Challenges, commentary, and free templates to help churches create communications that help people come to know Jesus as Savior and grow to mature disciples.

In other words, to fully fulfill the Great Commission.

Effective Church Communications

Timeless training from Yvon Prehn to help churches create communications that will enable them to fully fulfill the Great Commission.

Devotion #14: Do all you do with love or it’s just noise

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do-all-you-do-with-love-or-its-just-noiseIf I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever. (1 Cor. 13:1-3 NLT)

Words without love are just noise is Rick Warren’s commentary on these verses from one message in his 40 Days of Community
series. Though these words apply in every interaction we have in life, I think they are especially true in the world of church communications.
I’ve often said in my seminars that I can tell when I look at publication samples if the person who was doing them was having a grumpy day or not. People often laugh. But it really isn’t a joke.

Who we are, the mood we are in, and how much we care for the people for whom we are creating the print or digital piece comes through loud and clear in church communications.Continue Reading

We should share the good news about Jesus, not condemnation!

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Hope in Jesus
When you think about Jesus, do you think about Him condemning you or reaching out to love you?

Often, I know I worry about condemnation, more than I rest in his love, but as we’ll see in our podcast today, that is not the focus God had when he sent Jesus. And I trust that as we understand this we will be more winsome and less condemning in our approach to others.

As always in this approximately 5-minute podcast I want to help you focus on God’s Word, the incredible calling you have to share God’s message of salvation, and to strengthen and encourage you.

 

Devotion #11: We should share the good news about Jesus, not condemnation!

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

This verse is a caring challenge to our attitude as communicators.

What is the overall tone of our ministry—is it to condemn or to save?

Look at the ministry of Jesus. This verse is part of his talk with Nicodemus, the teacher of the Law who came to Jesus at night asking questions. I wonder if Nicodemus might not have left more confused than when he came. Here was a man people were calling a prophet, but he wasn’t like any prophet who went before him.

He didn’t call down fire from heaven; he turned water into wine at a wedding—good wine and quite a lot of it. He didn’t part the sea or send plagues; he played with children and set out picnics on the beach for his disciples.

When Nicodemus asked Jesus about his message, he didn’t retell all the shortcomings of the world he had come to straighten out. Instead, he told him that God loved the world and that he did not come to condemn but to save.

He didn’t demand Nicodemus do penance for his sins; he invited him to be born again. He didn’t even chide Nicodemus for his cowardice in coming to Jesus at night. He graciously answered questions at a time and in a way this fearful leader needed.

Do our communications reflect this redeeming nature of our Lord? How easy it is to take pen in hand (or today, mouse and keyboard) and to pile on the guilt. Not that there is never a time to point out error, but for the most part we do well to remember it is the Holy Spirit’s job to convict of sin (John 16:7-9). It is our job to share the good news of salvation and the joy and fulfillment of living for Jesus.

Most people today know they fall short. They aren’t sure quite what of, but a pervasive sense of guilt fills many lives. Alcohol, drugs, food in excess, unhealthy relationships, and overwork are some common attempts to medicate the pain.

People don’t need more bad news from the followers of Jesus. They need examples of hope and love. They need clear directions to events that can change their lives and clear communications on what they need to do. We need to pray for clarity in all we create. We need to pray that our tone (in ways we may not even be aware of) always reflects the welcoming, saving love of  Jesus.

May your communications be filled with messages of salvation, of the grace and love of your  Lord.

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From: Devotions for Church Communicators  a 5-minute podcast by Yvon Prehn of encouragement and prayers for you

 

 

Devotion #10: The most dangerous, destructive thing that can happen to a church communicator

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our-hearts-matter-to-jesus

What is the most dangerous thing that can happen to a church communicator? Is it lousy equipment—a PC when you wanted a Mac or being forced to create a printed bulletin when you want to do things totally online?
As you’ll see in today's podcast and the devotion below, the most dangerous, destructive thing that can happen to a church communicator has nothing to do with our equipment or the channels we use to create our communications.


The original devotion is below:

Pride, a temptation when we forget the real reasons for the success of our work

These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. (Prov. 6:16-17 KJV)

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Prov. 16:18 KJV)

Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jer. 9:23, 24, KJV)

Most of what I share, I trust is filled with encouragement—but this entry is a caution. It is a warning about pride, which C.S. Lewis described as “the essential vice, the utmost evil.”

Why, you may wonder, would I be talking about the sin of pride to church communicators? Outside the reality that all of us are capable of any sin at any time, in most instances, in the church, especially small and medium-size churches, I’ve seldom seen pride as a  danger in church communications. For an overworked church secretary or administrative assistant, for the pastor of a church too small or poor to afford paid help, for the volunteer putting together a flyer or Facebook site for the youth group at the end of a long day—most often these valiant workers are so aware of their limitations in communication production that pride is seldom a temptation.

A new type of church communicator creates new dangers

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Devotion #9: Often the only thanks we get from our communications work is from the Lord

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the-lord-is-our-only-reward-pub

Do you ever feel that no one understands or appreciates all the hard work you do as a church communicator?

If we’re honest we’ve all felt that way! And, truth be told, that is probably a realistic assessment of our situation—nobody does understand or appreciate all we do any more than we understand the work, prayers, and struggle put into the Sunday sermon, or what it means to care for a spouse with Alzheimer's for one more lonely day. But in today’s podcast I’ll share how people not understanding what we do in church communications might actually be a great compliment.   

   Devotion #9: Often the only thanks we get from our communications work is from the Lord 

The LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites” (Numbers 18:20).

A church secretary recently shared with me that she had spent great effort redoing her church bulletin. She showed me the before and after. The new version looked fantastic. It was much easier to read, her choices in typography and layout were clear and professional-looking. But, she said, almost nobody noticed or commented on the changes.Continue Reading

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