SVP Production & Biz Dev at Enhance Games, host of @84play. Former 8-4, 1UP, EGM. For talk about Japan, games, and Japanese games, come: follow Gaming Jesus.
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Articles by Mark MacDonald
Why no one’s listening to your church (4 steps to fix it)
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT You're leading. You're preaching. You're promoting. But still…it feels like no one's really listening. That's not just frustrating; it's exhausting. As a pastor, you're called to communicate the life-changing message of Jesus. So why does it feel like your church isn't cutting through the noise? Here's the truth: People are overwhelmed by content. Everyone's shouting. But the voices that get heard are the ones that understand their audience.
Start at the beginning: 3 steps to create a strong church brand
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Julie Andrews sang it well in The Sound of Music: "Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." When it comes to church communication, that's exactly what we need to do. Before you design another flyer, post on social media, or update your website, you need a solid foundation. That foundation is your thread—the unique idea that connects your church's vision to the needs of your community. Without it, your communication feels scattered and confusing.
Do not conform: the call to faithful leadership
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT One verse that consistently challenges me is Romans 12:2: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…" The call of Jesus has always been counter-cultural. From the moment we choose to follow Him, we step into a new kingdom with a new identity. That decision may be personal, but it is never private and it is rarely easy.
Who are you as a church? Discover your core values and thread
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Excuse me, but who are you? Few questions strike deeper than this one: "Who are you?" It can feel affirming when someone genuinely wants to know. But if you've met before and they've forgotten—or if they ask with a tone of doubt—it can sting. The same question applies to your church. Do people in your community know who you are? Do your members? Or have your values and message become so unclear that even those closest to you struggle to describe your identity?
5 ways to get your church emails opened and read
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Almost everyone checks email—the younger you are, and the older you are, the less you'll rely on it. The challenge? People don't want long emails, and they definitely don't want anything that looks like spam. If you want your church emails to be opened, read, and even anticipated, keep them short and helpful. Here are 5 ways to get your church emails opened and read. #1 Improve your list (and segment it).
Change: when it helps and when it hurts your church
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT At the close of every season, wise leaders pause to reflect. They celebrate what's been accomplished, identify what worked well, and take an honest look at what didn't. That's when the crucial question comes: What needs to change in order to see better results? Is your church growing—or has it plateaued? Are you making progress, or simply making excuses? Are you truly ready for change? The right kind of change Change can be a powerful tool for growth.
How to train church greeters to truly welcome visitors
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Every week families arrive at church. They walk through the main doors and head down familiar paths toward "their" seat. I've noticed this even when I do church mystery visits. No matter the service time, I feel compelled to sit in the same place. We love routine—and so do your regular attenders, staff, and even greeters. But for a visitor, that routine doesn't exist. They step into an unfamiliar world, unsure where to go or how things work. That's why greeters matter.
Who is my audience?
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT When a legal expert asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" it followed the command to "love your neighbor as yourself." Instead of giving a direct answer, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan. In essence, His response was: "A neighbor is the one who shows mercy." In a similar way, church leaders often ask, "Who is my audience?" It's essentially the same question, with a modern twist.
Yikes, people are listening differently (3 ways)
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I remember years ago, on a summer vacation, my parents stopped near a lake to take a break from driving and to allow our family to stretch our legs. My brother was probably picking on me, so I'm sure my parents were the ones who needed the break from us! My dad suggested that we go fishing. He pulled a couple of rods from the trunk, and then we dug for worms. After several minutes of looking, we gave up finding good bait.
Church SEO: branding terms defined
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Everyone likes to be found: that's why church SEO is important. Especially being found on Google (or Yahoo, etc.)—it's cheap and where most people look to find websites. The average seeker doesn't go past the second page of search results. So, it's imperative to get high on the organic (non-paid) results. Or the alternative is to pay for the placement at the top or to the right. And that can get expensive. This is called Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Sound scary?
Church rebranding: 3 things to know (warning)
Test Link ArticlesDevotionsVideoseBooksSubscribeChurch SuppliersBook Reviews Home eBooks Devotions Podcasts Articles Church Suppliers Videos Our Writers Topics Servant LeadershipLeadership Development & DiscipleshipConflict & CriticismVision & CultureBook ReviewsMore Topics My Account Profile Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Church rebranding, it's all the rage. And it's a great trend.
Sorry, your church doesn’t have a brand
Adobe Everyone is known for something once they've had interactions with a community. Who you "are" in their minds is an inadvertent brand. Your perception becomes their reality. Churches today have a perception that isn't so glowing in the unchurched community. If you don't create something that counteracts that perception, you'll be painted with this inadvertent brand.
Communicating to a new member (5 essential tips)
Adobe It's important to establish a rhythm in communicating to a new member. As visitors attend your church in person or online, communicate the gospel so they understand their need of salvation through Christ. Also, the church should communicate why joining a fellowship of believers is critical. A believer must have the ability to connect with others to have teaching, accountability, baptism, communion, and interaction.
Need to express a new church brand? Do these 10 steps in order
When a church completes a branding or rebranding process, applying a brand consistently across all critical areas ensures it resonates with the congregation and then the community. It's just great stewardship! Here's a list of 10 areas you need to address: #1 Overall church content and tone Messaging: Ensure all written and spoken communication (each sermon!) reflects the new brand voice, thread, and tone. Your new brand voice is DNA-level, therefore incorporate it so it feels natural.
4 tips for growing your church with digital marketing
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Digital Marketing can grow your church this year. Remember when we relied on the Yellow Pages for bring people in? People looking for a church would often go to the "Church" section and decide where they would go for a house of worship. Display ads would catch the eye over regular listings. And the bigger you could afford the more you believed it would get people to attend. A simpler time, right? Well, digital marketing is the new Yellow Pages.
When preaching solutions, do these two things first
Test Link ArticlesDevotionsVideoseBooksPodcastsChurch SuppliersBook Reviews Home eBooks Devotions Podcasts Articles Church Suppliers Videos Our Writers Topics Servant LeadershipLeadership Development & DiscipleshipConflict & CriticismVision & CultureBook ReviewsMore Topics My Account Profile Pastors have a unique, God-given responsibility: faithfully proclaim God's Word. But with that, it's helping people see its relevance in their lives.
5 church communication resolutions
This time fo year is an excellent time for personal and ministry renewal, initiating ideas, and stopping things that haven't been successful. Take this time to dream about church communication resolutions! Church communication is anything that your audience needs to hear, or be reminded of, from your local church ministries. And that's a lot! So, set some goals. Church communication is a complex, multi-layered, and never-ending process.
4 required church website images
In today's digital landscape, a local church understands they need a web presence. Whether that's a social media page or a complete church website, we know people seek information and assistance online. The church certainly should be present with gospel-focused content. However, there are certain requirements for your web presence. In fact, Google will rank a church website higher if you have images and videos.
Blog Archive | Biblical Leadership
Test Link ArticlesDevotionsVideoseBooksPodcastsChurch SuppliersBook Reviews Home eBooks Devotions Podcasts Articles Church Suppliers Videos Our Writers Topics Servant LeadershipLeadership Development & DiscipleshipConflict & CriticismVision & CultureBook ReviewsMore Topics My Account Profile Most leaders think about building a business—far fewer think about leaving one. But the future of your legacy depends on how well you prepare for the exit long before it arrives.
Money and baptism: A post-Easter reflection
Adults preparing for baptism in the early Church were taught to practice three primary disciplines: prayer, fasting and the giving of alms in care of the poor. The time before the Easter celebration was dedicated to daily prayer and instruction, usually by the bishop. The gospels were at the heart of this time. Later, when fewer people were baptized as adults, these practices were remembered as people prepared to experience Easter resurrection.
The force of truth
In the past few weeks, many have expressed concern about the Uyghurs of China, appropriately describing the Chinese government’s actions as genocide. Although I feel too little attention has been paid to this horrendous crime, it has eclipsed—along with truckers, Ukraine, and the latest celebrity shenanigans—the 54 potential grave sites found on Keeseekoose First Nation.
"How I got my sister pregnant with the blessing of her husband, the pastor" Original
PORTLAND, Ore., March 14, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- When a family secret comes to light, lives are changed forever in this honest, beautiful, and sometimes painful memoir. Mark MacDonald and Rachel Elliott are two full siblings who never knew about the other until adulthood, as Mark was given up for adoption at birth.
Mercy - Anglican Journal
This is written as we are learning of the discovery of 93 potential burial sites associated with the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School that operated at Williams Lake First Nation, B.C., from 1886 to 1981. Many of us feel a grief painfully amplified by the gradual but noticeable disappearance of residential school grave discoveries from public consideration and conversation.
The fulfillment of the Sacred Circle
By the time you read this, the foundational documents of Sacred Circle will have been released and circulated. There are two: The Covenant, which corresponds to a constitution in the governance of Euro-Canadians, and Our Way of Life, which corresponds to a set of canons or bylaws in the governance of Euro-Canadians. They are the product of centuries of Indigenous philosophy and tradition, as well as a gathering process that has been building since 1988.
Choosing life over consumption in a time of crisis – Anglican Journal
Multitudes [upon] multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14) Whatever the original context of Joel’s prophecy, our time fits these words like no other. If they aren’t about the time you and I live in, this era will certainly be in first place until the real time comes. We are in a time of global decision-making that, in terms of its height, depth, and breadth, is like no other.
Choosing life over consumption in a time of crisis
Multitudes [upon] multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14) Whatever the original context of Joel’s prophecy, our time fits these words like no other. If they aren’t about the time you and I live in, this era will certainly be in first place until the real time comes. We are in a time of global decision-making that, in terms of its height, depth, and breadth, is like no other.
The birth pains of a new world – Anglican Journal
“How are you doing in these strange times?” I hear it often. The word “strange” suggests we are in a time that is out of ordinary and hard to interpret. I would suggest, however, that this is a time that reveals something we have forgotten. Jesus described this age, between his first and second advent, as a time of labour pains (Mark 13:8).
To find life on a day like this – Anglican Journal
For many years, I have been troubled by the inability of non-Indigenous people and institutions to receive and grasp the full reality of the pain and challenges of Indigenous life in this land. Statistics and stories are acknowledged with sympathy, but the realization of what this might mean seems completely elusive. People say they know, but things stay the same. Some non-Indigenous people seem to feel that this is the result of Indigenous shortcomings.
The rule and power of Jesus – Anglican Journal
When the early followers of Jesus proclaimed he was ruler of all things (“Jesus is Lord!”) they pointed towards an understanding of authority and power which seems far from the world we live in today—so far that some wonder if describing Jesus as the sovereign above all else is a contradiction of the character of his life and teaching.
Facing what is before us today – Anglican Journal
“I am sending you as sheep among wolves.”—Matthew 10:16 There are many things that can be said about the involvement of the colonial churches in the residential schools. Most clearly, that involvement was not as sheep among wolves. It is that abandonment of the Jesus way that has caused so much trouble over the years and, in this matter, has brought so much death and pain. So much has resulted from that abandonment. So much must be done to heal its wound.
Ordained for the whole church – Anglican Journal
Image: Annalisa Jones If one does justice to the poor and destitute, then it is good; is this not knowing me?—the Word of the Lord. (Jeremiah 22:16) Since we have lost nine of our elder clergy in the past year, most to COVID-19, we are in a crisis. Before the pandemic, on a good day, we were stretched thin in providing pastoral care to Indigenous communities with the highest rates of poverty, difficult living conditions, and overall stress, whether in urban or reserve settings across Canada.
Why do they talk about Jesus so much? – Anglican Journal
"Yes, the elders do seem to have a more basic faith orientation, but I have learned that, compared to the average non-Indigenous person, it is far from simple." Photo: Mashabr A wise and sensitive co-worker once approached me with a troubled look. She wondered why Indigenous elders who were so wise, tolerant and compassionate talked about Jesus so much, used his name so often.
Withered—and filled with power – Anglican Journal
Photo: Apiwut Sookkasame “For in his power are the hidden mysteries of earth.” This translation by Rabbi Hillel Danziger of the first part of Verse 4 of Psalm 95 reveals a rabbinic insight about the presence of God’s energies and power in Creation. This insight has many echoes in teachings I have heard from Indigenous elders. It is teaching that is a beautiful departure from the spirit-deprived, mechanical worldview that is common among many across the global culture today.
Identity and idolatry – Anglican Journal
Image: RysaVector/Shutterstock The apostle Paul says that “enemies of blood and flesh” (Ephesians 6:12) are not our greatest challenge in life. In other words, any struggles with Creation or humanity, as they simply exist in themselves, are not the critical factor of life. Paul identifies our encounters with “rulers,” “authorities,” and “cosmic powers” (sometimes translated as “principalities and powers”) as our most crucial and consequential opponents.
Knowing God in four directions – Anglican Journal
Image: Anttoniart/ Shutterstock Four-directional thinking is quite widespread among Indigenous elders. There are many ways of identifying this pattern of thought and life across the Land. The term “four-directional thinking” is not always used. This is, however, something that you can recognize in elders, even though they might use quite different words to describe it.
May God’s name be holy – Anglican Journal
“God’s Name is hallowed in many ways. The Lord’s Prayer is the school of this essential practice.” Image: Lane V. Erickson The first request of the Lord’s Prayer, directed towards God, also points towards your heart and our communal experience and practice of Christian faith. As we say, “Hallowed be thy Name,” we are not asking that God would add holiness to the Divine Name. We ask that the Name may be revealed, received and revered by all creation, specifically and most importantly by human beings.
Artifacts of the future – Anglican Journal
"Look for the artifacts of the future among the poor, those in prison, those on the streets and those on their sick bed." Photo: Adam Jan Figel There are many things that make the Four Corners area of the southwestern United States a wonderful place. Among the most powerful is the constant presence of artifacts from the past: human-made, physical remnants of the Anasazi peoples who lived there long ago.
Looking around - Anglican Journal
“Let us shape our fellowship and the various structures of our communal life for a people who are called to be the dawning of God’s new World.” Photo: Creative Travel I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. —John 4:35 Jesus saidthese words in the context of his encounter with a Samaritan woman. To his followers this was shocking.
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