There are many church communication tools available to staff, congregation, and people outside the church. Some of these include print media, such as newsletters and bulletins; electronic media, such as websites and email; and interpersonal communication, such as meetings and one-on-one conversation.
Each of these church communication tools has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Print media, for example, is a great way to reach a large number of people with your message, but it can be costly to produce and distribute. Electronic media is often cheaper and easier to produce, but it can be harder to reach people who don’t have access to the internet or email. Interpersonal communication is probably the most effective way to communicate, but it can be time-consuming and requires more effort than other methods.
Here are some groups and how you can communicate with them easily.
Church Staff
Your team will need multiple forms of communication depending on the situation. Face-to-face conversations will likely be common, but how do you get a message to someone quickly and quietly mid-service?
Text messages and WhatsApp groups are a good way to go. They can be sent from any device and you can even include multimedia like photos – if you’ve seen a problem, you can show it clearly!
If it’s less urgent, email is an option too. This is especially useful for church staff who work in an office context as it allows message to be sent and read at an appropriate time.
This is a key point to bear in mind – text messages and WhatsApp messages can be delivered immediately and will give a notification that they have arrived. Email is easier to delay and ignore!
Church Congregation
Interpersonal communication is key when it comes to your congregation. You need to be able to preach effectively from the pulpit, but you also need to be able to interact with people one-on-one and in small groups.
Many churches use a church app to communicate with their congregation. This can be a great way to send out information like service times, events, and sermons. It’s also a good way to receive feedback from your congregation.
Another popular church communication tool is the church website. This is a great place to post information about your church, as well as sermons and other resources.
Newsletters can also be an effective communication tool. Printed versions are great for those who live more offline, while email versions (through tools like MailChimp) can be delivered easily to those who prefer digital content.
People Outside the Church
If you’re trying to reach people who don’t already go to your church, you’ll need to use different communication tools.
One effective way to reach out to your community is through social media. This can be a great way to connect with people who might not otherwise hear about your church. You can use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share information about your church and your events.
Another way to reach out to your community is through local media. This can be anything from placing an ad in the local paper to being interviewed on the radio.
Whatever communication tools you use, remember that the most important thing is to be clear, concise, and consistent in your messaging.
Tools We Recommend
Here are a few church communication tools that we recommend:
– Church App: A church app is a great way to communicate with your congregation. It can be used to send out information like service times, events, and sermons. If you need a custom church app, look for a developer on sites like Fiverr. Alternatively, no-code solutions are available for anyone to try.
– Church Website: A church website is a great place to post information about your church, as well as sermons and other resources. If you need help building a church website, look for a web designer on sites like Fiverr and UpWork, or read our articles on developing your church website.
– WhatsApp: WhatsApp is a messaging app that can be used for church communication, and it’s great for keeping up with your team.
– Social Media: Social media is a great way to reach out to your community and share information about your church. You can use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get started – read our social media guides to find out more.
– MailChimp: MailChimp is a tool that allows you to send newsletters and other email communications to your church members. It’s easy to use and has a free plan for smaller mailshots.
– Canva: Canva is a great tool for creating visuals for your church communications. It has a free plan that should be sufficient for most church needs.
– Google Suite: Google Suite (now known as Google Workspace) is a collection of tools that can be used for church communications, including Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Calendar. With free and reduced-cost plans for charities, G-Suite can provide an inexpensive solution for getting your church into the digital age.
Starting with these tools should help you get a good foundation for church communications. Remember to be clear, concise, and consistent in your messaging, and you’ll be on your way to success!