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.

Summer ministry opportunities—ideas from many churches

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Summer outreach
There are so many fun festivals your church can do to reach out to your community. Pick one from this article and do it!

Communicating with scores of ministry assistants throughout the country, I’ve learned many churches are using the exceptional evangelism and fellowship opportunities of the season to full advantage. Said one, “God’s work through our church does not take a sabbatical when it gets hot out.”

Some of their summertime activities:

  • Mega yard sale. All church members contribute; the community is invited; church music provided; free lemonade; brochures about church activities distributed; members mingle.
  • Day trips for parents and kids. Church bus used to take group to art museum, zoo, and other local attractions. On the ride: skits and sing-alongs.
  • A huge sprinkler party on church grounds each Saturday. Teens hand out flyers throughout the close neighborhoods—along with free snow cones—on the Wednesdays before.
  • Dads and kids cook out and camp out at a local park. Extra “Dads” are provided for kids whose parent is not available. Our church member Dads circulate and make sure everyone feels connected.
  • Outdoor tournaments. Softball, volleyball, horse-shoes, basketball, bocce—all can be organized as tournaments. Members serve as coaches, making sure everyone gets an opportunity to compete.
  • more......

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Passive or committed? Your church needs the best from you always

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Pigs as an image of commitment
We don't usually think of pigs when we think of commitment, but this fable may change your mind.

Ed. Note: Gayle Hilligoss, who always sends in challenging material just sent this to me. You may have read it before, but it's a great reminder to all of us during the lazy days of summer that if we aren't working with all that we have, we may not be as committed as we think we are.

A pig and a chicken were strolling through their barnyard. The chicken said, “You know, we should open a restaurant to raise some money to spruce this place up.”

“Okay. What would we serve?” asked the pig.

“I’m thinking ham and eggs,” said the chicken.

“I’ll have to prayerfully consider that,” replied the pig. “Your menu means simple participation on your part—it means total commitment for me.”

The fable of the pig and chicken has been around since at least 1950 when it appeared in Bennett Cerf’s syndicated column. It’s been tweaked countless times and told in scores of variations—I’ve told it in seminars for years—but the point  is always the same: the pig and chicken represent two types: those who simply participate versus those who wholeheartedly commit.

The story, of course, can be taken many ways. But, the reason a story endures long enough to become a fable is because it speaks a common truth.

How many times have you seen this scenario played out in the church? There is a need. Some person or group (a committee, deacons, whomever) proposes a program, or event, or project of some kind. But the catch is that the personas of “pigs and chickens” are in play.

Both have much to gain from the success of the project. But only the pigs will have any real skin  in the game—they will fully commit, carry the load, take the flack if things get sticky. Oh, the chickens are all good guys—willing to contribute their bits, talk the talk, even give of their renewable resources (the “eggs”), but commitment to making changes or getting things done? Not happening.

Can one be both a pig and a chicken? Not at the same time. When it comes to serving God and to taking care of the business of the church, we must choose to be passive or to be committed.

There is no middle ground.

Community Outreach for Valentine’s Day—a door hanger sample and a postcard

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Valentines Door Hanger
A door hanger like this is a wonderful way to reach out to your community and invite them to church.

editor's note: I wanted to republish the article below because as I was going through my past articles on Valentine's Day outreach, her ideas are some of the best I've seen. I liked them so much, I created two Template collections for you to make Valentine's Day Outreach Door-hangers and Postcards. The links to them are at the end of the article.

Gayle Hilligoss, our wonderful columnist who writes so many helpful articles for us, also volunteers her time to help the communications at her church.

She recently sent me two WONDERFUL samples and I'm sharing them below. First is her brief explanation of them and then images to inspire you. I LOVE the idea of using door hangers as a Valentine's outreach for your church—what a happy way to invite people!

Gayle's email:

Did I ever send you these? The first is printed on door hanger stock.
We are putting them on 300 houses in a subdivision near the church.

The second is a postcard being sent to prospects, visitors, absentees, etc.
We are printing extras for our members to share as they have opportunity.
A couple of the projects of our new Outreach Team : )

 

[Read more...]

Flash! Christmas is December 25 this year

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Christmas suggestions
Christmas is coming and here is some great advice to help you celebrate with less stress and more joy!

Okay, so this is not new information. But the reality is that year after year many of us act like the date is a surprise. If we had only known when the holiday season was going to happen we would have been on top of it—cards with notes, thoughtful gifts, gracious acts, expressions of good will, family traditions, pageants, cozy evenings, handcrafted decorations, gingerbread houses—the works! Ha. Or should that be ho, ho, ho?

Sadly, the Christmas season can get so busy its real meaning gets lost in the shuffle—even in the church. That need not be the case. Whatever your holiday expectations, here are some ideas to help you manage your tasks. Not all are for everyone, but perhaps you will find one or two to bring your Christmas closer to what you want it to be.

•  Examine the regulars

Make a quick list of all the things you usually include in your holiday schedule. Scrutinize each activity for its current relevance. Sometimes we become slaves to rituals and traditions that no longer have any real meaning to us or to our families. Forcing participation defeats the purpose of the activity.

•  Consider new options

Make another list of things you’d really like to do but seldom find time for. Don’t be put off by thinking your schedule is already full. You have the option of revising your Usual list. That’s next. [Read more...]

Church Secretaries & Office Administrators: History and Importance

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Church Communicator
The position of church secretary or ministry assistant is one of the most important in the church and one with a great history!

Ed. note: In other posts published this week ( CLICK HERE  &  HERE to go to them) I've wanted to encourage all of you who do church communications. As we all know it is only in very large churches that communications is the only work you do. In most churches, communications is part of the incredibly demanding work of the church secretary, administrative assistant, or church office administrator. Though one of the most vital positions in the church, it is also one of the most invisible—until the person doing the work is sick for a week and the church almost closes down.

Below Gayle Hilligoss wrote an interesting story about the First Ministry Assistant and in addition to sharing that, I also wanted to share what she enclosed with it that she put into her church newsletter, along with publishing the piece about the First Ministry Assistant. I wanted to highlight this because I think it is a very gracious, yet effective way to point out the essential work being done. Also in talking about the professional group, it shows how people who do this work take their work seriously and are involved in continuing education.

Think of some way you might do something like this in your church—not to simply promote yourself, but to encourage people to pray for and respect the vital ministry you work so hard on each week. With that introduction, enjoy the two articles from Gayle Hilligoss:

Who Was the First Ministry Assistant?

Although I can’t say with certainty who the first scribe who assisted in ministry was, ministry assistants have been around a long time.

Jeremiah 36 reads, “…this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Take a scroll and write on it every word I have spoken to you… Then Jeremiah called Baruch, son of Neriah, and he wrote on the scroll at Jeremiah’s dictation all the words which the Lord had spoken to Jeremiah.”

Throughout religious history, the secretary’s role has been a significant one. Although work is often done in the background, these vital support tasks allow the more visible ministries to succeed. [Read more...]