… to connect with 21st Century Followers
This article is part one of three that offers church communication strategies specifically for small congregations. While the focus is on small churches, all churches will find the strategies presented helpful for their ministry.
Written by Jessica Marston, CCK Communication Specialist.
Church communication is a complex and ever-changing field. It is about building relationships, earning trust, and making people feel important.
It is important to develop strategies and goals that reflect your church’s overall mission and vision. As a result, church leadership should understand that implementing these strategies is a process – a journey – that requires constant adjustments as your church changes and grows.
While it is good to explore what other churches are doing, church communication strategies are not a one size fits all solution. Every church and its community is different, therefore the tools, methods, and strategies used will be different.
Small churches, with an average worship attendance of 75 people or less, often feel lost, confused, and overwhelmed when it comes to developing effective strategies to reach their communities and build relationships. Small churches have fewer volunteers to pull from and fewer financial resources to buy expensive equipment and programs.
The first place to start is to build a dedicated communications team. One person cannot do it all and church pastors have “blind spots.” Every team will look different, and the communication team may need to change based on several factors such as an event, ministry focus, and church season.
For security reasons, a church should have no less than three people from different families that represent the diversity of the congregation. Remember to balance your team between paid staff and volunteers. A church could have volunteers who are willing to help with specific communications tasks who would not be willing to volunteer for anything else.
After establishing a communications team, it’s time to set your goals. The SMART goal acronym stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based.
By setting objectives and creating a clear roadmap for how you’ll reach your intended target, you can decide how to apply your time and resources efficiently. The SMART goal framework sets boundaries and defines the steps you’ll need to take, resources necessary to get there, and milestones that indicate progress along the way. With SMART goals, you’re more likely to achieve your goal efficiently and effectively.
Want to Learn More?
Check out the Art of Church Communication Workshops this April! See the article on page 7 or go to www.kansasdisciples.org/aocc-workshops for details.