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; Effective Church Communications can help.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing you can do during Covid19 as a tech-savvy disciple of Jesus

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A tech ministry during the virus
Technology is a great tool during the current crisis, but only if you have access to it. Here are some suggestions to serve those who don't.

We all have something to do that we think is of primary importance during this challenging time of the virus.

I know I do. In addition to coming up with tasty and creative meals every night (I didn’t realize we ate out so much previously) to working until all hours putting together a training site for church communicators, I’ve been working on for months (hopefully ready to launch this week). We are all busy.

But there is one thing that has been very heavy on my heart that I'd like us all to stop what we are doing and consider and that is:

How can we get internet access and computers for those without them?

Bear with me as I share why this is so important and some additional resources you may want to read on the topic.

How we care for the “least of these” is the most crucial spiritual test at this time

Many church communicators are overwhelmed with the challenges of technology at this time to get out virtual, online church services to their communities. That is understandable, well, and good.

However, this reminds me of the Corinthian Church (in 1 Cor. 11), where some had too much to eat, and some went hungry.

A church service online is important. Chats or whatever to communicate with the church audience is wonderful. But there is a fine line between producing something good enough and obsessing to create perfect pre-recorded performances that take hours.

At the same time, there are thousands of people without computers or internet access who cannot work from home, even if they have a job that will continue to pay them if they do. There are many more thousands of children without computers or internet access who cannot keep up with their schoolwork.

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Two totally encouraging things: an early Thanksgiving Dinner and a reminder of Jesus love!

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thanksgiving during crisis
Even during a time of crisis, we have so much to be thankful for--let's celebrate it!

What a joy to see the wonderful ways people are encouraging each other during this trying time!

Here are two that I experienced this week.

An early Thanksgiving Dinner

My husband and I don't have any biological children, but we've adopted a blended family we met at church and they have become so precious to us. Social distancing and not being able to see them is a challenge. This morning my adopted daughter texted me that she was wanting to do something to show Jesus how thankful she was and so she decided to make an early Thanksgiving Dinner! Not only that, but she wanted to bring share some with my husband and me (drop off, couldn't see them).

The meal was incredible, turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, green bean casserole, homemade roll, and cranberry sauce. Dessert was a fruit and jello delight, coconut pie, and pumpkin pie. She and her husband are extraordinary cooks, but the love that filled the plates was, even more, warming to my soul.

What a kind and wonderful thing to do! If in the coming weeks, you have the time and resources—what a great thing to do—to cook up a fantastic Thanksgiving meal and take it to people who are alone and may not be able to feast like that—keeping the proper social distancing in place of course.

A reminder of Jesus love and protection

I was listening to a sermon by Max Lucado recently when he talked about the storm on the sea and how he asked the disciples, "Why are you afraid?"

What struck me in his talk was that he went on to say, "Jesus was serious—he really wanted to know why they were afraid." JESUS was with them; they had no reason to fear.

And then later today I found this video I did on that parable. It encourages me whenever I watch it. Please feel free to share:

FREE Encouraging Instagram images for you to share

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Encouraging Instagram image
Here is a set of free INSTAGRAM images to send to people to remind them of the power of our God.

Though I first created these for you to send out as postcards, I did a quick resize and a little modification in Canva for you to be able to download and use them as Instagram images. Write your own captions and send them out to encourage people in this trying time.

It is so easy to allow fear to overtake us when we are constantly bombarded with bad news. But our GOD is powerful; He is in control and He is our strong protector no matter what.

Below are pictures of the images and below that a Zip file for you to download and share. Please share any of the resources here with other church communicators to encourage their people.

To download the ZIP file of the images, click the following link: Instagram Images to Encourage

 

Send postcards to your unchurched neighbors to encourage them

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outreach to neighbors during the virus
Now is a great time to reach out to unchurched neighbors and these cards can help you do that.

As I was getting some postcards ready to send to people who know Jesus and would be encouraged by the verses and sayings in the cards I put together last week and shared with you, I realized that I wanted to send some cards to my neighbors also. However, about half of them don't know the Lord and so the cards with verses would mean little or nothing to them

For this group of people, I made up 3 more cards that you could either send out as an individual or that might be good for your church to send out. It could be a wonderful way to let your community know that you are there for them on more than happy holiday times. Below are images of the cards and below them a zip file for you to download and print out. I did these in MS Publisher so you can also modify them for your specific church.

CLICK THE FOLLOWING LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE CARDS:   Postcards for Neighbors

For the set of encouraging Christian postcards to send out, here is the article and download for them: https://wp.me/pDky9-8OR

Consistency is valuable during trying times–comments on the advice to change things up in online services

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Alternate services can be traditional
During this time of empty churches, don't feel like to have to change everything you do. Tradition can be very comforting.

We are all negotiating unknown waters, but I wanted to add a little comment to the overall conversation on creating online worship experiences.

I've seen a number of things from some churches in the chat rooms and other online resources that advise doing your online service in a completely different way than you have been doing a service. They advise doing it in a social media format. This can, of course, mean different things for different groups, but one predominate idea is to replace the pulpit with a couch and I assume have a chat rather than a sermon.

That is one option and if after seeking the Lord's will you decide this is the right thing for your church—go for it!

But there is also a case for consistency during these trying times

What follows is totally my personal opinion and please take its limited value as such.

I just finished attending the second online service for our church. As I shared earlier, the first one was a bit challenged, but even then it was wonderful to get together with people online. The chat window was incredibly comforting and fun.

This week was very different. They pre-recorded it and it was very similar to our regular service. It had the whole music team, the same number of songs with the words scrolling on the screen. My husband and I sang alone. It had the announcements and community prayer time, led by an elder. It even had a Children's sermon section, which I thought was great for the families watching. It had the final song and benediction.

As I was observing my reaction to the service (I can't help it, the church communication teacher in me just won't shut off), I found that the traditional pattern was very comforting. different delivery method, but the same worship service.

Why I'm bringing this up—several reasons

First of all, for those of you struggling to simply get something up and online, don't feel like you have to do everything differently.

Traditional services are not lacking in value.

Social media, while it has its uses, is not for every situation or venue or congregation. Social media is not the answer to every challenge of the church.

I know many of you are struggling greatly with what to do in this situation. You don't have to do totally new things to worship God with your people. Do what you can in the ways you've been doing it and be at peace.

Again, if totally changing your service procedure is your leading from the Lord, go for it—but whoever you are and where ever you are, don't do something because it seems like some other churches are doing that. Listen to Jesus. He knows you; He knows your sheep. Follow his lead on how to reach out during this challenging time.