A friend and I were on our way to an event in Valley Forge, PA. After driving for a while, the highway suddenly split. The signs were confusing, and I didn't have much time to think. Instinctively, I picked the road on the left. My friend and I quickly realized I had made the wrong choice. And there was no exit for miles. What's worse than continuing in the wrong direction when you know it's the wrong direction? Knowing that you have to do it all again when you finally get turned around!
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When considering whether or not your church should hire a consultant, there will always be reasons why you "shouldn't." Hopefully, my experiences will offer some insight and balance your decision-making.
There are two common mistakes churches make in their communication strategy. They either task communication planning to each ministry or delegate it to one person or team. While either can work, neither is the best. The first can result in congestion and unintended competition, while the second can produce frustration and tension. Let's explore each scenario a little more to expose potential hazards.
I'm not a plumber. But whenever I have a plumbing issue, I convince myself I can do it. I end up with more leaks, more water, wrong connectors, and a zillion trips back and forth to the hardware store. When finished, I always vow that next time, I'll hire a plumber.
One of my Bible college instructors often said, "People walk in the light they know." In other words, we don't know what we don't know. I think worse than not knowing something is living in denial. We can act like we know even though we don't. Nobody wants to admit to ignorance because it sounds like a fault. If we're honest, none of us wants the stigma of being a know-it-all either. Being open and honest about the things we don't know sets us up for real growth. Instead of trying to act like I'm a plumber, I should just hire a plumber. Sometimes, you can figure things out on your own. But when you need significant change, you should consider hiring an expert. Budgeting season will be most likely be more challenging for church leaders this year. This pandemic year and the financial burden it's created for your church hasn't been easy to navigate.
But here you are. And as the Lord's work continues through your local community of faith, I invite you to consider two essential ingredients related to church budgeting. This year has been anything but ordinary. States and local communities are adjusting almost daily in response to the shifting surges of COVID-19. You and your church leaders have thoughtful discussions about how and when to schedule in-person gatherings of varying sizes, turn around, and have more conversations about if and when to cancel those activities.
Useful, clear, and simplified communication has never been more critical. This season has illuminated three outstanding values of having a ChurchCom Solutions virtual church assistant. One of the greatest threats to humanity from the COVID pandemic may not be the illness itself. The most effective communication is two individuals in conversation. Yet, the very idea of communicating "face to face" has been replaced by "social distancing" and wearing masks. Amid this counterculture, let's look at three simple steps to keeping the relational form of communication alive.
One of the most common challenges with church communications is the complex coordination of event promotion. I use these words specifically from a church communicator's perspective. With each ministry of your church generating activity, it takes skill and coordination to communicate it all clearly and succinctly. Churches large and small often wrestle with this very thing. As a church communicator, meeting the various ministry events' expectations and deadlines can be stressful and mentally exhausting. Here are three steps to improving your event promotions schedule and the tension each step can release.
When we hear the word "brand," we usually think "corporate." It might be a difficult subject to talk about in the context of a church because a church isn't a business. But what if I told you your church already has a brand, whether you did anything about it or not?
When you saw someone wearing a mask in the grocery store in early spring 2020, you would assume they were ill or had an allergy. Fast forward to the end of summer, and those strange looks go to the people who aren't wearing a mask. So, how did that happen? Here are three takeaways from the pandemic related to communication.
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AuthorDon Wambolt has over 25 years' experience in leading church communications. More Archives
February 2024
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