Effective Church Communications

Effective Church Communications provides Timeless Strategy and Biblical Inspiration to help churches create communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission

Effective Church Communications provides Timeless Strategy and a Biblical Perspective to help churches create communications that fully fulfill the Great Commission. Our tools constantly change; our task doesn’t; we can help.

The most important thing about church newsletters, whether they are in print or online

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The most important thing about newsletters, whether you ultimately mail them out, post them as a PDF on your website, or use an online newsletter to create them, is the CONTENT in the newsletter. People do not read church newsletters to check out the great graphic design skills of the church—they read them to find out connecting facts and inspirational updates, such as:

  • when and where the youth group is meeting
  • if the church event has a cost and/or childcare
  • how to become part of a small group
  • they read the pastor's column to learn more about him or her as a person
  • they scan the updates that head of the ministry in which they serve to see has to share this month that affects them

Bottom line: if your newsletter provides relevant, timely, useful content for the people of your church it is effective and successful. [Read more...]

Youth newsletter reveals staff personalities

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The masthead of your publication can be used for ministry insight and humor as well as simply information. Download this PDF to see an great example.
The masthead of your publication can be used for ministry insight and humor as well as simply information. Download this PDF to see an great example.

This publication was done in the early days of desktop publishing, but don't let the outdated look distract you from some great content and a wonderful communication lesson.

What makes this so great came to my attention by accident. I was helping this group evaluate the content of the newsletter and we did a survey asking people what their favorite sections were. The newsletter had columns by very good writers and well-done ministry updates.

To everyone's surprise, the #1 favorite of everyone was not any of the great inspirational writing or the great updates, but the nameplate. Download the PDF and you'll see why—each month the staff gave a brief note about themselves—sometimes revealing some quite interesting information.

A take-away lesson: don't be afraid to make your communications in print and online human. Be who you are.

You don't have to do lengthy, tell-all blogs to allow your readers to get to know you. You can have tiny updates each month on Facebook or Twitter or short blog entries asking questions like this masthead does and bit-by-bit you will form relationships. As this newsletter shows, little phrases can convey big insights.

To download the PDF, click here or on the image.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.

Church Bulletins, how to create simple, clear layouts for them

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I've often said in my seminars that church bulletins are the most effective piece of Christian literature printed today outside the Bible.

I say that because they are often the first piece of Christian literature visitors to your church from our post-Christian world see.

They must clearly communicate what is going on and the basics of the faith or people will be confused and walk away. Below is a PDF of a number of simple examples:

Church bulletins are the first face of your church and the Christian faith to visitors. This section will help you make clear and simple ones that communicate effectively.
Church bulletins are the first face of your church and the Christian faith to visitors. This section will help you make clear and simple ones that communicate effectively.

PLEASE read the many other articles in this section on bulletins for additional specific advice on what to include.

This PDF will give you some ideas for how to create your own very simple layouts and basic bulletins. To download it, click here or on the image.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.

Choir newsletter example: upbeat, brief, and effective

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One page choir newsletter and a great example of how a niche publication keep members informed in a fun and upbeat way.
One page choir newsletter and a great example of how a niche publication keep members informed in a fun and upbeat way.

Great design never goes out of style and though this PDF example is from a number of years ago, it's still great. The overall design, attitude, words, and content of this piece is a great example and inspiration for any church communication piece.

It is a one-page update newsletter for the choir, but what it illustrates could be applied in many situations.

A key take-away idea from this is that no matter what the format you use to inform people, whether it is paper, PDF online, a webpage or email, for a ministry update, be brief and positive.

Notice also that though the layout is fun and pleasing, images do not overwhelm content. The words, lists, content is clear and complete.

The tone of your communications, a pleasant layout and your words should all communicate the joy of serving the Lord.

To download the PDF, click here or on the image.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.

Little details are the most important part of your communications

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PDF of an article on the importance of the little details in your church communications
PDF of an article on the importance of the little details in your church communications

The little things are the most important part of your communications because they are the links that actually connect people with the events and ministries of your church.

They are also the most boring, tedious, and difficult parts to include in a communication piece whether it is on paper or online. We'd much rather work on fun illustrations or polishing our catchy marketing slogans or brilliant headlines. As important as these parts of communication creation are, you can have the most brilliant headline and the most appealing images ever, but if people don't know when something starts, how to get there, and if child care is provided—chances are they won't show up.

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And don't expect anybody today to "call the church office for more information." Folks don't take the time to do it and even if they do after being shuttled around through voice mail, they may leave not thinking nice things about the church and certainly not planning to come to an event that might have changed their eternity.

Include the little details in your communications, it can have an impact well worth the hard work it takes to get the details gathered up and put into your communications.

To download the PDF, click here or on the image.

Also look at the article and PDF on REPORTER FORMS. It will give you a practical way to collect all the information you need.

note: this PDF is from Yvon Prehn's archives and is the only format of this article available presently. Not the greatest quality to be sure, but shared with the belief that the content is useful.