A church communicator reminds the staff that personal interactions matter
Sometimes in the course of our work as church communicators we forget that we need to repeatedly share what we have learned about communications with the church staff. As with any skill, because we practice it on an ongoing basis, we forget not everyone has the knowledge base we have. If we don’t share why [...]
Multi-channel communication defined and why it is important
Multi-channel communication means making the most of every opportunity you have to communicate the gospel message. Unfortunately this is not something most church communicators want to hear. In this time of ever-changing options for communicating in our churches, it is easy to be overwhelmed and we naturally want to simplify our communication workload. This desire [...]
The Five Steps Strategy #1: Create multi-channel communication
In this time of ever-changing options for communicating in our churches, it is easy to be overwhelmed and we naturally want to simplify our communication workload. This is expressed by the question I get frequently in my seminars and through email when people ask me, “What is the best way to communicate with people today? [...]
Never forget the people who don’t have access to the easily created communication channels
After writing an article for Christian Computing Magazine on ways to save money in your church communication programs, I got an email with a question that I know many churches struggle with. The question in shortened from was, “Is it OK to do away with our print newsletter? We’d save so much money if we [...]
How a limited number of communication channels limited the ministry of a church
This is the story of how a church communication team asked me why, when they had just redone their website, redesigned their bulletin, and converted their newsletter to PDF format that fewer people than ever were attending events at church. The answers aren’t as simple or as obvious as you might assume. They were making three false assumptions that kept them from being successful. Take time to evaluate your communications to make sure you aren’t doing the same things.
Don't be too quick to do away with your TV ministry
Recently I heard about a church that wanted to discontinue its television ministry. Though they acknowledged it was watched primarily by the elderly and shut-in, they did not feel it was cost-effective any longer. They wanted to direct all the funds to their internet ministry. The situation prompted me to remember…. More than a lifetime ago [...]
As you share your message in different channels, don’t change the content or look of your message
Many church communicators think they need to change the wording and looks of a ministry message for each channel they use, e.g. that it needs to look different for print and for the web. You shouldn’t do that if you want people to remember and respond to your message. This article will help you identify and effectively and consistently communicate your core content.
Are written bulletins still needed in the church?
A church shared with me via email that they would like to make life more simple in church communications by doing away with written church bulletins and putting the information on the website. Even though this seems like a great idea it isn’t. This article discusses the many reasons why we still need written church bulletins.
