Podcast: Sugar water or sand, how to really change the world
We all give our lives to something. In this podcast, Yvon Prehn uses the challenge Steve Jobs gave to John Sculley, then president of Pepsi when Jobs wanted him to come work for him at Apple when he said, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugar water or do you [...]
Bible teachers should teach, not conduct public therapy sessions
Teaching is an exacting form of communication. Based on a biblical foundation, teaching in the church is an essential element in enabling people outside the church to understand the truth of the Christian faith and inside the church to instruct believers to grow in Christian maturity. Successful teaching in the church also involves more than our content [...]
Little communication details can accomplish miraculous results
The story of a stubborn general in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings, illustrates the critical importance of not ignoring the seemingly little things in church communication. Many churches are spending lots of money on big communication projects such as website redos or buying predone outreach or marketing pieces. When the money spent does [...]
Effective Volunteer Recruitment Communications Samples: advice and PDF examples
Every church needs a committed and enthusiastic team of volunteers if all the ministries and needs of the church are to function as a healthy representative of the Body of Christ. Recruiting that team, training, and keeping them functioning well are some of the major responsibilities of church communicators. Following is some overall advice and [...]
Always keep the spiritual and the practical in balance
It’s always a temptation in church communications ministry to either over-spiritualize it (pray and don’t send out the invitations on time) or to forget the spiritual part (create a great website and never pray for the people who come to it. In reality, we must always remember both.
The Two Production Levels of Effective Church Communication
This a foundational strategic article for effective church communications. It shows how you can divide the production of your church communications into a PR Level and a Ministry Level. It is an effective way to use volunteers and to enable your church to produce the large number of communications it needs to be effective.
How to fill your church communications with purpose and power
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (Jn. 4: 13, 14). What is inside us comes out in everything we do [...]
Flashy multi-media in church communication and why it doesn’t always work
True story here: A church wasn’t getting the response they wanted to get people to attend the various events of the church including small groups. Their response: Instead of asking folks why they weren’t coming, or doing an informal survey to see what they were or were not communicating with current materials, someone made the [...]
Do we really want to serve others with our church communications?
If asked, “Are you serving yourself or your people with your church communications?” of course I’d answer “My people.” But this morning I read an email newsletter that challenged my assumptions. The newsletter is from Gerry McGovern, a secular web guru and consultant, who consistently provides thought-provoking materials that have useful application in church communications. [...]
