Episode 4

Written By Leslie Smith

Do you ever wish you could just peek inside someone’s digital ministry toolbox and get the honest lowdown on what actually works (and what’s just hype)? Today, I’m opening up my own nerdy church toolbox for you—no gatekeeping, no jargon, just the real tools that save me (and my sanity) week after week.

Whether you’re a solo pastor, a part-time staffer, or a volunteer who just inherited twelve logins and a Dropbox labeled “DO NOT DELETE,” this episode is for you.

Episode Summary:

  • Why tools matter (and how I learned the hard way)

  • How Canva turned me from a design snob to a full-on fan

  • The honest scoop on Flodesk, Mailchimp, Squarespace, Metricool, Meta Business Suite, ChatGPT, Gemini, OpusClip—and even a little Adobe Suite love for the extra nerdy among us

  • How to pick what actually fits your church, your people, and your brain

  • My favorite pro tips for making digital ministry easier (and a whole lot more fun)

Tools I Mention:

  • Canva: Design for non-designers (and design snobs alike). Easy, beautiful, and collaborative. Try Canva

  • Flodesk vs. Mailchimp: Email platforms compared—one’s all about pretty, one’s all about power. Flodesk | Mailchimp

  • Squarespace: Websites you can actually manage yourself (no more waiting for the web guy). See Squarespace

  • Metricool & Meta Business Suite: Social scheduling, analytics, and time-saving magic. Metricool | Meta Business Suite

  • ChatGPT & Gemini: AI brainstorming, writing, and workflow support that anyone can use. ChatGPT | Gemini

  • OpusClip: Turn sermons or any church video into short, shareable clips (with captions!) in minutes. OpusClip

  • Adobe Suite: For the techy among us—sometimes you still need the heavy-duty tools. Adobe

  • AI for Digital Ministry Quickstart Guide: Free download here!

Try It With Me: Mini-Challenge:

What’s the one digital ministry headache you’re ready to tackle?

Pick just one tool from the episode and try Leslie’s “next right step”—maybe signing up for a free trial, inviting a teammate into Canva, or finally scheduling that social post in advance.

Little changes add up!

Tag me @studiokons with your tool wins (or fails—I love a good story!) and let’s cheer each other on.

The Skills Lab

Ready for real, hands-on support? The Skills Lab is open—but spots really are limited!

I work 1:1 or with your team on your actual projects. No more YouTube rabbit holes or tech headaches—just practical, friendly, and fun guidance every step of the way.

Curious or want to save your spot?

DM me on Instagram @studiokons or email me at Leslie@studiokons.com.

(Spots will fill up fast—seriously. Blame the toddler!)

More Good Stuff

Leslie Smith
Previous

Episode 5
Next

Episode 3