Your Digital Pastor - Dr. Marcus Cylar
138 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsWelcome to the Your Digital Pastor Podcast, where church communications consultant, Dr. Marcus Cylar, delivers daily devotions to encourage you on your journey and weekly insights that equip pastors and their churches with tools and tactics for more effective digital ministry. If you’re a lead pastor, executive pastor, communications director, or media director looking for strategies and conceptual insights, informed by culture and current events, to help you take your digital ministry efforts to the next level, this is the podcast for you!
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Episodes
043: Let’s retire the word “virtual”
October 26, 2020 17:51 - 7 minutes - 7.33 MBWe’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and everything we do now has the word “virtual” attached to it. I’m sick of it. Give me these 8 minutes and I will compel you to never use the word again! Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
042: Identifying and maximizing content opportunities
October 21, 2020 06:38 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBI talked previously about “content opportunities”. I want to put some flesh on that with some insights to help ministries preach the gospel more effectively. Taking advantage of content opportunities simply means looking at everything you do as content. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
041: Shortening the distance between idea and execution
October 20, 2020 06:05 - 9 minutes - 9.07 MBYou wouldn’t believe how much content I’ve produced that I’ve never published. As a #digitalministry specialist, stewarding the greatest story that’s ever been told, I need to stop doing that. Shortening the distance between idea and execution puts your ministry in the frame of mind necessary to behave like a media company. Such a mindset is vital to success in this #digitalministry landscape in 2020 and beyond. When you begin thinking like a media company, you start finding content opportu...
040: Communication, presence, and progress
June 13, 2020 15:10 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBCommunication is as much what you do, don’t do, and don’t say as much as it is what you say. Presence is as much a heart posture as it is a physical location. Progress: What have you dragged your feet on in the past? What have you been slow to understand? Stay woke. But let’s do so with the mind of Christ. Especially in this season. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
Bonus: #BlackOutTuesday: Under the microscope
June 02, 2020 23:43 - 15 minutes - 14.7 MB#BlackOutTuesday was supposed to be about amplification. We do the opposite of that, though, when we needlessly evaluate people’s personal lives as the basis for discrediting their contributions. Let’s stop that. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
039: Now is not the time for social distancing
May 30, 2020 23:35 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBI promise this is not what you think it is. Give it a listen. Either you’re with us or you’re not; there’s no gray area anymore. The love of Christ dictates as such. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
038: COVID-19 and the new importance of daily impact
April 18, 2020 12:38 - 21 minutes - 20.3 MBJust a few thoughts — The successful ministry in this new paradigm is not the one who will have the most powerful Sunday experience, but will be the one who will create engaging, God-glorifying content on a daily basis. Churches in this season will best show up online as their own networks.
037: 6 content ideas to connect your church beyond the sermon
April 04, 2020 17:15 - 25 minutes - 23.7 MB1 - Morning prayer and devotion (at least five days a week) 2 - Podcast (perspective from the pastor on a relevant topic) 3 - Mass text of encouragement (can be six days/week) 4 - 30-60 minutes of live Q&A on FB/IG Live (or you could teach first and then “hang out” for a while) 5 - Robocall (alternate day of the week and time so it’s always unexpected) 6 - Blog post (some do a “From the Pastor’s Pen” bulletin style, but honestly, it’s sometimes mailed in; actually take it seriously and do it ...
036: COVID-19: 6 characteristics of digital-first experiences
March 28, 2020 02:59 - 42 minutes - 39.7 MBDigital is uniquely: 1 - Personal (can create 1 to 1 impact out of 1 to many encounters) 2 - Ubiquitous (can experience the event anywhere) 3 - Shareable (can send a link and allow others to tap in) 4 - Asynchronous (can consume in your own time) 5 - Passive (can engage even while doing other things) 6 - Collaborative (can see the thoughts of others you ordinarily may not know in person) Let’s talk about this! Holler at me and let me know your thoughts. Because of #COVID_19, digital only is ...
035: Fighting for your passion when your dreams don’t come true
March 21, 2020 16:11 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBSome churches were on the forefront of the digital ministry trend, others were later adopters, and yet many more have come to #onlinechurch kicking and screaming over the past few weeks. Those are the churches I want to help in this season. It pains me to no end that in this ever treacherous season, in these most perilous times, when the global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought us to our knees and relegated us to our own homes, I am not on the #churchcommunications front lines. At the hour w...
034: This is the XFL: A story of rebranding, reinvention, and redemption
February 10, 2020 05:18 - 52 minutes - 49 MBBecause of what I’ve been through in my own life, I am fascinated with redemption and reinvention stories. The 2020 reiteration of the XFL is such a story, and I’m here for it. I promise if you give this a full listen, the value is there. Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor
033: A shrewd QR code marketing strategy you’ve probably never used before
January 13, 2020 09:00 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBOn this episode, I talk with one of my very best friends, Chris Preston (http://twitter.com/cp_6), host of the podcast “Where Did I Park?” (http://linktr.ee/wdipshow) about a truly innovative idea utilizing a QR code in a way you’ve probably never heard of to market his podcast. Trust me, you’ll want to listen to this one! Scripture: Luke 9:49-50
032: 5 ways to add value when you have nothing to say, pt.2
January 01, 2020 23:01 - 45 minutes - 42 MBA continuation of the throwback clips I shared previously as background, I reflect on what was happening at the time of those recordings and connect them to the concept of being able to add value on social media when you’re going through personal matters and it would be much easier just to shut it down. There are five key ways we can still have a social media presence when it seems we really don’t have much to say. We do so by becoming a: 1 - Master engager: leaving comments on other people...
031: 5 ways to add value when you have nothing to say, pt.1
December 28, 2019 16:03 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBScripture: 1 Peter 5: 6-11 Tool: Speechify app https://getspeechify.com Before getting into the points, I wanted to take a look back to two pieces of content I made—both of which have shown up on past episodes of the pod—about things I went through while I was in the middle of a multi-year storm that wrapped up (thankfully) in 2019 and what I learned in the process. I’m using these throwbacks to set the conceptual stage for what we’ll discuss in the next episode, coming very shortly. The h...
030: You began your #GivingTuesday campaign too late: 5 reasons why
December 08, 2019 04:33 - 58 minutes - 54.3 MB1 - People don’t have to be compelled to spend, but they do need to be compelled to give 2 - We are compelled by stories and It takes time for us to connect to the stories of others 3 - You didn’t take advantage of extra time to bring more exposure to your ministry, organization 4 - You squandered an opportunity to distinguish yourself from others 5 - You missed an easy chance to create regular content Scripture: Philippians 4:8 Tool: Tweet thread analyzing the controversial Pelaton co...
029: The #BlackFriday edition - Why brand is king
November 30, 2019 10:01 - 35 minutes - 32.7 MBTL;DR (DL): People won’t care about what you do until they connect with who you are. I connect a few ideas and resources together to arrive at this key takeaway for business, #churchcomm, ministry as a whole, and interpersonal relationships. Links mentioned: Web Smith on Twitter: http://twitter.com/web 2PM: http://2pml.com Gary Vaynerchuk: http://twitter.com/garyvee Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor
028: 5 types of video seminaries should be creating
November 05, 2019 01:32 - 54 minutes - 50.7 MBTypes of video seminaries should be creating 1️⃣ Testimonial videos 2️⃣ Live event video (chapel, commencement, conferences, presentations, convocations, work not on campus but in the community) 3️⃣ A recorded webinar for prospective students (one specific to each academic program offered) 4️⃣ Classroom moments 5️⃣ Daily 1-min devotional videos or live morning meditation (preferably from the President or spread it around between President, VP(s), faculty, staff, sometimes students) Scriptur...
027: 5 types of content seminaries should be producing
October 29, 2019 20:41 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MB1️⃣ COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT - In every seminary community, which comprises, at minimum, current students, faculty, staff, and alumni, there is a treasure chest of stories to be shared, either of what those seminary family members are doing presently or of the difference the seminary has made in their lives. An institution’s social media team should collect as many of these stories as possible and post them frequently. 2️⃣ BEHIND THE SCENES: IN THE CLASSROOM - What is it like to actually take a c...
Bonus: Kanye’s “Jesus is King” and the “Huffington Post Disease”
October 26, 2019 05:13 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBI had some thoughts this evening about the effect of social media on the public sentiment toward Kanye West’s initial gospel offering. #YourDigitalPastor Need communications help? Holler at me: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire
026: 5 fundamental principles of #churchcomm
October 21, 2019 09:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB026: The 5 fundamental principles of #churchcomm This week’s topic was inspired by @bradyshearer and the #ProChurchTools #podcast. That is to say these principles aren’t original thoughts of mine, but the presentation of them in this way was birthed out of a church communications workshop for a certificate program I was blessed to facilitate in 2018 at my alma mater, @ashlandseminary. The format of the workshop was to present a fictional scenario based on a pressing issue in the local churc...
025: 5 reasons #churchcomm should be taught in seminary
October 14, 2019 21:21 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBThis week, I’m sharing my #topfive reasons seminaries should offer church communications education. 1 - Just like pastors and seminary professors, church communicators are stewards of the greatest story that has ever been told. To be a good steward over something, you must be trained to handle it. While seminary is not the only place for training, it is definitely beneficial to be undergirded with theological training. You’re so much more than a flyer maker; you’re a minister of the gospel, ...
024: 5 Seminaries killing it digitally in 2019
October 07, 2019 14:50 - 56 minutes - 52.5 MBOne very important aspect of church communications that is never discussed is the communications efforts of the institutions responsible for equipping the leaders of the church. I am uniquely qualified to provide value on this subject. In this 4th quarter of 2019 (and beyond, prayerfully), I’m taking a chance on myself (more on this later) and doubling down on what I’m called to do and what I’m passionate about. I’m going to create much more content on #churchcomm this quarter with a heavy e...
023: #LeadingFromTheBottom: How to add value when you don’t know the answer
July 01, 2019 22:20 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MB#LeadingFromTheBottom is me distilling the many leadership lessons I’ve learned from this season of my professional life. In this episode, I talk about how you can still lead and be of value as a go-to person, even when you don’t know the answer. I pray what I’m sharing is a nugget of wisdom you’ll be able to use in your own life and ministry. yourdigitalpastor.co #YourDigitalPastor
YDPshort007: Pray for your boy + the power of playlists for your life and ministry
February 25, 2019 00:08 - 16 minutes - 15 MBFebruary 2019 has been a crucial month in the history of my life, crucial for my future and for everything God has for me. This last week of the month is critically important to seal the work that has already been done. I’m therefore asking for you to agree with me in prayer. This month was so important that I had to get my mind and spirit right, and I did so by (a) shutting down all my social media (except LinkedIn) and (b) creating a playlist that reflects my heart and mind during this sea...
YDPshort006: Involving more people in the content-production process
February 11, 2019 20:29 - 12 minutes - 11.2 MBSomething special ESPN college basketball is doing to involve fans in its live coverage is incredibly smart and creative and reflects something pastors and their church communications pros need to be doing as well. #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire
YDPshort005: Apple vs. Everybody and why it’s important to be everywhere on social media
February 08, 2019 15:56 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBIt took me ten seconds of looking around this Starbucks I’m working at today to realize that Apple gets you one way or another, and that’s why they’ve dominated the 21st century thus far. I share what this domination has to do with the concept of being everywhere on social media. #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire
YDPshort004: Super Bowl ads: What message would you convey with all that attention?
February 04, 2019 01:02 - 9 minutes - 8.96 MBIf you had $5.25M for a Super Bowl ad, how would you use those 30 seconds and how would doing so build the kingdom? #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire
YDPshort003: Enhancing your ministry communications through Facebook Messenger bots
February 01, 2019 14:56 - 14 minutes - 13.4 MBOn this first day of Black History Month, I share a memory from high school that makes me think about how effective Facebook Messenger bots can be for bolstering your church’s marketing and outreach efforts. If you’re compelled to get started with this, holler at your boy and I can help you get started! #YourDigitalPastor Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire
YDPshort002: Life & leadership lessons from the NFL postseason
January 26, 2019 00:27 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MBYes, the New Orleans Saints got screwed royally. Yes, the could’ve been more resilient in the face of controversy. But there are other points and lessons on life and leadership here that haven’t been talked about that are worthy of discussion here. I also add a key takeaway from the Patriots dynasty that I’m not sure has ever been considered. Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor
YDPshort001: To free or not to free? That is the question!
January 16, 2019 14:43 - 11 minutes - 10.4 MBMany ministries make their sermons available through podcasting and building a presence on YouTube. Many others make them available for purchase. While I understand why others do the latter, I do not believe it’s the best way to accomplish your ministry goals in 2019 and beyond. In this first installment of the YDP short, I discuss why as I answer the question: “To free or not to free”? Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor
022: My 2018 #bestnine: The power of shaping your own narrative
January 03, 2019 19:46 - 1 hour - 61.5 MB2018 was the best and worst of times for your boy, but I did some things this year that will set me up for the rest of my life, and for that I’m grateful. In this brief break from hiatus episode, I reflect on what those things were, share my I consider them my #bestnine of the year, and discuss why I suggest you engage in the same reflective exercise before you go any further into 2019. Devotion: Ezekiel 20 - For the sake of his name... Tool: The For Immediate Release Podcast Moment of Inspi...
Devotion20180921: Galatians 6:10 MSG
September 22, 2018 00:34 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBThe road to destiny is not always easy; in fact, it’s long and quite difficult. In long and difficult situations, it’s good to look for the quick win. This verse lets us know the quickest win possible in kingdom living. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180920: Hebrews 13:8 MSG
September 20, 2018 17:15 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBThis one is a slippery slope, so let’s just say this: Leaders and lay should be held to the same set of standards concerning how we live our lives. Peterson said it best here: “There should be a consistency that runs through us ALL” (emphasis mine). http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180919: Matthew 6:34 MSG
September 19, 2018 14:13 - 3 minutes - 3.29 MBWhat better advice can we receive than to focus our entire attention to what God is doing right now? How much better would our lives be if we followed that advice and not allowed ourselves to get caught up in the minutiae of a future we don’t know, as opposed to a present we do know. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180918: Proverbs 27:5-6 MSG
September 18, 2018 12:34 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBA little bit of negativity for a positive purpose is far better than faux positivity. We therefore can’t be so quick to gravitate to those who just tell us what we want to hear all the time because they may have no intention on helping us grow. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180917: Isaiah 40:29 MSG
September 17, 2018 15:10 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBDevotion: Isaiah 40:29 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180916: Psalms 18:30 MSG
September 17, 2018 15:08 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBDevotion: Psalms 18:30 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180915: John 7:38 NASB
September 17, 2018 15:06 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBDevotion: John 7:38 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180914: Psalms 73:26 NASB
September 17, 2018 15:04 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBDevotion20180914: Psalms 73:26 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180913: Colossians 3:2 NASB
September 17, 2018 15:02 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBDevotion: Colossians 3:2 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180912: Ephesians 6:10 NASB
September 17, 2018 14:59 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBDevotion: Ephesians 6:10 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20190911: 1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB
September 17, 2018 14:55 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBDevotion: 1 Chronicles 16:11 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180910: Psalms 16:8 NASB
September 10, 2018 13:52 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBNone of us are going to literally think about God 24/7. We’re not that deep. But if we constantly keep God before us, that just means we’re consistently living a life that’s pleasing to God, and we’re conscious of the decisions we’re making that bear that out. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180909: Psalms 34:8 NASB
September 10, 2018 02:19 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBTasting and seeing—the fullness of a true relationship with God is a multifaceted experience. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
021: Launching your book to maximize ministry impact
September 09, 2018 04:28 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB021: Launching your book to maximize ministry impact Devotion: Isaiah 26:4 CEV Tool of the Week: Twitter’s audio-only Go Live feature Feature Presentation: Interview with Pastor Kellen Brooks Moments of inspiration: Multiple sources of measurement http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180907: Ecclesiastes 3:14 CEV
September 07, 2018 13:21 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBNo amount of money, power, fame, or position will ever help us escape the fact that God always has been and always will be in control. The sooner we come to that realization, the happier and more content we will be. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180906: 2 Thessalonians 3:5 CEV
September 06, 2018 13:25 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBThere’s no mystery as to what is required of us to live a life that is pleasing to God. The difficulty is in the execution thereof, and that’s where prayer comes in. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180905: 2 Corinthians 4:18 CEV
September 05, 2018 16:52 - 3 minutes - 3.25 MBIn this Christian journey, that which is not seen lasts far longer than that which is seen. With that in mind, let us all consider this question: If the whole internet were to break down today and we couldn’t edit our lives anymore, would we be able to deal with our unedited selves? What would we then be compelled to work on? http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180904: Proverbs 17:22 CEV
September 04, 2018 17:16 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBAs much as we have agency over how we feel emotionally, we have the ability to set the tone for how we feel physically. http://yourdigitalpastor.co
Devotion20180903: Psalms 28:7 CEV
September 03, 2018 16:22 - 3 minutes - 3.26 MBAllow the Lord—not your own understanding, intelligence, connections, resources, or even other people—to be your shield. http://yourdigitalpastor.co