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In this episode of the Digital Ministry Podcast, Nick Runyon sits down with Rob Hall, President of Trauma-Free World, to discuss their mission to support caregivers of children affected by complex trauma. Rob explains the various forms of trauma, from acute to chronic and complex, highlighting the critical need for intervention as over a billion children globally are impacted.
He introduces TECO, an innovative AI-powered tool developed by Trauma-Free World to deliver trauma-informed resources and real-time support to foster parents, teachers, and ministry volunteers. Rob shares insights into the challenges of training AI to handle sensitive topics safely, the importance of cultural awareness, and the organization's commitment to feedback-driven development. He also outlines their collaboration with agencies and nonprofits to expand TECO’s reach, encouraging churches and ministries to explore how TECO can help in trauma care.
Tune in to discover how Trauma-Free World is transforming trauma-informed care for children worldwide.
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In this episode of the Digital Ministry Podcast, host Nick chats with Don Barger, Director of Innovation and MX Labs at IMB, about AI's growing role in ministry.
Don’s Journey with AI: He shares his path into AI and how IMB is exploring its potential to support ministry innovation.
AI for Ministry: From developers to new users, they discuss the range of engagement with AI tools and the importance of data security in ministry contexts.
AI Projects: Don highlights his team’s work, including a secure global chatbot using the Llama 3.1 model and AI-driven ad campaigns.
Managing AI Expectations: They cover the challenges of AI's rapid evolution, its impact on expectations, and the need for a strategic approach.
Future Vision: They explore AI’s power to automate tasks and free up resources, allowing people to focus on what matters most.
Join us for a closer look into how AI is shaping the future of ministry!
Links for other sources or information mentioned
IMB: https://www.imb.org/ Prediction Guard: https://www.predictionguard.com/ Synthesia: https://www.synthesia.io/ Llama 3.1: https://ai.facebook.com/blog/llama-2-open-foundation-and-fine-tuned-chat-models/
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In this episode, Nick Runyon shares his thoughts on the use of AI in digital ministry and prayer. He discusses the rapid advancement of AI and the ethical concerns about it potentially becoming smarter than humans. He emphasizes the importance of human interaction in digital ministry and follow-up processes while acknowledging that AI can be useful in many other areas of ministry.
Nick recalls an instance where Justin Murff led a meeting with other leaders using an AI-generated prayer. The prayer received mixed reactions and sparked a discussion about the role of AI tools in ministry.
The episode delves into the debate over whether AI-generated prayers are appropriate or if they diminish the role of the Holy Spirit. The core question centers on whether the person leading the prayer is Spirit-led.
Join us as we explore this topic, returning to the Bible to examine the connection between God and humanity and the roles of humans in ministry and the Holy Spirit in prayer.
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In this episode, Justin Murff shares his journey from media to ministry, offering deep insights into the complexities of faith in the Middle East and the rise of digital churches. Justin highlights the unique challenges faced by new believers from Muslim backgrounds and emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive, safe online communities for spiritual growth.
We explore the transformative impact of COVID-19 on digital ministry and discuss how technology has become a powerful tool for outreach, especially in regions where traditional church gatherings are restricted. Justin also addresses the cultural and political divides that affect church attendance, explaining how digital platforms can bridge the gap and even inspire physical church planting.
Join us as we delve into the evolving landscape of digital churches, the crucial role of digital missionaries, and the potential for greater collaboration across church networks to support faith communities around the globe.
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In this episode of the Digital Ministry Podcast, Nick is joined by Daniel Hall for an engaging discussion on the role of artificial intelligence in ministry. They explored how AI tools, like Google’s Notebook LM, are shaping the way ministries create and manage content, and how these technologies can assist in scaling personal interactions while maintaining meaningful connections. They also shed light into the challenges and opportunities that come with integrating these tools into the faith space, particularly focusing on how AI can support follow-up processes and digital ministry engagement.
Throughout the episode, they address common concerns about AI's limitations. They also speculate on the future of CRM systems, AI integrations, and how technology can help streamline ministry efforts without losing the human touch.
Whether you're a ministry leader, tech enthusiast, or curious about how digital tools can enhance outreach, this conversation provides valuable insights into the future of AI in faith communities.Join the conversation as Nick and Daniel share their experiences, hopes, and even skepticism around the impact of AI on ministry, offering practical takeaways for using these tools to spread the message of hope in today’s digital world.
Show NotesNotebook LM by Google: https://notebooklm.google.com/
All-In Podcast: https://www.allinpodcast.com/
Mearsheimer AI: https://mearsheimer.ai/
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How do we take digital ministry beyond streaming services and create real community? In this episode, we sit down once more with Jay Kranda, online community pastor at Saddleback Church, to dive into the insights from his latest book Online Church is Not the Answer. Jay also shares in this episode his experience in building a balanced ministry, emphasizing the importance of fostering in-person engagement while leveraging digital tools. From AI-driven discipleship to future digital movements, Jay's ideas will inspire you to rethink online church.
Tune in now and discover how to transform your church’s digital strategy!
Show Notes:Online Church Is Not The Answer - is a newly published book written by Jay Kranda challenges the common approach of streaming church services as the main form of digital ministry. The book encourages churches to think more strategically about integrating digital tools in ways that complement in-person ministry.
Gemini - a generative artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Google.
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In this episode, we sit down with Kim Tarlton, General Manager for Church Communications Group, to discuss the most effective ways churches can leverage digital platforms. Kim shares her expertise on understanding your target audience across platforms like church websites, social media, and apps. She introduces the concept of the "three rings of marketing," which involves communicating to your church community, reaching those seeking a church, and engaging with individuals who have a felt need.
Kim provides practical advice on tailoring your church’s messaging and resources to each of these groups, with a special emphasis on creating a welcoming website homepage for first-time visitors. We dive into the critical role of digital presence, exploring how blogs can boost SEO, and how platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube can showcase church life and engage potential visitors. We also discuss the shift from in-person to online church attendance, the importance of clear calls to action, and the future of the church in a digital world that longs for more intimate and community-focused gatherings.
Tune in for valuable insights on how to enhance your church’s digital strategy and make a meaningful impact online.
Show Notes:Three rings of church marketing -it involves communicating to your church community, reaching those seeking a church, and engaging with individuals who have a felt need.
Adwords - Previously Adwords, now known as Google Ads, is an online advertising platform developed by Google. It allows businesses to display ads on Google's search engine results pages and other sites in the Google Display Network.
DoubleClick Inc. - was an American advertising company that specialized in providing internet ad serving services from 1995 until it was acquired by Google in March 2008.
The Chosen - is the first multi-season TV series that tells the story of Jesus' life, offering a unique perspective by showing Him through the eyes of those who knew Him.
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In this episode Natchi Lazarus explores emerging trends and future potential of AI in ministry. He discusses the critical role of AI tools like custom GPTs and AI agents, appealing to ministry leaders to stay informed about both the benefits and risks. Natchi draws parallels between generative AI and the Biblical concept of creation, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking to navigate the AI landscape. He also highlights the potential of AI in social media management, particularly for enhancing Youtube channel impact and efficiency.
Tune in for valuable insights on integrating AI into ministry effectively!
Show Notes:Perplexity AI- is a platform that uses artificial intelligence and natural language processing (NLP) to answer user queries in a question-and-answer format. It helps users find information quickly and efficiently, similar to a search engine or virtual assistant.
Adwords - now known as Google Ads, is an online advertising platform developed by Google. It allows businesses to display ads on Google's search engine results pages and other sites in the Google Display Network.
Red Sky Mourning- is a novel by Jack Carr is the seventh installment in the James Reece series. The novel features former Navy SEAL James Reece as he faces a rogue Chinese submarine armed with nuclear missiles, a tech mogul advancing quantum computing and AI, and a politician under foreign influence. A crucial quantum computer named "Alice" may either save or doom the country
Claude- is an Artificial Intelligence, trained by Anthropic using Constitutional AI. Like ChatGPT, Claude is an AI chatbot with a special large language model (LLM) running behind it.
Generative AI- a type of artificial intelligence technology that broadly describes machine learning systems capable of generating text, images, code or other types of content, often in response to a prompt entered by a user.
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In this episode, we pinned down the critical role of social interaction on social media platforms and how to build meaningful connections with your audience. Join our host as he explores three key strategies for effective engagement:
Responding to Comments: Learn how to craft a solid engagement strategy that encourages dialogue and interaction.
Understanding the Algorithm: Discover why comments, likes, and shares are crucial for your content’s visibility and success.
Being Responsive: Find out the importance of engaging in both public and private conversations, enhancing your relationships with followers.
We also cover the use of chatbots to help maintain timely responses and keep your audience engaged. As we wrap up, we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Your engagement is vital, so don't hesitate to connect. Tune in and elevate your social media strategy to new heights!
Show Notes:Vanity Metrics- A vanity metric in social media is a metric that measures the popularity or engagement of a social media account or post.
Chat bot- A chatbot is a software that mimics human conversation with users. While not all chatbots use artificial intelligence (AI), more advanced ones now use techniques like natural language processing (NLP) to understand questions and automatically respond.
Being Responsive: Find out the importance of engaging in both public and private conversations, enhancing your relationships with followers.
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Join me as I quickly share practical advice for digital ministry teams on dealing with the uncertainties and challenges faced with your marketing technology stack. In this episode, I’ll emphasize three tips namely: to eliminate distractions, to avoid false precision, and lastly, to keep moving forward.
This episode highlights the importance of focusing on what is known, making single changes at a time, and learning from failures. I look forward to you participating in the conversation and sharing your experiences!
Show Notes:Marketing Technology Stack- This refers to the collection of technological solutions utilized for marketing purposes. These tools can range from digital asset management systems and marketing automation platforms to chatbots and social media monitoring tools.
User Journey- The sequence of interactions a person experiences with a product or service, starting from their initial engagement and continuing until they achieve the desired outcome.
Hotjar- A comprehensive platform offering five key tools, including heatmaps, funnels, and surveys. It uses AI to generate surveys, automatically summarize survey results, and conduct sentiment analysis.
GDPR- a regulation that aims to protect the data privacy and rights of European citizens. If your organization interacts with individuals based in the European Union, you likely have responsibilities under this regulation.
ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers-) a non-profit organization that coordinates and manages the Internet's domain name system (DNS) and the allocation of IP addresses. It focuses on facilitating access to registration data related to generic top-level domains (gTLDs) while complying with privacy laws.
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In this inspiring episode of The Digital Ministry Podcast, guest Raouf Rafla shares with host, Nick Runyon, his journey of moving from Egypt to the US and back again, detailing how he navigated job opportunities and relationships along the way. He generously recounts his love story, including his decision to move to the US to be with his girlfriend, now his wife, after receiving a job offer at Cru.
Raouf also offers insights into his work at Cru, explaining how he uses his marketing experience to support ministries. He emphasizes the importance of setting objectives and measuring results in advertising campaigns, and praises the positive culture and flexibility at Cru that allow him to thrive.
Tune in for an awe-inspiring story of God’s providence and how He orchestrates every aspect of our lives, like Raouf Rafla’s.
Show Notes:Cru - an interdenominational Christian parachurch organization, founded in 1951, that aims to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world
Decathlon - a French sporting goods retailer known for offering a wide range of high-quality, affordable sports equipment, apparel, and accessories.
IKEA - a Swedish multinational company specializing in affordable, ready-to-assemble furniture, home accessories, and kitchen appliances.
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Join Nils Smith and host Nick Runyon on The Digital Ministry Podcast as they dive into the potential future of digital ministries amidst a possible government-mediated social media content moderation. Discover how these changes might impact free speech and trickle down to the individual level and even to businesses and ministries.
In this episode, learn as they engage in a nuanced conversation about US politics, campaigns, and their influence on technology and social media.
If you’re leading a digital ministry, don’t miss their insightful discussions on the importance of awareness, leadership adaptation, thoughtful content creation, and more!
Tune in for a thoughtful exploration of navigating the complexities of today’s digital and political landscape.
Show Notes:Nils Smith - Head of Innovation at Dunham+Company, Founder of Amplify Social Media, and Co-Founder of TVApp.Church and Crossover Collectibles.
Amplify Social Media - a digital marketing agency that offers a wide range of services to help businesses succeed online.
Scotus Article on Social Media Content Moderation: Justices side with Biden over government’s influence on social media content moderation - SCOTUSblog
Gary Vee interview- on him believing Tiktok will soon be banned in US
Dan Heath- a 4-time New York Times best-selling author
The Joe Roegan Podcast- what Nils Smith believes to be the most powerful platform in American politics today
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Join us for an engaging episode with Kate Akers, MII's Strategic Services Director. Kate shares her extensive marketing experience with a large church as well as with Sony Pictures, including her work on the film “Blue Miracle” and the role of key art in Netflix's recommendation engine.
Explore the similarities between church marketing and working with parachurch organizations, emphasizing the importance of equipping church members to engage their communities and express their faith. Kate discusses the challenges of digital outreach, creating welcoming environments, and the critical role of personal connections and authentic engagement in ministry.
Discover how digital tools can effectively connect with communities and why testing, iterating, and taking risks in marketing strategies are essential while staying true to the church's mission and values. Don't miss this insightful and inspiring conversation!
Show Notes:Key Art - Artwork that is repeated across media
Recommendation engine- a data filtering tool that provides personalized suggestions to users based on their past behavior and preferences
Blue Miracle - "Blue Miracle" is an inspiring true story about a guardian and his kids at a Mexican orphanage who join forces with a struggling boat captain to win a big fishing competition and save their home. Together, they face many challenges, forming unexpected friendships and demonstrating hope and resilience. Blue Miracle (2021) - IMDb
MII Website - Media Impact International (mii.global)
MII Youtube- Media Impact International - YouTubeMII LinkedIn- Media Impact International: Overview | LinkedIn
Kate Akers IMDb: Kate Akers - IMDb
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Join host Nick Runyon as he dives into the vital importance of continual learning for digital ministry teams.
In this episode, Nick highlights how tools like Hubspot Academy, Google Analytics, and Meta Blueprint Certifications can streamline onboarding and sharpen skills. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in the ever-changing digital landscape using the "OODA loop" approach—orient, observe, decide, act.
This episode encourages ministry professionals to harness free online resources to stay ahead of technological shifts and enhance their impact.
Show Notes:Hubspot Academy - is the worldwide leader in free online training for inbound marketing, sales, and customer service professionals.
Google Analytics Academy - helps you learn about Google's measurement tools so that you can grow your business through intelligent data collection and analysis.
Meta Blueprint Certification - become a Meta-certified marketing professional with Meta Blueprint and get recognized through the best of Facebook and Instagram advertising solutions.
OODA Loop - Orient, Observe, Decide and Act
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Join me as I dive into the intricacies of effective digital ministry, sharing his extensive experience in building successful marketing teams and applying those insights to nonprofit work.
In this episode, I’ll emphasize the importance of understanding your target audience and defining value from their perspective. Let’s outline a strategic framework for developing digital ministry strategies centered around the ideal persona, identifying their challenges, and crafting solutions to meet their needs.
This episode equips ministry teams with a model for enhancing digital outreach, prioritizing audience experience, and providing actionable suggestions for applying these concepts.
Show Notes:The Persona-Driven Value Proposition Framework - intended to help ministry teams develop more impactful digital outreach through a persona-focused, value-centered approach
Strategy is the “Where”, “What” and "When"
Persona is the “Who”
Reaching that persona involves understanding what problems they face and how the ministry can directly address those problems through solutions.
Developing an effective strategy starts with the persona and involves determining where they spend time online, what content would be most relevant, which channels to use, and how to test efforts.
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Join tech-savvy ministry leaders Nick Runyon and Josh Burnett in a fascinating podcast episode as they explore the intersection of AI and church ministry.
Josh, CEO of Church.Tech, reveals how AI can revolutionize church operations by streamlining tasks like sermon preparation and social media content creation, allowing leaders to focus more on community engagement. The discussion dives into ethical considerations, emphasizing AI as a support tool that enhances rather than replaces human intuition.
Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of AI in ministry, only here in The Digital Ministry Podcast.
Show Notes:Josh Burnett - CEO and Co-founder of Church.Tech
Church.Tech - AI tools for your church
Sermon Copilot - An ethical AI-augmented sermon writing tool (currently on the works)
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Join us for an enlightening conversation with Marc Pierce, a seasoned producer in the entertainment industry, as we delve into the world of video content.
Marc emphasizes the crucial role of authenticity and compelling characters in creating engaging television, exploring both scripted and unscripted production styles. He candidly discusses the inevitable challenges of failure and the importance of adaptability in this dynamic field.
Discover Marc's strategies for prioritizing video content and crafting effective social media plans. Plus, learn how churches and nonprofits can harness the power of video to connect with their audiences and make a lasting impact.
Don't miss this insightful episode packed with valuable industry knowledge and practical advice, only here at The Digital Ministry Podcast.
Show Notes:Marc Pierce - Owner of Warm Springs Productions with Chris Richardson, aiming to build a company that celebrated creativity, consistency and healthy work-life balance within the production space.
Warm Springs Production - is a turn-key production company, a team of 80+ full-time staff that specialize in creating captivating television from start to finish.
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In this episode, Brad Hill, Chief Solutions Officer at Gloo, takes us on a journey through the shifting landscape of church engagement, emphasizing the importance of digital outreach and genuine community building.
Through Gloo's pioneering approach, Brad showcases how data-driven insights are revolutionizing ministry priorities, empowering pastors to understand and meet the holistic needs of their congregations. With initiatives like the State of the Church 2025, in collaboration with Barna, Gloo is at the forefront of proving empirically that spiritual flourishing leads to overall life improvement.
Join us as we dive into the transformative potential of digital media in fostering authentic connections and nurturing thriving communities within the church ecosystem, only here at The Digital Ministry Podcast.
Show Notes:Brad Hill - Chief Solutions Officer at Gloo.
Gloo - an all-in-one marketplace with everything leaders need to do ministry better, faster and with more impact.
Barna Group - is a Christian research organization that provides data and insights on the trends affecting faith, culture and ministry today.
Gloo is partnering with Barna on the State of the Church 2025 project, which aims to survey 100,000 churches to compare their well-being with those who are not connected to a gospel community.
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Join Nick Runyon as he engages in a profound dialogue with Beau Coffron, the innovative leader behind Life.Church's social media strategy.
Together, they explore the intricacies of building a vibrant online community, fostering genuine engagement with followers, and ultimately, spreading the message of hope embodied in Christ.
From the captivating success of Lunchbox Dad to the strategic utilization of personalized interactions, this conversation uncovers the transformative power of digital ministry.
Tune in to gain valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that will empower you to make a meaningful impact in the ever-evolving landscape of social media ministry, only here at The Digital Ministry Podcast.
Show Notes:Beau Coffron - the Central Team Leader Social Media at Life.Church and Content Creator at Lunchboxdad
Life.Church - a diverse group of people meeting in cities across the United States and around the world
@lunchboxdad - helping you make lunchtime fun, connecting with your kids, and showing you products that make your life as a busy parent easier
SproutSocial - an all-in-one social media management platform that unlocks the full potential of social to transform not just your marketing strategy but your overall digital persona
MiniChat - a new social network with integrated text and video chat to meet people and make friends with strangers.
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Lunchbox Dad Website
Life.Church Website
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Nick Runyon sits down with Robert Rouse, the mind behind Viz.Bible, for a captivating discussion on data visualization in ministry.
Explore the concept of a minister of data and how visualizing data can inspire and educate the church community. Dive into the future of technology, including AI and contextual databases, and their potential in shaping the ministry.
Discover the vital role of storytelling and media in promoting spiritual exploration and fostering trust in ministry context.
Join us as we uncover the transformative power of data analysis and technology in deepening connections with faith, only here at The Digital Ministry Podcast.
Show Notes:Robert Rouse - an Analytics Strategist at Action Analytics and the brains behind Viz.Bible.
Viz.Bible - showcases data visualizations, infographics, and illustrated diagrams that inspire people to know God more fully.
Data Visualization - is the representation of data through use of common graphics, such as charts, plots, infographics and even animations.
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Viz.Bible Website
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