The Busy Pastor's Guide to Instagram Stories

Church announcements often go unnoticed—but there's a proven formula for making them memorable and impactful. Many churches miss the mark, so today, we're here to help! We’ll craft announcements for ten real church events, demonstrating exactly how it’s done.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:17 - Youth Summer Beach Bonfire 7:42 - Praise In The Park 13:23 - First Steps Class 19:37 - VBS Theme 25:17 - Serve Day 26:47 - Summer Discipleship Groups 27:56 - Monthly Worship Night   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Handling negative comments online has evolved—especially for churches, where religious topics can spark intense reactions. So, should you delete, engage, or ignore? Today, we're sharing the best practices to help you manage these situations effectively.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - The Two Eras Of Social 12:45 - Your Options 13:03 - When To Delete 14:33 - Your Options [Continued] 17:00 - The Pin & Respond Strategy 30:40 - Responding To Negative Reviews On Google   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Stage nerves are something we all face, whether it's during a sermon, an announcement, or even a prayer. Today, we’re sharing our top tips, principles, and techniques to help you speak with confidence on stage at church.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Proximity Principle 6:00 - Pitch, Pace, & Pause 13:00 - The Power Of Storytelling   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

More churches in America are closing each year than opening. Today, we're sitting down with our friend Ryan Burge whose church, after over 150 years, made the difficult decision to close its doors earlier this year. We’ll hear their story firsthand and explore the broader implications of this growing trend for the future of Christianity in America.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Ryan’s Church Story 7:40 - Changing Religious Demographic Trends 14:29 - Culpability vs Innocence 22:00 - Process Of Closing A Church 28:40 - Where Are You Finding Hope Right Now   IMPORTANT LINKS - As a pastor I pray my flock comes back… | Religion News: https://bit.ly/48c9Rub - An Illinois church closes its doors as religion declines in the US | AP News: https://bit.ly/4dOuqhx - In small-town Illinois, a little church says goodbye | Religion News: https://bit.ly/4hapdDw - How do you close a church? Ryan Burge learned firsthand | Deseret News: https://bit.ly/4harxdK - Ryan Burge: https://www.drburge.com - Ryan Burge | Twitter/X: https://x.com/ryanburge - Graphs about Religion: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Looking for fresh social media ideas for your church? Today, we've got over 20 unique post ideas your church probably hasn’t tried yet! Even better, these ideas can be repeated every year. Just imagine—set the dates, and the planning is done! Trust us, you haven’t used these before.    ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 3:23 - Alex’s Audible 6:41 - First Day Of Spring, Summer, Fall, And Winter 9:38 - National Coffee Day 12:04 - Famous Food For Your Church 15:26 - National Technology Day 17:58 - National Sons/Daughters/Parents Day 19:27 - National Father Daughter Take A Walk Day 22:13 - National Plant A Flower Day 23:25 - Black History Month 24:59 - National Awkward Moments Day 26:29 - National Day Of Prayer 29:39 - National Tweed Day 30:48 - National Vitamin C Day 32:07 - National Pet Day 33:09 - National Foster Care Month 34:29 - National Candy Corn Day 36:23 - National Buy Nothing Day 39:31 - National Grammar/Punctuation Day 40:34 - National Thesaurus Day 42:32 - National Pastor’s Spouse Day 43:42 - International Women’s Day 45:08 - Honorable Mentions   IMPORTANT LINKS - National Day Calendar: https://bit.ly/3Y2Dcmn - Alex’s Carousel Post: https://bit.ly/3TXZwfJ   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Did you know Google offers non-profits, including churches, up to $10,000 in free monthly ad grants? That’s right—$10K to spend on ads for your church! But what’s the catch? Today, we’re joined by Brady Sticker from Church Candy, who manages these campaigns for churches, to break it all down.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 1:13 - What Is The Catch? 2:43 - What Are The First Steps To Get Signed-Up? 7:21 - Once You’re Validated, What Do You Do First? 11:53 - Is It Reasonable To Spend That Much Money On Ads With Low Click Through Rates? 13:48 - How To Write An Effective Google Ad? 18:28 - Is Searching ‘Church Near Me’ The Highest Searched Thing? 27:33 - How Do Ads Different Between Evergreen Events And Seasonal Events?   IMPORTANT LINKS - Google Ad Grants: https://www.google.ca/grants/ - Launch Big by Brady Sticker: https://amzn.to/3ZP1x1u - ChurchCandy: https://churchcandy.com/ - Brady Sticker IG: https://www.instagram.com/bradysticker/ - ChurchCandy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@bradysticker/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and we’ve compiled a list of ways your church can show love to your pastor. Some ideas are free, others cost a little, and a few are out-of-the-box, but they’ll all make your pastor feel valued. Plus, we’ll dive into the surprising history and origins of Pastor Appreciation Month!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - Idea #1: Aura Digital Frame 3:18 - Bonus: Origin Of Pastor Appreciation Cay 8:40 - Idea #2: Handwritten Notes 9:02 - Idea #3: Video Thank You Card From Kids 10:51 - Idea #4: Gift Cards To A Favorite Restaurant Or Store 12:42 - Idea #5: Plan A Night Out 17:40 - Idea #6: Hobby-Related Gifts 19:23 - Idea #7: Home Improvements 20:46 - Idea #8: Award Ceremony "The Clergies" 22:40 - Idea #9: Select Subscription Service 28:26 - Idea #10: Car Detailing   IMPORTANT LINKS - Aura Frames: https://auraframes.com - Meal Train: https://www.mealtrain.com - Audible: https://www.audible.com/ - The Roasters Pack: https://theroasterspack.com/ - Fuego Box: https://www.fuegobox.com/   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Recruiting church volunteers often feels desperate, leaving people feeling guilted into serving. But to do it right, there are three key stages: recruit, train, and celebrate. Today, we'll cover proven techniques that any church can use to make the process smoother—and even do much of the heavy lifting for you.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - How To Recruit 12:40 - How To Train 21:57 - How To Celebrate   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Today, we're sharing some sermon series ideas we believe every church should consider for 2025—with a unique twist in how they were generated. These ideas are Biblically based, timely, and versatile, making them perfect for any ministry, regardless of size or denomination.   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 4:22 - More Singles 11:48 - Fewer Parents 18:09 - The Gender War Within Gen Z 25:02 - The Nones Have Hit A Ceiling 31:01 - Fewer Close Friends Than Ever   IMPORTANT LINKS - Share of 40-year-olds in US who have never married reaches new high | Pew Research Center: https://pewrsr.ch/3ZcvisN - Millennials aren’t having kids. Here’s why. | The Washington Post: https://wapo.st/3XEYO9y - Many Gen Z Men Feel Left Behind. Some See Trump as an Answer. | The New York Times: https://nyti.ms/4e18P6v - The Nones Have Hit a Ceiling | Ryan Burge: https://bit.ly/4ehZ1Vm - Disconnected: The Growing Class Divide in American Civic Life | The Survey Center on American Life: https://bit.ly/3AVVcqx   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer

Every week, we send photographers to churches worldwide with a detailed shot list, etiquette guidelines, and gear recommendations. Today, we’re sharing all of that with you, along with example galleries from real churches to show what a successful church photoshoot looks like. Welcome to The Definitive Church Photography Shot List!   ============================= Table of Contents: ============================= 0:00 - Intro 0:50 - Definition Of A Successful Church Photoshoot 7:00 - What To Bring 12:30 - Shot List 19:24 - Rules & Etiquette   IMPORTANT LINKS - Makeovers: https://www.nucleus.church/makeovers - Photo Gallery #1: https://prochur.ch/3Zay2qq - Photo Gallery #2: https://prochur.ch/4dOO3XB - Photo Gallery #3: https://prochur.ch/4dQPsNn   THE 167 NEWSLETTER 📫 52,481+ churches read our free newsletter to figure out the 167 hours beyond Sunday service every week. Sign up: https://167.prochurchtools.com   GET IN TOUCH 🌍 The Company: https://prochurchtools.com 🖥️ Nucleus, The Church Website Builder:  https://www.nucleus.church 📱 SocialSermons, The Social Media Agency For Churches: https://socialsermons.com    JOIN THE COMMUNITY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradyshearer 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bradyshearer 🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/bradyshearer