Blogger is wonderful.....but I have found that I can do lots more with WordPress.
Go to my blog there: www.effectivechurchcom.com.
In my seminars I compare the two and I'm in the process of putting together a CD that will help you be more successful with WordPress.
Blessings to Blogger and it might be just perfect for you--check it out.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
In the midst of competing demands, keep your eye on the most important goal in church communication
Lesson 8 Nehemiah for church communicators
As I was reading through Nehemiah to get a picture of the whole story, I was struck by how many distractions Nehemiah had to face: ridicule that turned into vicious attacks; workers who wouldn't work, who were afraid and tired; dealing with poor people who had been unjustly treated; political schemes that stretched from Jerusalem to Babylon; corruption in ministry.
His situation reminded me of the reality of most church communicators today--that you do your job in the midst of many demands and distractions. Very few church communicators have the luxury of doing only church communications. Usually you are part of a multi-tasking church staff with answering the phone, dealing with emergencies, staff meetings and congregation crisis all being part of your daily job. In that we can take inspiration from Nehemiah because no matter what else he had to deal with, he never lost sight of his primary task: build the wall.
In church communications, the core motivation, inspiration, and reason for all I do and what I want to pass on to everyone who attends my seminars or reads my materials is that the primary task of our communications is to fully fulfill the Great Commission, to introduce people to Jesus as savior and to help them become mature disciples.
To fully fulfill the Great Commission is our true north. It is the measure by which we evaluate all our work.
There were many days that I'm sure Nehemiah was not able to concentrate totally on his task and days he felt little was accomplished. Yet, though side-tracked temporarily, he always returned to his goal.
For all of us, the challenge is similar. The phone rings, an emergency referral has to be made; a lonely person wanders by your office and you take time for a chat to comfort a hurting heart; a financial report needs to be finished--and you've still got the deadline to create an inspiring newsletter, both in print and online in the next few days.
I don't know why God doesn't protect us from these interruptions; why he doesn't allow us to do the work he called us to do without distractions. But he has decided to allow these things to enter our lives and like Nehemiah, if we keep our eyes on him, we can trust him to help us accomplish the tasks he's given us. Even more, if we keep our mind on our goal, he will use our communications to help people come to know him and become his mature disciples.
As I was reading through Nehemiah to get a picture of the whole story, I was struck by how many distractions Nehemiah had to face: ridicule that turned into vicious attacks; workers who wouldn't work, who were afraid and tired; dealing with poor people who had been unjustly treated; political schemes that stretched from Jerusalem to Babylon; corruption in ministry.
His situation reminded me of the reality of most church communicators today--that you do your job in the midst of many demands and distractions. Very few church communicators have the luxury of doing only church communications. Usually you are part of a multi-tasking church staff with answering the phone, dealing with emergencies, staff meetings and congregation crisis all being part of your daily job. In that we can take inspiration from Nehemiah because no matter what else he had to deal with, he never lost sight of his primary task: build the wall.
In church communications, the core motivation, inspiration, and reason for all I do and what I want to pass on to everyone who attends my seminars or reads my materials is that the primary task of our communications is to fully fulfill the Great Commission, to introduce people to Jesus as savior and to help them become mature disciples.
To fully fulfill the Great Commission is our true north. It is the measure by which we evaluate all our work.
There were many days that I'm sure Nehemiah was not able to concentrate totally on his task and days he felt little was accomplished. Yet, though side-tracked temporarily, he always returned to his goal.
For all of us, the challenge is similar. The phone rings, an emergency referral has to be made; a lonely person wanders by your office and you take time for a chat to comfort a hurting heart; a financial report needs to be finished--and you've still got the deadline to create an inspiring newsletter, both in print and online in the next few days.
I don't know why God doesn't protect us from these interruptions; why he doesn't allow us to do the work he called us to do without distractions. But he has decided to allow these things to enter our lives and like Nehemiah, if we keep our eyes on him, we can trust him to help us accomplish the tasks he's given us. Even more, if we keep our mind on our goal, he will use our communications to help people come to know him and become his mature disciples.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Do you know how your church communications works?
Lesson 7: Nehemiah for church communicators
Though Nehemiah risked his career on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and though the king himself had approved of the project and given him provisions to complete it, Nehemiah didn’t do anything until he had carefully and personally checked out the situation, as he records:
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work (Nehemiah 2: 11-16).
Two key lessons and challenges from this passage:
Though Nehemiah risked his career on rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and though the king himself had approved of the project and given him provisions to complete it, Nehemiah didn’t do anything until he had carefully and personally checked out the situation, as he records:
I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few men. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work (Nehemiah 2: 11-16).
Two key lessons and challenges from this passage:
- It is a leader’s responsibility to personally check out the reality of any challenging situation.
- In church communications, as a leader, you need to know exactly what your communications are or are not accomplishing. Do you really know?
For example, if you strongly believe in small groups and preach often from the pulpit on their importance, do you have any idea how people actually get signed up for them?
Is there a list in the bulletin? Does it have contact numbers, emails and complete location, date and time details for each one? Or does it have a totally non-productive phrase such as, “Call the church office for more information.” That phrase is sort of like all the garbage Nehemiah encountered as he surveyed the broken down walls of Jerusalem—nobody can get past it.
Or is the contact information on small groups on your website? If so, anonymously try to sign up or ask for information on small groups. Are you successful? How long does it take to get a response? Even if the website works well, how many people in your congregation have web access? Do you know? Or did you put the small group information on the website only because that is what some web expert advised you to do?
Web experts aside, no matter what the content, all church programs need more than one channel—print, web, newsletter, powerpoint, whatever, if they going to connect with all all the people who need them.
One more thing: before you make any changes or try new things, be sure you thoroughly know the condition of your current church communications—there may be a little bit or a whole lot of garbage that needs to be cleaned up.
Whenever you begin to accomplish any new task in church communication, expect opposition
Lesson 6 from Nehemiah for church communicators
No sooner did Nehemiah get permission to begin the great task of rebuilding than in the next few verses we are introduced to enemies who did not want him to accomplish his goals.
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites (Neh. 2:10).
Whenever you begin to accomplish any new task in church communication, expect opposition.
This will always happen because effective church communication is essential to effective church growth and you have an enemy who does not want you to succeed. I often remind people in my seminars that whenever the U.S. has gone into any conflict one of the first targets destroyed is communications. The television, radio, any every other communication system is bombed because every general knows that without good communications, the enemy cannot be successful.
Church communicators are involved in spiritual warfare for the eternal souls of the people touched by their churches. As such, we can expect opposition. That opposition is more than just cranky folks who don’t like the new layout of the bulletin:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12).
In light of this situation of opposition, it’s interesting to note what Nehemiah did initially in response. Though his approach varied as time went on, (and I’ll be commenting on those changes) his initial response set a positive pattern in that initially he didn’t retaliate or even respond. He noted that there was opposition, but he did not allow that to deter him from his plans.
In his approach, I’m reminded of some biblical examples of what to do in times of trouble. Though there are many times to take action and many encouragements to pray and trust in the Word, one theme, one command that applies here, is simply to stand:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then . . .(Eph. 6:13.14).
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. . . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you’ ” (2 Chron. 20:15-17).
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13).
Application suggestions:
No sooner did Nehemiah get permission to begin the great task of rebuilding than in the next few verses we are introduced to enemies who did not want him to accomplish his goals.
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites (Neh. 2:10).
Whenever you begin to accomplish any new task in church communication, expect opposition.
This will always happen because effective church communication is essential to effective church growth and you have an enemy who does not want you to succeed. I often remind people in my seminars that whenever the U.S. has gone into any conflict one of the first targets destroyed is communications. The television, radio, any every other communication system is bombed because every general knows that without good communications, the enemy cannot be successful.
Church communicators are involved in spiritual warfare for the eternal souls of the people touched by their churches. As such, we can expect opposition. That opposition is more than just cranky folks who don’t like the new layout of the bulletin:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6:12).
In light of this situation of opposition, it’s interesting to note what Nehemiah did initially in response. Though his approach varied as time went on, (and I’ll be commenting on those changes) his initial response set a positive pattern in that initially he didn’t retaliate or even respond. He noted that there was opposition, but he did not allow that to deter him from his plans.
In his approach, I’m reminded of some biblical examples of what to do in times of trouble. Though there are many times to take action and many encouragements to pray and trust in the Word, one theme, one command that applies here, is simply to stand:
Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then . . .(Eph. 6:13.14).
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them. . . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you’ ” (2 Chron. 20:15-17).
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved (Mark 13:13).
Application suggestions:
- Initially some of the most difficult battles you will face as you attempt to do effective church communications will be inner spiritual battles.
- The enemy of your soul and the souls of the people whose lives and eternities can be changed by what you will create through your church communications, like the enemies Nehemiah faced, become “very much distressed that someone had come to promote the welfare of [your people].”
- Acknowledge that opposition is there, but do not let it move you. Stand firm in the promises of God and press ahead.
- Remember Satan is the accuser of the brethren and there will always be a voice in your head that tells you that you aren’t good enough, that taunts, “Who do you think you are to try to change the world through that website or blog or bulletin?” or that says, “And you think that postcard will get anybody to come? You can’t be serious that that email will accomplish anything?”
- Tell that voice to shut up. Consciously shift your mind away from your inadequacies and fears to the promises of God for strength, help, and wisdom.
- Be aware that the opposition will not go away. You will need to stand firm as long as you serve as a church communicator.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Communication strategy frees captives
A daring rescue of captives in the jungles of Columbia took place this week and as the details have been revealed, one comment I heard on NPR provides a useful challenge for church communications.
NPR commented on the critical part communication made in the rescue when it was revealed that the government was able to disrupt and confuse the communication of the rebel group so that the rescue could be made.
What a great analogy and challenge for us as church communicators—to disrupt the communications of the enemy so captives can be freed.
In our world today, the enemy of our souls holds the hearts and minds of people captive to all sorts of useless and soul-killing bondage and most of it promoted through the communications people daily receive. We have the message of freedom in Jesus, but are we getting it out there so that souls can be freed?
To do that won’t happen by accident. The government forces carefully studied the communication of their enemy and then strategically replaced them with their messages that resulted in freedom. Some practical inspiration for church communicators follows:
NPR commented on the critical part communication made in the rescue when it was revealed that the government was able to disrupt and confuse the communication of the rebel group so that the rescue could be made.
What a great analogy and challenge for us as church communicators—to disrupt the communications of the enemy so captives can be freed.
In our world today, the enemy of our souls holds the hearts and minds of people captive to all sorts of useless and soul-killing bondage and most of it promoted through the communications people daily receive. We have the message of freedom in Jesus, but are we getting it out there so that souls can be freed?
To do that won’t happen by accident. The government forces carefully studied the communication of their enemy and then strategically replaced them with their messages that resulted in freedom. Some practical inspiration for church communicators follows:
- In a world filled with websites for every imaginable media outlet, feedback and comments are solicited. Take the opportunity to comment from a Christian viewpoint.
- Before you comment from a Christian viewpoint, be sure you know what you are talking about. Whenever you attempt to speak for the kingdom of God, be certain you have your facts straight. One essential component of quoting correctly is that if you are going to use the Bible as a proof text, be sure you quote it in context. Don’t pull verses out of context and throw them out as a proof to support your viewpoint. Study the verse, in context, in history, in interpretation. Read the entire chapter and book it is in and commentaries on it to be sure you are quoting and using the verse with integrity. People to whom you speak may not be familiar with the passage, but most people have an innate sense of when someone is distorting a quote for private purposes.
- When quoting the Bible, I have often found that it helps to acknowledge that the people reading or listening to you probably do not view it as the Word of God. In a secular context, I will acknowledge that upfront by saying something like, “I’m not asking you to take this statement as words from God, for the basis of our discussion, think of the Bible as the historical text that reveals what Christians believe about this topic.” God’s word is true and powerful, whether your audience believes that or not.
- Always present your comments with “gentleness and respect.” Remember you are to be a witness, not the prosecuting attorney.
If you are a consistent, gentle, clear communicator of the truth of the Christian message, in time the Lord may use your words, spoken and written, in print and on the web, to free captives held by false messages of a world passing away.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Have a prayed through plan in place and take responsibility for it
Lesson 5 from Nehemiah for church communicators
In spite of his fear, Nehemiah expressed his concern for the situation of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. To no doubt his great relief, the king did not rebuke him or ignore him, he asked him what he wanted and Nehemiah replied:
"The king said to me, 'What is it you want?'
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it' (Neh. 2,:4,5)."
Lessons from this passage:
1. Nehemiah was prepared with an answer and as the following verses show, it was a detailed plan on what he planned to do about it. This is incredibly significant because:
2. Anyone can point out problems. The ability to see what's wrong may just be the result of a bad attitude or a critical spirit. Nehemiah didn't stop at just seeing the problem, as the previous chapter showed, he took the problem to the Lord and spent time praying, fasting and as this passage shows, planning what needed to be done.
3. Nehemiah took personal responsibility to accomplish the daunting task of rebuilding. Nothing is worse for a leader than to have people who point out problems (again, not difficult to do) and then expect someone else to fix them.
A good application guideline for anyone in church communications, either in leadership or doing the work--don't bring up a problem until you also have an idea for the solution and are prepared to do the work to make the needed improvements.
4. Accepting responsibility doesn't mean you have to do all the work alone. Nehemiah needed help to do it and the passage goes on to show that he asked the king for supplies and support. The response:
"And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests (Neh. 28)."
5. Nehemiah acknowledged that the reason for the positive response from the king was not his brilliant insight or planning, but the favor of God. No matter what the response when proposing a new vision, we must always remember we are doing our communication work, not to be the most cutting edge or impressive visually, but to do all we can do so people can see Jesus, come to know him as savior, and grow to maturity as disciples. Those are the goals that win the favor of God and that, if our plans are pleasing to him, give us favor before people.
In spite of his fear, Nehemiah expressed his concern for the situation of the Jews who had returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity. To no doubt his great relief, the king did not rebuke him or ignore him, he asked him what he wanted and Nehemiah replied:
"The king said to me, 'What is it you want?'
Then I prayed to the God of heaven, and I answered the king, 'If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my fathers are buried so that I can rebuild it' (Neh. 2,:4,5)."
Lessons from this passage:
1. Nehemiah was prepared with an answer and as the following verses show, it was a detailed plan on what he planned to do about it. This is incredibly significant because:
2. Anyone can point out problems. The ability to see what's wrong may just be the result of a bad attitude or a critical spirit. Nehemiah didn't stop at just seeing the problem, as the previous chapter showed, he took the problem to the Lord and spent time praying, fasting and as this passage shows, planning what needed to be done.
3. Nehemiah took personal responsibility to accomplish the daunting task of rebuilding. Nothing is worse for a leader than to have people who point out problems (again, not difficult to do) and then expect someone else to fix them.
A good application guideline for anyone in church communications, either in leadership or doing the work--don't bring up a problem until you also have an idea for the solution and are prepared to do the work to make the needed improvements.
4. Accepting responsibility doesn't mean you have to do all the work alone. Nehemiah needed help to do it and the passage goes on to show that he asked the king for supplies and support. The response:
"And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests (Neh. 28)."
5. Nehemiah acknowledged that the reason for the positive response from the king was not his brilliant insight or planning, but the favor of God. No matter what the response when proposing a new vision, we must always remember we are doing our communication work, not to be the most cutting edge or impressive visually, but to do all we can do so people can see Jesus, come to know him as savior, and grow to maturity as disciples. Those are the goals that win the favor of God and that, if our plans are pleasing to him, give us favor before people.
It's OK to be afraid, but don't allow fear to silence your vision
Lesson 4 from Nehemiah for church communicators
Fear can be crippling. You might have a vision for what your communications could do to change your church. You might have a vision of a new website, one that is up-to-date and one that in depth answers the questions of seekers and members; you might want to start a mobile phone daily devotional; you might want to totally redo the bulletin so it clearly explains your liturgical service; you might want to recruit and train a team of communication volunteers. Or maybe you simply want to figure out how to use the computer software you've been given without a mental meltdown each time you open it.
Whatever your vision and dream in church communications, don't be surprised if you experience fear as you contemplate making your dream reality. Also to accomplish the next step in your communication ministry often takes the permission and support of church leadership who may not appear to have church communications as a priority in their view of the church. Maybe you have been told "no" in the past and it's scary to even think about bringing up a costly or controversial topic.
Nehemiah experienced that fear when the king asked him what was going on because he looked so sad and the Bible records Nehemiah's response:
"I was very much afraid (Neh. 2:2)."
Lessons we learn from Nehemiah's admission of fear:
1. He was afraid; he was very afraid. Fear is a natural response to a scary situation. Sometimes if you aren't afraid when you approach making changes or suggesting a new ministry, you aren't paying attention to reality.
2. But it is never OK to let our fear keep us from pressing ahead. Nehemiah told the king that he was sad because of the situation in Jerusalem. Fear can keep us from bringing up problems we see because we are afraid of a reaction from those in charge.
We always must make certain that we express concerns "with gentleness and respect," but simply because we are afraid of a reaction is never a reason not to express valid concerns.
Because Nehemiah expressed his concern in spite of his fear, the king replied:
"What is it you want (Neh. 2:4)?
The example of how to respond in a fearful situation is in Nehemiah's answer and we'll look at that in the next lesson.
Fear can be crippling. You might have a vision for what your communications could do to change your church. You might have a vision of a new website, one that is up-to-date and one that in depth answers the questions of seekers and members; you might want to start a mobile phone daily devotional; you might want to totally redo the bulletin so it clearly explains your liturgical service; you might want to recruit and train a team of communication volunteers. Or maybe you simply want to figure out how to use the computer software you've been given without a mental meltdown each time you open it.
Whatever your vision and dream in church communications, don't be surprised if you experience fear as you contemplate making your dream reality. Also to accomplish the next step in your communication ministry often takes the permission and support of church leadership who may not appear to have church communications as a priority in their view of the church. Maybe you have been told "no" in the past and it's scary to even think about bringing up a costly or controversial topic.
Nehemiah experienced that fear when the king asked him what was going on because he looked so sad and the Bible records Nehemiah's response:
"I was very much afraid (Neh. 2:2)."
Lessons we learn from Nehemiah's admission of fear:
1. He was afraid; he was very afraid. Fear is a natural response to a scary situation. Sometimes if you aren't afraid when you approach making changes or suggesting a new ministry, you aren't paying attention to reality.
2. But it is never OK to let our fear keep us from pressing ahead. Nehemiah told the king that he was sad because of the situation in Jerusalem. Fear can keep us from bringing up problems we see because we are afraid of a reaction from those in charge.
We always must make certain that we express concerns "with gentleness and respect," but simply because we are afraid of a reaction is never a reason not to express valid concerns.
Because Nehemiah expressed his concern in spite of his fear, the king replied:
"What is it you want (Neh. 2:4)?
The example of how to respond in a fearful situation is in Nehemiah's answer and we'll look at that in the next lesson.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What to do before anything else in church communications, part two
Lesson 3 from Nehemiah for church communicators
Nehemiah didn't stop with fasting, confessing, and praying. He went on to remind God that even though he and his people were sinners, they were sinners who belonged to a great God who had great and glorious plans for his people. He acknowledged that God had led them out of captivity and he finished his prayer by asking that God grant him favor as he spoke to the king:
"Neh. 1: 10....'They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.'"
Some of the lessons we can learn from him:
What enabled Nehemiah to go beyond the negatives was the recognition that it was not because of Nehemiah that changes could be made. It was because of the promises and power of God.
This balance between our work and relying on God is a challenging balance and each one of us has to find it in our own heart and mind. We are responsible to get up off our faces and work and often to work incredibly hard. But we can't do that relying on our own strength for either our work or our results. To keep that balance in mind, pray and acknowledge in your heart and mind continuously that it is always "not by might or by power, but by His spirit" that we accomplish any church communications work of value.
Then get specific and ask for the help with the people you need to make your church communications effective.
Nehemiah didn't stop with fasting, confessing, and praying. He went on to remind God that even though he and his people were sinners, they were sinners who belonged to a great God who had great and glorious plans for his people. He acknowledged that God had led them out of captivity and he finished his prayer by asking that God grant him favor as he spoke to the king:
"Neh. 1: 10....'They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.'"
Some of the lessons we can learn from him:
- There is a time to repent and there is a time to quit groveling and get to work.
- It is OK to remind God of his promises to you and to his church.
- We often have to ask powerful people for help and we need God's help to prepare the way for us.
What enabled Nehemiah to go beyond the negatives was the recognition that it was not because of Nehemiah that changes could be made. It was because of the promises and power of God.
This balance between our work and relying on God is a challenging balance and each one of us has to find it in our own heart and mind. We are responsible to get up off our faces and work and often to work incredibly hard. But we can't do that relying on our own strength for either our work or our results. To keep that balance in mind, pray and acknowledge in your heart and mind continuously that it is always "not by might or by power, but by His spirit" that we accomplish any church communications work of value.
Then get specific and ask for the help with the people you need to make your church communications effective.
What to do before anything else in church communications, part one
Lesson 2 from Nehemiah for church communicators
Nehemiah allowed his heart to be broken over the distress of the people and the city of Jerusalem. He knew their situation had, in some ways, a rather simple solution: rebuild the walls. It was a technical, practical, manageable solution.
So what did he do? Did he draw up plans, detail a work schedule, put together a budget before going to the king? Those were logical things to do and necessary somewhere in the process, but that is not what Nehemiah did first.
First he prayed. Even more noteworthy is that he did not begin his prayers be praying for success; he began his prayer by fasting, confessing his sins, confessing the corporate sins of his people, and asking for forgiveness:
"Neh.1: 4 For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: 'O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses."
Before he did anything else, before rushing forward with his plans, Nehemiah humbled himself before God and by confessing his sins, made himself a clean vessel for God to use.
His example is a challenge to all of us.
When was the last time you fasted and prayed over your church communications? There is something about fasting that forces us to say "no" to ourselves and that discipline alone is great preparation for church communications work. The ability to say "no" to what we want done, when and how we want it done, is a great skill for successful church communications work.
Take some time to try it. Maybe not even a whole day, maybe even just half a day. After a few years of not doing it, (I get horrific migraines and doctors say I'm not supposed to fast) once again I have made it my practice to fast part or all of Mondays. I find this somehow humbles my heart and refocuses my energies to serve God as I start the week.
Fasting and penitential prayer is not all Nehemiah did as he began his work for God, but it is a challenging example for all of us as we work in church communications.
Nehemiah allowed his heart to be broken over the distress of the people and the city of Jerusalem. He knew their situation had, in some ways, a rather simple solution: rebuild the walls. It was a technical, practical, manageable solution.
So what did he do? Did he draw up plans, detail a work schedule, put together a budget before going to the king? Those were logical things to do and necessary somewhere in the process, but that is not what Nehemiah did first.
First he prayed. Even more noteworthy is that he did not begin his prayers be praying for success; he began his prayer by fasting, confessing his sins, confessing the corporate sins of his people, and asking for forgiveness:
"Neh.1: 4 For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said: 'O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's house, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses."
Before he did anything else, before rushing forward with his plans, Nehemiah humbled himself before God and by confessing his sins, made himself a clean vessel for God to use.
His example is a challenge to all of us.
When was the last time you fasted and prayed over your church communications? There is something about fasting that forces us to say "no" to ourselves and that discipline alone is great preparation for church communications work. The ability to say "no" to what we want done, when and how we want it done, is a great skill for successful church communications work.
Take some time to try it. Maybe not even a whole day, maybe even just half a day. After a few years of not doing it, (I get horrific migraines and doctors say I'm not supposed to fast) once again I have made it my practice to fast part or all of Mondays. I find this somehow humbles my heart and refocuses my energies to serve God as I start the week.
Fasting and penitential prayer is not all Nehemiah did as he began his work for God, but it is a challenging example for all of us as we work in church communications.
One person can change the direction of your church communications
Lesson 1 from Nehemiah for church communicators
Out of the 66 books of the Bible, 39 of them are the names of people.
Ordinary people no different than you or me with one difference--they allowed an extraordinary God to use them for his purposes. As you consider the communications needs of your church, you might be tempted to think there is nothing you can do, but God can use you in the same way he used the people of the Bible to change the course of your church, your church communications, and your community in extraordinary ways.
As an inspiration, let's look at Nehemiah. He was an official in the palace in Babylon, with no doubt a comfortable life. That changed when he heard about the situation of his fellow Jews back at Jerusalem, when the word came that they were, "in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire (Neh. 1:3)."
Most likely a lot of people heard that report. Many in Babylon and the thousands living in Jerusalem knew there was a huge problem. But one man let it break his heart and he took that heartbreak to God and did something about it.
My heart is broken over the state of communications in many churches today, where lots of time and money is spent creating things that might be technologically perfect, but that are not communicating the gospel and the basics of growing in the faith. That they are not accomplishing what they should be is evident with the number of churches closing, declining church attendance, and the lack of Biblical knowledge and lifestyle among professed Christians.
The evidence that church communication is broken is all around us, so what can we do about it? Through my ministry and this blog I hope to help build you up to be a more effective church communicator. I am committed to doing that. But my ministry aside, I want to take this example of Nehemiah as a challenge and encouragement to you.
Nehemiah was just one person, but God used him to change the course of a nation. As you look at the communication situation of your church, you may think you are only one person and you can't do much--but you can! Not because of any skill or creativity or wisdom in you, though you should develop all your skills and gifts to use in God's service, but ultimately because you serve an extraordinary God who can do extraordinary things through you.
I'm reading through Nehemiah in my devotions and I'll continue to share lessons that might be useful to church communicators.
Out of the 66 books of the Bible, 39 of them are the names of people.
Ordinary people no different than you or me with one difference--they allowed an extraordinary God to use them for his purposes. As you consider the communications needs of your church, you might be tempted to think there is nothing you can do, but God can use you in the same way he used the people of the Bible to change the course of your church, your church communications, and your community in extraordinary ways.
As an inspiration, let's look at Nehemiah. He was an official in the palace in Babylon, with no doubt a comfortable life. That changed when he heard about the situation of his fellow Jews back at Jerusalem, when the word came that they were, "in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire (Neh. 1:3)."
Most likely a lot of people heard that report. Many in Babylon and the thousands living in Jerusalem knew there was a huge problem. But one man let it break his heart and he took that heartbreak to God and did something about it.
My heart is broken over the state of communications in many churches today, where lots of time and money is spent creating things that might be technologically perfect, but that are not communicating the gospel and the basics of growing in the faith. That they are not accomplishing what they should be is evident with the number of churches closing, declining church attendance, and the lack of Biblical knowledge and lifestyle among professed Christians.
The evidence that church communication is broken is all around us, so what can we do about it? Through my ministry and this blog I hope to help build you up to be a more effective church communicator. I am committed to doing that. But my ministry aside, I want to take this example of Nehemiah as a challenge and encouragement to you.
Nehemiah was just one person, but God used him to change the course of a nation. As you look at the communication situation of your church, you may think you are only one person and you can't do much--but you can! Not because of any skill or creativity or wisdom in you, though you should develop all your skills and gifts to use in God's service, but ultimately because you serve an extraordinary God who can do extraordinary things through you.
I'm reading through Nehemiah in my devotions and I'll continue to share lessons that might be useful to church communicators.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
What does it mean to fully fulfill the Great Commission in our church communications?
I use the term to "fully fulfill the Great Commission" because it seems like so much church communication today is focused primarily on just getting people into church on Sunday morning. That is a good and worthy goal, but to simply get people to attend a church service does not equate with making disciples.
"Go into all the world and make disciples (Matt. 28:19)."
That is our charge from Jesus. To fully fulfill the Great Commission means to make disciples and it is only with that goal in mind that our church communications work becomes effective. To do this with our church communications is not a quick, easy, or simple task. To define it carefully and to enable you to do it is the purpose of my ministry and one I attempt to pass on in this blogs, seminars, and my website: http://www.effectivechurchcom.com/.
My overall process for creating effective church communications is outlined in my Five Steps of Effective Church Communications and Marketing. To read the overview article on it, click here.
"Go into all the world and make disciples (Matt. 28:19)."
That is our charge from Jesus. To fully fulfill the Great Commission means to make disciples and it is only with that goal in mind that our church communications work becomes effective. To do this with our church communications is not a quick, easy, or simple task. To define it carefully and to enable you to do it is the purpose of my ministry and one I attempt to pass on in this blogs, seminars, and my website: http://www.effectivechurchcom.com/.
My overall process for creating effective church communications is outlined in my Five Steps of Effective Church Communications and Marketing. To read the overview article on it, click here.
Effective Church Com: why is it based on the Great Commission?
Because the Christian gospel, the story of Jesus, which is the basis of the Great Commission is the only worthwhile and practically possible foundation upon which to do church communications.
Church communications is difficult and often thankless, underpaid, and under-resourced work. It is demanding, stressful, and repetitive. It has to be done for an audience that often doesn't want to hear what you have to say and if they do, they often don't like how you say it.
A love of technology, a desire to be recognized as a great graphic design artist, a brilliant and successful strategic communicator, or church marketing genius are not foundations that will hold you up working in church communications. Though earthly goals and skills can be useful in the tasks of church communications, if you do not have a foundation that reaches into eternity, it won't hold.
The Great Commission foundation is the rock-bottom belief that Jesus is God in the flesh, that he came to earth, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and that only by trusting in him, can people have their sins forgiven and spend forever with him. To share that message in its fullness, to move people from outside the church to become committed disciples is what it means to fully fulfill the Great Commission. To fully fulfill the Great Commission is what defines and motivates effective church communication.
If that is not your foundation, as the apostle Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (I Cor. 15:19)."
To help you see how the Great Commission motivates effective church communication and to equip and enable you to do it is the purpose of this ministry. There are many great folks out there, both in the secular and Christian world who teach and focus on many aspects of technology and communication, and may the Lord bless them all as they contribute to equipping church communicators, but my focus and my way of evaluating church communications has at its core always this one thing: is it moving people closer to come to know Jesus and to grow up to maturity in Him? That may have some debatable results, which is the topic of another blog.
Church communications is difficult and often thankless, underpaid, and under-resourced work. It is demanding, stressful, and repetitive. It has to be done for an audience that often doesn't want to hear what you have to say and if they do, they often don't like how you say it.
A love of technology, a desire to be recognized as a great graphic design artist, a brilliant and successful strategic communicator, or church marketing genius are not foundations that will hold you up working in church communications. Though earthly goals and skills can be useful in the tasks of church communications, if you do not have a foundation that reaches into eternity, it won't hold.
The Great Commission foundation is the rock-bottom belief that Jesus is God in the flesh, that he came to earth, died on the cross, rose from the dead, and that only by trusting in him, can people have their sins forgiven and spend forever with him. To share that message in its fullness, to move people from outside the church to become committed disciples is what it means to fully fulfill the Great Commission. To fully fulfill the Great Commission is what defines and motivates effective church communication.
If that is not your foundation, as the apostle Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (I Cor. 15:19)."
To help you see how the Great Commission motivates effective church communication and to equip and enable you to do it is the purpose of this ministry. There are many great folks out there, both in the secular and Christian world who teach and focus on many aspects of technology and communication, and may the Lord bless them all as they contribute to equipping church communicators, but my focus and my way of evaluating church communications has at its core always this one thing: is it moving people closer to come to know Jesus and to grow up to maturity in Him? That may have some debatable results, which is the topic of another blog.
What is effective church communication? An intro.
I define effective church communication as communication that fully fulfills the Great Commission. These are the last words of Jesus to his followers:
Matt: 28: 18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The way I summarize the Great Commission and apply it to church communications is to define effective church communications as communication that accomplishes two purposes:
1. To help people come to know Jesus as Savior.
2. To help people become mature disciples of Jesus.
Another way to say it is that our communication is effective if;
1. It is enabling people to get closer to Jesus.
2. It is enabling people to become like Jesus.
This series of blogs will define my ministry and what perhaps makes it unique in the midst of the many useful resources available today to equip and encourage church communicators. The very first and most important distinction to me in church communications is this foundation on the Great Commission.
Matt: 28: 18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
The way I summarize the Great Commission and apply it to church communications is to define effective church communications as communication that accomplishes two purposes:
1. To help people come to know Jesus as Savior.
2. To help people become mature disciples of Jesus.
Another way to say it is that our communication is effective if;
1. It is enabling people to get closer to Jesus.
2. It is enabling people to become like Jesus.
This series of blogs will define my ministry and what perhaps makes it unique in the midst of the many useful resources available today to equip and encourage church communicators. The very first and most important distinction to me in church communications is this foundation on the Great Commission.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
LA TIMES, June 1, 2008: of Kennedy and Keats and Salmon Rusdie
“When hope lived” is the title of a book review of three books about Robert F. Kennedy by David L. Ulin.
The review ends this way: “Hours after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed Kennedy spoke in an inner-city Indianapolis neighborhood. . . . . He told the largely black audience they were right to be enraged. Then he talked about compassion: ‘Let us dedicate ourselves,’ he said, ‘to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.’ Unlike other major cities, Indianapolis did not explode. Was Kennedy responsible? Who can say? But it suggests something fundamental that, even in a moment of extreme crisis, he chose to speak to our hopes and not our fears.”
Commentary: “To tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” What a daunting challenge. I find it so easy to express anger (righteous of course) and to find fault; to write or speak words that will make people “shape up.”
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:29). Perhaps to “make gentle” my words would be to make them more like Jesus. What a wonderful challenge to think that one’s words could calm a city; ours might not do that, but if we calm a hurting heart; if we challenge someone to express peace and not anger in our teaching or writing, we will have helped to make gentle the life of our world.
From a book review by Nicholas Delbanco, quoting Stanly Plumly’s biography of Keats
“He feared he had failed, his body brought down by disease, his poems belittled by Tory critics. But he also knew something: Trust the writing.”
Commentary: Trust the writing. For good or ill, what we write survives and shows who we are in ways we can’t imagine. Which is one reason, I suppose why it matters so much who we are ultimately writing for.
I’ve been working on a piece for quite awhile, working title: Beware the Seinfeld Syndrome: the challenge of reverence in an irreverent culture. It’s one of the most difficult things I’m working on because I don’t want to sound like an old shrew in it. But I’m writing it because I believe we serve a holy God and some of the flippant approaches to church communications I see today seems to be directed to the same audience that idolized Jerry Seinfeld rather than a divine one. I’m not quite certain the two audiences coexist kindly.
Quotes from three reviews: the first about the recent book by Salmon Rushie, the second a book on literary criticism by Adam Thirwell, the third on a novella by Gary Amdahl. The reviewers name follows each quote:
“No style should be a substitute for a story.”Amy Wilentz
“The finest literary criticism, the stuff that lasts, prompts thought-provoking questions, hitherto unimagined points of view and context. It should never (we were always taught, ahem) overshadow its subject in histrionics, iconoclastic or otherwise . . . . . style, like real life cannot be too precious, controlled or confining. ‘Real life is stylized,’ he says, ‘but it is messy as well. It is an accurate portrait of minute feelings.’” Susan Salter Reynolds
“Walter works for a media conglomerate that publishes a ‘series of books, light written, heavily produced.’” Ellen Slezak
Commentary: Today we can inexpensively and easily “heavily produce” anything; we can pile it on with images, flash, graphics and colors. But with all that is possible, we need to be constantly watchful that our style, no matter what tools technology makes available, never obscure the Christian story. Whether it is the story of the life of our Lord or our own, it is often messy.
A messy life, mine is certainly that often—which may be one of the reasons why I become almost physically nauseous at the pictures of smiling happy families gracing the covers of mass-produced church bulletins and industry churned-out web templates.
Where do they find those people? Nobody at my church looks like that and I live in Southern California. Many folks I know go to church because their lives are messy and Jesus gives hope; not to join a country club of picture-perfect people who smile all the time. To me that is to exchange style for story and in so doing, often make the story false.
Which brings me back to the challenge to make life, to make our writing, our church communications gentle—not perfect, stylish or flashy—gentle.
The review ends this way: “Hours after Martin Luther King Jr. was killed Kennedy spoke in an inner-city Indianapolis neighborhood. . . . . He told the largely black audience they were right to be enraged. Then he talked about compassion: ‘Let us dedicate ourselves,’ he said, ‘to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.’ Unlike other major cities, Indianapolis did not explode. Was Kennedy responsible? Who can say? But it suggests something fundamental that, even in a moment of extreme crisis, he chose to speak to our hopes and not our fears.”
Commentary: “To tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” What a daunting challenge. I find it so easy to express anger (righteous of course) and to find fault; to write or speak words that will make people “shape up.”
Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matt. 11:29). Perhaps to “make gentle” my words would be to make them more like Jesus. What a wonderful challenge to think that one’s words could calm a city; ours might not do that, but if we calm a hurting heart; if we challenge someone to express peace and not anger in our teaching or writing, we will have helped to make gentle the life of our world.
From a book review by Nicholas Delbanco, quoting Stanly Plumly’s biography of Keats
“He feared he had failed, his body brought down by disease, his poems belittled by Tory critics. But he also knew something: Trust the writing.”
Commentary: Trust the writing. For good or ill, what we write survives and shows who we are in ways we can’t imagine. Which is one reason, I suppose why it matters so much who we are ultimately writing for.
I’ve been working on a piece for quite awhile, working title: Beware the Seinfeld Syndrome: the challenge of reverence in an irreverent culture. It’s one of the most difficult things I’m working on because I don’t want to sound like an old shrew in it. But I’m writing it because I believe we serve a holy God and some of the flippant approaches to church communications I see today seems to be directed to the same audience that idolized Jerry Seinfeld rather than a divine one. I’m not quite certain the two audiences coexist kindly.
Quotes from three reviews: the first about the recent book by Salmon Rushie, the second a book on literary criticism by Adam Thirwell, the third on a novella by Gary Amdahl. The reviewers name follows each quote:
“No style should be a substitute for a story.”Amy Wilentz
“The finest literary criticism, the stuff that lasts, prompts thought-provoking questions, hitherto unimagined points of view and context. It should never (we were always taught, ahem) overshadow its subject in histrionics, iconoclastic or otherwise . . . . . style, like real life cannot be too precious, controlled or confining. ‘Real life is stylized,’ he says, ‘but it is messy as well. It is an accurate portrait of minute feelings.’” Susan Salter Reynolds
“Walter works for a media conglomerate that publishes a ‘series of books, light written, heavily produced.’” Ellen Slezak
Commentary: Today we can inexpensively and easily “heavily produce” anything; we can pile it on with images, flash, graphics and colors. But with all that is possible, we need to be constantly watchful that our style, no matter what tools technology makes available, never obscure the Christian story. Whether it is the story of the life of our Lord or our own, it is often messy.
A messy life, mine is certainly that often—which may be one of the reasons why I become almost physically nauseous at the pictures of smiling happy families gracing the covers of mass-produced church bulletins and industry churned-out web templates.
Where do they find those people? Nobody at my church looks like that and I live in Southern California. Many folks I know go to church because their lives are messy and Jesus gives hope; not to join a country club of picture-perfect people who smile all the time. To me that is to exchange style for story and in so doing, often make the story false.
Which brings me back to the challenge to make life, to make our writing, our church communications gentle—not perfect, stylish or flashy—gentle.
LA TIMES COMMENTARY, a new section and why
For many of you working in church communication, much of your work is tedious. Though you know (as I remind you often in my seminars and various publications) that the most seemingly mundane publications you create can alter the eternal direction of a life, it is still often tedious to create the weekly bulletin, to update the website, to do up one more small group schedule.
But I also know that working with words can be captivating and sometimes for the sake of ministry or whimsy, dreams of glory or authority, you come up to me and ask about “writing.” It’s that kind of writing that this series of blog entries is about. Writing that isn’t tedious, writing that you do because you have a message or a dream to share. To inspire that sort of writing, I find it helpful to read writers who don’t necessarily write for church communications. Writers whose topics I would probably never write about, whose worlds I will never inhabit. This is not to say their worlds are evil or vile or anything I would not read on the patio at church between services, but many of the reviewers and authors would probably not be joining me in the church service.
One of my favorite sources for these writers is the LA TIMES, Sunday edition of their editorial section and book reviews. The designer in me loves the form. It is a tabloid tucked into the paper. A pullout section that opened one way says OPINION, turned upside down and opened from the back side, it says BOOK REVIEW. I savor reading it on Sunday afternoon; marking quotes will yellow markers and filing them under “Useful quotes” in my writing files.
It’s the quotes I love and the thoughts they prompt. I realized in my recent project of organizing materials for some books in process that lots of quotes don’t necessarily fit books about church bulletins and designing church websites. Yet they are quotes that the people who create church bulletins and websites might find useful because it seems to me that if every task you undertake in communication is infused with a bit of the glory of what it means to be a communicator, what it means to take words and use them to make people stop, think, ponder, or pray, perhaps the quotes that stir my heart, might stir yours also.
So I’ll be sharing. Here is the pattern: These blogs will be titled LA TIMES, the date, and then perhaps a key topic or two. From there I will pull out quotes and then add a few comments. The label will be clear, and the wonderful self-cataloging nature of this blog will make it easy for those reading the blog who consider the LA TIMES evil and any discussion of it a waste or for those who might also enjoy this sort of mental ramble, for both to either find or avoid whatever suits their particular provisions needed as a writer.
But I also know that working with words can be captivating and sometimes for the sake of ministry or whimsy, dreams of glory or authority, you come up to me and ask about “writing.” It’s that kind of writing that this series of blog entries is about. Writing that isn’t tedious, writing that you do because you have a message or a dream to share. To inspire that sort of writing, I find it helpful to read writers who don’t necessarily write for church communications. Writers whose topics I would probably never write about, whose worlds I will never inhabit. This is not to say their worlds are evil or vile or anything I would not read on the patio at church between services, but many of the reviewers and authors would probably not be joining me in the church service.
One of my favorite sources for these writers is the LA TIMES, Sunday edition of their editorial section and book reviews. The designer in me loves the form. It is a tabloid tucked into the paper. A pullout section that opened one way says OPINION, turned upside down and opened from the back side, it says BOOK REVIEW. I savor reading it on Sunday afternoon; marking quotes will yellow markers and filing them under “Useful quotes” in my writing files.
It’s the quotes I love and the thoughts they prompt. I realized in my recent project of organizing materials for some books in process that lots of quotes don’t necessarily fit books about church bulletins and designing church websites. Yet they are quotes that the people who create church bulletins and websites might find useful because it seems to me that if every task you undertake in communication is infused with a bit of the glory of what it means to be a communicator, what it means to take words and use them to make people stop, think, ponder, or pray, perhaps the quotes that stir my heart, might stir yours also.
So I’ll be sharing. Here is the pattern: These blogs will be titled LA TIMES, the date, and then perhaps a key topic or two. From there I will pull out quotes and then add a few comments. The label will be clear, and the wonderful self-cataloging nature of this blog will make it easy for those reading the blog who consider the LA TIMES evil and any discussion of it a waste or for those who might also enjoy this sort of mental ramble, for both to either find or avoid whatever suits their particular provisions needed as a writer.
Monday, May 5, 2008
The “little” things can be the most powerful communicators
The story of a stubborn general in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings, illustrates the critical importance of not ignoring the seemingly little things in church communication.
The story
Naaman, in 2 Kings 5 was commander of the armies of Aram. He expected significant results from extraordinary efforts. But when he got leprosy, he found an enemy he couldn’t conquer. On the advice of a captive servant girl in his household, he went to the prophet Elisha in Israel to be cured.
As befitting his status, Naaman expected the prophet to appear and with thundering words and grand gestures, heal him of his leprosy. That didn’t happen. “Go wash in the Jordan seven times,” was the message delivered by Elisha’s servant to the general. Naaman was not pleased. In anger, he vented his opinion and prepared to return home, until his servants convinced him to try the little thing suggested by the prophet.
Naaman dipped himself into the Jordan seven times and the seventh time, “his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy (2 Kings 5: 14).”
Applications to church communications
Often as I talk to pastors, church leaders and church communicators in my seminars, I find they know something isn’t working well in their church communications program. It may not be a leprosy, life or death of the church situation, but it is serious. Most often the key symptoms are in following categories:
- Lack of church growth: not enough people coming into the church.
- Lack of member spiritual growth: not enough people attending the events outside Sunday morning that will help them grow to Christian maturity.
Right answer, wrong approach
Correctly improved communications are often seen as the answer. But just as often, I see the communication efforts take a wrong turn. The wrong turn is that like Naaman, a church will often look for the grand and glorious; the latest and greatest as THE solution to their communication problems. Often the result today is: “Let’s hire a company that can create an incredible web site.” Or “Let’s do a really professional (translated, expensive) direct mail outreach and we’ll get a huge turnout.”
A church in one of my recent seminars tied the web solution. They hired a national company to create an incredible website for them. They spent thousands of dollars. It took months to create. Their communications director attended my seminar and asked me to look at the website and their communications because with all the money and time spent, little had improved in terms of people response.
After looking at the website and the revised bulletin I could see why. Both had beautiful graphics, lots of color, pictures, action, etc. The problem wasn’t in the big things, but in absence of the seemingly little details that were essential for people to actually connect with the church events. Lots of graphics, few meaningful links to information that actually informed you of specific events.
The church bulletin was worse. In it, possibly because someone thought they needed “white space” there was a beautiful graphic design and lots of open area, but in the section of ministries going on in the church outside Sunday morning there was a list. That’s it—just a list. No information whatsoever on when they were meeting, how to attend, who to call, nada.
The same week I saw the previously described bulletin, I saw another one from another church who was using exactly the same bulletin shell from the same marketing company. Again it looked great, but inside, though it listed under its three core values that small groups were a key to church growth, the content on small groups was:
Adults: Small Groups, various days and times…Various Locations
That was it. There was not one iota of information on what groups they have, when they meet, how to get involved in one, or even how to find out that information if you wanted to. It doesn’t matter how much money was spent on the fancy, pre-printed shell, functionall-- it said nothing.
Do the simple things seven times
Interesting graphics do not guarantee people connections—the simple repetition of connecting details does. In your church communications you’ve got to tell people what the event is about, (not just “Becomers: meeting this week), who it’s for, when things start, when they end, how to get there, who to contact, how much it costs and if child care is provided. You need to repeat these details through the various channels of communication: print, web, email, projected media, postcards, whatever you can—seven times, seven ways for effective communication.
These little details are the links that connect people to the church events that will result in church growth and in personal spiritual maturity for your people. Why, why are these things routinely left out and money spent on the big and extravagant? is a question I agonize over.
Maybe I wonder, is it because our human tendency is to want to do the big, the quick, the extraordinary to get results and get them now? Is it an unconscious carry-over from the world of business that assumes that throwing money on a problem is a way to solve it?
Is it a lack of faith that if we only do the little things, like print boring details week after week, that if we put our money and time into training the staff we have that we might have to trust God for results we won’t see immediately? Is it because we are impatient and forget that the often used analogies in the Bible, about farmers, shepherds, about growing and tending plants all saw results only in small, incremental ways? Are we a bit blinded by the media that reports and idolizes the big and spectacular when Jesus described the Kingdom grows as yeast permeating, a small seed germinating.
Our churches need healing and I wonder what would happen if we’d stop looking for the spectacular solution and humbly focus on the little things, the communication tiny tasks that connect people. Like Naaman, after his seven trips into the water, after weeks of focus on the little things, we might be surprised at the new life and healing they produce.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
You also communciate by what you don't do
True story here: a couple had started attending a new church. Excited about it, when the church asked for volunteers to work at various tasks for the Easter service, they signed up, adding a little note telling how they were looking forward to doing this, really wanted to serve wherever needed, would come early to make sure they could be put to work.
A week went by and two. No response from the church via email or phone.
At the Easter service, the person in charge of volunteers by chance encountered them, "Oh, I didn't get around to calling you--I have enough people now, but do you think you could stay after to clean up?"
The couple honestly had a firm committment to be somewhere directly after the service, but I doubt even without it, if they would have volunteered to help. Sadly, I doubt if they will volunteer for much of anything again.
I'm sure the person in charge of the big Easter production didn't mean to be unkind, but she was. She didn't mean to make these new folks feel unwanted and ignored but she did.
This illustrates the very important power of the people channel in communication. We pay close attention to our print and digital channels in our church communications, but the people channel is equally important. No matter how great your graphics or content, if you treat people rudely, and to not respond to a request for volunteers is rude, that is what they will remember.
Never ask for something in a church publication, if you don't follow up. Even if you have to say you have enough volunteers, have the courtesy to call and let people know.
People are far more fragile in their emotions that they will often let on and we must honor every effort they make to reach out to the church. To not do that communicates loudly that you don't care.
A week went by and two. No response from the church via email or phone.
At the Easter service, the person in charge of volunteers by chance encountered them, "Oh, I didn't get around to calling you--I have enough people now, but do you think you could stay after to clean up?"
The couple honestly had a firm committment to be somewhere directly after the service, but I doubt even without it, if they would have volunteered to help. Sadly, I doubt if they will volunteer for much of anything again.
I'm sure the person in charge of the big Easter production didn't mean to be unkind, but she was. She didn't mean to make these new folks feel unwanted and ignored but she did.
This illustrates the very important power of the people channel in communication. We pay close attention to our print and digital channels in our church communications, but the people channel is equally important. No matter how great your graphics or content, if you treat people rudely, and to not respond to a request for volunteers is rude, that is what they will remember.
Never ask for something in a church publication, if you don't follow up. Even if you have to say you have enough volunteers, have the courtesy to call and let people know.
People are far more fragile in their emotions that they will often let on and we must honor every effort they make to reach out to the church. To not do that communicates loudly that you don't care.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Don't launch a website too soon
People go to church websites for information.
I constantly emphasize that in my seminars--they are not going to your church website for their multi-media thrill of the week. A flash intro, moving parts, great graphics--these do not equate to a great church.
I was reminded of these lessons, when this week, I was looking at a new church website. This church was very excited about finally having the money to do a really "professional" website and they paid a bucket of money for it, as I discovered when I clicked on the link at the bottom of the page that took me to the company that made it. It had a great opening page, lots of moving parts, and color and excitement.
But I really wondered about the integrity of the company that created it and the wisdom of the folks at the church who ordered it because many of the placeholders for content, e.g. bios of the staff, including the senior pastor, schedules, photo albums, on and on were all empty.
The place-holders were there, but little content.
In checking out a church I don't think I'd be (I wasn't) very impressed with one that had a fancy opening page, but didn't tell me a thing about the senior pastor.
PLEASE, put content on your church websites and don't launch until you have it. You don't have to have a deep and extensive website at the beginning, but the basics, such as who is the pastor, are really essential.
Without it, it's worse than no website at all--it says this church didn't plan ahead, this church cares more about show than substance.
I constantly emphasize that in my seminars--they are not going to your church website for their multi-media thrill of the week. A flash intro, moving parts, great graphics--these do not equate to a great church.
I was reminded of these lessons, when this week, I was looking at a new church website. This church was very excited about finally having the money to do a really "professional" website and they paid a bucket of money for it, as I discovered when I clicked on the link at the bottom of the page that took me to the company that made it. It had a great opening page, lots of moving parts, and color and excitement.
But I really wondered about the integrity of the company that created it and the wisdom of the folks at the church who ordered it because many of the placeholders for content, e.g. bios of the staff, including the senior pastor, schedules, photo albums, on and on were all empty.
The place-holders were there, but little content.
In checking out a church I don't think I'd be (I wasn't) very impressed with one that had a fancy opening page, but didn't tell me a thing about the senior pastor.
PLEASE, put content on your church websites and don't launch until you have it. You don't have to have a deep and extensive website at the beginning, but the basics, such as who is the pastor, are really essential.
Without it, it's worse than no website at all--it says this church didn't plan ahead, this church cares more about show than substance.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Don't hide your PR materials on your website
One of the attendees at my seminar this week asked me to look at her online newsletter and website.
The website was attractive and welcoming, but there were no links to a "newsletter." However, because I see the publications from hundreds of churches each year, I suspected that the label "Messanger" was probably the newsletter. I clicked on it and it was.
I emailed her back and let her know that though both the website and newsletter were well-done and very seeker friendly, this was a good lesson for all of us--when we know and love certain publications in our church, we need to remember that unchurched folks visiting a website might not know the favorite name that we have for the publications.
A church newsletter is a great way to introduce your church to potential visitors who may be checking out your site to see if they want to attend your church--but if they don't know the name of your newsletter they may not be able to find it.
Application: make it easy for people to find things. Use their generic name: church newsletter (not The Messanger), children's ministry (not PromiseLand), single adult ministry (not OASIS) and so on.
Make it easy for people to connect, come visit and get involved.
The website was attractive and welcoming, but there were no links to a "newsletter." However, because I see the publications from hundreds of churches each year, I suspected that the label "Messanger" was probably the newsletter. I clicked on it and it was.
I emailed her back and let her know that though both the website and newsletter were well-done and very seeker friendly, this was a good lesson for all of us--when we know and love certain publications in our church, we need to remember that unchurched folks visiting a website might not know the favorite name that we have for the publications.
A church newsletter is a great way to introduce your church to potential visitors who may be checking out your site to see if they want to attend your church--but if they don't know the name of your newsletter they may not be able to find it.
Application: make it easy for people to find things. Use their generic name: church newsletter (not The Messanger), children's ministry (not PromiseLand), single adult ministry (not OASIS) and so on.
Make it easy for people to connect, come visit and get involved.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Do we really want to serve others with our church communications?
If asked, "Are you serving yourself or your people with your church communications?" of course I'd answer "My people." But this morning I read an email newsletter that challenged my assumptions.
The newsletter is from Gerry McGovern, a secular web guru and consultant, who consistently provides thought-provoking materials that have useful application in church communications. Today in his newsletter he had an article, “WEB PROFESSIONAL: ARE YOU READY TO SERVE?”
Those of us who do communications work in churches like to think that we are motivated by service, but are we really? Read the extended quote below and replace his work “customers” with those you are trying to reach and grow in Jesus.
"It is impossible to create a website with excellent service if there is not a culture of service within the web team that manages the website. All great web teams are founded on a philosophy of service. They like and are interested in their customers. They are constantly thinking about their customers' needs. They want and like to serve.
Many web teams are unfortunately filled with people who have little interest in serving. In fact, many web teams don't even accept that their primary job is to serve customers.
Some web teams think that their job is to manage technology. They spend their time thinking about technology. They get excited by talk of content management systems, search engines, portals, RSS feedback and mobile computing.
Some web teams think about traditional communications. They have all this content to put up. They think that their job ends after they have written the content. The want to communicate at, rather than to, customers, and they expect customers to listen.
Some web teams are excited by things like branding and graphic design. They often change a website because they're bored with the old one. They secretly long for Flash Intros and sometimes create website designs more for their peers to admire than for customers to do stuff on.
Web teams tend to be isolated from customers, and because of this isolation a culture of service rarely exists. In some organizations, web teams are not even allowed to talk to customers! It is simply impossible to design an effective self-service website without a deep understanding of, and ongoing interaction with, customers.
Great web teams constantly talk about the needs of their customers. The technology, the content, and the graphics only exist in the context of creating a more effective self-service environment.
From: http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/
Content management solutions by Gerry McGovern,
Note: I strongly recommend that you go to the website and sign up for his newsletter, great ideas, challenges and insights that you can apply to church communications.
Let me repeat his last paragraph:
It is simply impossible to design an effective self-service website without a deep understanding of, and ongoing interaction with, customers. Great web teams constantly talk about the needs of their customers. The technology, the content, and the graphics only exist in the context of creating a more effective self-service environment.
In not only our websites, but in all our church communications it is so easy to talk at people instead of listening to then, to get overwhelmed by technology, or to work to please our peers instead of constantly seeking to meet the needs of those we serve in the church.
Dealing with technology—the latest web graphic or whatever, is often much more fun than figuring out why the youth group volunteers don’t understand how to use your new interactive calendar or appreciate the innovative graphics you are using.
But if we do these things we aren't serving—and serving is never easy. Jesus took off his robes, wrapped himself in towel and washed the disciple’s feet—and then he told us to do likewise. We need to strip off anything in our communications work that keeps us from serving the people Jesus has given to us. We need to constantly think about their needs; we need to be thinking about how to meet them, and praying for the strength and wisdom to do that.
The newsletter is from Gerry McGovern, a secular web guru and consultant, who consistently provides thought-provoking materials that have useful application in church communications. Today in his newsletter he had an article, “WEB PROFESSIONAL: ARE YOU READY TO SERVE?”
Those of us who do communications work in churches like to think that we are motivated by service, but are we really? Read the extended quote below and replace his work “customers” with those you are trying to reach and grow in Jesus.
"It is impossible to create a website with excellent service if there is not a culture of service within the web team that manages the website. All great web teams are founded on a philosophy of service. They like and are interested in their customers. They are constantly thinking about their customers' needs. They want and like to serve.
Many web teams are unfortunately filled with people who have little interest in serving. In fact, many web teams don't even accept that their primary job is to serve customers.
Some web teams think that their job is to manage technology. They spend their time thinking about technology. They get excited by talk of content management systems, search engines, portals, RSS feedback and mobile computing.
Some web teams think about traditional communications. They have all this content to put up. They think that their job ends after they have written the content. The want to communicate at, rather than to, customers, and they expect customers to listen.
Some web teams are excited by things like branding and graphic design. They often change a website because they're bored with the old one. They secretly long for Flash Intros and sometimes create website designs more for their peers to admire than for customers to do stuff on.
Web teams tend to be isolated from customers, and because of this isolation a culture of service rarely exists. In some organizations, web teams are not even allowed to talk to customers! It is simply impossible to design an effective self-service website without a deep understanding of, and ongoing interaction with, customers.
Great web teams constantly talk about the needs of their customers. The technology, the content, and the graphics only exist in the context of creating a more effective self-service environment.
From: http://www.gerrymcgovern.com/
Content management solutions by Gerry McGovern,
Note: I strongly recommend that you go to the website and sign up for his newsletter, great ideas, challenges and insights that you can apply to church communications.
Let me repeat his last paragraph:
It is simply impossible to design an effective self-service website without a deep understanding of, and ongoing interaction with, customers. Great web teams constantly talk about the needs of their customers. The technology, the content, and the graphics only exist in the context of creating a more effective self-service environment.
In not only our websites, but in all our church communications it is so easy to talk at people instead of listening to then, to get overwhelmed by technology, or to work to please our peers instead of constantly seeking to meet the needs of those we serve in the church.
Dealing with technology—the latest web graphic or whatever, is often much more fun than figuring out why the youth group volunteers don’t understand how to use your new interactive calendar or appreciate the innovative graphics you are using.
But if we do these things we aren't serving—and serving is never easy. Jesus took off his robes, wrapped himself in towel and washed the disciple’s feet—and then he told us to do likewise. We need to strip off anything in our communications work that keeps us from serving the people Jesus has given to us. We need to constantly think about their needs; we need to be thinking about how to meet them, and praying for the strength and wisdom to do that.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
The place of technology in Effective Church Communication
When desktop publishing was new and I was trying to inspire people with the potential we had with this new tool, I would often remind them in my seminars that church offices now had more powerful computers than NASA had when they put a man on the moon.
We've had over twenty years now to use this technology in the service of the gospel, but even though we arguably have the most technology in our churches than any other country in the world, I think few would say we are the most Christian nation in the world.
Tools and technology are important, but if we want to create communications that will change lives for eternity, it takes more than the latest version of the newest software. More than that, the software or the channel we use (e.g. the web vs. print) has absolutely nothing to do with how effective a publication will be be.
In seeing thousands of communications each year as I travel all over North America doing my church communications it astounds me how often people will say things like, "Oh, I did this with the latest version of XYZ software" and then proceed to show me a really poorly designed piece--half a dozen fonts on one page, no grid, no form or organization, chaotic layout, clip art mixed with photos, mixed with screens, etc. No matter how sophisticated the software, unfortunately there is still no software that will tell you (in spite of the numerous other messages that pop up for often no seeming reason), "This is too ugly to print, don't publicly embarrass yourself."
Technology is only a tool and a powerful one. We need to learn to use every piece of software well and more than that, church communicators need to learn the basics of good design, typesetting, layout, and how to combine graphics and words effectively. My blog resources and my website www.effectivechurchcom.com, can help with that training.
But church communicators often don't have all the training they need or the time to get it and they often don't have the latest equipment or software. But a perceived lack in those areas should never make anyone in church communications feel their work is inferior and we should never assume for a moment, if we are well-trained or able to afford most costly software or hardware that that makes our work more important.
You can create either masterpieces or garbage with any software. And more than that--the ultimate success of any project done to advance the Lord's kingdom, ultimately always and only succeeds because he chooses to use it. "Not by might, or by power, but by his spirit," and not by our software or technology, but by his mercy and grace, is anything of eternal importance accomplished by our communications.
We've had over twenty years now to use this technology in the service of the gospel, but even though we arguably have the most technology in our churches than any other country in the world, I think few would say we are the most Christian nation in the world.
Tools and technology are important, but if we want to create communications that will change lives for eternity, it takes more than the latest version of the newest software. More than that, the software or the channel we use (e.g. the web vs. print) has absolutely nothing to do with how effective a publication will be be.
In seeing thousands of communications each year as I travel all over North America doing my church communications it astounds me how often people will say things like, "Oh, I did this with the latest version of XYZ software" and then proceed to show me a really poorly designed piece--half a dozen fonts on one page, no grid, no form or organization, chaotic layout, clip art mixed with photos, mixed with screens, etc. No matter how sophisticated the software, unfortunately there is still no software that will tell you (in spite of the numerous other messages that pop up for often no seeming reason), "This is too ugly to print, don't publicly embarrass yourself."
Technology is only a tool and a powerful one. We need to learn to use every piece of software well and more than that, church communicators need to learn the basics of good design, typesetting, layout, and how to combine graphics and words effectively. My blog resources and my website www.effectivechurchcom.com, can help with that training.
But church communicators often don't have all the training they need or the time to get it and they often don't have the latest equipment or software. But a perceived lack in those areas should never make anyone in church communications feel their work is inferior and we should never assume for a moment, if we are well-trained or able to afford most costly software or hardware that that makes our work more important.
You can create either masterpieces or garbage with any software. And more than that--the ultimate success of any project done to advance the Lord's kingdom, ultimately always and only succeeds because he chooses to use it. "Not by might, or by power, but by his spirit," and not by our software or technology, but by his mercy and grace, is anything of eternal importance accomplished by our communications.
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