In this edition of ReachRight Mailbag, we’re diving into another batch of your most thought-provoking questions.
From livestream ethics and sermon podcasts to multicultural ministry and Google Ads, today’s episode covers a little bit of everything. Whether you’re a pastor, a church leader, or just someone passionate about how ministry works in a digital world, we’ve got something for you.
Let’s jump into it.
Table of contents
- Is Church Livestreaming Really a Bad Idea?
- Should Pastors Turn Their Sermons Into Podcasts?
- Does Using AI for Sermons Hurt Spiritual Growth?
- Why Pastor at a Big Church if You Love Small Churches?
- How Can Churches Become More Multicultural?
- Should We Still Have a Giving Moment in Service?
- How Is Google Ad Grant Management Different for Churches vs. Nonprofits?
- Can You Run Google Ads Without Religious Keywords?
- Wrapping It Up
- More Resources for Churches
Is Church Livestreaming Really a Bad Idea?
Let’s start with a big one. Church livestreaming has gotten a lot of pushback lately. Some leaders say it makes church feel like entertainment, or gives people an excuse not to show up in person. But is it really that simple?
For people who work on Sundays or have health issues, online church might be their only option. Instead of seeing livestreams as a lesser form of engagement, maybe we should view them as a bridge. Not a substitute—but a way to stay connected when physical attendance isn’t possible.
And what about cutting worship from livestreams? It might seem like a way to simplify the stream or avoid copyright issues, but it can feel like you’re giving online viewers a half-service. Worship is a key part of the church experience. If you’re going to offer online church, offer the whole thing.
Livestreams aren’t the problem. The issue is when churches stop encouraging community and connection—whether online or in-person. Use livestreaming as a tool, not a replacement.
Should Pastors Turn Their Sermons Into Podcasts?
This one’s easy: Yes—but only if you do it the right way.
Turning your sermon into a podcast is one of the easiest ways to expand your church’s reach. People who missed the service can listen during the week. Those curious about your church can preview what you’re all about. And let’s be honest, some people are way more likely to hit “play” on a podcast than to visit your website or watch a full video.
But here’s the catch: Don’t just upload raw audio and call it a podcast. Add an intro. Clean up the sound. Consider breaking longer sermons into smaller, bite-sized episodes. A little effort goes a long way in making your sermon podcast feel like it was made for podcast listeners.
And if you’ve got the time and energy? Bonus episodes, interviews, or sermon follow-ups can create even more engagement.
Does Using AI for Sermons Hurt Spiritual Growth?
This question’s been coming up a lot lately: If pastors use AI tools to help write sermons, does it take away from time spent in the Word?
It’s a fair concern. Time in Scripture and prayer is irreplaceable for any sermon prep. But that doesn’t mean using AI is automatically bad.
Think of AI like a commentary or a search tool. It can help you gather ideas, check facts, or even structure your notes. But it shouldn’t replace time with the Holy Spirit. Sermon prep is a spiritual process. AI can assist, but it can’t inspire, convict, or speak the Word of God into your heart.
Use tools wisely—but never let them do the work that only the Spirit can.
Why Pastor at a Big Church if You Love Small Churches?
One listener asked a pretty personal question: “If you guys believe in the power of small churches so much, why are you pastoring at a larger one now?”
Great question—and we’re glad you asked.
The truth is, both small and large churches have their strengths. Small churches often feel more like family. Everyone knows your name. There’s deep, relational discipleship. But larger churches have more resources and can reach more people through big programs, missions, and media.
Being part of a large church doesn’t mean you’re against small churches. It just means the calling or opportunity led you there. But the heart remains the same: love people, preach the Gospel, and make disciples—no matter the size of the congregation.
How Can Churches Become More Multicultural?
If your church is currently made up of mostly one ethnicity or culture, transitioning to a multicultural church can feel like a huge challenge. But it’s possible—and so important in a world that’s becoming more diverse every day.
Here are a few practical starting points:
Diversify your leadership. People won’t feel like they belong unless they see themselves represented on stage and behind the scenes.
Celebrate other cultures. Don’t just tolerate differences—honor them. Incorporate various languages, worship styles, or holidays into your church calendar.
Teach on unity. The early church was multicultural. Use Scripture to cast a vision for what it looks like to be one body with many members.
Build relationships. This can’t just be a strategy. It has to start with real friendships across cultures.
It’s hard work, but the Kingdom of God is diverse. Your church should reflect that.
Should We Still Have a Giving Moment in Service?
With online giving becoming the norm, is it still worth having a giving moment during the service?
We think so. Here’s why:
It teaches generosity. Taking a few minutes to explain why we give helps disciple your people.
It provides a rhythm. People are more likely to give consistently if they’re reminded weekly—even if they give online later.
It builds culture. When you tie giving to stories of life change, missions, or ministry impact, it shows people that their generosity matters.
Also, a lot of churches use that same moment to collect connect cards or prayer requests. That’s still valuable. Just be sure to make it about participation, not pressure.
How Is Google Ad Grant Management Different for Churches vs. Nonprofits?
Managing the Google Ad Grant for a church is similar to managing it for a nonprofit—but with some unique challenges.
Churches qualify as nonprofits, but they have to follow Google’s specific guidelines to stay compliant. That includes:
Only using text-based search ads (no display or YouTube)
Maintaining a 5% click-through rate (CTR)
Creating relevant ad groups and landing pages
One big difference is in messaging. Churches need to be careful with how they talk about religious content. Google has policies against proselytizing language, so your ads should focus more on service-based language—like “Join us this Sunday” or “Find hope today”—instead of phrases like “salvation” or “repentance.”
In short: Yes, churches can totally use the grant—but it takes skill to use it well.
Can You Run Google Ads Without Religious Keywords?
This is another good one. Google does restrict religious keywords in ads—especially if they’re seen as trying to convert people. So how do you run a Google Ads campaign without using words like “Jesus,” “salvation,” or “Christianity”?
You focus on felt needs. Think about what people are Googling when they’re searching for hope, answers, or community:
“How to deal with anxiety”
“Family support groups near me”
“Churches with kids programs”
“Support after divorce”
You meet people where they are, with language that speaks to their needs. Then your landing pages can introduce them to the Gospel—just not in the ad copy itself.
Wrapping It Up
This episode of ReachRight Mailbag covered a wide range of questions—but the thread running through all of them is this: Ministry is evolving, but the mission stays the same.
Whether you’re livestreaming services, launching podcasts, managing ad campaigns, or navigating cultural shifts in your congregation, the goal is still to love people well and lead them to Jesus.
As always, thank you for your questions. If you’ve got one you want featured in a future Mailbag episode, drop it in the YouTube comments, email us, or hit us up on social.
Until next time—stay encouraged, stay creative, and stay focused on the mission.
More Resources for Churches
