Why I Started A Podcast Instead Of A Church
For the last few years, I’ve wrestled with the idea of going to Tampa, Florida, and starting a church. Long story short, an idea came to me and kept coming to me. I was enthralled with the premise of becoming a pastor in Tampa and launching a new kind of church—one that was completely different in how it delivered ministry and reached the lost.
But in November 2024, I went back to Tampa, and I was shocked to hear the voice of God tell me:
“I never called you to plant a church”
To my surprise, I was relieved to hear this news. I asked the Lord to speak to the part of my being that sensed and yearned for something new and meaningful to start. A few days later, He gave me the idea for a Christian podcast called Common Christianity.
The Problem: The Church’s Public Relations Crisis
I recently learned that:
✅ Marketing is about awareness
✅ Public Relations (PR) is about perception and reputation
My heart is to see the church’s reputation restored. Marketing can help, but public relations is the foundation for real change. I want to make Christianity approachable—not just drive strategic awareness.
I want people to know Jesus as I know Him and to trust the church the way I do.
But here’s the challenge:
📢 Marketing is like a neon sign that says, “What you want/need is here.”
⚠️ The problem? The church’s reputation today is that of being judgmental, divisive, corrupt, and manipulative.
Sure, no one is perfect. But the church is supposed to be an outpost of Heaven—inviting people to early citizenship in God’s Kingdom. How we love, serve, and interact with the world is supposed to be Heaven’s marketing and PR strategy.
And right now? Our witness is failing.
Churches Should Be Like Relocation Ads for Heaven
Think of those ads that say:
➡️ “Come visit! Live, laugh, and play at (insert city name)!”
Churches should be like that—but for Heaven, the presence of God, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Instead, people don’t see safe communities where they can grow in spiritual maturity. They see institutions that hold them accountable with a heavy hand, prioritizing homogeneity over hospitality.
Not all churches are like this, but too many are failing at the basics. Too many pastors fall morally, and too many leaders misinterpret persecution as proof that they are on the right track.
Why Are People Leaving Protestant Churches?
Right now, in America, men are returning to traditional Christian denominations in droves—particularly Orthodox and Catholic churches.
Meanwhile, Protestant churches are struggling for air and relevance.
Instead of relying on rich theological traditions, many evangelical churches consolidate influence around celebrity pastors who write books and shape culture more than their denominations do.
The real crisis?
⚠️ A Public Relations Crisis
⚠️ A Reputation Problem
⚠️ A Lack of Unity
No matter who is in the White House, disunity is the church’s biggest issue.
❌ Competition over cooperation will choke us out.
❌ Bad theology and toxic leadership will continue to drive people away.
Jesus said, “The gates of Hell will not prevail against the Church.”
But that doesn’t mean church decline is impossible—it just means that it’s self-inflicted rather than externally caused.
Because the Spirit of God lives in us, we have the power to stop this downward spiral.
The Church Needs Reconciliation, Not Just Revival
🔥 Revival will not save us.
🙏 Repentance is only the first step.
🤝 Reconciliation is the real solution.
Church splits should be a thing of the past—unless heresy is involved.
Reconciliation requires common ground—which is why I started Common Christianity.
Why I Chose a Podcast Over a Pulpit
The goal of my podcast is simple:
🎙 Start with the basics of Christianity
🎙 Interview Christian leaders and everyday believers
🎙 Show what normal, moderate Christianity looks like
Being in the middle isn’t moral compromise. It’s the pursuit of truth that leads to interdenominational unity—exactly what Christ wanted.
It’s not about ending traditions or stopping innovation. It’s about putting Christ at the center of Christianity again.
Too many people say:
➡️ “I’m a Baptist.”
➡️ “I’m a Presbyterian.”
➡️ “I’m a Catholic.”
But what if we said:
✨ “I’m a Christian first.”
This isn’t about culture wars or power struggles.
God doesn’t need us to approve of Him—He is secure in His own identity.
He wants us to set aside petty disagreements and focus on what truly matters:
✅ Unity in Christ
✅ Love for one another
✅ Genuine community
For too long, churches have told other believers, “You’re not welcome here.”
No wonder the world sees us as unwelcoming.
The Future of Christianity Is in Relationships, Not Institutions
I started a podcast instead of a church because I wanted to:
🎙 Start a meaningful conversation
🎙 Bring people together instead of pushing them apart
🎙 Create a safe space for faith discussions
The church I envisioned in Tampa felt like a bureaucratic nightmare. I realized I didn’t want to be just another pastor claiming to do church “the right way.”
Instead, I wanted to create a digital space where:
✅ People can see Christians in action
✅ People can hear honest conversations
✅ People can wrestle with faith without pressure
In today’s culture, people need to see authentic Christianity—not just from a pulpit, but through everyday discussions.
Final Thoughts: How We Can Change the Narrative
I want to leave you with two thoughts and a challenge:
1️⃣ Which is a better way to disagree?
❌ “That’s stupid, heretical, bigoted, liberal, conservative, un-Christian, dumb.”
✅ “I’ve never thought about it that way. That’s different from my perspective.”
2️⃣ How would you want to be received?
Receive others that way.
The society that asks the most questions and navigates controversy together will find more answers and a deeper love for Christ.
🙌 If this resonates with you, listen to my podcast!
🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube
📩 Let me know what you think—agree or disagree, we’ll still be friends.
