Ad hoc isn’t considered. Ad hoc isn’t strategic. Ad hoc is only accidentally effective.

Last month I read ‘Tips and tricks for managing communications‘ at Church Marketing Sucks and was inspired by some of the promotions worksheets and communications plans shared.

I decided to create my own church communications plan, using a Google Spreadsheet so it can be easily shared with the ministry team.

The plan seeks to pull together the different communications channels in use at Church by the Bridge, and then map out how upcoming events and vision will be communicated through these channels. Some of the items in the plan (e.g. ‘Celebrate the wins’) I’ll explain in a future post.

Above is a snapshot of the plan – click here to download the full plan from last week (PDF).

It’s only a first cut, and I’m still thinking it through and fine-tuning it. If you’ve done something similar, or have ideas for how this could be even more effective, I’d love to hear from you.

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1. Clarifies the purpose of the organization
2. Pursues a preferred future
3. Inspires people to engage
4. Makes it easier to define what the organization won’t do

He goes on to explain that a clear vision rallies and repels:

“A clear vision that is properly communicated will rally people. People will look at the present situation and agree together that there’s a better future that must be pursued. People will give their time, energy, prayer, financial resources, talents, and gifts to help accomplish that vision. Lots of people will do that. If people aren’t attracted to your church, your vision either isn’t strong enough or it hasn’t been communicated clearly.”

“A clear vision that is properly communicated will repel people. Think of the most successful businesses or churches—Apple, Starbucks, Wal-Mart, Willow Creek, Saddleback, Billy Graham, etc. Each of these businesses or ministries have experienced huge success. If you were to Google the names of each of these organizations and the word “haters,” you’ll also find there are plenty of people who consider these organizations evil. Clarifying your vision will help some people determine they don’t want to be a part of your cause. (And, don’t be surprised if some attack.) If people aren’t leaving your church, your vision either isn’t strong enough or it hasn’t been communicated clearly.”

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The Sydney Anglican-specific statistics (the people this video was created for) are particularly helpful:

You can also read more thoughts on Christian giving, and see the aim for 12% in 2012, set at Church by the Bridge.

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“What would you like men’s ministry to look like in 2012 and into the future?”

There was some brainstorming around a range of topics:

• ideas for outreach events,
• how to train up men for ministry,
• how to encourage more men to join Bible study groups,
• how to improve the relationships men have with each other, and more.

There were numerous ideas, with each person identifying according to the needs that they’ve observed or feel.

One man piped up with a helpful question:

“What is the objective for men’s ministry?”

This was a good question to ask. Without defining the objective, a ministry will easily become a mile wide and an inch deep.

Until you have a clear objective, every idea is a good idea.

What is men’s ministry seeking to achieve? There may be lots to achieve – evangelism, discipleship, accountability, apologetics, dealing with temptation, equipping to be fathers/sons/husbands, serving together, building relationships – the list goes on. But without a focus, a ministry will end up doing a little bit of everything and a whole lot of nothing in particular.

Work out the objective first, then you’ll be able to sift through the ideas to identify the most helpful activities.

Read more: Why churches need to narrow the focus.

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I’m so thankful Jesus sticks to his bride as this woman stuck to her boyfriend, now husband.

Jesus loves his church.

If you’re viewing this in an RSS reader or email, click here.

Read more on the Desiring God website.

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Already a core group of churches and individuals are on board and are praying that in the coming 18 months, 2000 volunteers will be raised up to serve Sydney in a variety of community initiatives. Volunteers will be connected to opportunities via a highly specialised website optimized for social media integration and through meaningful engagement with local church congregations.

Hope For Sydney will be a trusted name across the city, and the first click for Christians seeking to serve the city of Sydney.

The website has been designed and is in the final stages of testing. Before the website can be launched, Hope for Sydney requires a committed volunteer to help with content maintenance and upkeep, working in partnership with the Advocates and Partners Liaison.

If you want to see Sydney’s poor and marginalised served by Sydney Christians, have experience with websites and can generously donate a regular 4 hours per week to this project – the team would love to hear from you.

Please contact the Chairperson of the Hope for Sydney Board, Hayley Neal.

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“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15)

Jesus is the only real superhero. As God’s perfect, obedient son, He came to earth especially for us so that He might die on the cross and pay for our sin. Because He was without sin, He rose from the dead. In doing so He defeated death for all those who trust in Him for eternal life.

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Technology expenditure can be hard to justify in churches. Even a cheap-as-chips website development can receive more debate than the selection of a new staff member!

The truth is, sometimes money needs to be spent.

Here’s Rusty Lewis (what a great name!) – the driving school analogy is particularly useful I think:

“What many churches don’t realize is the cost of doing nothing is much higher than the cost of changing. If their current system is not helping them steward people well, the long-term impact of that problem is huge and potentially devastating. I am sending my 15 year old to an advanced driving school so that he can be a mature, disciplined and effective driver, able to react well to any situation. Is that expensive? Sure it is! Is it worth it? Absolutely! Bad technology can slow down and even derail the mission God has called you to. Effective technology can scale and accelerate it. What is that worth? Every church must determine their own answer to that question.”

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“Everyone who is new to church would like to be greeted. It seems a very strange question to ask a newcomer if they would like to be greeted.”

I didn’t (and don’t) agree with this.

I replied:

“I don’t think we can assume that everyone who comes wants to be greeted.

Some people just want to sit up the back and not speak with anyone. At least for the first visit, and maybe longer, they would prefer to fly under the radar.”

It’s not that we should ignore people, but there’s various reasons why people might not want to receive an eager, extended welcome to church.

One reader reflected on this being his experience:

“I remember doing my best to remain an anonymous figure in the back row. I wanted to check it out and then bolt afterward! I was quite terrified of a conversation because my personal life was in a mess. I had no job and nothing to really make small-talk about.”

This is precisely the type of person I was thinking about. At Church by the Bridge, we make it clear in a poster outside church (displayed on rotation in our noticeboard) that this is ok:

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Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honour” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS), is the leading international award honouring excellence on the Internet.

Fervr.net is a Christian youth website by Youthworks that publishes daily articles, reviews and videos for 13 to 18 year olds. Its goal is to provide easily-accessible content that is engaging and relevant for teens, stimulating them to think critically and respond thoughtfully to their world from a Christian perspective.

Well done to the Youthworks team.

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