George Bernard Shaw said:
The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.
A church leader says:
Hey! We have a website and we have cool bulletins. I guess that means that we’re communicating effectively with our church!
Really? And just how effective is that communication? A website and a bulletin are a start. Remember too that church communication extends to not only church members, but also ministry leaders and volunteers as well.
Early in my corporate career we would learn of the principles of external customers and internal customers. The idea was that if we saw our co-workers as customers, we’d be more apt to work with them more effectively.
Here are some tools to keep those lines of communication open and allow you to more accurately target your specific audience.
Church Management Software
This is critical. I don’t think a church should be launched without it. At its core, CMS is a database containing information about the people in your church – staff, elders, volunteers, ministry leaders, kids, etc. It’s all there.
Click here and scroll to the bottom to get a great PDF chart comparing many of the top CMS packages.
Create a Newsletter
Use it to target church members.
Most church bulletins contain information more relevant to church members, many of whom will not read it and not contain enough information for visitors who are more likely to read it.
By creating a monthly newsletter with a tool such a MailChimp you can easily reach all of your members and keep them updated on the latest news.
There should be a separate newsletter that is provided to church ministry leaders as it would contain relevant information just for them.
Get A Podcast!
People want to know what goes on behind the scenes at the church and that information should be shared.
Even if it is only done once a month, critical information can be provided about construction projects, new ministries, volunteer needs as well as financial information, missions, etc.
Create a Facebook Page!
I can guarantee there are more people in your church that check Facebook more than they check the church website. The FB page I created for our church gets 500-600 views a week. Images, video, upcoming events, and information can all be posted there.
If you need any further assistance, check out this series:
I’m excited to see what John and the rest of the team do with SoChurch which is going to be dedicated to church communication.
Considering those who are on board and advising, we’re looking at what could be a great product.
What are some tools you have used to improve and enhance your church/ministry communication?
We have started using mailchimp and love it! Before the church was using an outlook email and then everyone started emailing the “list” with their unverified “snopes” reports.. Mailchimp was the perfect answer and we love being able to track our views and such. Not too mention the subscribe/ unsubscribe options. Our newly formed children’s ministry team just reported this week that they love the increase in communication, happy volunteers is always awesome.
I think podcasts would help too, sounds like it’s next on my list! Thanks for the great info.
Wendy, glad to hear MailChimp is working out for you!
Love it. Thank you for helping in the war on bad church communication.
Yr welcome!
SOchurch looks like it’ll be DOPE!
hopefully it’ll be affordable enough for small ministries to use.
thanks for the write up. super helpful.
Hi Adam,
We agree, SoChurch will be dope. And as to being affordable, the product and the pricing has been geared with small churches in mind. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with just how “affordable” it will be. Not long now…
Have a great day!
I noticed that a blog didn’t make the list. Is it assumed that these would be in addition to a blog, or would you say that a blog shouldn’t be a top priority for church communication strategy?
I am involved in preparing the communication strategy for a church plant in Houston, TX, so any input on the matter would be highly appreciated!