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.

Ready-to-Print Sept. 11 (and other times): Postcard Prayers for Police, Firefighters, Soldiers

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Thank you card for those who serve
Any time of the year it is appropriate to say thank-you and pray for those who serve: the police, fire-fighters, soldiers.  The cards here can help you do that.

Though this collection of Postcard Prayers was created initially for Sept. 11 commemoration in the U.S., this set of materials also has generic cards that can be used in any location, at any time, to honor Police, Firefighters, and Soldiers from any country, anywhere.

The cards could be used for the holiday season along with homemade goodies or healthy snacks. The holidays throughout the year are often either times of loneliness or extra work for those who serve the public. We can serve them with our thanks and prayers. [Read more...]

REMEMBER Bulletin Inserts: for Sept 11 or other times of difficulty

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Sept 11 bulletin Redo
This bulletin insert is appropriate not only for Sept. 11 but for any time you want to remember God's faithfulness. The Zip file for members has specific ones for Sept. 11 as well as PDFs & other editable versions.

There are many times in life that we need to remember God's faithfulness and these publications will help. Effective Church Communications has created an acronym for REMEMBER width each letter the start of a phrase that will remind your people of how we need to REMEMBER God in all the hard times.

The PDF to the left is a free PDF for everyone for those times. Just click on the image to download it. You can use it as a bulletin insert (it prints 2 to an 8.5 x 11 page) or flyer, or any other way you want. You can personalize it on the back and add any additional encouragements or information. For ECC Members there is also an editable MS Publisher file of it in the ZIP File below.

Additional designs specifically for Sept. 11

For the U.S., Sept. 11, 2011 is the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy and this year, it falls on a Sunday. For the Sept. 11, versions we have printed the REMEMBER acronym over a picture of the fallen twin towers. This image is one from the U.S. government archives and is in the public domain.

For Effective Church Communication Members we also have a downloadable ZIP file, available at the end of this article that has ready-to-print PDFs and editable MS Publisher files of the bulletin inserts that reproduced on this page.

For those members who are not in the U.S.  and for other times that are difficult, there are also files that contain more inserts for the acronym that are not specific to Sept. 11.

If you are not a member and would like information on joining, CLICK HERE.

Additional options in the ZIP file for Effective Church Communication Members

Sept 11 Bulletin Insert, image 1

Sept 11 Bulletin Insert 3Sept 11 Bulletin Insert 4

Sept 11 Bulletin Insert 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Sunday. For the Sept. 11, versions we have printed the REMEMBER acronym over a picture of the fallen twin towers. This image is one from the U.S. government archives and is in the public domain.For Effecor thet. F Shet. F Sept. 11, versions we have printed the REMEMBER acronym over a picture of the fallen twept. 11, versions we have printed the REMEMBER acronym over a picture of the fallen twin towers. This image is one from the U.S. government archives d eMS Publisher files of the bulletin inserts that reproduced

 

Below is the ZIP File that contains all the inserts in PDF and editable MS Publisher Formats

CLICK HERE to download the ZIP File.

 

Church offices: How to get ready for Fall 2011

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Gayle Hilligoss Picture
Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Ed. note: another school year is about to start and 2011 is almost three-quarters gone. It's easy to panic about all the things we have to do and all that is ahead in the many church demands of the fall. Gayle's wonderful article will give you the encouragement you need to make the most of it.

Fall and the start of a new school year is a good time both to reflect and to project—a time to look back and consider what you’ve experienced and learned, a time to look ahead to where you will go next. One sure sign of personal progress is the realization that you not only know smart things, but that you do those smart things. You will know, feel, when it happens. The difference is beyond measure.

• Put first things first. Sometimes we stay so busy doing the good that we neglect the best. Pray for wisdom to know what is truly important to you. Then give your time, energy, and love to those things first. Unless you make a deliberate effort to set priorities and to stick with them, your days will be filled 
with other people’s priorities and not your own.

• Respect time.
Understand that time is the most precious resource you have; without it you have nothing. Spend your hours and your minutes wisely. Plan your days rather than just letting them happen.

• Stay calm.
Know what matters—and be passionate about those things. Know what doesn’t matter—and don’t let those things get you down. You know you are becoming more mature when you control your emotions instead of allowing them to control you.

• Take care of yourself.
Your body is a gift from God; being as fit as you can be is a testimony in itself. Eat wisely, exercise, get sufficient rest, schedule regular checkups. Don’t allow lesser activities to keep you from a daily walk. Commit to some healthy extras: swimming, biking, whatever you like. Few of us do all we could or should. But we can!

• Nourish your mind.
God’s world is a wondrous place. Learn something new every single day. Today, look at a flower and be amazed. Tonight, go outside and gaze at the stars. Tomorrow, visit the library and check out books on a subject you know nothing about. Or use the Internet to travel a new part of the world. Talk with someone—and not on a cell phone. Think new thoughts. Grow wise.

Now you know smart things. And you can do them!

 

 

 

Video: What is a TEMPLATE on Effective Church Communications and how can you use them?

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Templates are one of the best resources on this site because they will save you HUGE amounts of time when you need to create many church communications. Though the foundational work is done--many have artwork, text, design and much more done for you, you can change them to suit your tastes and for your church.

There has been some confusion about what makes a file a Template and what makes a file a PDF? What can be edited and what can't be? This video will help answer your questions. Below the video are notes for it and a LINKS & RESOURCES sheet in PDF format that has all the links talked about in the video. Just download the PDF and you can click on the links or if you would prefer to go a website and link directly to the templates shown in the video, CLICK HERE.

Video on: What is a Template?

Notes to go with the video as well as page of links

Just click on either image to download the PDF.

Notes for what is a TEMPLATELInks to Template resources

 

Administrative Assistants: 25 Things your boss wants you to know, part two

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Gayle Hilligoss Picture
Article by Gayle Hilligoss

Ed. note: After reading part one of this list, you might feel like you can't measure up. But this second part starts out with great encouragement—Be resilient! This article continues with great advice to help you be all you can be in the church office.

Administrative Assistants: 25 Things your boss wants you to know, part two

13. Be resilient about foul-ups. Mistakes and misunderstandings are normal. Never make them more important than they are. Take control of your temperament. No one can ruin your day unless you allow it. Whether you or someone else is responsible for a glitch, learn to shake it off. Nothing good ever happens to those who keep moaning about the past. Surprise and delight your boss and others by handling things right when things go wrong.

14. Look ahead. Be prepared. Anticipate upcoming projects, both yours and the boss’. Have available the resources, skills, or personnel needed to get the job done. Use calendaring and scheduling programs to keep you on track. Inform others early on when you will need their input to complete a project. Making your personal deadline for the task a little before the real deadline allows you the luxury of having time to polish the project and make changes if you wish.

15. Offer solutions, not problems. In dozens of ways bosses express the idea, “Don’t bring me problems, bring me options.” When you face a situation that must be brought to the attention of your executive, be prepared with some possible solutions. Research the situation and propose three ways to deal with it. Do your homework. Have the facts and figures down cold. When considering purchases, resist any tendency to base solutions on cost alone. Realize while it is smart to be thrifty, it is dumb to be cheap. Present your options in an objective, businesslike way. Keep emotions under control. Be assured that even if the boss doesn’t choose one of your options, you’ve established yourself as a problem solver.

16. When in doubt, ask. Even careful listeners sometimes are unsure about instructions. Never hesitate to ask others to clarify themselves. Take notes. You may have a great memory, but get it on paper. If what you’re hearing doesn’t sound just right, make sure what you are hearing is really what they are saying. Making assumptions is always risky. Usually a simple question will clear up a situation before it gets sticky. Asking saves time, dollars, efforts, and tempers.

17. Think it through before you say it. How will the answer you give a phone caller be perceived by that person? Consider expressions you use regularly. Do they reflect positively on you, the church, and your executive? Never allow yourself to be pressured into snap decisions. A helpful expression in anyone’s vocabulary is, “Let me think about that and get back to you.” Then, be sure you do.

Even “no” can be said in a positive way. State first what you can do: “I’ll be happy to run those copies for you.“ Then indicate what you can’t do: “however I’ll not be able to type up the originals today.” Add any provisions you want to make: “If someone else can make the originals you can have the copies today. Or if you’d rather wait until the newsletter goes out Wednesday, I can do the job then. Whatever is best for you.” Don’t waste time on negative conversations. Think first; then speak.

18. Understand the boss’ idiosyncrasies. What makes your boss smile? What makes your boss frown? Does he prefer to get information by email, a note, or verbally? When you care about small things important to your executive, you enhance your own professionalism. Sometimes your minister will tell you personal preferences. More often you will find out by simply observing.

19. Accept criticism objectively. Resolve never to take criticism as a personal attack. Learn what you can from it, resist trying to justify your actions, and always consider the source. Take criticism for what it is worth. Sometimes it’s worth a lot; sometimes it is not.

20. Protect the church’s reputation and privacy. Avoid the frivolous discussion of church business and people. Be able to sidestep questions gracefully. You need not lie; you simply do not owe an answer to everyone who asks an inappropriate question. Treat privileged information with respect. If you make it your practice never to discuss office happenings with family and friends you will never have to remember what is open for discussion and what is not. Everyone admires, and trusts, the person who shuns gossip in all forms.

21. Maintain your integrity. There is no substitute for character. Your morals, ethics, and personal standards make you the person you are. As you serve in your office you are in a unique position to make a difference in the lives of others. Be aware of your witness. Exercise personal discipline in your life. A clear conscience never costs as much as it is worth.

22. Be interested in the big picture. Learn as much as you can about the church. Get to know people and call them by name. Know who the decision makers are and what issues are of primary concern. Study denominational structure and po

lity. Be aware of your boss’ ministry goals and discover how you can help those goals be reached. Read what the boss reads. It will give you a better background for your work than a college degree.

23. Get along with people. Avoid squabbles with coworkers and members by giving others the benefit of the doubt. The boss

is not interested in who is “right” in these battles. Even if you are right, you will look bad for getting involved. Never assume others are operating from your point of view. Different perspectives, when expressed objectively, are constructive. Effective office teams often include a mix of personality types: a planner, a detail person, a risk taker, a traditionalist. If you do disagree, do it agreeably. Stay calm.

24. Nurture your spiritual life. It is a paradox but sometimes working at the church can actually be detrimental to your faith. A daily quiet time is essential. Caught up in the business, and the busyness, of the church you may find it difficult to put work aside and to reserve time for worship. Church members, even the minister, may contribute to the problem. Let others know how important your worship time is and work out appropriate solutions. Take responsibility for your own spiritual renewal.

25. Have confidence in yourself. You are already doing a far better job than you realize. You have what it tak

es to continue to succeed. Periodically evaluate your working style. Are you punctual? well prepared? organized? well groomed? appropriately dressed? How does the office look?

When you project quality in all you do, you gain an attractive confidence that allows you to meet every challenge. Value your considerable contribution to ministry. Whether anyone tells you or not, you are appreciated!

To read Part ONE of this article, CLICK HERE