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.

4 ways to demotivate church communicators

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unhappy person
Sadly secular offices are not only places people can be demotivated.

I like to read secular office management and communication advice on the web for tips and ideas that can apply to church communications and a very helpful one read recently was: 8 Surefire Ways to Demotivate Your Employees.

There are plenty of applications we can all draw from the article and at first, I was only going to share the link to this article, but then, as I thought about it I realized that in the church, sadly we can add to the list, so here are  some specific church-related demotivators.  Each one of these is a tiny, distilled sample of many similar situations church communicators share with me. Sometimes shared with tears in person, sometimes in long, heart-rending emails, I've heard many stories people are afraid to share at their church. But they share with me and I'm sharing them with you, so perhaps by seeing their pain, we can all decide not to do things that cause pain like this. Of course identifying details are changed, but all that follow are based on true stories.  After each demotivator are suggestions for positive changes.

4 ways to demotivate church communicators

1. Assume that if God has given you a position of authority that YOU are the boss in all communication decisions.

There is a big difference between a necessity for management decisions and an unspoken demand for subservience in all things in the church office. If you are working extra hard to show either your staff or congregation that YOU are in-charge, you probably aren't exhibiting the kind of servant leadership that inspires teamwork.

Especially in areas of skill expertise, e.g. in communication creation, even the strongest of leaders do well to respect the opinions of the people doing the work. Expertise in preaching does not make you an expert in typeface choices. You might absolutely love a typeface, but if your church newsletter creator tells you that fancy script will not work well for your newsletter on the website, don't demand, ask for clarification. Respect the expertise you hired the person for and respectfully ask for explanations.

If you really want to understand (and please don't ask if you don't), you'll learn fancy scripts don't reproduce well on the web. There are simple and clear typefaces (Calibri and Cambria are two) that were designed specifically for use on the internet and for viewing on a screen. In addition, fancy scripts are much harder to read, both in print and online, which means people will quit after a few sentences. A fancy script does not look "elegant," (as you thought it did).  It looks unprofessional.

Your church communicator was attempting to save the church from putting out an unprofessional communication, not trying to undercut your authority. Think the best of people first and ask for explanations.

2. Thinking that public praise erases private criticism.

Few things are worse than obligatory praise from the platform:

"Mary has done such a fantastic job with our website--let's praise the Lord for her"

when it is followed by private criticism:

"Mary, we need to discuss how you represented the church with your image choices. Obviously your taste in these matters does not reflect the proper tone we want for the church and you ignored the approvals needed. "

Like the first demotivator, a better way to handle a situation like this would be to have a discussion of why certain images were used, what is expected, what approval procedures are, and not a summary judgement based on personal preference or first impressions

Though some people think they are softening the blow of criticism by a complement first (and thinking it's even better if given in a public setting) it usually isn't and can set up a pattern where your communicator doesn't trust any complement you give them because they know a complaint will follow.

Most church communicators aren't greedy for public or private praise that isn't genuine. They want to be co-workers in communication of the church message and are strong enough for give and take, expectations and discussions, throughout the creation process of communications.

3. Asking a communication volunteer to create something and to then ignore it.

If you don't want a communication volunteer to ever create anything for you in the future, do this.

Even if you don't like something or if you consider it wildly inappropriate for the church, always thank and praise the person for their effort. Ask them to explain what they did and why. Ask them how they would envision using it.

If it still won't work--take the properly responsible attitude--that you were not clear in what you wanted and were expecting. Acknowledge that it is very tricky to communicate a concept and that we can't read each other's mind. Showing examples in concrete pictures from the webs or torn out of publications of what you like, don't like, is tremendously helpful. To ask for something like "a logo for the youth ministry" without any guidance is asking for trouble either in the result or your relationship with the artist or most likely both.

4. Asking a church communicator to duplicate a brochure or website example you got from the latest church conference you attended.

Church conferences are great places for inspiration, but often nightmares for the people back at the church office because the leaders come back with great-looking materials from a church of 5,000 and a budget into the millions and want that same looking print material or website to be created by an overworked church secretary/communication creator for a church of 300 with a computer that is 10 years old and has no high-speed internet service.

If you have a great communication piece either print or on the web you'd like reproduced, first, ask yourself, why you want to do this? If you think it will magically turn your little church into a big church, that won't happen.

But if it is something new for your church and you can see how this might help take your church to the next step in growth and outreach, ask your church communicator, "What would it take for us to do something like this?"  Ask for honest feed back on the equipment, time, and training it would take to do it.
Often spending that time and money to train a person in-house and to upgrade equipment is a fantastic investment because:

  • The church gets the communications needed
  • Money is saved over the long-run
  • The church communicator gets to learn new skills
  • More people are reached and your church can grow

Final advice

Reading secular articles on office management is an excellent habit because we can all improve in how we manage ourselves and our work. At the same time, remember that your job is even more challenging because Satan is the "accuser of the brethren" and nothing delights him more than to have you mistreating, hurting, and demotiving each other in the church. We must actively work to put into practice the advice of 1 Cor 13 (a paraphrase of v. 4-7)  and to practically love each other in our work in the church office by being:

  • Patient and kind
  • Not boastful or proud or rude or  demanding  our  way
  • Not irritable and it keeping no record of being wronged
  • Always hopeful, and enduring through every circumstance

If we work hard to treat each other in these ways, we'll all be motivated to serve the Lord with joy.

How to prepare for a new Pastor

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Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Welcoming a new pastor is an exciting event in the life of a church. Pastoral changes happen for all sorts of reasons, of course—most good, a few not so. Circumstances surrounding the calling of your new pastor are bound to affect how you will respond to these changes, but your main goal is to act from wisdom, not from emotion.

Your preparation can help get things off to a good start; your expertise and administrative experience will provide continuity in the office and assist in a smooth transition. At the same time, the exercise of welcoming a new pastor can be an exceptional time of personal and professional satisfaction for you. [Read more...]

Just how important is Know-how?

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Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Ed. Note: Although I am always encouraged and motivated by the articles Gayle shares with us, this one is especially appropriate for the vision and ministry of Effective Church Communications. My goal is to equip you to share the Words of Eternal Life and as Gayle shows to do that best is not so much about what tools you have, but about YOU, your training, insight and use of the skills you bring to the church. Read on and be encouraged that the time you spend learning will give you a mastery far beyond your expectations!

Just how important is Know-how?

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord…” —Colossians 3:23

When it comes to getting the job done, it’s all about knowing what to do with what you have. The church with the most equipment does not necessarily produce the best looking publications. The one with the priciest management software does not automatically have the accurate and usable records. Nor does having an elaborate phone system guarantee the church’s calls will be handled properly. [Read more...]

How to work well with others or what to do when our biggest problems are people, not computers, Part 3

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Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Ed note: I made a mistake in breaking this article into 3 parts in that I cut the last tip in half—I was simply not paying attention at the page break. Every nugget of advice Gayle gives often convicts me and I didn't go any further than the "so what?" That question got me thinking and I cut off the article at the wrong place.  To correct that, I'm starting this part with the full tip. Please forgive any confusion this might have caused.

How to work well with others or what to do when our biggest problems are people, not computers, Part 3

• give the benefit of the doubt
Petty squabbles and imagined slights make it difficult, if not impossible, to work at our best. Ann thinks the youth minister disrespected her by not recognizing her role in a project; Betty is sure Ann missed a deadline because she wasted time on personal matters. Both are operating on assumptions that may or may not have a basis in fact. And, even if the assumptions are true, really—so what?

When occasional glitches happen, give others the benefit of the doubt. If you make any assumption, let it be that the other person meant you no harm. Very often you will be right. If glitches persist or escalate, it is time to ask questions. Getting to the bottom of a problem need not be a bad thing, but have the facts before you even consider confrontation.

• don’t tell everything you know
The original definition for the position of secretary was, “one who keeps secrets.” Today this may sound a bit sinister, but initially it emphasized the expectation this person could be trusted with information.

Confidentiality remains an essential for the Christian professional. Supervisors, coworkers, and members need to know without question that staff members can be trusted with information. Working well with others requires trustworthiness.

• ask and listen
All of us appreciate working with those who ask our opinion and listen to our ideas. As you work with others, be a person who gives ample opportunities for everyone to be heard. Few people are excellent listeners; you can be a role model by demonstrating that we learn more from listening than from talking. Next time you are with your group, ask—then listen up!

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To go to Part 1 of this article, CLICK HERE.

To go to Part 2 of this article, CLICK HERE.

 

How to work well with others or what to do when our biggest problems are people, not computers, Part 2

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Gayle Hilligoss Picture
Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Ed. note: Last week we published Part 1 of this challenging series and next week we'll do Part 3. I broke it into parts because each one of these has enough challenges to keep us busy examining ourselves and praying for at least a week--though honestly for continuing peace in the church office, we need to review this advice often.

Step back and see yourself as others do. Recognize and correct actions that might be an irritation to those who share your space. Others may not tell you about these annoyances, but they will notice and appreciate when you become aware of them yourself and are courteous enough to implement change.

• when necessary, say no
It is true. Ministry assistants love to say yes. You love to serve. But, and this is an important but, it is not wise to believe you must unquestioningly accept every task.

Although one’s motive may be pure, perpetually saying yes is actually not the best way to work well with others. One drawback is that, besides not being honest, committing to more than you can reasonably accomplish nearly always results in others forming unrealistic expectations. And in you forming resentments.

Far better than burying yourself is learning how and when to say no. Trust others to be mature enough to accept that everyone has limitations, you included.

• let others shine
You do many things well. You may rightly believe it is easier to do a task yourself than to leave it to someone else. Still, one sure way to work well with others is to give them the opportunity to use their expertise and skills—or simply to try something new.

Be a cheerleader for others, encourage them, mentor them, show appreciation for their efforts. Genuinely.

• own your mistakes
No one gets it right all the time. Although you aim for excellence in all you do, now and then something is bound to go wrong. A poor decision, neglected detail, miscalculation—whatever the mistake, if it is yours, acknowledge it.

It is not necessary to fall on a sword. Simply apologize, do what you can to set the matter straight, make at least a mental note not to repeat this particular error, and move on.

• walk the talk
People appreciate working with those who are authentic, those who practice what they preach. “I once worked with a pastor who claimed to have great respect for his staff, but who was consistently late for meetings and seldom listened to our opinions. It became difficult for some of us to accept his sincerity about any number of things. This affected our ability to work well with him and with each other.”

• be willing to learn
Nearly everyone is an expert at something. Everyone you work with knows something you don’t know. Even while you are establishing your own credentials in the group you can tap into the expertise of others.

Respecting the knowledge of others and being willing to learn from them are vital elements in the skill of working well with others. Title or position has nothing to do with it. Pastors can learn from assistants as well as assistants can learn from pastors.

• give the benefit of the doubt
Petty squabbles and imagined slights make it difficult, if not impossible, to work at our best. Ann thinks the youth minister disrespected her by not recognizing her role in a project; Betty is sure Ann missed a deadline because she wasted time on personal matters. Both are operating on assumptions that may or may not have a basis in fact. And, even if the assumptions are true, really—so what?

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To go to Part 1, CLICK HERE