Your Digital Pastor - Dr. Marcus Cylar

This 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, and being trained as such can only help you do your job better. 2 - Receiving at least some of the same training a pastor receives can help the communicator and pastor get on the same page. On the flip side, offering at least a church communications survey course can help one preparing for pastoral ministry to see things from the eyes of the communicator. Not seeing eye to eye with the senior leader is one of the biggest pain points for church communicators, and seminary churchcomm instruction could help mitigate that.

One 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 emphasis on (1) how seminaries are (and could/should be) using digital media and (2) building a case for church communications education in seminaries everywhere. On this episode of the podcast, I present my top five seminaries killing it digitally in 2019. Here they are: 1: Princeton Theological Seminary - IG: @princetonseminary; Twitter: @ptseminary 2: Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - IG: @southernseminary; Twitter: @SBTS 3: Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary - IG: @midwesternseminary, Twitter: @MBTS 4:

#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

February 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 season of my life and what I need(ed) God to do for me this month. This is the music I’ve been listening to throughout this month; you should hear a theme emerge. If you’re praying with me, I invite you to follow along with me and add the playlist to your library. I pray it blesses you. I also discussed how creating playlists on your music service of choice and be a highly effective content play for your ministry. #YourDigitalPastor “No Choice But Victory” Playlist Spotify: https://cylar.me/2GJ5cGy Apple Music: https://

Something 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

It 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

If 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

On 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

Yes, 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

Many 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

2018 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 Inspiration: One percent better everyday Website: http://yourdigitalpastor.co Portfolio: http://yourdigitalpastor.co/hire #YourDigitalPastor

The 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

This 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

What 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

A 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

Devotion: Isaiah 40:29 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Psalms 18:30 MSG http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: John 7:38 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion20180914: Psalms 73:26 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co

Devotion: Colossians 3:2 NASB http://yourdigitalpastor.co