23: Paul Cox on Starting The Church Co, Becoming An Entrepreneur & The Future of AI
You’ll love this conversation with Paul Cox, founder of The Church Co, an all-in-one church website builder that every pastor has heard of. Paul tells us about his fascinating journey building a side hustle and his decision to scale up the business just one month before the pandemic hit us. No one knew what was coming of course. We talk more about entrepreneurship, divine timing, the future of AI and his latest project Capture Collab.
► FREE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBINAR: https://digitalrabbi.co/onlineimpact
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalRabbi
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► THE CHURCH CO: https://thechurchco.com
► PAUL COX ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pauljosephcox
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
22: Cheran Nathan on Creating a Job That You Love
I sit down with Cheran Nathan who runs a comedy channel called Cherry Pranks. We talk about his journey as a content creator, breaking out of conventional pathways of working life and the importance of principles in comedy.
► FREE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBINAR: https://digitalrabbi.co/onlineimpact
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalRabbi
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► CHERRY PRANKS ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/cherrypranks/
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
21: Brady Shearer on Navigating The Biggest Communication Shift In 500 Years
I sat down with legendary Brady Shearer, founder of Pro Church Tools, to talk about all things social media and digital ministry. This episode is especially helpful for church leaders. Brady shares some high quality wisdom on how to best maximise the present opportunity of reaching people online.
► FREE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBINAR: https://digitalrabbi.co/onlineimpact
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalRabbi
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► BRADY SHEARER ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/bradyshearer
► PRO CHURCH TOOLS: http://prochurchtools.com
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
20: Ivy Malik on Turning Your Creativity Into A Business & Overcoming Rejection
This is a thoroughly powerful conversation with business owner and sales coach for creatives, Ivy Malik. We talk about her entrepreneurship journey including running a restaurant on Brick Lane in Shoreditch and developing a personal brand. This conversation also goes deep into topics around mental health, psychology & self-awareness.
► FREE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBINAR: https://digitalrabbi.co/onlineimpact
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalRabbi
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► IVY MALIK ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/ivymalikofficial
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
19: Tebo Mpanza on Building A Creative Brand & the Power of Conversation
I sit down with my good friend Tebo Mpanza who is a creative entrepreneur as well as Head of Leadership Development at Gas Street Church in Birmingham. We talk about building a creative brand, the importance of collaboration and the power of conversation.
► FREE SOCIAL MEDIA WEBINAR: https://digitalrabbi.co/onlineimpact
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/@DigitalRabbi
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► TEBO MPANZA ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/tebompanza
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
18: Mark Kelsey on the Importance Of Physical Health & Fitness
I sit down with legendary Pastor Mark Kelsey for a rich and relevant conversation on the importance of physical health & fitness. We talk about his story of emotional burnout, how to navigate the pace of the 21st century and how to do holistic discipleship well.
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmdE6vV-S4PUt6fzIwKo4Rw
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► FIND MARK KELSEY ONLINE: https://www.markkelsey.org
► MARK KELSEY ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/markkelsey
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
17: Matt Hogg on Facing Your Fears & Reclaiming Your Space
I spend some time with Matt Hogg, a priest in the Church of England with a fascinating resumé including planting a church and being a vicar for over a decade. Matt is now involved in digital mission amongst many other things and brings some fascinating insights on the church at large, facing your fears as well as some niche commentary on beetles (yes you read that correctly).
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmdE6vV-S4PUt6fzIwKo4Rw
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► MATT HOGG ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/rvmatthogg
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
16: Mark Janes on Creating An Entrepreneurship Culture & Overcoming The Fear Of Failure
Mark Janes is a classic creative entrepreneur who has some wildly innovative stories of thinking outside of the box - you’ll love this conversation. We talk about how to create an entrepreneurship culture and overcome the fear of failure.
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmdE6vV-S4PUt6fzIwKo4Rw
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► MARK JANES ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/markjanesy
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
15: Anne Borkent on Healing Chronic Pain & Recovering From Burnout
Anne Borkent becomes the first returning guest to the podcast to share about his journey coming through burnout, healing chronic pain and emotional health. This is an absolutely fascinating conversation. Anne is the Senior Pastor of C3 Rivers in Netherlands.
► YOUTUBE CONTENT FOR CHURCH LEADERS & CREATIVES: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmdE6vV-S4PUt6fzIwKo4Rw
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► ANNE BORKENT ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/anneborkent
► SATS SOLANKI ON INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/satssolanki
Six Things I’ve Changed About The Way I Preach
The last couple of years have been an interesting time for us all. Many churches closed in-person gatherings and just as many leaders had to learn the awkward art of preaching to the cold face of a machine.
(YouTubers, we’re learning from you!)
There was much to learn all round but for me the most valuable lesson was found in the opportunity to take some time and space to truly reflect.
In that time, I made some substantial yet subtle changes to the way I communicate as a preacher.
Here are six things I’ve changed about the way I preach.
1. Choosing the right topic (even if it sounds boring)
I’ve spent less time thinking about how to attract interest (although that’s still helpful to do) and more time thinking about what people specifically need in the season.
E.g. I preached on living a quiet life recently (lol who wants that…and yet it turns out everyone does deep down).
2. Letting the word speak for itself
I’ve felt less need to dart about to pull intricate (and sometimes disjointed) thoughts together. Instead I’ve let the actual scripture speak more from the context it was written – often in greater chunks.
3. Resisting the urge to add more
One of a preacher’s greatest fears is running out of things to say but this has literally never happened and never will happen lol.
We must be content knowing that each preach accomplishes something specific. We don’t have to nail everything in a single 30 minute slot. Go deep and narrow instead of wide and shallow.
4. Adding more ministry and less wow
How awesome I feel is rarely an indicator of how God is touching a human heart. More space to breathe and let the Holy spirit minister is worth a thousand of my wonderful quips (although they are very wonderful).
5. Searching for obedience instead of response
Being obedient to delivering the word God has for the people is what matters. How people respond doesn’t.
Focus on faith over affirmation. Online was an amazing reset in that there is zero response. And let’s face it we were all getting tired of the chat.
6. Feeling ok about what the Bible actually says
Much of God’s word is deeply contrary to the culture we live in today. It’s challenging and in its very nature deeply offensive to many.
Let’s preach it anyways.
We’ve done recent series on big topics like hell, judgment and even sex. We need more than just grace messages and Christian success culture.
Interested in developing and discovering your voice as a preacher or communicator? Find out more about preaching workshops here.
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