Re-Start: Assess

 

During the month of August, the theme for all of the IMN blogs is “Start.” When it comes to church, we are constantly communicating something. Sometimes, we have to re-start exactly how we’re communicating. Over the next few weeks, we’ll look at how to do that effectively by assessing, analyzing, implementing, and evaluating our church communication strategy.

This week, we’ll talk about how to assess.

One of the best ways to assess how you’re communicating is to invite someone who you trust, who doesn’t regularly attend your church to visit your church, website, or Facebook page. Have them answer a few questions, like:

• Is it easy to find a parking spot close to the front entrance?
• When they enter your church, are they greeted by more than one person?
• Is it easy to get kids checked in to their classes? Do the classrooms seem safe and inviting?
• Are the restrooms clearly marked and ready for visitors?
• Is it easy to find a comfortable place to sit?
• Is the bulletin easy to read and understand?
• Does your website reflect what your church is like?
• Does the website offer information about upcoming events?
• Is it easy to navigate?
• Does your Facebook page offer recent information and interesting articles?
• Does the website or Facebook page make them want to know more about the church?

During their visit to your church, ask them to take pictures of things they notice that need attention.

Once these questions are answered, invite a small group of people to discuss what to do next. Invite your leadership team members and consider including people from your community who have experience with interior design, graphic design, and technology to offer their input. Have an honest discussion about what isn’t working and what to do to make it better.

Assign topics to research and schedule another meeting to review and come up with a solid plan for implementation.

 

 

Renewed Communication

The way we communicate has changed. No longer are we limited to the phone and mail to disseminate information. Now we can communicate through several mediums, utilizing their individual strengths and weaknesses to communicate effectively. Church is not immune to these changes. Although it can feel confusing and frustrating to change the way we communicate, these new avenues open up a wold of possibilities! Here are a few things to keep in mind as you assess how your church communicates.

Say more with less. In this digital age, people have access to a plethora of information literally at their fingertips. This access can easily turn into information overload, so people pay attention to pertinent information communicated concisely. In written communication, be sure to edit not only for grammar and punctuation, but also for conciseness.

Develop a brand. As ministers, we often cringe when we think about communicating the Gospel using marketing terms. However, in order to make sure your voice is recognizable in a world with so much noise, it’s important to develop a consistent look. Choose a logo, 2-3 colors and a text and heading font that all complement one another and stick with it. Keep it simple and consistent. The more you develop your brand, the more clearly your voice will be heard.

Remember your manners. Although in some ways the rules for communication have changed, some things have not. It’s still important to use correct grammar and proofread. With the ease of digital communication, sometimes we are able to communicate too quickly for our own good, so be sure to read what you write before posting or sending. In the world of visual communication, USING THE CAPS LOCK IS THE EQUIVALENT OF YELLING, AND IT’S EVEN MORE SERIOUS WHEN BOLD! Avoid using the caps lock. Instead bold important dates or pieces of information for emphasis.

Consider new avenues. Nearly 85% of visitors will check out a church’s website before actually going to church. It’s important to have an online presence in your community. If you don’t have the time or resources to develop a detailed website, you can put together a church website for free here. Provide information about your staff, service times, location and a brief overview of what you believe. Keep your communication simple, clear and up-to-date. Setting up a Facebook page, Twitter account or moving your bulletins to an email service like Mailchimp can add to your online presence. Remember to keep your branding consistent with your online communication by using similar colors, fonts and language.

Although the way we communicate has changed, our message has not. We have the unique opportunity to utilize so many great resources to connect people with a Father who loves them!