Justin Dean: How Churches Can Lead with AI, Marketing & Innovation | Church3.0

Justin Dean: How Churches Can Lead with AI, Marketing & Innovation | Church3.0

What does it take for the Church to lead culture again instead of following it? Justin Dean joins Church3.0 to unpack the future of church leadership, AI, digital ministry, and innovation in a rapidly changing world. Justin Dean is a marketing strategist, entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and former communications leader at Mars Hill Church and Tithe.ly [http://Tithe.ly]. In this conversation, Justin Dean shares lessons from scaling large ministries, navigating church growth, leveraging AI, and helping churches think differently about technology, discipleship, and community. As AI reshapes search, content creation, and digital engagement, Justin Dean challenges churches to move from being consumers of culture to creators of culture—and to lead the conversation around technology with wisdom, creativity, and mission. What You’ll Learn 🚀 Justin Dean's leadership journey from corporate marketing into church ministry 🤖 AI for churches: How artificial intelligence is changing ministry strategy 📈 Church growth systems: Why scale exposes culture, leadership, and process gaps 🎯 Church marketing strategies: Moving beyond content distribution toward connection 🏛️ Mars Hill lessons: Insights on leadership, growth, and organizational complexity 🌐 Digital ministry innovation: How churches can lead instead of lag behind technology 🤝 Hospitality and discipleship: Why community remains the Church's greatest opportunity 🔗 Learn more about Apollos: https://apollos.com/church-growth [https://apollos.com/church-growth] 🔗 Connect with Justin Dean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjdean/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjdean/] Subscribe for more church leadership insights, digital ministry strategies, and faith + technology conversations. #JustinDean #ChurchLeadership #DigitalMinistry #FaithAndTechnology #ArtificialIntelligence #ChurchInnovation #ChurchGrowth #ChristianLeadership #ApollosPodcast #Church3Point0 #ChurchCommunications #Discipleship

Lauren Bercarich: Building a Digital Ministry Team for Massive Engagement | Church3.0

How do you transition from a broadcast news career to leading one of the most innovative digital church departments in the country? In this episode, Lauren Bercarich shares her journey of building a unified digital team at Liquid Church and the strategic shifts required to prioritize digital ministry in a post-pandemic world. Lauren Bercarich discusses the vital importance of breaking down organizational silos and why "leading up" to senior leadership is the key to unlocking digital growth. You’ll learn how Liquid Church integrated their app, website, and pastoral care to create a seamless hybrid experience that has facilitated over 1.7 million prayers. What You’ll Learn: 📈 Organizational Strategy: How Lauren Bercarich restructured IT and communications to create a unified digital products team. 🤝 Leadership Alignment: The secret to "leading up" and building trust with senior leaders like Tim Lucas. 📱 Digital Engagement: Why Liquid Church prioritizes digital prayer and scripture engagement over mere viewership metrics. ⛪ Hybrid Assimilation: How to build a "Digital Front Door" that leads to physical church community and leadership pipelines. ⚖️ Work-Life Integration: Honest insights on balancing high-level ministry leadership with the calling of being a parent. 🔗 Learn more about Apollos: https://apollos.com/church-growth 🔗 Connect with Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenbercarich/ Subscribe for more church leadership insights, digital ministry strategies, and faith + technology conversations.

Nils Smith: Rethink Innovation, First Principles, and the Future of Church Apps | Church3.0

In this episode, digital ministry Nils Smith joins us to discuss the fine line between healthy innovation and stagnant tradition. As the VP of Marketing for Faith Driven Entrepreneur, Nils shares why "we've always done it this way" is the most dangerous phrase in leadership and how to reclaim your organization's "why." Together, we explore how faith-driven innovation can help the Church stay effective, relevant, and mission-focused in a world shaped by platforms, algorithms, and AI. What You’ll Learn: 📉 Why churches lose innovation when they say “we’ve always done it this way” (Nils Smith insight) 🧠 How Nils Smith applies “first principles thinking” to church leadership 📱 Why Nils Smith says not every church should build an app 🌐 The difference between rented vs owned digital platforms in ministry 🔁 Why returning to the “good old days” can limit church growth 📊 How data and user-generated content transform discipleship strategy 🚀 Why Faith Driven Entrepreneur is mobilizing a global movement of entrepreneurs 🔗 Learn more about Apollos: https://apollos.com/church-growth 🔗 Connect with Nils Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilssmith/ Subscribe for more church leadership insights, digital ministry strategies, and faith + technology conversations. #NilsSmith #FaithDrivenEntrepreneur #Church3Point0 #ApollosPodcast #DigitalMinistry #ChurchLeadership #FaithAndTechnology #Innovation #ChurchGrowth #RedemptiveLeadership #KingdomBusiness #FirstPrinciples

Conrad VanLandingham: Building the Future of Church Tech in the Age of AI | Church3.0

How should churches think about AI, digital ministry, and human connection in 2026? In this Inside Track episode of Church3.0, Tyler sits down with Conrad VanLandingham, Chief Product Officer at Apollos, to explore how AI is transforming church technology, product design, and spiritual engagement. Conrad VanLandingham shares how Apollos is reimagining digital ministry tools for the future of the Church — from AI-powered software development to creating meaningful community experiences that help people move from spiritual curiosity to spiritual habits. Whether you lead a church, build technology, or care about the future of faith and innovation, this conversation offers practical insights into how thoughtful product strategy can deepen human connection. Churches today face a growing challenge: how do you create authentic community in an increasingly disconnected world? Conrad VanLandingham explains why Apollos focuses less on “widgets” and more on outcomes — helping people pray together, become known, and build life-changing community through digital experiences designed with intention. What You’ll Learn 🚀 Conrad VanLandingham on AI and church technology — how AI is accelerating product development in ministry 🧠 Product taste and decision-making — why asking “why?” matters more than ever in AI-driven software 📱 Digital ministry strategy at Apollos — designing church apps for spiritual growth and connection 🙏 Prayer and community engagement — how churches are using Apollos to deepen relationships 🔥 Faith and technology innovation — the future of church software in 2026 👥 How churches help people move from zero to one spiritually through intentional design 🌎 Church leadership and community building in Dallas, Texas, Oklahoma, and beyond 🔗 Learn more about Apollos: https://apollos.com/church-growth [https://apollos.com/church-growth]  🔗 Connect with Conrad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradvanl/ Subscribe for more church leadership insights, digital ministry strategies, and faith + technology conversations. #ConradVanLandingham #ApollosPodcast #Church3Point0 #FaithAndTechnology #DigitalMinistry #ChurchLeadership #AIInMinistry #ChurchInnovation #PrayerEngagement #ChristianLeadership #ChurchTech #Apollos

Dr. Kregg Hood: Cultivating a Culture of Generosity Through Discipleship | Church3.0

Is your church’s approach to giving built on a budget or a biblical vision for growth? In this episode, Dr. Kregg Hood joins Tyler to explore the profound connection between spiritual formation and a generous heart. Drawing from decades of leadership in the nonprofit and ministry sectors—including his work with over 4,200 churches and Convoy of Hope—Dr. Hood shares how pastors can move beyond the "chore" of the offering and into a life-giving discipleship journey. Learn how focusing on the spiritual health of the giver inevitably leads to a more vibrant, generous, and mission-focused congregation. What You’ll Learn: ✨ The Generosity Unlock: Why Dr. Kregg Hood views giving as a primary tool for spiritual formation and intimacy with God. 🌱 Discipleship-First Leadership: How to shift your church culture from financial obligation to joyful invitation. 🏛️ Tithing as a Foundation: Moving past legalism to see the tithe as a "floor" for a lifelong journey of faith. 🛡️ Authentic Stewardship: The power of a pastor’s personal testimony in modeling a generous life. 📱 Modern Tools for Ancient Habits: Leveraging digital innovation to support consistent spiritual disciplines. 🤝 Kingdom Impact: How heart-level transformation results in a sustainable increase in ministry resources. 🔗 Learn more about Apollos: https://apollos.com/church-growth [https://apollos.com/church-growth]  🔗 Connect with Dr. Kregg Hood: https://www.takegodathisword.com