Communication is Key to Effective Promotions
David Fuller

Effective communication is vital to the local church’s mission in its community. With the ever changing methods, the church must stay at the forefront in utilizing all means possible to reach people with the gospel. Here are a few communication avenues that churches should consider.

Web Sites – Eighty-two percent of Americans use the internet. In today’s culture, your Web site is the front door to your church. Make sure your site is current, well-maintained and offers basic info on your church such as: When and where are your services? What do you believe? What ministries are available?

Blogs – A blog is basically an online journal published for the world to see and respond to. Pastors should blog about a subject they’re passionate about. Inherently, that will involve items related to helping grow the reader’s relationship with God. Visit these church/minister blogs:

* John VanPay, Gateway Fellowship Church (http://vanpay.wordpress.com/author/jvanpay/)

* Mark Batterson, National Community Church (www.evotional.com/)

Easy to use software to get you started:

* TypePad (www.typepad.com/)

* WordPress (www.wordpress.org/)

* Blogger (www.blogger.com/)

Podcast – A podcast is like a radio show, except you listen at your convenience by downloading it either to your computer or to an iPod or MP3 player. Many churches are employing this method to make their services and other resources available to all via the Web.

Getting started requires:

1. A Microphone – (www.founderstelecom.com/cocohectosow.html)

2. Recording Software – Audacity, free (www.audacity.sourceforge.net/)

3. Hosting – PodShow Network, free (www.podshow.com)

Social Networks – Social networking sites allow users to create a profile about themselves, share photos, journals, videos and interests with a virtual network of friends. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.

For churches, these networks can strengthen relationships, maintain contact with members who may have moved, and make the pastoral staff more approachable. Examples include: MySpace (myspace.com), Facebook (facebook.com), and Circle Builder (circlebuilder.com).

E-Mail – The majority of Americans have e-mail. E-mail is an inexpensive means of communicating to large groups of people at one time. Free e-mail options include: Gmail (gmail.com) and Yahoo (yahoomail.com).

Video Conferencing – Skype is a software that allows you to speak over the internet with anyone in the world for free. Key features include video calls and video conferences. Contacting a missionary on the field for a live video interview during a service is one example of Skype’s potential use in a church setting.

Getting started requires 1) a Web cam and 2) Skype Software (free at www.skype.com).

Communication Systems – Iris™ (Immediate Response Information System) acts as an emergency crisis response system or a routine message distributor to send announcements or even emergency messages to church members. The system will reach recipients by all devices at virtually the same time: telephone, cell phone, digital pager, fax, wireless PDA device, email, computer system tray icon, Amber alert and LED signs. Visit www.techradium.com.

Print – Print communication options include: 1) local newspaper (ads, articles, opinion pieces or letters to the editor), 2) newsletters and 3) flyers.

Multimedia – Multimedia includes TV and radio spots, billboards and media campaigns such as Nothing’s Too Hard for God (nothingstoohardforGodcampaign.ag.org).

Personal Note – While technology is making great advancements, there’s still no replacement for the personal touch communicated through a handwritten note, phone call or personal visit.

This article “Communication is Key to Effective Promotions” by David Fuller, was excerpted from: www.churchtoday.com newsletter. October 2010. It may be used for study & research purposes only.

This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”