebook changing seeing a shift now in facebook changing seeing a shift now in facebook changing there into meta with a lot of the there into meta with a lot of the there into meta with a lot of the conversation on the metaverse and what conversation on the metaverse and what conversation on the metaverse and what that looks like in virtual reality uh that looks like in virtual reality uh that looks like in virtual reality uh what what it looks like with blockchain what what it looks like with blockchain what what it looks like with blockchain technology with decentralization technology with decentralization technology with decentralization or you know well what are the terms like or you know well what are the terms like or you know well what are the terms like interoperable where google and facebook interoperable where google and facebook interoperable where google and facebook and apple they don't play very well and apple they don't play very well and apple they don't play very well together you know today right but in the together you know today right but in the together you know today right but in the metaverse they have to um now metaverse they have to um now metaverse they have to um now it's it's unclear where this is going it's it's unclear where this is going it's it's unclear where this is going who could have predicted when we're in who could have predicted when we're in who could have predicted when we're in web 1.0 where that web 2.0 would have web 1.0 where that web 2.0 would have web 1.0 where that web 2.0 would have looked like this looked like this looked like this and i think when we would even see it and i think when we would even see it and i think when we would even see it if you remember what the conversations if you remember what the conversations if you remember what the conversations about social media were like he's like about social media were like he's like about social media were like he's like that's dumb these teenagers are wasting that's dumb these teenagers are wasting that's dumb these teenagers are wasting so much time on this dumb site where now so much time on this dumb site where now so much time on this dumb site where now who's the biggest audience on facebook who's the biggest audience on facebook who's the biggest audience on facebook it's it's old people you know right um it's it's old people you know right um it's it's old people you know right um and and and it's in their spending you know like it's in their spending you know like it's in their spending you know like hours there's i would guess i would hours there's i would guess i would hours there's i would guess i would assume that now those over 60 are assume that now those over 60 are assume that now those over 60 are spending more time than those under 20 spending more time than those under 20 spending more time than those under 20 on social media in many many cases on social media in many many cases on social media in many many cases and so we're we've seen this kind of and so we're we've seen this kind of and so we're we've seen this kind of mass adoption now uh so where this is mass adoption now uh so where this is mass adoption now uh so where this is going what seems weird of putting on a going what seems weird of putting on a going what seems weird of putting on a virtual reality headset virtual reality headset virtual reality headset uh is is i think becoming more uh is is i think becoming more uh is is i think becoming more commonplace with things like you know commonplace with things like you know commonplace with things like you know working from home and doing things you working from home and doing things you working from home and doing things you know and going places in in virtual know and going places in in virtual know and going places in in virtual reality virtual experiences or video reality virtual experiences or video reality virtual experiences or video conferencing conferencing conferencing so it's hard to say where where so much so it's hard to say where where so much so it's hard to say where where so much of this is going uh but but i do think

of this is going uh but but i do think of this is going uh but but i do think virtual reality is going to be a bigger virtual reality is going to be a bigger virtual reality is going to be a bigger part of our future part of our future part of our future uh i think 360 video is probably going uh i think 360 video is probably going uh i think 360 video is probably going to be one of the entry points into that to be one of the entry points into that to be one of the entry points into that so i think what you'll see is churches so i think what you'll see is churches so i think what you'll see is churches beginning to live stream where right now beginning to live stream where right now beginning to live stream where right now it's it's a rectangular you know uh of it's it's a rectangular you know uh of it's it's a rectangular you know uh of what we stream where 360 video allows us what we stream where 360 video allows us what we stream where 360 video allows us to basically create an immersive video to basically create an immersive video to basically create an immersive video environment uh that you can consume environment uh that you can consume environment uh that you can consume through a vr headset i think that's a through a vr headset i think that's a through a vr headset i think that's a big deal um i think that big deal um i think that big deal um i think that um um um i honestly think cryptocurrency is a big i honestly think cryptocurrency is a big i honestly think cryptocurrency is a big part of our future part of our future part of our future um i think right now um i heard i had um i think right now um i heard i had um i think right now um i heard i had somebody say the other day of somebody say the other day of somebody say the other day of if you want to undercut the church just if you want to undercut the church just if you want to undercut the church just cut their credit card processor uh and cut their credit card processor uh and cut their credit card processor uh and they're dead uh if that that liability they're dead uh if that that liability they're dead uh if that that liability is is more significant i think that is is more significant i think that is is more significant i think that people realize uh i think blockchain people realize uh i think blockchain people realize uh i think blockchain technology cryptocurrency will actually technology cryptocurrency will actually technology cryptocurrency will actually allow for allow for allow for uh better exchange uh within churches uh better exchange uh within churches uh better exchange uh within churches and in giving uh that that's um and in giving uh that that's um and in giving uh that that's um a little less controlled so there's a little less controlled so there's a little less controlled so there's there's some interesting layers to where there's some interesting layers to where there's some interesting layers to where some technology is going bottom line some technology is going bottom line some technology is going bottom line though is if i were to think three though is if i were to think three though is if i were to think three maybe even two to three years maybe even two to three years maybe even two to three years digital advertising i think is the digital advertising i think is the digital advertising i think is the biggest today opportunity today and will biggest today opportunity today and will biggest today opportunity today and will be for the next three years be for the next three years be for the next three years i think churches when i when i started i think churches when i when i started i think churches when i when i started it it it on my community bible church 10 years on my community bible church 10 years on my community bible church 10 years ago we grew our page to 800 000 ago we grew our page to 800 000 ago we grew our page to 800 000 organically because we could because organically because we could because organically because we could because we're early well today it's unlikely we're early well today it's unlikely we're early well today it's unlikely maybe on tick tock but it's unlikely maybe on tick tock but it's unlikely maybe on tick tock but it's unlikely that you're going to see that kind of that you're going to see that kind of that you're going to see that kind of organic growth digital advertising

organic growth digital advertising organic growth digital advertising allows us to target people in such a allows us to target people in such a allows us to target people in such a localized way localized way localized way um i think next door is one of the most um i think next door is one of the most um i think next door is one of the most under utilized platforms from a digital under utilized platforms from a digital under utilized platforms from a digital advertising advertising advertising perspective perspective perspective so i i think uh digital advertising uh so i i think uh digital advertising uh so i i think uh digital advertising uh when it comes to social media we focus when it comes to social media we focus when it comes to social media we focus so much on organic engagement paying so much on organic engagement paying so much on organic engagement paying just like that pastor did of ten dollars just like that pastor did of ten dollars just like that pastor did of ten dollars a day a day a day um we've always paid i say most churches um we've always paid i say most churches um we've always paid i say most churches have paid money through yellow page ads have paid money through yellow page ads have paid money through yellow page ads you know back in the day or little you know back in the day or little you know back in the day or little billboards or signage so spending some billboards or signage so spending some billboards or signage so spending some money on digital advertising is just a money on digital advertising is just a money on digital advertising is just a smart use of where social media smart use of where social media smart use of where social media technology is technology is technology is um and then i think um and then i think um and then i think prioritizing social media for prioritizing social media for prioritizing social media for discipleship discipleship discipleship and fellowship opportunities is is and fellowship opportunities is is and fellowship opportunities is is really where i think we really where i think we really where i think we we can see more development i think we can see more development i think we can see more development i think pastors uh saw it from an evangelism pastors uh saw it from an evangelism pastors uh saw it from an evangelism perspective initially and i think it's perspective initially and i think it's perspective initially and i think it's really beginning to see the community really beginning to see the community really beginning to see the community aspect and the platform that i'll kind aspect and the platform that i'll kind aspect and the platform that i'll kind of speak to of speak to of speak to is discord uh i think discord is going is discord uh i think discord is going is discord uh i think discord is going to be uh one of the more significant to be uh one of the more significant to be uh one of the more significant ministry tools ministry tools ministry tools uh out there in the next three to five uh out there in the next three to five uh out there in the next three to five years because it's really built years because it's really built years because it's really built around community and engagement and around community and engagement and around community and engagement and learning and and i think so much of what learning and and i think so much of what learning and and i think so much of what we have to share we have to share we have to share um is these current platforms are very um is these current platforms are very um is these current platforms are very micro media content uh distribution micro media content uh distribution micro media content uh distribution platforms where platforms where platforms where uh i think we've actually moved away uh i think we've actually moved away uh i think we've actually moved away from the social aspect of social media from the social aspect of social media from the social aspect of social media and i think discord is really gonna and i think discord is really gonna and i think discord is really gonna bring that fellowship discipleship bring that fellowship discipleship bring that fellowship discipleship tool uh to tool uh to tool uh to uh to social media here in the next

uh to social media here in the next uh to social media here in the next three to five years so those are the three to five years so those are the three to five years so those are the things i'll throw out uh it's things i'll throw out uh it's things i'll throw out uh it's you know there's so many different paths you know there's so many different paths you know there's so many different paths so who knows uh i think virtual reality so who knows uh i think virtual reality so who knows uh i think virtual reality is going to be here before you know it i is going to be here before you know it i is going to be here before you know it i mean mean mean our church is already experimenting with our church is already experimenting with our church is already experimenting with it nice and i think and so it nice and i think and so it nice and i think and so my my my my my my plea to churches is plea to churches is plea to churches is don't sit on this right you can't don't sit on this right you can't don't sit on this right you can't you can't be the last one to the table you can't be the last one to the table you can't be the last one to the table when it comes to these changes and we when it comes to these changes and we when it comes to these changes and we the church big c church is so the church big c church is so the church big c church is so historically historically historically so far behind so far behind so far behind you know and we can't let that happen you know and we can't let that happen you know and we can't let that happen and so and so and so you know because it it's like you know because it it's like you know because it it's like this stuff changes this stuff changes this stuff changes like this and if you're not like this and if you're not like this and if you're not if you're not staying up to it you're if you're not staying up to it you're if you're not staying up to it you're going to be left behind and we can't going to be left behind and we can't going to be left behind and we can't allow that to happen church right so allow that to happen church right so allow that to happen church right so i i totally agree with you on that where i i totally agree with you on that where i i totally agree with you on that where virtual reality is going to make things virtual reality is going to make things virtual reality is going to make things uh so much easier to engage with and uh so much easier to engage with and uh so much easier to engage with and people are hungry for it they really are people are hungry for it they really are people are hungry for it they really are you know we're seeing a lot of churches you know we're seeing a lot of churches you know we're seeing a lot of churches we talk with a lot of people are showing we talk with a lot of people are showing we talk with a lot of people are showing up to church for the first time up to church for the first time up to church for the first time yeah i can't explain it i don't know why yeah i can't explain it i don't know why yeah i can't explain it i don't know why but they're like we got new people but they're like we got new people but they're like we got new people coming yeah you know and they're they're coming yeah you know and they're they're coming yeah you know and they're they're hungry for for answers and i'm going oh hungry for for answers and i'm going oh hungry for for answers and i'm going oh wait god's up to something cool we need wait god's up to something cool we need wait god's up to something cool we need to understand and and adapt to that to understand and and adapt to that to understand and and adapt to that yep i love it nils i'm gonna yep i love it nils i'm gonna yep i love it nils i'm gonna back up this we have a couple more back up this we have a couple more back up this we have a couple more minutes left here and so i just want you minutes left here and so i just want you minutes left here and so i just want you to explain something to me okay um to explain something to me okay um to explain something to me okay um discord uh i i hear people talking about

discord uh i i hear people talking about discord uh i i hear people talking about it i don't know i i follow the guys over it i don't know i i follow the guys over it i don't know i i follow the guys over at black bar i don't know if you if at black bar i don't know if you if at black bar i don't know if you if you're connected with those guys you you're connected with those guys you you're connected with those guys you follow them um follow them um follow them um a great youtube channel uh a great youtube channel uh a great youtube channel uh do a lot of church communication stuff do a lot of church communication stuff do a lot of church communication stuff but they talk all the time about their but they talk all the time about their but they talk all the time about their discord and i'm like i have no idea what discord and i'm like i have no idea what discord and i'm like i have no idea what this discord thing is and i was talking this discord thing is and i was talking this discord thing is and i was talking to a youth pastor at a church a couple to a youth pastor at a church a couple to a youth pastor at a church a couple of weeks ago and he was talking about of weeks ago and he was talking about of weeks ago and he was talking about his discord for the uninitiated and the his discord for the uninitiated and the his discord for the uninitiated and the old ignorant people like me can you just old ignorant people like me can you just old ignorant people like me can you just give us a brief rundown of what discord give us a brief rundown of what discord give us a brief rundown of what discord is is is yeah it's great question so discord is yeah it's great question so discord is yeah it's great question so discord is very similar to slack if you've used very similar to slack if you've used very similar to slack if you've used slack at all for business um and it's slack at all for business um and it's slack at all for business um and it's essentially you know you've got an app essentially you know you've got an app essentially you know you've got an app or a or a or a web portal but it's a it's a it's web portal but it's a it's a it's web portal but it's a it's a it's basically chat threads and so you can basically chat threads and so you can basically chat threads and so you can choose to be a part of different chat choose to be a part of different chat choose to be a part of different chat threads but you know one things i really threads but you know one things i really threads but you know one things i really value about discord is it has you know value about discord is it has you know value about discord is it has you know they built in a lot of the audio they built in a lot of the audio they built in a lot of the audio functionality of uh clubhouse um and and functionality of uh clubhouse um and and functionality of uh clubhouse um and and some of that engagement those engagement some of that engagement those engagement some of that engagement those engagement pieces pieces pieces uh the the reason i think discord uh the the reason i think discord uh the the reason i think discord discord is very popular in the gaming discord is very popular in the gaming discord is very popular in the gaming community even if you look at their app community even if you look at their app community even if you look at their app currently it's a little game like currently it's a little game like currently it's a little game like controller uh that's a part of it it's controller uh that's a part of it it's controller uh that's a part of it it's very popular in the virtual reality kind very popular in the virtual reality kind very popular in the virtual reality kind of in the in the technology of in the in the technology of in the in the technology cryptocurrency communities so it's kind cryptocurrency communities so it's kind cryptocurrency communities so it's kind of a geek platform today uh but honestly of a geek platform today uh but honestly of a geek platform today uh but honestly that's how that's how twitter started that's how that's how twitter started that's how that's how twitter started that's how a lot of that's how a lot of that's how a lot of uh early social media uh early social media uh early social media you know develops is in some ways while you know develops is in some ways while you know develops is in some ways while the technology is being built up the the technology is being built up the the technology is being built up the technologists are you know pioneering technologists are you know pioneering technologists are you know pioneering how it's used but then it then it how it's used but then it then it how it's used but then it then it develops out towards the masses and mass

develops out towards the masses and mass develops out towards the masses and mass engagement engagement engagement and so that's that's where i perceive and so that's that's where i perceive and so that's that's where i perceive that it's going now it might not be that it's going now it might not be that it's going now it might not be discord it might be another platform discord it might be another platform discord it might be another platform that comes along or twitter might copy that comes along or twitter might copy that comes along or twitter might copy it or facebook might buy it or who knows it or facebook might buy it or who knows it or facebook might buy it or who knows where this will go i just believe that i where this will go i just believe that i where this will go i just believe that i think it's the community think it's the community think it's the community aspect of conversations that people are aspect of conversations that people are aspect of conversations that people are hungry for hungry for hungry for and um and i think to and um and i think to and um and i think to the side of a zoom uh i think that's the side of a zoom uh i think that's the side of a zoom uh i think that's that's been interesting is there's a lot that's been interesting is there's a lot that's been interesting is there's a lot of people that actually don't want to be of people that actually don't want to be of people that actually don't want to be seen all the time they want to be heard seen all the time they want to be heard seen all the time they want to be heard and they want to interact uh but they and they want to interact uh but they and they want to interact uh but they like that audio side and they like that like that audio side and they like that like that audio side and they like that chat side um and being involved in in chat side um and being involved in in chat side um and being involved in in some community in that way uh so it's some community in that way uh so it's some community in that way uh so it's yeah but discord is a it's a it's an yeah but discord is a it's a it's an yeah but discord is a it's a it's an interesting platform it's not real user interesting platform it's not real user interesting platform it's not real user friendly yet uh it's a little friendly yet uh it's a little friendly yet uh it's a little complicated for new users to use it gets complicated for new users to use it gets complicated for new users to use it gets a little cluttered a little cluttered a little cluttered um and so that's where i think a year um and so that's where i think a year um and so that's where i think a year from now it's going to be a lot more from now it's going to be a lot more from now it's going to be a lot more common but i'm seeing here in new york common but i'm seeing here in new york common but i'm seeing here in new york uh they're investing a lot of money in uh they're investing a lot of money in uh they're investing a lot of money in subway ads and so all over the subways subway ads and so all over the subways subway ads and so all over the subways now you see discord uh now you see discord uh now you see discord uh banners and signs and so that tells me banners and signs and so that tells me banners and signs and so that tells me they're they're really looking to kind they're they're really looking to kind they're they're really looking to kind of move it to of move it to of move it to uh the masses uh from a marketing uh the masses uh from a marketing uh the masses uh from a marketing standpoint wow either that or they're standpoint wow either that or they're standpoint wow either that or they're marketing it to facebook so facebook marketing it to facebook so facebook marketing it to facebook so facebook will buy it will buy it will buy it yeah because if you're it's a yeah because if you're it's a yeah because if you're it's a betting man i'm sure that there have betting man i'm sure that there have betting man i'm sure that there have been some conversations at facebook been some conversations at facebook been some conversations at facebook headquarters about what they're going to headquarters about what they're going to headquarters about what they're going to do with discord do with discord do with discord or copy it uh seems to be facebook's uh or copy it uh seems to be facebook's uh or copy it uh seems to be facebook's uh path yeah path yeah path yeah years yeah hey as we wrap things up here years yeah hey as we wrap things up here years yeah hey as we wrap things up here neil nils i i want to say again we neil nils i i want to say again we neil nils i i want to say again we really appreciate you taking uh the time

really appreciate you taking uh the time really appreciate you taking uh the time with us um just kind of on a side note with us um just kind of on a side note with us um just kind of on a side note is there anything that you wish we would is there anything that you wish we would is there anything that you wish we would have asked you today that we didn't ask have asked you today that we didn't ask have asked you today that we didn't ask you about anything that you're like hey you about anything that you're like hey you about anything that you're like hey this is my soapbox these days and i this is my soapbox these days and i this is my soapbox these days and i really want to be on it really want to be on it really want to be on it i uh i i don't have a soapbox but i uh i i uh i i don't have a soapbox but i uh i i uh i i don't have a soapbox but i uh i i would say the thing that i i would say the thing that i i would say the thing that i am just geeking out over right now is is am just geeking out over right now is is am just geeking out over right now is is blockchain technology cryptocurrency um blockchain technology cryptocurrency um blockchain technology cryptocurrency um i think that i think that i think that um i think i think it's um in nfts you um i think i think it's um in nfts you um i think i think it's um in nfts you know uh i think that that technology know uh i think that that technology know uh i think that that technology pathway pathway pathway even is probably even is probably even is probably more significant than virtual reality in more significant than virtual reality in more significant than virtual reality in my mind um i think it's a significant my mind um i think it's a significant my mind um i think it's a significant shift in the internet and um shift in the internet and um shift in the internet and um and i think that i mean one i think and i think that i mean one i think and i think that i mean one i think every church should be taking every church should be taking every church should be taking cryptocurrency if you're not yet cryptocurrency if you're not yet cryptocurrency if you're not yet accepting cryptocurrency out of church accepting cryptocurrency out of church accepting cryptocurrency out of church work with the other day got a million work with the other day got a million work with the other day got a million dollar gift in bitcoin dollar gift in bitcoin dollar gift in bitcoin um and i just think i think uh um and i just think i think uh um and i just think i think uh it's changing the internet is changing it's changing the internet is changing it's changing the internet is changing and uh so that's uh that's why my and uh so that's uh that's why my and uh so that's uh that's why my soapbox right now is pay attention to soapbox right now is pay attention to soapbox right now is pay attention to blockchain even if it's confusing we blockchain even if it's confusing we blockchain even if it's confusing we don't understand the truth is don't understand the truth is don't understand the truth is most people don't understand how the most people don't understand how the most people don't understand how the internet works still we just know that internet works still we just know that internet works still we just know that we get on it and it's amazing and it we get on it and it's amazing and it we get on it and it's amazing and it improves our lives you don't need to improves our lives you don't need to improves our lives you don't need to understand blockchain technology and understand blockchain technology and understand blockchain technology and decentralization i i think what you need decentralization i i think what you need decentralization i i think what you need to understand is that to understand is that to understand is that it's changing and and understanding what it's changing and and understanding what it's changing and and understanding what it's changing and how it's changing it's changing and how it's changing it's changing and how it's changing those things and right now it's changing those things and right now it's changing those things and right now it's changing money money money but it's going to be changing media it's but it's going to be changing media it's but it's going to be changing media it's going to be changing a lot of different

going to be changing a lot of different going to be changing a lot of different aspects and it's changing ownership and aspects and it's changing ownership and aspects and it's changing ownership and so the nft side is i think going to be so the nft side is i think going to be so the nft side is i think going to be interesting interesting interesting uh in the near future as well so yeah uh in the near future as well so yeah uh in the near future as well so yeah that's my soapbox right now okay that's that's my soapbox right now okay that's that's my soapbox right now okay that's good enough hey if any of our listeners good enough hey if any of our listeners good enough hey if any of our listeners or viewers want to connect with you or viewers want to connect with you or viewers want to connect with you have questions uh maybe they're curious have questions uh maybe they're curious have questions uh maybe they're curious about you know what you're doing with about you know what you're doing with about you know what you're doing with businesses and this whole cryptocurrency businesses and this whole cryptocurrency businesses and this whole cryptocurrency blockchain stuff how can they connect blockchain stuff how can they connect blockchain stuff how can they connect with you with you with you yeah so i'm on social media everywhere yeah so i'm on social media everywhere yeah so i'm on social media everywhere so at nil smith nils smith uh and then so at nil smith nils smith uh and then so at nil smith nils smith uh and then linkedin is where i'm probably spending linkedin is where i'm probably spending linkedin is where i'm probably spending the most time right now in content the most time right now in content the most time right now in content distribution engagement um and talking distribution engagement um and talking distribution engagement um and talking about blockchain stuff a lot uh so yeah about blockchain stuff a lot uh so yeah about blockchain stuff a lot uh so yeah i'd love to connect on wherever you are i'd love to connect on wherever you are i'd love to connect on wherever you are on social media but linkedin is where um on social media but linkedin is where um on social media but linkedin is where um i'm hanging out the most these days i'm hanging out the most these days i'm hanging out the most these days that is where i connected with you and that is where i connected with you and that is where i connected with you and we will link to your linkedin profile in we will link to your linkedin profile in we will link to your linkedin profile in the show notes of this episode nils the show notes of this episode nils the show notes of this episode nils smith thanks again for taking the time smith thanks again for taking the time smith thanks again for taking the time with us today with us today with us today thank you