Where do I start?

One of the biggest myths I hear (constantly) is that lack of money is the reason for lack of excellence in church communications. That's not a reason. It's an excuse. I hate it when I hear people say it. It's a bummer.

A small budget is NOT a hurdle to progress. It does NOT prevent you from WOWing your guest and it does NOT restrict you from adding value.

I jotted a few things here that you can do RIGHT NOW to improve your church communications with no money. You can do this for a church of 10 or a church of 10,000. Either way. Money or not, this list is a great place to start.

• Have conversations. Lots of them.
  Help coach the people you work with to stop thinking brochures and start thinking about objectives and customer service.
• Create a Style Guide.
  A consistent stylistic approach will have a positive impact on the overall excellence of your church.
• Identify your specific audience. You need to know who you're talking to before you know how to say it. [more]
• Document your communication values. What is the method and context of your culture. [more]
• Outline a strategy. Determine what gets communicated, in what priority using what vehicles. Every bit of news for each ministry is not appropriate for all church consumption. [more]
• Reduce emotional overload. Create less and say more. [more] 
• Implement an official proofing team and process. Have a group of volunteers review everything for accuracy and consistency before it's printed or distributed.
• Assemble a group of consumer advocates (or secret shoppers). This team of critical thinkers can experience your church delivery vehicles from the shark's perspective and provide input to what's working and what isn't. [more]

Comments

[Chris]

Well, better 3 years late than never. :)

I've started on my church's vestry this year as the communcations person. In spite of having over a decade of experience in marketing, design and advanced web development in the corporate world, I'm having to learn new strategies for doing the same jobs in the context and polity of a church.

I appreciate the way you've presented these ideas. There's a lot of good food-for-thought. Thanks!

[Dolly]

please check out our web site as you'll see we are not a church, but still doing as a church would do, And Matt 25 is the guide line we go by. If you have anything that would help us grow , please let us know. I enjoy this site very much. thanks

[Kem Meyer]

Dave, I'm confused. This isn't a post about preaching and teaching...it's a post about communications and promotions. James, I'm confused. You didn't send your post through proofing. :)

[Dave]

Blessings,
ONE
GET sanctified, FILLED with the SPIRIT of HOLINESS
TWO
Leave the UPPER ROOM and "GO YE" into the "highways and the byways" Preaching "the kingdom of GOD is NOW, the RULE and REIGN of the PERFECT WORD is apon you NOW!"
THREE
Allow the tears of Christ in your eyes, and thru your voice! Beg them to COME unto the mountain of GOD thru Heb 10:10 "By HIS will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." And Heb 10:14 "For by one offering HE has perfected for ever them that are sanctified."

Let them know there is ONLY "salvation thru sanctification" [2Thes. 2: 13] And . . .without holiness no man shall SEE GOD! [Heb. 12: 14]

"Wanring every man, than teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus!" Col. 1: 28

"Those who belong to Christ HAVE Crucified the flesh with its affections and lust!" Gal. 5: 24

Warn them . . .
"BE sanctified or be lost forever!"

[These were the Steps of the "sanctifiED!"]

[James]

very good but ide say effective communication also involves going through the corrective departments round the correct way. Going through the corrective channells

[Christian Web Trends]

Kem, thanks for your article. We've mentioned it in our blog.

Paul Steinbrueck
OurChurch.Com