The church is the hope of the world but church communications can sometimes feel hopeless. As church leaders, we have the responsibility of communicating the greatest message known to mankind; the only message capable of changing a person’s entire eternity.
The weight of that responsibility is both profound and incredible. It moves us to action and demands that we communicate it well.
Yet, oftentimes, churches have a difficult time communicating this message because they don’t understand the basics of church marketing and communications.
Think about it: Is your church clear on who they are and where they are going? Does your church use social media to nurture and grow relationships? Has your church spent unhurried time developing a brand that resonates with people in your church and community? Does your website accurately communicate the uniqueness of your church? Have you evaluated and observed what guests experience on a Sunday morning? Does your community even know you exist?
These things may not seem significant, but they are critical. In fact, they are essential.
1. Vision Identification
Vision Identification is clarifying who you are, what you do, why you do it and where you are going.
2. Guest Experience
Your first-time guest experience is critical to guests returning to your church, and possibly to any church.
3. Social Media
Learning to use social media to reach the lost and to extend the influence of the church isn’t just a good idea; it’s a must. The key to social media is interacting with your audience through great content and conversations.
4. Brand Standards
Brand Standards are the compilation of documents in which you articulate your key communication messages, establish a visual identity, and explore ways to protect your brand.
5. Communication Strategy
Your communication strategy helps you determine what, when and how you will communicate. The development of a communication strategy is critical.
6. Project Systems
Andy Stanley says, “The systems down the hall trump the vision on the wall.” If you don’t have systems in place, standards and strategy mean absolutely nothing.
