Self-induced audit

Earlier this summer, we performed an audit of our communication materials. We were evaluating if we were producing more content than people could absorb. We made changes to our web site.

Another place we're attempting to make it easier for people to find what they're looking for (amid all this chatter in the world) is our bulletin. Not only did we decrease print expenses, we increased awareness.

• Bulletin BEFORE
• Bulletin AFTER

It's a moving target, but we recognize our audience needs exposure first to the basics before we can drill down and motivate them to respond to specifics.

Comments

[Kem Meyer]

To answer questions about the printing: 80# text paper…it is dull coated.
We print the shell each series (every 3-5 weeks)…That is when the printer perfs the card. And each week, we imprint black text only on the inside of the bulletin.

[Kem Meyer]

Jordan, we still use our bulletin to communicate next step opportunities out of the weekend. We also use media during the service to tell stories of life change and show videos of ministry happening all over the community.

I think the trap many churches fall into is thinking they can effectively communicate everything that happens at their church in the bulletin for everybody. The more that's included in there, the less people read. It also makes it harder for people to figure out what their next step is when they have to wade through so much information.

We produce our weekly bulletin with our guest audience in mind first. We know we have hundreds of new guests every weekend and we don't want the first printed piece they receive from the church to read like a letter to people in a club that they're not part of. We use our weekly enewsletter to share more news with the congregation.

[jordan fowler]

Hey all...
So with all the reduction (which can be a good thing) how are you communicating the Church is more than attending a Sunday event? How are you publicizing opportunities to mobilize for the Kingdom (other than inviting a friend to come to Church with you)?

On why we might make ours bigger...http://www.worshiptrench.com/?p=461

[Les Lamb]

Great thoughts, Kem! I've been following your blog off and on for a while, and you really have some great things to say. Love your perspective.

[beth]

Kem - this info is so helpful!

Question, like others: what weight paper? Perforated comment card?

We're currently making changes, many of them based on the info you have shared here about what Granger is doing. I'm so grateful...

[Kim G.]

Can I ask about the printing? Do you get paper pre-perfed for the comment card or do people just tear it out?

[Nicole]

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[Lance Bauslaugh]

This a really cool conversation! I am aware of several churches that are doing away with their bulletin completely and moving towards all online communication.

[rosy]

Hi, my name is Rosy. Just wishing you a sincere Merry Christmas and for you to check out thegiftrevolution.com website =)

[Mark Howell]

very nice. really like the simpler design.

mark

[Kevin Davis]

Mad coo Kem - mad coo.

[Lori Bailey]

Much, much better! Many churches seem to be re-thinking bulletins these days, quite a few I know are killing them altogether. Yours is one of the best examples I've seen - nicely done!

[Marcus Hackler]

We've even gone a step further and shrunk from a bi-fold double sided doc to a cut half-sheet. Eventually we plan on eliminating the bulletin entirely, and simply have a monthly (or weekly... we'll see) calendar available at our Guest Services kiosk for those who don't use computers.

[david]

Kem,

This is great! Over the past few years, for many of the same reasons, we've reduced our "bulletin" from an 11x17 tri-fold to a 5.5x8.5 two-sided "Celebration Guide". All we publish are Sermon enhancements (notes, follow-up resources), three (maybe 4) church-wide announcements, and instructions on how to get more info. it's saved us a lot of change and has helped us be much more focused in how we communicate.