The Think Media Podcast: Episode 372 Summary
Title: How to Start and Grow a Christian YouTube Channel 2025 (Ethically)
Host: Sean Cannell, Think Media
Guest: Ruslan from Ruslan KD and Bless God Studios
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Introduction
In episode 372 of The Think Media Podcast, host Sean Cannell delves into the burgeoning world of Christian content creation on YouTube. Recognizing both the immense opportunities and hidden challenges, Cannell engages in a comprehensive discussion with Ruslan, a seasoned Christian content creator with nearly one million subscribers across various channels.
Opportunity for Christian Content Creators
Ruslan highlights the expanding niche of Christian content on YouTube, emphasizing its growth amidst societal shifts. He cites the rise of creators like his peer Nate La Sala, whose channel surged from 12,000 to over 100,000 subscribers within a year and a half (02:31). Ruslan underscores that as societal trends move towards seeking spiritual grounding, more individuals turn to online platforms for insights on God and Christianity.
Notable Quote:
"There's a massive opportunity right now for Christian content creators to share their message and expand God's kingdom." — Sean Cannell (00:00)
Shifts in Christian Conversations
Ruslan observes a significant shift in the American conversation about God, attributing it to the decline of the "new atheism" movement. He contends that increased secularization has led to societal challenges, prompting many to rediscover faith through online content before engaging with traditional religious institutions (03:55).
Notable Quote:
"Removing God from society has not made anything better. If anything, it's made things worse." — Ruslan (03:55)
Paths for New Christian Creators
Cannell and Ruslan explore various avenues for aspiring Christian YouTubers. Ruslan advises creators to assess their unique stories or expertise and consider their resources, such as time and money, to manage content production effectively (10:48). He presents a spectrum ranging from personal Bible studies to broader topics like Christian politics and apologetics.
Notable Quote:
"You have to start with some degree of self-awareness and say, do I have an interesting story that is mesmerizing and insane that other people want to tell?" — Ruslan (10:48)
Defining a Christian Content Creator
Ruslan defines a Christian content creator as someone who is unapologetic about their faith, leading with it in their content. He contrasts this with creators like Patrick Bet-David who, while Christians, do not foreground their faith as the basis of their content (14:38).
Notable Quote:
"A Christian content creator is someone that's going to be unapologetic about being a Christian." — Ruslan (14:38)
Critique & Challenges in the Christian Niche
The conversation addresses the harmony and tensions within the Christian creator community. Ruslan emphasizes theological charity and the importance of inter-denominational dialogue to mitigate conflicts. He contrasts the relatively cooperative spirit among content creators with the more contentious environment in Christian music and hip-hop sectors (18:47).
Notable Quote:
"I see my fellow Christian content creators as opportunities for collaboration, not competition." — Ruslan (18:47)
Managing Comments & Pushback
Ruslan discusses the inevitability of negative comments on YouTube and advises setting healthy boundaries. He shares strategies to handle pushback, emphasizing resilience and focusing on core audience feedback while ignoring trolls (21:25).
Notable Quote:
"Comments are going to drift against whatever the video is about. If you're okay with that, then you have to figure out your relationship with them." — Ruslan (21:25)
Clickbait vs. Positive Marketing
Addressing concerns about clickbait, Ruslan differentiates between misleading titles and effective media packaging. He argues that intriguing, honest titles akin to mainstream media strategies are not inherently deceptive if they accurately represent the content (24:20).
Notable Quote:
"Sometimes people confuse clickbait with good packaging and intriguing conversation. That's a bit disingenuous." — Ruslan (24:20)
Christian Content Farms
Cannell brings up the rise of "Christian content farms" — channels that produce大量 low-quality videos by clipping others' content. Ruslan criticizes this approach, advocating for value-added content that fosters long-term audience relationships rather than mere aggregation (29:09).
Notable Quote:
"Becoming a content farm is not how you build a long-term audience or business." — Ruslan (29:09)
Tensions in Christian Content Creation
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Humility vs. Self-Promotion Ruslan clarifies that humility involves serving others without harboring selfish motives. He distinguishes between genuine service and false humility that withholds valuable insights or promotions. He emphasizes that self-promotion driven by a desire to help aligns with Christian values, whereas ego-driven promotion does not (34:14).
Notable Quote:
"Humility is actually serving people. It's not about withholding information for others." — Ruslan (34:14)
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Ministry vs. Business The discussion navigates the balance between viewing content creation as a ministry versus a business. Ruslan cites 2 Corinthians 9 to argue that financial support and running a business can coexist with ministry objectives, provided the focus remains on serving and adding value rather than commodifying the gospel (40:19).
Notable Quote:
"We minister through running a business. It’s no different than providing a service to churches." — Ruslan (40:19)
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Ambition vs. Contentment Balancing ambition with contentment is addressed, where Ruslan posits that healthy ambition, fueled by contentment, aligns with scriptural teachings. He references 1 Thessalonians 4 and First Timothy 5 to illustrate that ambition can be godly when directed towards fulfilling God's purposes and providing for one's family without succumbing to ego (47:04).
Notable Quote:
"Contentment is a great launching pad for godly ambition." — Ruslan (47:04)
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Authenticity vs. Christian Persona Ruslan warns against "toxic authenticity," where oversharing personal struggles can detract from the message and alienate the audience. He advocates for vulnerability without intimacy, maintaining honesty without compromising the portrayal of a healthy Christian life (54:16).
Notable Quote:
"Vulnerable, not intimate. I'm intimate with a handful of people, but I'm vulnerable with my audience." — Ruslan (54:16)
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Fame vs. Obscurity The episode concludes with a discussion on fame, distinguishing between seeking recognition for impactful work versus fame for its own sake. Ruslan emphasizes focusing on effectiveness and value addition, letting fame be a byproduct rather than a primary goal (57:36).
Notable Quote:
"Fame for the sake of being famous is dangerous. Focus on being effective, and fame will follow naturally." — Ruslan (57:36)
Final Thoughts & Call to Action
Ruslan shares his upcoming projects, including a devotional and a three-day summit aimed at equipping believers for ministry and cultural influence. Sean encourages listeners to explore Ruslan's resources and emphasizes the importance of deprogramming from limiting beliefs to fulfill the Great Commission effectively (60:24).
Notable Quote:
"Land the plane for us because I really believe that it's lies and strongholds that actually keep Christians stuck." — Ruslan (60:24)
Conclusion
Episode 372 provides invaluable insights for Christian content creators navigating the complexities of faith-driven online presence. Ruslan’s balanced approach—merging ministry with business acumen, fostering genuine connections, and maintaining humility—serves as a guiding framework for those aspiring to make a meaningful impact through digital platforms.
Connect with Ruslan:
- Occupy Till I Come Devotional: A 60-day study guide linking scripture to daily reflections.
- Leadership Planner & Prayer Journals: Tools for spiritual and personal growth.
- Three-Day Summit: March 27-29 in Carlsbad, California, featuring podcasters, pastors, and performers to inspire and equip attendees.
Follow Sean Cannell: Stay updated with Think Media's latest strategies and resources for growing a successful YouTube channel by visiting thinkmasterclass.com and ytsecrets.com.
“Humility is actually serving people. It's not about withholding information for others.” — Ruslan (34:14)
“Fame for the sake of being famous is dangerous. Focus on being effective, and fame will follow naturally.” — Ruslan (57:36)
This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from The Think Media Podcast Episode 372, providing a comprehensive overview for those interested in starting or growing a Christian YouTube channel ethically.